Earlier than changing into a part of the USA, Florida was below the rule of Spain and briefly Nice Britain. All through historical past, Florida has at all times been recognized for its lush tropics, sandy seashores and vibrant sunshine. Right now, these pillars of Florida nonetheless reign true, particularly in its barrier islands.
When you’re seeking to take pleasure in island life, you’ll haven’t any hassle doing so in Florida. In actual fact, the Sunshine State has over 4,500 islands to discover. Every Florida island has its personal distinctive tradition, vibe, and total environment. So whether or not you might be in search of a serene and secret getaway or household enjoyable and nightlife, you could find it on one among these lovely Florida islands. One factor is for positive, you don’t need to journey to a different nation to get the holiday of your goals. As a Florida resident and eager traveller, I’ve visited and grown to like these islands. These are the highest 20 islands in Florida to go to.
Florida Islands
Prime 20 Islands in Florida
As we all know, Florida has over 4,500 islands. Deciding which one to go to could also be powerful with this many choices. I’ve narrowed down the highest 20 islands in Florida which might be good for any vacationer or resident to discover. Observe alongside to study historical past, distinctive options, and the very best locations to remain on every island.
1- Marco Island
Marco Island is without doubt one of the hottest islands in Florida.
In case you are a shell collector, you must head right here.
This luxury island is thought for its impeccably comfortable sand, and wonderful shell finds, together with whelks, olive shells, scallops, and a whole lot of different varieties. Do that shelling and sightseeing boat journey.
Tigertail Seaside Park has a tidal lagoon, widespread for kayaking and paddleboarding.
You can even discover world-class golf programs and tons of procuring to maintain you busy.
This developed isle is only a brief drive over the bridge, 15 miles (24 km) south of town of Naples, which is on the Gulf Coast facet of Florida.
2- Key West
Key West is a part of the Florida Keys archipelago.
Key West is widespread due to its thrilling nightlife, limitless water sports activities and pastel-coloured structure.
There are many actions to do in Key West, together with a strolling tour, parasailing, and snorkelling. You’ll love this sundown champagne cruise.
This metropolis can also be Florida’s southernmost level, roughly 90 miles (144 km) north of Cuba.
3- Siesta Key
Siesta Key seaside is a fan favorite for a lot of.
It’s been voted the nation’s greatest seaside on a number of events, most not too long ago in 2020, by Journey Advisor’s Traveler’s Selection Awards.
If that doesn’t persuade you that Siesta Key is without doubt one of the greatest islands in Florida, you’ll need to expertise the pristine quartz powder sand and icy blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Journey to this vacation spot is comparatively straightforward, with the Sarasota-Bradenton Worldwide Airport simply minutes away.
This eight-mile Florida island paradise is simply 6 miles (9 km) from Sarasota, a couple of 15-minute drive.
4- Amelia Island
Amelia Island has a wealthy historical past to be explored and was beforehand owned by the French, Spanish and British, giving it an eclectic really feel.
Probably the most widespread options of Amelia Island is downtown Fernandina Seaside, which has a Essential Road stuffed with charming boutiques, eating places, lounges and loads of dessert choices.
You’ll additionally discover glorious resorts, spas and golf programs on the island.
Amelia Island is a part of the Sea Island chain of barrier islands off Florida’s Atlantic Coast, which has seashores stretching as much as South Carolina, similar to Hilton Head and St. Simons Island.
Amelia Island is 33 miles (53 km) north of Jacksonville. This kayaking tour may be very widespread.
5- Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is exclusive in its geography attributable to its orientation.
Most islands are located North-South, nevertheless, Sanibel island is oriented East-West, which implies guests can count on sandy seashores with tons of attractive shells to gather.
Sanibel Island has even received awards for being the “Finest Shelling Seaside” in Florida.
Along with being the right habitat for shells, it’s also possible to discover sea turtles nesting right here on the island through the season (Might 1 – October 31).
Following the seaside’s tips is essential to protect nature when you plan to go to the nesting turtles.
Sanibel Island is off the west coast of Florida, about 23 miles (37 km) from Fort Myers and simply 8 miles (12 km) south of the following island on our record, Captiva Island. When visiting these islands, try this sundown crusing cruise from Fort Myers.
6- Captiva Island
Captiva Island is smaller than Sanibel Island however simply as magical.
This vacation spot is ideal for somebody in search of a calming, low-key trip.
Due to the tranquillity and dedication to preservation, you’ll discover nice stretches of untouched nature and wildlife on the island.
This reality makes Captiva Island a fantastic place for bird-watching.
This tiny barrier island is simply 4 miles (6 km) massive, making it one of many smallest on our record.
The seashores stretch over half the island’s space, so that you’ll haven’t any hassle discovering the right spot to absorb some rays.
7- Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is dwelling to a few of the most beautiful hidden and secluded seashores in Florida, similar to Coquina Seaside, Bean Level, and Cortez Seaside.
Widespread leisure actions embrace crusing, windsurfing, jet snowboarding and fishing.
This barrier island was shaped about 25,000 years in the past and was initially found by Native People.
The island later attracted Spanish settlers with its bountiful ecosystem.
You’ll be able to uncover the intriguing historical past of Anna Maria Island on the Anna Maria Historic Society.
Anna Maria Island is simply south of St. Petersburg and 17 miles (27 km) from the Sarasota-Bradenton Worldwide Airport.
8- Bahia Honda Key
Bahia Honda Secret’s calling your title for a secluded escape to take pleasure in Florida’s wildlife.
This cosy island is nearly uninhabited, dwelling to the 524-acre Bahia Honda State Park.
The State Park options Sandspur, Loggerhead, and Calusa seashores, the place you may take pleasure in swimming, snorkelling, shelling, scuba diving, paddling and fishing.
Bahia Honda is an island within the decrease Florida Keys between Ohio Key and Spanish Harbor Key, 12 miles (19 km) west of Marathon.
9- Pine Island
Pine island is the most important island off Florida’s Gulf Coast and the 118th-largest island in the USA.
Though it’s 17 miles (27 km) lengthy, it nonetheless provides a small-town really feel and is barely a 30-minute drive from bustling Fort Myers, however it appears like a special nation with its laid-back environment and plush tropics.
Pine island is widespread for its waterways that are good for kayaking and canoeing.
There may be additionally a vibrant assortment of artwork galleries on the island, gaining it the nickname “Florida’s Inventive Coast.”
The island doesn’t have a public seaside, however Cape Coral and Fort Myers Seaside are only a few miles away.
10- Key Largo
Key Largo is one other well-known island inside the Florida Keys.
You could have heard of this one due to a well-known Seaside Boys music that goes one thing like, “Key Largo, Montego. Child why don’t we go?”
On high of being the main focus of well-known lyrics, Key Largo can also be the Dive Capital of the World as a result of the island is dwelling to a 510-foot (155 m) synthetic reef.
Along with diving, Key Largo provides glass-bottom boating, swimming with dolphins and snorkelling. Take a look at this tour.
Key Largo is the primary of the Florida Keys, making it probably the most handy to get to, which is why it’s additionally very fashionable.
It’s simply 16 miles (25 km) off the coast of Florida.
11- Key Biscayne
Though this has “Key” within the title, Key Biscane shouldn’t be a part of the Florida Keys.
This barrier island off the coast close to Miami was as soon as a coconut plantation, which was donated to change into Cranston Park, a nature lovers’ paradise full with a global tennis centre, a golf course, and mountaineering trails.
On the island, you could find an oasis of sandy seashores and eating places with dreamy oceanfront views.
To get to Key Biscane, drive over the scenic Rickenbacker Causeway by way of historic Virginia Key.
This oasis is a 17-minute drive from the center of downtown Miami.
12- Gasparilla Island
Gasparilla Island performs a key position in Florida folklore attributable to its connection to the pirate José Gaspar, the place the title “Gasparilla” comes from.
Aside from its pirate ties, the island is thought for its blue-green waters that cascade throughout pristine seashores.
The village of Boca Grande sits on the island and is dwelling to a historic downtown with eating places and retailers.
Gasparilla Island is a barrier island in southwest Florida, United States, that sits on the border of Charlotte and Lee counties.
It’s 43 miles (69 km) south of our third island on this record, Siesta Key.
13- Little Gasparilla Island
In contrast to its sister island, Little Gasparilla Island provides a minimalist vibe and lives as much as its title because the “greatest stored secret in southwest Florida.”
The island has no bridges or paved roads and is barely accessible by boat, both non-public or public water taxi from the city of Placida.
Due to the shortage of individuals on the island, the seaside is usually abandoned, providing you a personal oasis, even within the busier summer season months.
On the island, you may snorkel on the sand bar, search for sand {dollars}, acquire coconuts and absorb the rays on the attractive seashores.
Little Gasparilla Island lies simply north of Gasparilla Island, separated by Gasparilla Move.
14- Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island is a protracted and skinny barrier island housing Pensacola Seaside, Navarre Seaside and Okaloosa Seaside.
These seashores lie on the world-renowned Emerald Coast, which many vacationers flock to.
Loads of luxurious seaside leases, water actions, and upscale eating choices are scattered all through the island.
Santa Rosa Island is 30 miles (50 km) east of the Florida-Alabama border. The closest metropolitan space is Pensacola which is a 45-minute drive.
15- St. George Island
St. George Island is a 28-mile (km) barrier island hidden off the Gulf Coast of Florida, typically known as the “Forgotten Coast” as a result of it is without doubt one of the final inhabited unspoiled islands in Florida.
This picturesque vacation spot provides uncrowded seashores good for family-friendly actions, together with swimming, fishing and paddling, shelling, castle-building and enjoyable on the sugary, white sand.
In case you are travelling with a furry good friend, St. George is the right spot.
The island incorporates one of many few pet-friendly seashores in Florida and lots of trip properties, shops and eating places welcome canines.
St. George Island is 6.5 miles (10 km) off the coast of Florida, accessible by County Street 300. The drive from Tallahassee is about 1 hour and half-hour.
16- Merritt Island
Merritt Island technically cheated its manner onto this record, contemplating it’s a peninsula, however we’ll let it slide simply this as soon as.
Merritt Island has a few of the most fun sights in Florida, together with NASA’s Kennedy House Heart.
On the customer centre, you may meet an astronaut, benefit from the automated thrills of the Shuttle Launch Expertise and discover different interactive shows.
Whenever you’re accomplished exploring outer house, come again all the way down to earth to take a look at Merritt Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, a 140,000-acre (56655 ha) nature sanctuary.
Merritt Island is located between Cocoa Seaside and Rockledge off the East Coast of Florida alongside the Atlantic Ocean.
17- Crab Island
Crab Island is a well-liked sandbar close to Destin, FL. Crab Island has gained nationwide consideration and is continuously visited by celebrities.
The sandbar may be reached by boat solely, and also you by no means know whom you may stumble upon. Deliver your individual boat or lease one.
Though it’s only a sandbar at the moment, it holds the title of “island” as a result of it was as soon as an island a few years in the past earlier than erosion and climate harm.
On a summer season day, a whole lot of boats are docked at Crab Island.
There are water video games, boat bars and different cellular distributors similar to ice cream boats and boiled peanut boats.
Crab Island is situated about 1000 ft instantly throughout from the Destin Marina. You’ll be able to see the sandbar when driving over the Marler Bridge.
18- Islamorada
One other gem within the Keys, Islamorada, is nicknamed “The Village of Islands” as a result of it’s dwelling to 6 of the Florida Keys, together with Teatable Key, Windley Key, Plantation Key, Higher and Decrease Matecumbe Keys.
The island has loads of parks, seashores and nature preserves to take pleasure in. You may additionally like this sandbar tour.
A number of the hottest are Inexperienced Turtle Hammock Nature Protect, Anne’s Seaside, and Library Seaside Park.
Prime sights are the dolphin and Theater of the Sea’s sea lion present, the Historical past of Diving Museum and Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park.
Islamorada stretches from the West finish of Tavernier Creek Bridge (about Mile Marker 90.8) to the West finish of the Channel Two bridge (about Mile Marker 72.5).
19- Dry Tortugas
Dry Tortugas is a wondrous and hidden place that has a wealthy historical past.
The title “Dry Tortugas” comes from two essential items of details about the island.
“Tortuga” means turtle in Spanish, and when Ponce De Leon found the island, he was amazed by the a whole lot of turtles he noticed.
“Dry” was added to the title to let pirates and seamen know that there was no recent water on the island.
Dry Tortugas consists of seven tiny islands, providing glorious fowl watching, snorkelling, swimming, tenting, secluded seashores and historic Fort Jefferson.
It’s 70 miles west of Key West and is widespread as a day journey utilizing the Yankee Freedom Ferry or e-book this tour.
20- Little Palm Island
Look no additional than Little Palm Island when you’re out there for a personal, luxurious expertise.
Set on a personal island accessed solely by seaplane or boat, Little Palm Island is a luxe, adult-only resort that has been named on “The Finest New Inns within the World” Listing by Condé Nast Traveler and “Prime 10 Resort Inns in Florida – 2022” by Journey & Leisure.
The resort takes inspiration from British West Indies design and Balinese practices to create probably the most tranquil, lush atmosphere, full with spa, marina, lovely seashores and beautiful suites.
You’ll really feel like a celeb with all of the pampering out there on the resort.
Little Palm Island is situated 5 miles (8 km) from the Nationwide Key Deer Refuge and 29 miles (46 km) from Key West Worldwide Airport.
