It’s hard to believe spring break is literally right around the corner. We can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and we are on the downward climb of winter. I’m not a fan of winter, although necessary, it seems to drag on and spring can seem so far away. The one nice thing about winter; you can cozy up with a cup of coffee and plan your next spring break trip.
I prefer to skip out on the yearly spring break beach trips and opt for something more adventurous, but the majority of spring breakers prefer toes in their sand and a drink in their hand. Don’t get me wrong, I love the beach, which is why I put together my top favorite beaches to consider for spring break.
- St. Augustine, Florida
This is my absolute favorite place to visit in Florida (besides Disney World). St. Augustine sits on the Atlantic side and the beach is different from the gulf side. However, St. Augustine claims to be the oldest city in the United States. It boast Spanish style architecture and is a beautiful and unique town. One of my favorite things about this beach is the ability to drive and park your car on the beach. This was a huge game changer when we were able to load our beach items in the back of the car and park on the beach. Keep in mind, you will want a four wheel drive and I would not attempt this otherwise. We have witnessed too many cars being pulled out of the sand. Drive at your own risk! St. Augustine beach is also a very family friendly beach location. You won’t find super crowded beaches or wild parties on the beach. This is one of the reasons we love this beach with our kids. The beaches are wide and there is plenty of space to feel like you have your own area on the beach. St. Augustine also boasts the beautiful Anastasia State Park and so many historic places to visit. We love strolling the historic district of St. Augustine, the old fort, lighthouse museum, and of course the fountain of youth! If you’re looking for a family friendly beach that includes unique shops, restaurants and activities for the kids, this is the place to go. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
Favorite Places to Stay
- Hammock Beach Resort and Spa – https://www.hammockbeach.com/
- Embassy Suites St. Augustine Ocean Front – https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ustboes-embassy-suites-st-augustine-beach-oceanfront-resort/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-ES-USTBOES&y_source=1_MTE1MTY4NTctNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Favorite Places to Eat
- Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grill
- Prohibition Kitchen
- Columbia Restaurant
Favorite Things to Do
- St. Augustine Lighthouse
- Castillo de San Marcos
- Anastasia State Park
- Black Raven Pirate Ship
- Alligator Farm
2. Destin, Florida
You know I’m going to put this on my list due to the popularity of this location, and rightfully so. I’ve been visiting the Destin area since I was a teenager and continue to go back due to the beautiful beaches, calm gulf waters, and it’s really an easy drive from where I live. Destin is going to be on the busier side during spring break and you’re going to encounter a lot of people, long wait times at restaurants and busy beaches. However, if you are looking for beautiful emerald calm waters, gorgeous sandy beaches, this is the place to be. The gulf coast possesses some of the prettiest waters in the U.S. Destin has your basic beach town activities such as shopping, miniature golf, and who can forget your favorite airbrush shirt at the local Alvin’s Island. There really isn’t a whole lot of other activities to do so this is perfect for those of you that are looking for a low key not leaving the beach trip. I would highly suggest renting a boat and spending the day around Crab Island. This is a popular spot in Destin and is essentially a large sand bar with emerald green waters, but it’s really a fun place to visit. You can’t go wrong with this beach area, but you won’t find me here during spring break. And if you’re not a fan of crowds or running into your local neighbor, then I would opt for another beach.
Favorite Places to Stay
- Henderson Beach Resort – https://www.hendersonbeachresort.com/
- Hilton Grand Vacation Club – http://hilton.com/en/hotels/vpssagv-hilton-grand-vacations-club-in-sandestin-golf-and-beach-resort/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-GV-VPSSAGV&y_source=1_NTYwMjU2NDctNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
- Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa – https://www.compassresorts.com/silver-shells-beach-resort-spa?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=local&utm_medium=organic
Favorite Places to Eat
- McGuires Irish Pub
- The Back Porch
- Louisiana Lagniappe
Favorite Things to Do
- Crab Island
- Harbor Walk Village
- Henderson Beach State Park
3. Marco Island, Florida
I absolutely love Marco Island and the small low key beaches. Marco Island is located near the southern tip of Florida so you don’t have to worry about it being warm enough during spring break. You can’t beat the sunrises and sunsets on this beautiful island. Marco Island is a wonderful beach for shell collecting and you could spend all day finding unique shells and sand dollars. Marco is another low key beach that is very family friendly. You’ll find only snowbirds, retirees, and families on this beach. I love this relaxing beach and you can even take a day trip by ferry to Key West. There are not a lot of activities on this beach so it really is a great place if you’re looking to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of life and get a break from reality. Time slows down in Marco and everyone is on island time. If you are looking for an activity besides lounging on the beach, consider a boat tour to shell hunt, see wildlife or visit the unique Cape Romano. There are plenty of options to choose from. This is a beach you would find me at during spring break and really anytime of the year.
Favorite Places to Stay
- JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort – https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mrkfl-jw-marriott-marco-island-beach-resort/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0
- Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort – https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mrkmhhf-hilton-marco-island-beach-resort-and-spa/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-HH-MRKMHHF&y_source=1_MTIyMDkzMC03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort – https://holidayinnclub.com/explore-resorts/sunset-cove?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=sunset-cove-gmb-listing
Favorite Places to Eat
- Le Be Fish
- CJ’s on the Bay
- Quinn’s on the Beach
Favorite Things to Do
- Marco Island Princess Cruise
- Key West Express – Day trip to Key West
- Island Shelling and Cape Romano bout tour
4. Charleston, SC
Charleston is another one of my favorite beach destinations and is a perfect destination for spring break. I love being able to relax on the beach and enjoy the historical aspect of this quaint town. You can spend the day at Folly beach and the evenings in downtown Charleston. If you’re wanting to take a break from the beach there is plenty of shopping and good food in Charleston. Unlike Destin and Marco Island, there is so much to do around Charleston; if you’re looking for beach time but also want to spend a few days exploring, this offers the best of both worlds. For activities I love the Charleston City Market. You can spend a few hours here strolling through the unique vendors. I’ve bought some gorgeous paintings, clothes and unique handmade jewelry. For history lovers, you can visit Fort Sumter or the USS Yorktown or just take a stroll downtown. I’m trying to get back and take a weekend trip to Charleston again this year. It really is a place you’ll want to visit more than once.
Favorite Places to Stay
- Wild Dunes Resort – https://www.hyatt.com/destination-by-hyatt/wilddunes-charleston-island-resort?src=corp_lclb_gmb_seo_chsdb
- Meeting Street Inn – Downtown Charleston – https://www.meetingstreetinn.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=business_listing
- The Beach Club Charleston Resort & Marina – https://www.charlestonharborresort.com/the-beach-club.htm
Favorite Places to Eat
- Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
- Toast All Day – Great breakfast/brunch
- Hyman’s Seafood
Favorite Things to Do
- Charleston City Market
- Rainbow Row
- Fort Sumter
- USS Yorktown
- Charleston Outdoor Adventures
Your Journey Starts Here 