The 15 best beach towns on the east coast of Florida are the perfect getaway for any occasion. From vacationing, retiring, or raising a family, Florida has plenty of incredible beach towns that can offer the ideal vacation or new lifestyle. The Sunshine State has some of the most stunning beach towns on the Eastern Seaboard, and each city offers a distinct charm you have to experience for yourself.
Florida’s east coast has multiple regions along the Atlantic Side, and each unique region offers something special for locals and tourists alike. Beautiful beach towns are Florida’s specialty, from the First Coast to the Space Coast and the Treasure Coast and beyond. Most of the best beach towns in Florida are very relaxing and serene places. However, it’s possible to find exciting beach towns for people looking for a faster pace of life. Below are the 15 best beach towns on the east coast of Florida.
Stuart
Stuart, Florida, is a quaint town with fantastic coffee shops, beaches, boutique shops, and incredible restaurants. People love Stuart because of the abundance of local shops and eateries. The city has many family-owned businesses that offer fantastic customer service and an overall friendly environment. It also has a great art scene and is anchored by Historic Downtown Stuart. Stuart is a welcoming and friendly community with a high quality of life and is rated as one of the best places to live in Martin County, Florida.
Tequesta
Tequesta is an upscale, charming town located north of Jupiter, Florida. It’s a prestigious community offering beautiful waterfront properties and fantastic golfing. The small village also has excellent restaurants and lovely boutiques.
People love Tequesta because it’s a luxurious spot that’s laid-back and down-to-earth. Tequesta has a relaxing atmosphere and is a quintessential village in Florida. Travelers looking for a magical and restorative place visit Tequesta, Florida. The city is one of the best east coast Florida beach towns.
Merritt Island
Merritt Island is a beach and nature lover’s dream, with a shoreline that is 24 miles long. The beach town has saltwater arches, coastal dunes, and thousands of flora and fauna species. It’s home to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is on 140,000 acres and is a habitat for migratory birds and more than a thousand species of animals and plants. The charming beach town has a small community feel with plenty of friendly faces. The peninsula is located in Florida’s Brevard County.
Jupiter
Jupiter is an exclusive beach town known for its golf courses and affluent residents. The city is home to many celebrities, including Nick Saban, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and many others. Jupiter is one of the wealthiest communities in Florida and has some of the most luxurious real estate in the state.
The beaches in Jupiter have crystal clear waters, and the town’s lush scenery and stunning old Florida vibe make it the epitome of luxury living. Find everything from great live music to remarkable waterfront restaurants to unparalleled oceanfront settings. Jupiter is a remarkable beach town that offers a high quality of life.
Jensen Beach
Jensen Beach is a relaxing and serene riverfront and oceanfront town. Its location on the water allows for plenty of things to do, especially for those who enjoy boating, fishing, and other water activities. Many residents live steps from the water, but the town also has plenty of green spaces, coffee shops, and restaurants to explore.
Jensen Beach is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, abundant wildlife, and clean beaches. It’s a unique corner of Florida, and although it’s a small community, there are plenty of excellent amenities.
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce is a colorful and growing beach town that always has something going on. The city has excellent restaurants, bars, events, family-friendly activities, and other entertainment options. The beach town is renowned for its Farmers Market, pictured above in Downtown Fort Pierce, which is ranked one of the best farmers markets in the nation.
Fort Pierce is a place where you can unwind to some live music on the ocean’s shores; the city prides itself on being one of the most exciting towns on the Treasure Coast. Its history and beauty make it one of the best beach towns on Florida’s east coast.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is known for its eclectic mix of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Gothic Revival architecture, making it one of the most picturesque east coast Florida beach towns. The scenic beach town has a fantastic walkable waterfront downtown filled with fabulous boutiques, fresh seafood restaurants, and a famous fudge shop.
The town is so distinct that Hollywood decided it would be the perfect spot to film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking. Amelia Island has an old Florida vibe and is one of the best beach towns on Florida’s east coast.
Vero Beach
In 2023, Coastal Living recognized Vero Beach as one of America’s best beach towns. Vero Beach is one of the most popular beaches due to its pristine white sandy beaches and proximity to the Indian River Lagoon. It’s the kind of place that you fall in love with at first sight.
Vero Beach It’s home to some of the most tranquil beaches on Florida’s East Coast, and its allure is due to its small-town feel, greenery, and affordability while simultaneously being a hub for arts and culture. It’s also becoming increasingly popular for pickleball, something you have probably heard of by now.
The town has an endless calendar of events, from festivals to farmer’s markets, lectures, curated exhibits, film screenings, and more. Vero Beach is a stunning community and one of the best beach towns on Florida’s east coast.
Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach has an interesting history as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. It’s a charming, historical place with shrimp boats still departing from the docks most days. The town has a large historic district filled with beautiful Victorian architecture.
It’s also home to the oldest saloon in Florida, which is located on Centre Street. Locals know Fernandina Beach as a relaxing Victorian Seaport Village that saw its share of Pirates, shrimpers, and bootleggers in its heyday. Fernandina Beach is also home to the Artrageous Art Walk, held every second Saturday of each month.
Satellite Beach
Satellite Beach is a small beach town on a beautiful barrier island surrounded by the Indian River, the Banana River, and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is small, active, and located near the Patrick Space Force Base.
Satellite Beach’s highlight is the Samson Island Nature Preserve, accessible only by water. The beach town provides free transportation to the reserve on Sundays at 1 PM. The preserve is a nature lover’s dream, perfect for fishing, hiking, biking, and exploring.
Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine holds the distinction of being the oldest city in the nation. The Spanish settled the town 450 years ago; today, it’s a charming and picturesque historic town. The city has stunning cobblestone streets, incredible architecture, and great museums that hold the beach town’s history.
Tourists and locals enjoy centuries-old buildings with courtyards, horse-drawn carriages, and many interesting historical sites. The best time to visit Saint Augustine is between March and May. During that time, Saint Augustine is less crowded and more peaceful. Saint Augustine has some of the most unique scenery of any beach town on Florida’s east coast.
New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is a small town known for its culture, arts, and surfing. The beach town is a nature lover’s dream, with plenty of trails for hiking, biking, walking, and exploring. New Smyrna Beach also has 17 miles of beautiful beaches with white sand. The city provides an excellent escape for vacationers searching for beach towns on Florida’s east coast.
Delray Beach
Delray Beach is a popular tourist spot between West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. The city is known for two things: its art scene and beaches. Delray has a Pineapple Grove Arts District off Atlantic Avenue and North E. 2nd Ave.
The District is home to galleries, restaurants, shops, and a special place called the Artists Alley. The Alley is a unique cultural space with murals, sculptures, and incredible art pieces. Delray Beach is the perfect place for a beachy and artistic getaway.
Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach is a place of relaxation. The resort beach town is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Tomoka River. The beach town has a fascinating history and was initially settled by billionaire John Rockefeller.
Ormond Beach has a great art scene, historic downtown, and several notable attractions. Locals enjoy the Ponce Inlet Preserve, which has an endless boardwalk and other fun amenities in the area. Ormond Beach is a great town and one of the best places to live in Florida.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is a small beach town with a population of only 12,000. The charming town is laid-back and offers vacationers the perfect place to rest. The city is a popular vacation destination and ideal for many water and beach activities. Cocoa Beach is very family-friendly and frequently visited by parents with children due to the safety of the beaches, with lots of lifeguards and easy access to beach chairs, umbrellas, and other conveniences.
The beach town isn’t far from the Kennedy Space Center, so it’s an excellent spot to watch a launch. Cocoa Beach is one of Florida’s best beach towns. East Coast beach towns are plentiful, but Cocoa Beach offers a fantastic option.
