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Where To Find The Least Crowded Beaches In Florida Panhandle

The Florida Panhandle, located on the Gulf of Mexico, with its small town feel is one of the best areas to visit in the USA. From Pensacola to Panama City Beach to St. George Island, you will find miles of coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

It’s also one of the best places to take vacations year round. Unfortunately this area also may have the most crowded beaches especially during spring break and in summer months.

If you prefer a less crowded vacation destination, you may have a hard time finding something in this part of the Sunshine State. But don’t despair! I’ve got a list of the least crowded beaches in Florida Panhandle ready for you.

Shell Island/Panama City Beach

You may think you will have a hard time finding a quiet beach in Panama City Beach, but you would be wrong. Offshore is beautiful Shell Island.

This is by far one of the least crowded beaches in the area because you either have to take your boat  or rent one or take the shuttle to get over to it. Once you do though, you will quickly see why it’s on my Best Things To Do In Panama City Beach list. 

The ride is about 25 minutes from PCB. Once you are on the island, be sure to walk over to the Gulf Side where you will find a stunning white sand beach.

St. George Island

Another one of my favorite beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Really a step back in time, you will not find a bunch of high rises, but you will find cute beach houses available for rent through VRBO.

At the east end of the island, you will find St. George Island State Park with crystal clear water, wild sand dunes, and shallow waters in many areas. Plenty of picnic tables, nature trails and unspoiled beaches wait for you to explore.

Love to camp? This is the place to do it! Beautiful campground for primitive to full hook up camping.

Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach is a large beach with beautiful white sand and emerald waters. It is probably the most crowded beach on this list but overall as far as the larger beaches on the Panhandle, it is much less crowded.

If you want less crowded on the beach but more activities in the evening, this is your beach. Shopping, dining, water sports and more are available in one of the best beach towns on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Navarre Beach

This beach is definitely one of the prettiest in the area. It is near several military bases including Eglin AFB but many people do not visit this beach.

Navarre Beach is a great place for families too. Calm waters and lifeguards await you as does Gulf Islands National Seashore along with the Turtle Rescue Sanctuary. 

The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center mission is to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles through community education and partnered research. Perfect place to visit on vacation if you happen to have a rainy day.

Gulf Islands National Seashore is a great place to visit one of Florida’s unspoiled beaches. Love to snorkel? You will find three man made reefs off the coast of Navarre Beach.

Santa Rosa Beach

Beautiful Santa Rose Beach is a popular destination for folks heading to the beach with their kids. This beach has many free beach access points along with picnic areas, restrooms and showers as you enter the beach.

Enjoy the natural beauty of this beach by exploring the walking nature trails. Be sure to get there early as you may find it difficult to get a parking spot. The parking lots are small and have limited spaces.

Perdido Key

Perdido Key is one of the larger beaches on the list. It is located between Pensacola and the Alabama state line. 

Perdido Key means lost key in Spanish. This beach is a narrow white sand beach with gorgeous aquamarine waters. 

Crabbing, fishing, snorkeling and beachcombing are only a few of the activities available on this gorgeous strip of beach.

Seagrove Beach

This is one of the best beach towns on the Panhandle for a relaxing vacation and a great spot for families. Local restaurants, secluded beach, white sand and clear blue green waters await you.

The beach spans more than two miles and the town has successfully held out on over development. This makes Seagrove Beach one of the least crowded beaches not only in the area but in Florida.

Cape San Blas

Cape San Blas is a narrow strip of beach that extends out from Port St. Joe. At this spot, you have your choice of Gulf beach access or Bay beach access. 

Cape San Blas is home to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, named the best beach in America in 2002. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, hiking, boating, local restaurants, horseback riding and the Cape San Blas lighthouse.

The Cape San Blas lighthouse has been rebuilt several times due to beach erosion. This lighthouse is101-foot-tall as well as a 131-step lighthouse and may be relocated in the near future.

Alligator Point

Alligator Point is located on what is called the Forgotten Coast. Don’t let the name stop you from planning a vacation here.

You will find some of the most pristine, clean beaches on Alligator Point. Located in Franklin County, this rural beach community boasts 8 miles of beach coastline.

Watch for bald eagles, black bear, deer as well as many migratory birds. Beaches, fishing, hiking, kayaking, biking, swimming and more are all available on this gorgeous stretch of white sand public beach.

You can see there are many options for the Least Crowded Beaches In Florida Panhandle for those that crave rest and relaxation. 

Information on quiet beaches along with travel guides for Daytona Beach, Canaveral National Seashore near New Smyrna Beach down through Miami’s South Beach will all be included.