Under-The-Radar Beaches In Florida That Won't Break The Bank, According To Research

When planning a first trip to Florida, the first thing on many itineraries is spending the day at one of America's flattest state's famous beaches. With over 8,400 miles of picture-perfect coastline, Florida's beaches have attracted millions of visitors over the years, with some destinations becoming more famous than others. While destinations such as Miami Beach and Daytona Beach have rightfully earned their reputations for fun on the sand, they can also become crowded and are much more expensive.  Florida also has hundreds of miles of beachfront, and the entertainment-packed beach destinations aren't the only ones that will captivate your attention. 

Because Florida is blessed with many miles of coastline, there are plenty of other beach destinations that are under the radar and more affordable than well-known spots. From exploring a secluded state park to finding a hidden gem amid South Florida's busy beach scene, there's a lot available. With so many beaches to choose from, it's understandable that a traveler (especially one who's new to exploring Florida) can feel a bit overwhelmed. You don't have to, as we researched travel blogs and sites to craft a list of hidden-gem beach spots that are worth going off the beaten path for, from a secure island state park with Caribbean vibes to an underrated beach town with boneyards.  

In 1768, a Scottish physician named Andrew Turnbull first laid eyes on this foreign strip of coastline, which featured fine white sand and white-capped Atlantic waves crashing thunderously on its shores. After reaching the shore, he established a colony by the name of New Smyrna, and 179 years later, that colony would morph and be incorporated into the city now known as New Smyrna Beach. With its beautiful beaches, this strip of coastline in Central Florida still attracts plenty of people to its majestic shoreline, this time, tourists. 

New Smyrna Beach can be overlooked at times, largely because of the bountifulness of the many attractions in nearby Daytona Beach, which proclaimed itself "The World's Most Famous Beach." But this classic Florida beach town is just fine being a secret pearl on the necklace of the state's East Coast, with 17 miles of pristine and relaxing beachfront. There are plenty of things to do in this scenic, affordable beach town, both at and near the beach; from Smyrna Dunes Park, a 184-acre inlet park that contains more than 2 miles of elevated boardwalk offering views of the inlet for only $10 per vehicle, to renting a kayak and paddling on New Smyrna Beach's "Blueways," a network of canals and natural waterways that provide an up-close-and-personal view as to why this hidden gem is worth the visit.

When you look at some of Florida's most popular beach destinations, such as Miami Beach and the Pinellas County coastline, you'd be hard-pressed to think that this state has any undisturbed places that haven't been touched by condo towers, restaurants, and beach shops. In reality, however, there are plenty of areas that have retained an old coastal Florida feel. One such place is actually a state park that is only accessible by private ferry ($47 per person for a day trip to the park), Cayo Costa State Park. This gorgeous, secluded state park looks nearly the same as it did when the Calusa people occupied the island until around the mid-1700s.

Part of a chain of barrier islands that shelter Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound from the Gulf of Mexico, this overlooked and secluded state park is home to over 9 miles of Instagram-worthy beaches. Because the park is so secluded, and the only way to get there is by boat, Cayo Costa State Park escapes the crowds that befall some of the state's more popular beaches, which means you'll have this idyllic white sand beach nearly all to yourself. The best part is that admission to the park is only $2 per person. While the beach is the main attraction, you can go scuba diving offshore. Cayo Costa is an excellent beach for finding unique seashells. If you want a taste of the modern world, hop back on the ferry to Pine Island, which has affordable restaurants such as Salty Girls Island Cafe, a no-frills restaurant that opened in 2023 and has an extensive and inexpensive menu of breakfast and lunch meals.

South Florida is a region pulsing with energy, its endless miles of beaches, restaurants, tall skyscrapers, and traffic. Pompano Beach, thanks to its relative seclusion, endless charm, and a slower pace of life, should serve as a beacon for visitors seeking a more relaxed beach getaway in the region. 

Situated north of Fort Lauderdale, the city is often bypassed by travelers in favor of the region's more famous beach strips. That may work out in your favor, however, as you'll get the same beautiful strip of sand for half of the cost of what you'll fork over in other destinations in the region. While parking throughout Pompano Beach requires payment, parking at Harbor Village Plaza can be relatively affordable, with rates at $1.50 per hour during the week ($9 for six hours) to $1.80 per hour on the weekends ($10.80 for six hours). Be advised that rates do increase to $2.15 per hour during certain holidays and events. The crystal clear blue waters are very inviting, especially on one of South Florida's steamy summer days, and this underrated beach offers a wealth of things to do. Take a nice stroll in The Fishing Village, a lively area home to restaurants and shops right on the ocean. Grab a burger at the Florida-based burger chain BurgerFi, and, once you're done with your meal, explore the Village's unique and cute shops, such as Alvin's Island, a store that sells beach-inspired clothing.

The date was September 21, 1964, and the Florida Board of Parks and Historical Memorials met to acquire 365 acres of beachfront and surrounding property, now known as Grayton Beach State Park. Taking its name from the nearby town, which is one of the oldest townships on Florida's Panhandle, the state had a mission from day one to make this one of the state park system's crown jewels. A look at the park's landscape and expansive beach shows that the mission was accomplished.

Opened to the public in 1968, Grayton Beach State Park doesn't look any different today than it did all those years ago, with its area preserved and its pristine white sands kept in perfect condition. Grayton Beach State Park is one of America's prettiest, with the waves of the Gulf crashing into its mile-long white sugary banks. The best thing about Grayton Beach being a state park is that it's affordable to enter, only costing $5 per vehicle (two to eight people) for a day of fun in the sun, from taking a hike (or biking) the four miles of trails, to setting up camp right on the sand and watching the sun sink into the Gulf. Once you're done exploring this beautiful gem, head to County Road 30A for affordable eats and drinks, with spots such as Beach Camp Brewpub, with $4 happy hours during the week.

The beaches of Jacksonville are rarely mentioned as destinations for out-of-state visitors, who would much rather bypass it for more well-known destinations in the Panhandle or farther south. Don't sleep on the First Coast beaches, though. One of the most charming beaches on Duval County's coastline is Neptune Beach, a hidden gem along Florida's Atlantic coast. 

Neptune Beach is just fine sitting behind the scenes, as it develops its own local vibe that separates it from its peers. The area functions more as a "locals" beach, and a major draw is Boneyard Beach, part of Big Talbot Island State Park, where parking and entry cost $3 per vehicle. Here, you'll see the power and beauty of nature firsthand, with giant driftwood covering its coastline, giving off the appearance of a boneyard.

If you're looking for an experience that's a little more modern, but filled with history, head to Pete's Bar. Opened in 1933, the same year Prohibition was repealed, this historic establishment on the corner of First Street and Lemon Street is Duval County's first "legal" bar, and it touts itself as having the "cheapest and coldest beer on the beach." When the bar opened, a game of pool was just a quarter, and, 80 years later, it's still just a quarter to rack 'em up. Pete's Bar highlights everything special about Neptune Beach.

The emerald blue water of Navarre Beach doesn't need endless touristy attractions to show off its beauty. The soft lapping of the waves, the white sand, and the ocean breeze act as a powerful lure, a pristine welcome mat for tourists looking to escape chilly winters. While other beach spots have carved out their own niche to lure tourists, Navarre Beach sits back and waits to be discovered, and it's just fine with that.  

On the surface, it seems that Navarre Beach has the unlucky distinction of being situated between two of the Panhandle's more famous beaches, but don't let this off-the-beaten-path beach fool you; Navarre Beach stands out for its beauty and affordability. Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the area offers a choice between swimming in Santa Rosa Sound or the Gulf of Mexico, both of which provide a more relaxed beach day than the region's tourist hubs and are free to access. For a unique experience, you may want to spend some time at the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Here, you'll learn all about sea turtles and their habitat, and, for just $10 per person, you can embark on a 90-minute Painting Tortoise Track, where you will create a beautiful, artful masterpiece of Safari, the center's African spurred tortoise. Those who want to paint must pay $75, though the experience is often described as worth the cost.

If you're not into painting tortoises, then you may want to grab a fishing pole (and a pass) and fish off Florida's longest fishing pier, the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. This massive pier stretches over 1,500 feet (1,545 feet to be exact) into the turquoise blue waters of the Gulf, offering some of the best Instagram-worthy views of Navarre Beach's coastline, a view you will not soon forget. 

When you look at Florida's coastline, three things are particularly ubiquitous: fine sand, beautiful water, and condo towers. For travelers visiting the state, it seems, on the surface, that this is what every beach town in the Sunshine State looks like, but that's not true of Alligator Point. This little-known beach community on the Florida Panhandle is a sliver of coastline that has remained out of the grasp of developers and undisturbed by modern life. 

Sitting just south of Tallahassee, this unincorporated community is a beach town that feels like it's stuck in time, in a good way. No towering modern condos are obstructing the view, no traffic, no fighting for a parking spot. Alligator Point reflects old coastal Florida through and through. Getting to "The Point" (as the locals refer to it) here is the best part, as you'll have to take the winding Alligator Drive off U.S. Highway 98 and weave your way through Old Florida countryside. The destination is not visible from the road, but once travelers round the bend, old Florida charm comes into view.

Alligator Point sits along the border of Bald Point State Park, 12,000 acres of pristine coastal marshes and pine flat woods that support fishing, wildlife viewing, and clam harvesting, with entry costing $4 per vehicle or $2 for bicyclists.

Florida's East Coast is home to numerous beaches that compete for the title of "cool," but one underrated destination is often overlooked by travelers: Flagler Beach. Located between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, it's not a big beach town full of amusements and old city charm; it has a laid-back character of its own.

Flagler Beach is perfect for a crowd-free getaway with charming affordability to match, highlighted by free parking. This is uncommon, as most of Florida's larger beach towns charge for paved parking. This alone makes Flagler Beach a far more affordable beach destination for those on a budget. If you're looking for something surreal to do near the beach, make your way to Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. The 150-acre park, which is free to enter, is 3 miles from the beach and was once home to the prosperous Bulow Plantation,  destroyed in the Seminole War of 1836. In 1945, the state bought the property and refurbished it as a state historic park in 1957. Here, walking trails weave among the ruins of the old sugar mill and plantation, which are hauntingly eye-catching, and there are also fishing and kayaking opportunities available if the ruins spook you a little too much. 

There is a particular rush that you experience when you park your car and walk across the crossing at Sombrero Beach ($5 to park for the first two hours, $2 per hour afterward) and see that beautiful blue hue unfold right in front of you. This underrated beach is part of Florida's stunning city, Marathon Key, and many tourists have probably passed right by it on U.S. Highway 1 on their way to Key West. No one can really blame them, as Key West is a treat unto itself. However, what travelers are passing up is one of the Keys' best and most scenic beaches.

Sombrero Beach is famous for three things. First, it's a turtle-nesting beach from April through October, and, if you come out to the sand at the right time, you'll be rewarded with a sight few have seen in their lifetimes — baby turtles making their way to the sea. Second is the beach's landmark, the Sombrero Key Light, a rusted iron lighthouse that sits on a mostly submerged reef. Switched on in 1858 and deactivated in 2015, the Sombrero Key Light has long been a fixture of the Middle Keys, and it's the tallest lighthouse in the Keys, continuing to stand guard and give the beach even more scenic value. The third is the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which was constructed in 1900 and was once part of Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway. While it no longer functions as a railroad bridge, it continues to function as a place of recreation, with jogging and walking opportunities, and it's one of the world's most famous fishing spots. The best part is that there is no entrance fee to access the pier, with free (albeit limited) parking. It's an absolutely gorgeous place to see Sombrero Beach in all of its beautiful, tropical glory. 

Each location highlighted in this piece is either overlooked by peers or sits off the beaten path for tourists heading to other destinations within the state. To find these under-the-radar beaches, we combed through numerous blog sites and relied on the author's expertise on Florida beaches to come up with the state's under-the-radar beaches that are also affordable. For each entry, we also looked at official visitor websites for each beach's history and things to do at each destination, while also looking at prices to determine the overall affordability, from parking fees to nearby attractions.