The 12 Best Beach Towns on the Florida Gulf Coast

Why live on the Florida Gulf Coast? It’s a paradise of sunny shores, warm weather, and exciting activities! From its beautiful beaches to delicious seafood restaurants to an affordable cost of living, life among these beach towns in Florida’s Gulf Coast is extraordinary.

Florida’s west coast beaches have a reputation for being more laid back than the fast-paced and packed east coast. That doesn’t mean you won’t find cities. Naples, Sarasota-Bradenton, Tampa, and Pensacola are all highly developed metro areas. Still, you’ll find many appealing beach towns if you prefer a more rustic beach town and a chill coastal vibe. Large stretches of its coastline hide unspoiled beaches.

Discover a few of the best beach towns in Florida on its wet side. We’ll start in the northern Panhandle and move south. The Florida Keys aren’t included in our Gulf Coast list.

Destin

Part of Florida’s Emerald Coast, this charming fishing village is a top destination for vacations or living the Florida lifestyle. Thanks to its peninsula location, water views abound across town.

If you’re looking for a place to buy some coastal property with great opportunities for fishing, sailing, and other water sports, golfing, and shopping, then look no further. Its gorgeous beaches often rank among the state and nation’s best. The town’s crown jewel, Henderson Beach State Park, is where people sunbathe on sugar-white sands beside emerald-green waters.

Those shimmering white sands are a small part of Destin’s appeal. Away from the beaches, family fun awaits. Visit the Big Kahuna Water Park, HarborWalk Village, and Destin Commons. Two championship golf courses add to the resort town vibe. There’s also an abundance of fantastic restaurants to choose from! Over a million people a year come here to enjoy the beach life.

Destin has many housing options, including beachfront condos and luxurious waterfront homes. A segment of the market caters to second home or vacation rentals. The median list price for May 2024 was $650,000, with 889 listings.

Miramar Beach

With easy access to Destin and Pensacola, this Florida Panhandle town has all the ingredients for an amazing beach lifestyle. It’s not technically a town, but it has its own zip code. The locals consider it distinct from next-door Destin. It’s quieter and more residential, which has its own appeal.

Besides its snow-white beaches and jewel-toned waters, Miramar Beach is considered a retail destination. Head to Silver Sands Premium Outlets or Grand Boulevard for a shopping spree. Or, take in a round at one of the many nearby golf courses. The Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort is the perfect place for tennis, with six championship clay courts and instruction from award-winning USPTA teaching staff.

Spend your days in Miramar Beach kayaking, fishing, swimming, boating, or simply relaxing by the shoreline. The sunsets here have a reputation as some of Florida’s most spectacular.

Miramar Beach is perfect for those looking to purchase Florida waterfront property or investors interested in buying Florida real estate for rental income purposes. As of May 2024, the median list price was $699,000, and 890 homes were on the market.

Seaside

Most beach towns grow organically, but Seaside was purposefully designed as a place where New Urbanism meets coastal. Seaside promotes a pedestrian-friendly, car-free layout, with brightly painted homes and charming boutiques. Its unique look can be seen in the movie The Truman Show, which was famously filmed here.

The two main draws are the beach and the shopping. The popular Seaside Beach offers miles of sugary sand against a backdrop of brilliantly blue waters. Cabanas and pavilions line the beachfront. You won’t find any high rises here, as the immediate beachfront has been kept relatively undeveloped – an anomaly from Florida’s typical touristy beaches!

At Seaside, stroll down the town’s main street and find yourself drawn in by the vibrant and colorful storefronts. Browse through one-of-a-kind shops offering everything from handmade jewelry to Florida-inspired souvenirs. The combination of charming town and a beautiful beach makes this a favorite destination for couples and families alike.

Seaside real estate is part of the Point Washington area. It includes other Florida beaches to check out, like Grayson Beach. Its Grayton Beach State Park is a local favorite. The median list price for May 2024 was $1.2 million, with 1,438 listings.

Saint George Island

Saint George Island is the perfect choice if you’re searching for an “Old Florida” coastal town. This 22-mile-long barrier island has white sand beaches, salt marshes, and incredible wildlife viewing that stretches miles down the Gulf of Mexico.

Several state parks help maintain the low-density population on the island. The Saint George Island State Park is a safe haven for various coastal plant and animal species. Its unique ecology makes it a hot spot for bird watchers, wildlife viewing, and sea shell hunters. And Saint George Island Lighthouse just so happens to be one of Florida’s oldest lighthouses, built in 1833!

One of the best things about living on this island is that you don’t need a car to get around. Cycling and golf carts are the preferred method of transportation. The infrastructure here is geared towards tourism. There are restaurants and stores, but most of your essential needs will be met on the mainland.

The real estate market on Saint George Island mainly consists of single-family homes, ranging from cozy beach bungalows to luxury vacation rentals. The median list price in May 2024 was $1.3 million, and there were 200 listings. Due to its tranquil vibe, many buyers choose this as their second home destination or for vacation home investing.

Cedar Key

Moving down to central Florida and the Big Bend area, this old Florida fishing village on Florida’s Nature Coast is truly a unique destination. Cedar Key sits among the nation’s most historic beach towns. Driving down Florida Highway 24 across the salt flats and sawgrasses is like a road trip back in time.

Cedar Key is the second-oldest town in Florida, after St. Augustine on the Atlantic coast. While it has a tourist component, only 800 people live here full-time. That makes the town the perfect escape for anyone longing for a slower pace of life.

Besides peace and quiet, Cedar Key has incredible views of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Being a “key” means it is an island, so gulf waters and salt marshes surround it in every direction. What it lacks in extensive beachfront, it makes up for with access to unpopulated islands and secluded charm.

Life here is a unique cultural experience. Once you arrive, you’ll find an array of art galleries, antique stores, and farm-to-table restaurants in the historic waterfront downtown. Watch spectacular sunsets on a picturesque waterfront while dining on some of Florida’s best seafood.

Cedar Lake National Wildlife Refuge is just outside of town. Catch glimpses of otters and alligators in their natural habitats. This is also a fantastic place for fishing enthusiasts. The waters give locals access to some excellent freshwater and saltwater fishing spots.

Cedar Key real estate is mainly single-family homes, many built as stilt houses to rise above flood waters. The median list price in May 2024 was $475,000, with 113 listings.

Tarpon Springs

Now entering the Tampa Bay Area, we come to Tarpon Springs. Its rich Greek heritage is one of the most interesting things about this town, as it was settled by immigrants in the 1800s. Its influence permeates in the architecture, traditional Greek food restaurants, and year-round festivals.

These immigrants came to Tarpon Springs to harvest local sponges. See how the sponge divers collect one of 18 varieties of sponges at St. Nicholas. A boat tour around the Dodecanese Blvd area gives visitors a chance to see the sponge diving process. If being on a boat isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Tarpon Springs has many ways to learn about its roots on land.

Tarpon Springs preserves the natural beauty of the Tampa Bay region. Fred Howard Park features 155 acres of preserved waterfront with a causeway that takes you directly to the white sandy beach for gorgeous views of the Gulf.

In terms of real estate, this town primarily consists of single-family homes, but there are waterfront villas and condos, including on the beach, Anclote River, and Lake Tarpon. The median list price for May 2024 was $480,000, with 467 listings.

Madeira Beach

Situated midway between Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach is an excellent alternative for those who want to be close to a major area but don’t want to live a touristy lifestyle found in other Tampa Bay area beach towns.

Madeira Beach has a colorful history. A pirate supposedly founded the beachfront community near John’s Pass. Today, its beautiful 2.5-mile-long beach and the Johns Pass Village and Boardwalk shops are the main attractions. Besides pirates, locals know the town as the “Grouper Capital of the World” because more catches are brought here than elsewhere.

This city consists of single-family homes and condos. The median list price in May 2024 was $884,500, with 200 listings. Most listings and housing are on the Intracoastal, while some will have gulf views across the highway.

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Beloved and called their favorite beach town by locals, Pass-a-Grille is oft-overlooked by those who don’t know its charms. This charming community hides on the southern tip of St. Petersburg’s barrier island. It is just a short drive away from Tampa Bay and Clearwater Beach, but feels laidback and quieter as there’s no through traffic.

The main attractions here are the golden sands, which are St. Petersburg’s best. Spend your days relaxing by the shore or searching for shells. Walk down 8th Avenue towards the Pass-a-Grille historic district to explore its boutiques and restaurants.

You’ll also find plenty of boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding opportunities. End your days in the Sunshine State enjoying the spectacular Gulf Coast sunsets.

Real estate-wise, this town’s architectural aesthetic is single-family homes in a bungalow style. You won’t find high-rise condo towers here. May 2024 had 500 listings, which included nearby St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, and a median list price of $800,000.

Anna Maria Island

Across Tampa Bay awaits Anna Maria, the town on the northern tip of Anna Maria Island. The island is connected to the mainland by two bridges, which can congest traffic during peak season. However, it’s well worth it as this seven-mile-long island has one of the most beautiful beach towns in Florida.

The locals love the chilled-out vibe, the classic coastal Florida architecture, and the fact that there are no high-rise condos. The speed limit of 35 miles per hour is perfect for leisurely sunset cruises down Gulf Drive from Anna Maria to Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

The Anna Maria Historic District is an excellent place for shopping and dining. Coastal-style buildings add to the downtown charm, as does the colorful arts culture. The Anna Maria Island Art League offers classes and workshops in various mediums.

Anna Maria’s May 2024 median list price was $2.9M with 98 homes on sale. Many properties had some waterfront, as the island’s northern end includes many canals on the bayside.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key frequently ranks as the state’s, if not the nation’s, best beach, and with good reason. The white sands here is made up of 99% quartz crystals. The Siesta Key Beach sand feels extra soft on the feet and doesn’t turn searing hot in the summer sun. Plus, its shallow waters make for calm waters perfect for all swim levels. It’s no wonder Siesta Key is a top beach town in Florida.

This barrier island just south of downtown. Sarasota stretches down the coast for eight miles of beaches and canals, boutique stores, and excellent restaurants. The moment you arrive, you can feel the difference. Siesta Key has a chill vibe, as much of it is residential. Still, there’s always something going on here: the weekly free Siesta Drum Circle on Sundays or a special event like Valentine’s Day Renewal of Vows against a beautiful sunset backdrop. Outdoor activities include exploring the shores by paddleboard or kayak, fishing in Sarasota Bay, or visiting Turtle Beach for some wildlife spotting.

Architectural styles vary from palatial oceanfront estates with private beachfront access on the southern end to bayside condominiums. The May 2024 list price was $1.2 million for 260 homes.

Venice

Just south of Sarasota is the charming coastal town of Venice. With its unique Mediterranean architecture, swaying palm trees, and captivating views of Florida’s wetlands, it’s easy to see why this place is the “Venice of America.”

It stands out among Florida’s public beaches for what you can do here. Venice Beach is prime territory for finding shark teeth. Hunters have found everything from small fossilized teeth in the beach sands to massive ancient megalodon teeth in offshore waters. You won’t have the experience of letting calm waves wash over your toes as you scoop up fossils in many other places!

Besides Venice Beach, the town is full of restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques. Stroll down Venice Avenue for shopping or dining, or explore the historic downtown theater.

Venice real estate offers beachfront estates and inland homes within golf community developments. Or, try one of the cozy master-planned neighborhoods with many amenities for retirees or families alike. The median list price from December 2022 was $459,900 for 2,217 listings.

Sanibel and Captiva Island

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are two small, picturesque towns off Florida’s southwest coast. Before Hurricane Ian’s landfall in 2022, these islands were world-renowned for their unspoiled beaches and abundance of shells. Sanibel Island ranked as one of the top shelling beaches globally.

Since then, Sanibel and Captiva have been busy rebuilding. They are still included among the beaches on the Gulf side of Florida because they have been beloved destinations for decades. In the years to come, their appealing scenery and chill vibes will make the islands thriving beach towns again.

The island lured people as a refuge from the hustle of Florida’s mainland. Abundant wildlife and conservation efforts made its waters a haven for dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. Fishing is also popular in these parts. Anglers catch prize snook or tarpon in the waters.

If you’re looking for a laid-back beach town with plenty to explore and lots of natural beauty, consider Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The median list price in May 2024 was $1.2 million for 351 listings. The current redevelopment means you have the chance to customize your island home.

The Best Florida Gulf Coast Cities

Overall, Florida’s Gulf Coast is dotted with charming beach towns. So why not take the plunge and live by the sea? Pick between towns packed with attractions or find a more laid-back atmosphere away from the tourist crowds. From luxurious homes to charming bungalows, one of these top beach towns in Florida will surely have what you’re looking for! Work with a local real estate expert to find your perfect beachfront community.

Updated June 2024