Mayo FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Mayo, Florida.
1. Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
CRYSTAL CLEAR NATURAL SPRINGS
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park offers visitors a pristine natural swimming area with crystal-clear 72-degree waters year-round. The park features limestone bluffs, a natural spring with a swimming area, and easy access to the scenic Suwannee River. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, picnicking, and hiking along the nature trails that showcase Florida's natural beauty.
2. Keaton Beach
SERENE GULF COAST ESCAPE
Keaton Beach offers a tranquil coastal experience that feels remarkably private despite being a public beach. The area features a covered playground, pavilion with picnic tables, and charcoal grills, along with clean restroom facilities. Its shallow, warm waters make it ideal for families, while the uncrowded atmosphere allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast in peace.
3. Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park
WORLD-CLASS CAVE DIVING
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park is home to one of the longest underwater cave systems in the United States, making it a premier destination for cave diving enthusiasts. The park features crystal-clear springs, sinkholes, and surface swimming areas perfect for cooling off during hot Florida days. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails through the lush hardwood forest and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the 733-acre natural area.
4. Hagens Cove Park
COASTAL WILDLIFE HAVEN
Hagens Cove Park offers a pristine coastal experience with natural beaches along Florida's Big Bend coastline. The park is known for excellent fishing, bird watching, and stunning sunset views across the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors appreciate the unspoiled natural setting and opportunity to experience Florida's coastline away from more developed tourist areas.
5. Grayton Beach State Park
AWARD-WINNING WHITE SANDS
Grayton Beach State Park features some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States, with sugar-white sand and emerald-green waters. The park encompasses 2,000 acres of coastal forest, dunes, and a rare coastal dune lake, Western Lake, where visitors can paddle and fish. Beyond swimming and sunbathing, visitors can hike nature trails, camp overnight, or stay in the park's cabins for an extended natural beach getaway.
6. Deer Lake State Park
UNSPOILED DUNE ECOSYSTEM
Deer Lake State Park is centered around a rare coastal dune lake and features one of the most pristine and undisturbed dune ecosystems in Florida. Visitors access the gorgeous white-sand beach via a boardwalk that protects the fragile dune system while offering spectacular views. The park's natural setting provides excellent opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, bird watching, and nature photography without the crowds of more developed beaches.
7. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
DUNES AND FRESHWATER LAKES
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park encompasses 3.2 miles of pristine white-sand beach and boasts some of the most majestic dunes in Florida, rising to over 25 feet tall. The park uniquely features freshwater coastal dune lakes, Campbell Lake and Morris Lake, offering additional swimming and fishing opportunities beyond the Gulf beaches. Visitors can enjoy swimming, paddling, hiking, biking, and camping, with full-facility campgrounds and cabin rentals available for overnight stays.
8. Miramar Beach Access
POPULAR GULF COAST DESTINATION
Miramar Beach Access provides convenient entry to the stunning white-sand beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf Coast in South Walton. The regional beach access offers amenities including restrooms, showers, parking, and bike racks, with lifeguards on duty between March and October. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, with vendor-operated beach chair and umbrella services available for those seeking comfort.
9. Inlet Beach Access
PEACEFUL EASTERN GATEWAY
Inlet Beach Access serves as the eastern gateway to South Walton's 26 miles of spectacular coastline with its pristine white sands and clear turquoise waters. This regional beach access provides essential amenities including restrooms, parking, showers, and bike racks to enhance the visitor experience. The relatively quieter atmosphere compared to other South Walton beaches makes it ideal for families and those seeking a more relaxed beach day without sacrificing convenience.
10. Redington Shores County Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY GULF BEACH
Redington Shores County Park offers a picturesque public beach access point along Florida's stunning Gulf Coast. The park provides essential amenities for beachgoers while maintaining the natural beauty of the shoreline with its soft white sand and clear waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, shell collecting, and spectacular sunset views in a less crowded environment than many of Florida's more famous beaches.