Planning a vacation to the sunshine state? I’ve got you covered with some of the best and least crowded beaches in Florida panhandle that are perfect for vacation goers looking for a relaxing getaway!

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Unlike Fort Lauderdale Beach, South Beach, and Miami Beach in South Florida where the beaches are always crowded, especially during spring break, you can find some of the best secluded beaches on the Emerald Coast.

As someone who has lived in Florida for most of her life, I’ve had the opportunity to explore both the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast including the Florida Keys. And while South Florida is a widely popular destination for nightlife and festivals, it’s not my top choice for the most relaxing and tranquil beaches in Florida.

Destinations in Southwest Florida from Marco Island, Sanibel, and Fort Myers are all beautiful places to visit as well. But if you want pristine white sand beaches with soft sand between your toes, turquoise water, and fewer crowds, you’ll have to head north of Tampa Bay for the least crowded beaches in the Florida panhandle.

You will quickly find that the Florida panhandle has some of the most beautiful beaches along the 30A strip.

Nothing says, “peace and relaxation” than secluded quiet beaches with miles of white sandy shoreline, sand dunes, and shallow water so clear you can see the fishies swim at your feet. Even better when you can spot local wildlife, sea turtles, and manatees in their natural environment from a short distance!

Whether it’s a weekend escape or a vacation getaway, paradise awaits at some of the most secluded beaches in the Florida panhandle.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Spanning 150 miles of coastline, the Gulf Islands National Seashore covers a lot of beach area – from Cat Island, Mississippi all the way to Santa Rosa Island, Florida.

You can explore several beautiful beaches in between offering public beach access and pristine white fine powder sand that can be blinding under the sun. So be sure to have sunglasses on you!

The island is part of a National Park isolated from the popular beach destinations, so it’s a bit further out. Because it’s not a crowded party destination, there are fewer crowds making it an ideal family hot spot.

Keep in mind though, that there aren’t any lifeguards, and water currents can be a bit strong at times.

If you love birds, keep your eyes peeled for some ospreys and other native Florida species including marine life like the bottlenose dolphin. They like to make an appearance just before sunset when it’s quiet and the surf is calm.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Camping
Picnicking
Visit historical sites
Wildlife viewing

*Image credit: Visit Florida

Blue Mountain Beach

Blue Mountain Beach is among the best beaches located in the heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast if you’re looking for a serene coastal getaway.

This coastal gem is one of the most secluded beaches along Scenic Highway 30A and a perfect place to unwind, relax and soak up the sun.

This secluded beach is well known for its pristine white sands, crystal clear water, sand dunes, and towering coastal pines that create a unique breathtaking landscape.

And what’s more, is that this is also a great spot for outdoor activities and exploring the area’s diverse wildlife.

With just a short drive away, you can find beautiful state parks like Grayton Beach State Park or Topsail Hill Preserve State Park with a nature preserve worth exploring.

The state parks also have a picnic area with picnic tables throughout if you’d like to stop for a snack or lunch break. Additionally, you can catch a tram ride from the parking spaces back to the beach when you’re done exploring.

Blue Mountain Beach is a perfect location for nature lovers and beachgoers alike.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Wellness activities such as yoga on the beach
Paddle boarding
Jet skiing
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Biking
Hiking nature trails
Dolphin watching tours
Golfing at top-rated golf courses

No matter what you choose to do, expect friendly locals, a relaxed atmosphere, and natural beauty all around in this charming small town.

Dune Allen Beach

Dune Allen Beach is located on the west end of 30A in a more remote location making it a great place for a laid-back, secluded atmosphere compared to nearby beaches.

If a peaceful, tranquil, and secluded getaway is what you are seeking, Dune Allen Beach is an absolute must!

This hidden gem offers beautiful soft white sand, towering sand dunes, and breathtaking views of the coast’s emerald-green waters. It’s definitely a place to visit on a solo weekend retreat, with family or a couples escape.

With plenty of nature to explore from the five coastal dune lakes to miles of walking trails for hiking including the Timpoochee Trail, you can’t go wrong.

Dune Allen is a nature lover’s paradise and it doesn’t include big hotels and large commercialized businesses!

Things to Do:

Swimming
Morning and sunset walks along the sugar-white sand shoreline
Biking
Hiking trails
Paddle boarding

*Image credit: Visit South Walton

Cape San Blas

Cape San Blas is located near St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (a great place for nature lovers) and is among the panhandle’s least crowded beaches. With miles of pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters, this tropical paradise offers nothing but unspoiled natural beauty.

This secluded island is a great vacation spot for families or couples including your furry companions!

And with plenty of vacation rentals to choose from providing you with all the comforts of home, it’ll feel more like paradise. Some will even offer your own private beach with walking trails!

Expect to see live conch, hermit crabs, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, and more along the shoreline but please admire these beauties from a distance and let them wander their natural habitat freely. Respecting nature is an important aspect of ecotourism.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Paddle boarding
Kayaking
Biking
Snorkeling

Shell Island Beach

Shell Island Beach is a secluded barrier island located off Florida’s Gulf Coast with miles of uninhabited sugar-white sand shoreline, breathtaking views, and abundant wildlife. Yet another great destination for the nature enthusiast!

Just as the name states, Shell Island is among the best places for shell collecting and escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you’ll find sand dollars, moon snails, periwinkles, and all kinds of seashells to explore.

Shell Island is also a great place to bask in the sun, swim in the clear turquoise waters, and enjoy beautiful marine life from a distance.

Things to Do:

Beach combing and shelling
Swimming
Snorkeling
Scuba diving
Paddle boarding
Boating

Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach is located just 20 minutes from Panama City and about an hour from Destin on some of the most beautiful sugar-white sand beaches and crystal-clear emerald-green waters.

This hidden secret offers seclusion at its finest and a chill, slow-paced lifestyle if you’re looking for a low-key beach vacation getaway.

Expect a small-town feel at this beautiful beach with a close-knit coastal town community. It’s a perfect place for escaping the crowds and party beaches near Panama City.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Biking
Boating
Paddle boarding
Eco-tours
Shelling
Kayaking
Parasailing
Shopping

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Perdido Key Beach

Stretching across 16 miles of white sandy shoreline, Perdido Key Beach is located between Pensacola and Orange Beach, Alabama on the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

This barrier island boasts unspoiled and natural wildlife attracting visitors all year long. With nearby state park Joseph Peninsula, it’s a great way to connect with nature, birdwatch, and enjoy the local wildlife is hiking through the nature preserve.

It’s a natural paradise worth the trip!

Things to Do:

Sunbathing
Swimming
Paddle boarding
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Hiking
Birdwatching

Navarre Beach

Navarre Beach is one of my favorite beach towns in the Florida panhandle. Not only for its relaxing, low-key atmosphere, white sandy beaches, and emerald green water but for the Turtle Rescue Sanctuary across from the Navarre fishing pier and parking area.

The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center strives to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles through hands-on learning experiences and education throughout the community. So if you decide to visit the area, be sure to stop by and give them a listen.

And if you visit during the months of May through October, you may be able to get in a peek at some of the sea turtles from a distance. They love this extremely quiet beach for its undisturbed open spaces and large beach with 12 miles of pristine white shoreline.

Navarre Beach is also known for being a quiet and tranquil small beach town with a slogan that says it all, “Florida’s Most Relaxing Place.” Previously known as, “Florida’s Best-Kept Secret.”

So if peace and quiet are what you’re looking for, this one is a good pick to add to your itinerary!

Things to Do:

Sunbathing
Swimming
Paddle boarding
Kayaking
Surfing
Boating
Snorkeling

Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach is located in the beautiful Destin area just 8 minutes from the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This piece of paradise sits just about 15 minutes from Miramar Beach in South Walton if you want to venture to an area with a more traditional beach town vibe to do some shopping.

Santa Rosa Beach is more of a slower pace and is among the least crowded beaches in the panhandle with mostly vacation rentals. The beach boasts pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters with public beach access and free parking.

The area also offers bike lanes and golf cart rentals to make it easy to get around and explore the island.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Hiking
Biking
Rent a pontoon boat

Travel Tip! To keep it healthy, stop at the local Whole Foods or Fresh Market to pick up some groceries. It helps if you are staying in a vacation rental with a kitchen.

Seagrove Beach

With 2 miles of coastal shoreline along 30A, Seagrove Beach is best known for its white sand beach and blue, emerald-green water. It’s also one of the least crowded beaches on Florida’s panhandle making it a great place for a relaxing beach vacation.

While you’re here, walk, bike, or rent a golf cart to venture around. And don’t leave without visiting the Seagrove Village Market Cafe off S. Highway 395. It’s super cute!

Seagrove Beach is also considered to be a well-centralized destination close to the small beach towns of Seaside, Watercolor, and Grayton as well as beautiful Alys and Rosemary Beach. So you won’t fall short of exploring the cute coastal towns along 30A.

Furthermore, when you book a vacation rental, you’ll typically have access to a private beach which offers even more secluded relaxation.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Biking
Paddleboarding
Jet Ski
Relax on the beach
Explore the coastal dune lakes

Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach is tucked away between the Destin area and the beautiful scenic 30A. While it’s not one of the most secluded beaches in the Florida panhandle, it is among the less crowded beaches.

Here you will get the best of both worlds from relaxing and soaking up the sun amidst the soft white sand, turquoise blue water, and calm surf to some of the area’s best dining, music, shopping, and nightlife.

What makes this a great beach is its accessibility to just about everything, while still offering a relaxing beach vacation with fewer crowds.

Things to Do:

Sunbathing
Swimming
Paddle boarding
Biking
Shopping

Caladesi Island

While Caladesi Island is not in the Florida panhandle, this hidden gem is still worth the mention. Caladesi Island is a secluded beach located off the Gulf of Mexico’s beautiful waters and is only accessible by boat.

You can catch the family-owned Caldesi Island Ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park which departs starting at 10 AM year-round. Just park your car in the ferry parking lot and walk over to the ticket booth to purchase your roundtrip ticket.

Because the island can only be accessed by boat, the crowds are less and not as heavily populated as Siesta Key Beach or Clearwater Beach.

This little piece of secluded paradise offers plenty of space along the white sand shoreline to kick back and relax or enjoy a cool-off in the crystal blue waters.

Things to Do:

Swimming
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Shelling
Hiking
Wildlife viewing

*Image Credit: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Closest Airport to Beaches in the Florida Panhandle

Depending on where you are flying out of, there are two Florida panhandle airports you can fly into for your beach destination of choice.

1. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) – This airport is located in Panama City which is closest to the beaches on the east end of 30A. Nearby beaches include those in the Seagrove and Seaside areas.

2. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) – This airport is located in the Valparaiso area. Fly into this airport if your stay is on the west end of the panhandle. Nearby beaches include Dune Allen and Blue Mountain.

FAQs about the Least Crowded Beaches in Florida Panhandle

What is the least crowded beach in Florida Panhandle?

Located at the southernmost point of the panhandle, Cape San Blas is less crowded than the other Florida beaches on the Emerald Coast. Cape San Blas sits at the tip of the Joseph peninsula along the Gulf of Mexico and is known as Florida’s “Best kept secret.”

The narrow stretch of shoreline extends from Port St. Joe and loops around the St. Joseph Bay area. You can’t go wrong with a visit to Cape San Blas!

Which beach has the clearest water in Florida Panhandle?

The beach with the clearest water in the Florida Panhandle is kind of hard to say since almost all of the beaches along the panhandle offer crystal clear blue waters. But I would have to say Destin Beach and Navarre Beach would be at the top.

What is the least crowded beach near Destin Florida?

The less crowded beach near Destin, Florida is Princess Beach on Santa Rosa Island. Princess Beach is about 6 minutes from Destin just off the Miracle Strip Parkway and is one of the more secluded beaches along the Emerald Coast of Florida’s panhandle.

You’ll find very few people with the idea of partying along this beach which makes it a great choice for families or a romantic getaway.

What is the least crowded beach in Pensacola?

Located just west of the Navarre Beach pier within the Gulf Coast National Seashore, Opal Beach is the less crowded in Pensacola.

What part of Panama City Beach is less crowded?

The less crowded part of Panama City Beach is on the west end side where it’s quieter and less commercialized. Here you’ll find quaint little coastal communities along the beaches and more of a local, laid-back atmosphere.