🏖 Beaches
Beach conditions, top spots, and coastal news from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side of Florida.
Sargassum Seaweed Hits 14 Florida Beaches This Summer
From Jacksonville to Miami, brown seaweed mats are reshaping the Atlantic coastline — but beaches remain open.
Record Sargassum Is Choking Caribbean and Gulf Beaches
Scientists say 27 million metric tons of sargassum are blanketing coastlines — and 2026 is shaping up to be the second-worst year on record.
FWC Orders County to Roll Back Shark Fishing Rules
Local residents are pushing back, saying the regulations keep swimmers and surfers safer.
Vero Beach's South Beach Park Lands on World's Best Beaches List
Beach.com ranked the Treasure Coast gem No. 22 out of 25 beaches across 14 countries — the only Florida entry on the list.
August Rip Current Risk Is Rising on Florida Panhandle Beaches
A cold front and the approaching peak of hurricane season are combining to raise rip current danger along Pensacola Beach.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Earns 'Best Beach' Honor
The beloved Key Biscayne park snagged a top beach title — and there's more to celebrate beyond the sand.
What's Actually Legal at Miami's Beaches
Before you crack open a cold one or light up on the sand, here's what the law actually allows.
East Coast vs. West Coast: Which Florida Shore Suits You?
Atlantic waves win for surfers; Gulf calm takes the trophy for swimmers — here's where to go on each side.
Sargassum Hits Near-Record Levels in Gulf and Caribbean
The Gulf of America saw nearly double its previous sargassum record in June 2026, USF scientists report.
Anna Maria Island Parking & Trolley Guide (2026)
How to beat the crowds, park for free, and ride the island's no-cost trolley like a seasoned local.
John Pennekamp's New Aquarium Lands $250K Gift from Pittsburgh Foundation
A $52 million Discovery Center and Aquarium is taking shape in Key Largo, with opening set for 2028.
Anna Maria Island: Old Florida's Best-Kept Beach Secret
This charming seven-mile barrier island near St. Petersburg delivers beautiful beaches and a genuine Old Florida vibe.
10 Florida Beach Towns Tipped as Next Retirement Hot Spots
From the Panhandle to the Treasure Coast, real estate pros share the Florida beach towns worth watching before everyone else catches on.
Pennekamp Coral Reef Park Lands $250K Education Gift
A Pittsburgh foundation's quarter-million-dollar gift will deepen educational offerings at Florida's iconic undersea park.
Florida Weekend Forecast: Brutal Heat and Afternoon Storms
Heat indices topping 110°F and storm chances statewide — here's what to expect from Pensacola to Miami.
Sargassum Is Back on South Florida Beaches — and It's Not Leaving
The floating seaweed is piling up onshore this summer, bringing foul odors, toxic gases, and threats to coral reefs.
Pinellas County Beach Parking Pass: Cost, Coverage & Is It Worth It?
A $75 annual pass unlocks unlimited parking at three of Florida's best county beach parks — here's everything you need to know before you buy.
St. Pete Beach Hosts Free Seminar on Public Beach Access Rights
A free event at City Hall will walk residents through Florida's customary use doctrine and what it means for beachgoers and property owners alike.
Tropical Storm Bertha Hits Louisiana, Closes Florida Panhandle Beaches
Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish Wednesday, prompting closures along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mississippi.
Tropical Storm Bertha Makes Landfall in Louisiana
Bertha hit St. Bernard Parish Wednesday afternoon, closing Florida Panhandle beaches and threatening storm surge along the Gulf Coast.
Florida's Sharkiest Beaches — and Safest Ones — Ranked
Volusia County leads the state in shark bites, but some Florida beaches have recorded fewer than 10 incidents since 1882.
Shark Week 2026 Kicks Off July 26 — And Florida Leads the Nation in Bites
Florida claimed 44% of all U.S. shark bites in 2025, just as the 38th annual Shark Week premieres on Discovery.
Tropical Storm Bertha Closes Panhandle Beaches and Piers
Double red flags are flying and two piers are shut as Bertha churns up dangerous surf along the Gulf Coast.
Florida Beach Jellyfish Season: Flags, Species & Sting Guide
Know which creatures show up when, what the purple flag really means, and exactly what to do if you get stung.