12 Best Florida Boardwalks in 2024 – Cute Beach Towns with Boardwalks

We found the best Florida boardwalks in the most lively beach towns so that you can enjoy the classic Florida surf and sun experience.

Florida’s beaches have that magnetic pull, but throw a boardwalk into the mix, and you’ve got an eccentric cocktail of whimsy, charm, and a sprinkle of the unexpected. From old-timey wooden paths to lively promenades brimming with quirky entertainment, the best Florida boardwalks are more than just planks—they’re experiences. Get ready as we uncover the funnest Florida beach towns with boardwalks.

Methodology

How did we sift through the sands of Florida’s coast to find the best of the best? We didn’t just look for the prettiest beaches—we sought the soul of these places. A boardwalk that wraps you in nostalgia, an ice cream stand that feels like a time machine, or a hidden tiki bar that makes you forget what year it is.

Our choices were based on coastal charm, walkability, and that spark of weirdness you won’t find anywhere else. Tourist guides, locals, and our own eccentric tastes helped us shape this list of Florida’s most charismatic beach towns with boardwalks.

The 12 Best Florida Beach Towns with Boardwalks

12. Hollywood Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

At #12, Hollywood Beach is your ticket to a vintage seaside dream, with a boardwalk that seems to have been plucked from another era. This 2.5-mile stroll, known as the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, meanders along the Atlantic, with an energy that’s more “leisurely bike ride” than “rollercoaster frenzy.”

Picture slow-moving bicycles, pastel-colored ice cream parlors, and seafood joints so casual you might just forget to wear shoes.

Nearby, the ArtsPark at Young Circle mixes live performances with artsy flair, while the Art Deco architecture along the shore makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a 1950s postcard.

11. Cocoa Beach

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If Cocoa Beach was a person, it would be your sun-bleached, surf-loving cousin who never leaves home without a flip-flop tan. The boardwalk, located along the iconic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, stretches 800 feet into the wild Atlantic, pulling you toward seafood shacks and beachside bars that practically demand you order something fried.

And the fun doesn’t stop at the beach! Kennedy Space Center looms nearby, adding a touch of rocket-fueled wonder to your seaside adventure. Oh, and Ron Jon Surf Shop—ever heard of it? It’s only the world’s largest surf shop, and yes, it’s as epic as it sounds.

10. Fort Myers Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Fort Myers Beach doesn’t boast the biggest boardwalk, but it’s got a heart as warm as the Florida sun. At Times Square, near the pier, street performers juggle, artists sketch portraits, and seafood is served in a salty, breezy atmosphere, making it one of the best Florida beach towns with boardwalks.

The vibe? Casual with a side of unpredictable—it’s perfect for anyone looking to grab a margarita and watch the sun melt into the horizon.

If you want to get in touch with nature, Lovers Key State Park is just a hop away, where kayakers paddle through serene mangrove tunnels, and dolphins sometimes decide to make an appearance.

9. Jacksonville Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Jacksonville Beach’s boardwalk is for those who like their beach days with a side of low-key cool. It’s the type of spot where you can grab a cone of ice cream, slip off your sandals, and lose yourself in the casual vibe of locals who seem to have perfected the art of chilling. There’s always something happening—whether it’s a live band at the SeaWalk Pavilion or a surf competition down the coast.

If you’re feeling active, pick up a surfboard and catch some waves, or simply cruise along the shore with a beach cruiser, letting the ocean breeze guide your way.

8. Pensacola Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Pensacola Beach’s boardwalk is where time seems to bend. Here, the Santa Rosa Sound provides the backdrop for a string of laid-back tiki bars, funky boutiques, and seafood spots where “fresh” takes on a whole new meaning.

Live music wafts through the salty air, especially on weekends, turning the place into an open-air concert venue with sand beneath your feet.

For a little historic detour, wander over to Fort Pickens, where centuries-old bricks seem to whisper tales of bygone battles amid the gentle Gulf breeze.

Pensacola Beach’s pure white sand also makes it on the the best Florida boardwalks as well.

7. Daytona Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Daytona Beach isn’t just for adrenaline junkies—it’s for carnival-lovers and arcade fiends, too. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier is a neon blur of amusement rides, arcade bells, and the unmistakable scent of funnel cakes and corn dogs. And yes, if you’re up for a pulse-pounding ride, the Slingshot is there to catapult you into the sky.

But even if that’s not your thing, you can still soak in the energy with a cone of cotton candy and a sunset stroll.

Not into the carnival chaos? Head south along the sand, where the noise dims, and the sound of the waves becomes your only soundtrack.

6. Clearwater Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Clearwater Beach is the embodiment of fun. The Beach Walk promenade here is a winding, sun-drenched path lined with shops, restaurants, and more than a few street performers ready to wow you.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Pier 60 becomes a hub of activity with the nightly celebration, “Sunsets at Pier 60,” where craft vendors and entertainers keep the party going long after the last rays fade.

Just up the way is Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to Winter the dolphin—bring the kids, or unleash your inner child!

5. Siesta Key

Location: Check on Google Maps

Siesta Key is like the bohemian cousin in Florida’s beach family, offering soft, powdery white sands and a village boardwalk that exudes mellow, island vibes. It’s where laid-back meets luxurious, with beachside bars, funky shops, and eateries that are as relaxed as the island itself. Whether you’re grabbing a frosty beverage or shopping for beach trinkets, it’s easy to get lost in Siesta Key’s spell.

If you’re up for a short jaunt, head to Point of Rocks, where you can snorkel amidst vibrant marine life hiding in the rocky limestone formations.

4. Deerfield Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Deerfield Beach’s boardwalk doesn’t try to be flashy—it’s simple, it’s breezy, and it’s all about the view. The International Fishing Pier here juts out over the sparkling waters, making it the perfect spot to watch fishermen reel in their catches of the day.

The calm, almost retro feel of the boardwalk invites long walks, lazy people-watching, or just sitting and soaking in the rhythm of the waves.

A short boat ride away is Deerfield Island Park, a secluded oasis where nature trails offer a break from the beach scene.

3. Panama City Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

Panama City Beach’s boardwalk might be a relative newcomer, but it’s already one of the Best Florida boardwalks.

Located in Pier Park, this lively promenade teems with funky eateries, shops galore, and family-friendly attractions like laser tag and the towering SkyWheel. Feeling adventurous? Grab a spot on the SkyWheel for panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, or hit up Gulf World Marine Park for a dolphin encounter.

When the sun sets, the Pier Park Amphitheater comes alive with music, laughter, and just the right dose of beach town fun.

2. St. Augustine Beach

Location: Check on Google Maps

St. Augustine Beach offers a boardwalk that mixes history with modern fun. The wooden walk at St. Johns County Ocean Pier has a little bit of everything—fishing, local markets, live music, and a rich history that hangs in the air like the scent of sea spray.

If you’re the type that loves a beach day with a side of culture, this is your dream spot.

A quick detour will land you at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, where the panoramic views from the top of the lighthouse are worth every step.

1. Naples Pier

Location: Check on Google Maps

Naples Pier is the queen of Florida boardwalks, reigning supreme with its understated elegance, making it the best Florida beach town with boardwalks.

Stretching into the endless blue, the pier is a peaceful haven where locals and visitors gather to fish, walk, and watch the most jaw-dropping sunsets.

Naples itself is as picturesque as a storybook town, with posh boutiques, upscale dining, and a laid-back vibe that’s somehow luxurious and casual at the same time.

For a dose of nature, make your way to Clam Pass Park, where a winding boardwalk through mangroves leads to a secluded, idyllic beach.

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