Are you on the hunt for the best Florida beaches in January? Or even warm Florida beaches in January?!
If so, you’ve landed on the right article. Florida beaches are my passion.
I’ve spent lots of time researching and traveling through the Sunshine State in order to find you the warmest swim spots to visit during the winter months.
January is the perfect time of year to visit Florida’s warm, white sand beaches because the average temperature of the water is between 69º and 77ºF.
The sunny days and warm weather will be a welcome break from ice, snow, and gloom.
In this post, I’ll cover the most beautiful beaches for snowbirds and Floridians. Let’s go!
Best Beaches In Florida In January!
1. South Beach Park, Vero Beach
If you enjoy waves and the challenge of stronger currents, South Beach Park in Vero Beach, in Central Florida, is a great spot to visit.
Enjoy time on a barrier island. Relax on the white sands, play on the volleyball courts, and have fun riding the waves in the Atlantic Ocean
South Beach Park offers excellent amenities, including manned lifeguard stations, picnic areas, walking paths, restrooms, and grassy areas.
You can even try your hand at fishing.
📌 Address: 1702 Ocean Dr, Vero Beach, FL 32963, United States
2. Higgs Beach, Key West
If you’re looking for tranquil sandy beaches in Key West, look no further than Higgs Beach.
This lovely spot is a perfect place to relax, read a book, and take a dip in the emerald water.
If you have the gear, you can even go snorkeling along the barrier for a chance to see colorful fish, small sharks, and conches.
Palm trees rise gracefully along the edge of the beach, making it even more picturesque.
You can also play beach volleyball and fish from the small pier.
📌 Address: 1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
3. Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers
Nature lovers and those who enjoy water activities will have a blast at Lovers Key State Park near Fort Myers.
This secluded collection of barrier islands is a paradise consisting of mangroves, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful scenery.
Lovers Key faces the Gulf of Mexico and is one of the best places to kayak through mangroves.
Keep an eye out for dolphins, manatees, and shorebirds.
This state park is a popular destination at any time of year, whether you visit in December or the summer months.
📌 Address: Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, United States
4. Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island
Turquoise waters, sand dunes, nature trails, and great amenities make Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel Island one of the best Florida beaches to visit in January.
One of my personal favorite beaches in southern Florida, Bowman’s Beach isn’t surrounded by hotels and condos. Instead, it features sweeping views of the coastline.
Stake out on the sand, go shelling, and set up a hearty lunch spread at one of the picnic tables.
Note: There is no food or water available for sale here, so be sure to bring your own.
If you enjoy water sports, Bowman’s Beach is the right place to be.
Use the canoe or kayak launch to get into the water.
Want to explore more beaches in the area? Head over to nearby Captiva Island for extra beach time.
📌 Address: 1700 Bowman’s Beach Road, Sanibel, Florida
5. Cocoa Beach, Cocoa Beach
Surf’s up! If you love surfing or want to give it a shot, Cocoa Beach is ready and waiting.
This lovely beach offers perfect waves for surfing.
It’s also got a great sandy bottom, plenty of places to rent boards, and surfing instructors available for hire.
There are lifeguards during the high season, umbrellas and beach chairs for rent, and electric beach bikes.
Take extra water to rinse off with after your time in the ocean.
📌 Address: N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, United States
6. Sandspur Beach, Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park has two great beaches. The first is Calusa Beach, which is right next to the Bahia Honda Bridge.
It’s an ideal place to snorkel, though you have to watch out for jet skiers.
The other, Sandspur Beach, features one mile of sand and is narrow and tranquil.
Sandspur Beach is not usually crowded and features warm water and sand that’s cool underfoot.
There is plenty of parking, a snack shop, and clean bathrooms.
You might even find some sea urchin shells, seashells, and bits of coral.
Note: watch out for blue bottle jellyfish in the seagrass.
📌 Address: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, United States
7. Panama City Beach, Panama City Beach
Enjoy a beautiful 27-mile-long beach in Panama City Beach.
The beach, which shares its name with the city, is a great option for fun activities such as snorkeling, swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, and spotting dolphins.
This beach is clean with gorgeous turquoise water and cotton-white sand.
Keep in mind that you may have to travel a ways to find restrooms.
📌 Address: 9900 S Thomas Drive, UNIT 1106, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, United States
8. Crescent Beach, St. Augustine
Crescent Beach is just south of St. Augustine and features a lovely half-moon-shaped shoreline.
The sand is hard-packed, making it perfect for riding bikes, playing frisbee, working out, or even driving on the beach.
You can also go swimming, tanning, or try metal detecting.
This is also a prime spot for boogie boarding, boating, and surfing.
You can even ride horses here if you apply for a special permit.
If you go in January and fancy a drive on the beach, you can do so free of charge.
Just make sure you follow the driving rules to keep all the beachgoers safe.
📌 Address: Ocean Trace Rd, St Augustine Beach, FL 32080, United States
👉 Tip: If you’d rather head north from St. Augustine, check out Amelia Island.
9. Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach
Visitors from all across the US congregate in Grayton Beach State Park–and for good reason.
This 2,000-acre park is an amazing place to enjoy the glories of Santa Rosa Beach.
Beautiful sand, rolling dunes, and plenty of hiking and biking trails make this a destination in its own right.
The park is a vibrant habitat for Choctawhatchee beach mice, who make their home among the dunes.
Birds and sea turtles lay nests in the sand. Swim, relax in the sunshine, or go exploring.
📌 Address: 357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, United States
10. New Smyrna Beach, New Smyrna Beach
If you’ve been to Disney World in Orlando and fancy a beach day, New Smyrna Beach is an hour and 12-minute drive northwest.
The sand and water are beautiful, little fish dart around your ankles, and you might even see a turtle.
This is a perfect beach to relax, drink chilled root beer, chat with friends, or read a book.
Tip: Head over before 10 a.m. on the weekend to increase your chances of finding parking.
📌 Address: N Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169, United States
11. Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach
Warm water, gorgeous sunrises, and creamy white sand make Blue Mountain Beach another fabulous strip of sand to hit up in January.
Although there are limited parking spots, everything else about this beach–from the bathrooms to the beach stairs to the stunning views–is prime.
Notes: Enjoy the water, but keep an eye on the flags.
Be sure to stay off the sand dunes as they are protected, and fill in any holes you dig in the sand so as not to hinder any sea turtles that come to lay eggs.
📌 Address: 475 Blue Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, United States
Best Beaches In Florida In January FAQs
What Is The Warmest Beach In Florida In January?
Higgs Beach in Key West is one of the warmest beaches in Florida in January.
It has an average temperature of 77ºF which is perfect for lap swimming.
Other warm Florida beaches in January include:
Fort Zachary Taylor
Tigertail Beach
Bahia Honda State Park
What Part Of Florida Is Best To Visit In January?
Both Clearwater and Marco Island are fabulous places to visit in Florida in January.
Clearwater has fantastic beaches, beautiful water, and fun activities like sunset cruises, dolphin tours, and kayak adventures.
Marco Island features comfortable temperatures in the low 70s in January, calm beaches, and lovely sandy shores.
Is January A Good Time To Go To The Beach In Florida?
Yes–January is a good time to go to the beach in Florida.
During the off-season, there are fewer crowds, comfortable daily temperatures, and cool beaches.
Where In Florida Can You Swim In January?
Because it’s in warm southern Florida, one of the best beaches to swim in Florida in January is on Marco Island.
The beaches here are fabulous, especially Tigertail Beach and South Beach.
Best Beaches In Florida In January: Final Thoughts
Heading to Florida’s beaches in January means avoiding crowds, soaking in the sunshine, and swimming in relatively warm water.
Whether you enjoy shelling, visiting historic forts, or working out on the beach, there is an amazing spot to do it.
Which of these best beaches in Florida in January do you plan to visit?
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