4 beautiful beach towns in Florida with fewer crowds this summer

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Don’t fall into the trap of following the crowd.

Florida may seem like a click-and-go destination, where autopilot takes over and before you know it, you’re in Destin for the umpteenth time.

There are numerous hotspots in Florida where this can easily happen.

The Travel Off Path team put their heads together and delved deep into Florida’s hidden gems, which seem to get smaller and smaller with each passing season.

Instead of vacationing in Miami, the famous Gulf Coast paradises, or even taking the whole family to Orlando, we’ve rounded up 4 beautiful Florida beach towns with fewer crowds this summer. (Plus a quiz at the end to find out which one is your perfect match!)

4) Port St. Joe: Florida’s most relaxing hideaway

Do you think Old Florida died?

Well, Port St. Joe is still holding up.

Along a stretch of seemingly unspoiled Gulfside coastline lies what many consider a sleepy town where you can mingle with the locals and, quite frankly, do absolutely nothing.

Digital detoxers and those just looking for some peace and quiet will fall in love with this legendary city that will make you wish the walls could talk.

Glossy with white sandy beaches and fewer footprints than the rest of the state and more notable Gulf cities, this blissful retreat isn’t a one-trick pony, either.

In fact, the last time we covered PSJ, we revealed that it was Florida’s best gateway to the state’s most beautiful beaches, like nearby Mexico Beach, which rarely gets mentioned among the rest of the state’s household names we often explore first.

Port St. Joe is a no-brainer – it is cheap, feels authentic and localand an undiscovered frontier when you spend your sun-drenched beach days with so much space around you so you can read and put away your phone (yes, it’s possible!).

3) Virginia Key: the hidden gem of a hidden gem

Virginia Key is like the last layer of a Russian nesting doll. Key Biscayne is already one of Miami’s last remaining quiet hideawaysand just off the causeway is Virginia Key – an even quieter escape within.

You’ll be right next to each other here, enjoying scenic, yet beautiful coastlines with Miami’s vibrant skyline in the distance. almost hear the “untz-untzing” of South Beach

Quieter, less crowded, and a place that even fellow Miamians caught up in their own city’s fast-paced lifestyle don’t know exists. If you’re at all in Miami this year, make time to recharge at perhaps the last place in town that no tourists seem to know about.

Moreover, there are historical sights such as Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, definitely worth popping into while you’re here, and it’s only a short drive from the city.

2) Dania Beach: all aboard to paradise!

It’s not often that you can hop straight on a train from not one, not two, but three airports and seamlessly reach your own piece of paradise within minutes.

No awkward Uber calls, no peak prices or car rental lines: just an easy one Tri-Rail Train Ride to activate holiday mode from the start.

You could say that Dania Beach is another secret of Miami, except that it is an official city, sandwiched between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

This idyllic seaside resort features endless waterfront dining optionsa charming downtown area to wander around, and less hustle and bustle than both of its larger neighbors.

The golden sandy beaches are spacious and family-friendly, making for a perfect summer getaway, whether you choose Dania Beach as a base or want to escape the hustle and bustle of Miami for a day or two.

1) Nokomis: the perfect alternative to Siesta Key

There are few destinations on the coast of the US mainland that truly recreate the Caribbean atmosphere.

Of course, when it comes to Florida, there’s a reason why Clearwater and Siesta Key are neck-and-neck as the top destinations in the Sunshine State every year.

Having visited both, I can tell you that lugging a cooler from the back row of a parking lot to front row real estate through soft, powdery sand is not easy.

The most convenient option without sacrificing quality?

Nokomis – a beautiful beach town nearby full of friendly locals, better prices and yes, always parking.

Even as a West Coaster, this Florida beauty draws me back every year for its festive tiki bars like Popsnever crowded white sandy beaches and warm, blue waters. I can snorkel all day because California just doesn’t have that time of year.

See you in September!

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego, has visited 44 countries and written more than 1,500 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.