What could be better than a sipping a Corona with your toes in the sand? We get it. But many of Florida’s beaches prohibit alcohol. Lucky for you, we found 13 of the best Floridian beaches that are booze-friendly. Don’t worry, these aren’t all raucous Spring Break party beaches, most are clean and family friendly. Perfect for your next Florida vacation rental!
Head To These Florida Beaches That Allow Alcohol
1. Cocoa Beach
Located on a barrier island on the east coast of Florida, the golden shoreline and crashing surf at Cocoa Beach make for a perfect beach locale, whether you’re after swimming, surfing, or sand castle making. Birthplace of world champion surfer Kelly Slater, the waves at Cocoa Beach are ideal for pros and beginners alike.
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2. Shell Island, Panama City Beach
All the beaches in Panama City are alcohol-friendly (except for the month of March, when they ban alcohol to deter Spring Break rowdiness.) Pristine Shell Island is accessible via ferry or tour boat and offers seven miles of undeveloped peninsula covered in white sandy beaches along crystal clear water perfect for swimming, snorkeling, bird watching, and shell hunting.
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3. Treasure Island
This swashbuckling locale offers four miles of beautiful white sand dotted with palm trees on the crystal clear waters of Florida’s west coast. There is a section of Treasure Island’s Sunset Beach that doesn’t allow alcohol for most of the year but the rest of Treasure Island’s beaches have a booze green light.
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4. Madeira Beach
On Florida’s west coast, just across the bay from Tampa, lies Madeira Beach. In addition to the beautiful booze-friendly beaches prime for playing in the sea and sun, check out the 1,000-foot boardwalk where you can peruse shops for your Florida souvenirs or hit the restaurants and bars to stuff yourself silly on fresh seafood.
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5. Redington Beach
Redington Beach is plush with the snowy-white sand and aquamarine waves you expect from the gulf coast. Here you can sip your wine coolers with ease, while you swim, boat, surf, and soak in the Florida sun.
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6. Siesta Beach, Sarasota
Rated the #1 beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2011, this gulf coast beauty boasts glowing white sand (thanks to being 99% quartz) and clear blue water that is perfect for swimming (and shallow and calm enough for kiddos.) Amenities include year-round lifeguards, beach wheelchairs, outdoor showers, and volleyball courts, making it a great family-friendly spot.
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7. Turtle Beach, Sarasota
South of Siesta Beach you’ll find quieter Turtle Beach. Another kid friendly spot, Turtle Beach has a large picnic shelter, perfect for big family gatherings, as well as volleyball and horseshoe courts, and a playground. Keep your eyes open for fossilized shark teeth!
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8. Pensacola Beach, Pensacola
This gem of a beach lies on Florida’s panhandle and offers water recreation aplenty, from swimming to scuba diving to deep-sea fishing. Keep in mind, the west side of the Pensacola Gulf Pier is alcohol-free but the rest of the beach is fair game for sipping.
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9. Lido Beach, Sarasota
A stunning sunset at this popular gulf beach is not to be missed. In addition to the powdery sand and calm clear water, Lido offers plenty in the way of amenities including showers, chair rentals, concessions (grab a hefty lobster roll from Lido Beach Restaurant), and even a public heated swimming pool.
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10. Perdido Key
Often ranked as one of the country’s best beaches, this long stretch of panhandle beach is slightly more rugged and less busy than many Florida beach destinations. It still offers the sugary white sand and azure waters of the gulf that make it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
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11. Flagler Beach
This Atlantic-facing beach along the Palm Coast is perfect for beach-goers looking for a more laid-back experience. The caramel-colored sands stretch for 19 miles and are blissfully free of crowds. Refreshing blue waves are perfect for surfing, swimming, fishing, and relaxing.
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12. Naples Municipal Beach, Naples
This beach near downtown Naples offers miles of pristine pearly white sand and is great for swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. Take in a beautiful sunset from the beach or from Naples’ legendary pier (no drinking on the pier though.)
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13. Vanderbilt Beach, Naples
This popular beach offers the best of the gulf coast: clear warm waters and beaches carpeted in the softest sand. Nearby resorts and hotels make for easy beach access and offer great amenities, like concession stands, boat rentals, and showers.
Insider’s tip: Stick with cans or bring your own plastic containers! Although alcohol is allowed, these beaches all prohibit glass.
Ready to go? Check out these amazing Florida vacation rentals on Tripping.com.
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This article was written by Katie Vaughan.
