Seven Of The Closest Beaches To Tallahassee For Families

No family holiday is quite complete without a visit to the beach, right?

With plenty of sun-kissed beaches near Tallahassee to choose from, it is a good idea to do a little research and make sure you pick the perfect beach for your family.

Keep reading for some of the best beaches near Tallahassee.

Tallahassee

The sun-drenched capital of Florida, Tallahassee, is the ideal holiday destination for a family looking to share some quality time in the sun.

Known for the crystal clear, Floridian waters and friendly Tallahassee locals, this popular state capital is quite literally awash with golden sand and seaside fun.

Tallahassee is an attractive metropolis. The city is a popular holiday destination and has a high population of students attending the renowned Florida State University.

Beaches Near Tallahassee

Tallahassee is landlocked, so if you plan to stay right there in the city center, do not expect an ocean view. Visitors to this sunny destination should plan for a one-two-hour drive, depending on the beach.

Alright, so a seaside holiday in a landlocked city might not seem ideal. However, with just a couple of hours in the car, you will find yourself relaxing on any one of the positively idyllic Floridian beaches.

Let’s take a look at some of the best beaches near Tallahassee.

Marks National Wildlife Refuge

We’ll start with St. Marks national wildlife refuge because it is the beach closest to Tallahassee.

St. Marks is one of the prettiest beaches in the vicinity, but it is also comparatively small and very quiet. This national wildlife refuge is approximately 70,000 acres, and it is open all year round.

How far is it?

St. Marks national wildlife refuge is the nearest beach to Tallahassee and an easy day trip. Expect a 30-minute drive and a $5.00 parking fee to enjoy the beach from sun up to sun down.

Is it good for families?

This depends on the family. St. Marks national wildlife refuge beach is smaller and much quieter than most other white sand beaches near Tallahassee.

Tourists and locals visit the beach for its vibrant green vegetation and glittering waters but not for the bustling atmosphere. This is a great beach for small children to paddle safely, as well as children who might get anxious in larger crowds.

Children will enjoy visiting the towering lighthouse and collecting shells. Look out for seabirds, crabs, and other creatures who live at the national wildlife refuge beach!

Grayton Beach

Grayton Beach state park makes a fabulous day trip for families of all ages. This pristine white sand beach sits on the shore of a lake and the ocean, with a freshwater estuary that flows between the two.

Grayton Beach state park is a popular day trip destination, but of all the beaches near Tallahassee, this is best for campers. With attractive campgrounds by the water, Grayton Beach state park is ideal for families who might enjoy a couple of nights under the starlight – or in an RV.

How far is it?

Grayton Beach state park is approximately 146 miles from Tallahassee city center. Expect a drive of two and a quarter hours.

Is it good for families?

Very much so! Grayton Beach has shallow water to paddle in. The coastline, which faces the lake, is the safest place for children to paddle or swim without the risk of a current.

Whether you decide to spend a couple of nights or just drop by for one fun-filled day Grayton Beach has plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Explore rock pools, and wade in the shallow water. Older children will love the chance to give paddle boarding a try.

Rent a canoe or kayak and a few life vests from the Grayton Beach shop, and use the boat ramp to launch into a new adventure!

Carrabelle Beach

For weekday visitors, this is the beach for you. If you plan to visit Carrabelle Beach on the weekend, however, get there early to secure a parking spot.

One of the best white sand beaches near Tallahassee, Carrabelle Beach draws tourists and residents alike. To the West of the beach, expect to find a second stretch of sand dubbed Old Carrabelle Beach. This secret hideaway is worth the extra trek for extra space to spread out and spend time together as a family.

How far is it?

Located less than an hour south of Tallahassee, Carrabelle Beach is one of the most popular beaches near Tallahassee.

Is it good for families?

Yes, for one main reason: amenities. Carrabelle Beach is the ideal seaside locale for a family traveling with young children. You can expect to find:

• Picnic shelters
• Parking
• Restroom facilities
• Showers

Carrabelle Beach enjoys calm waters since the wind and waves are blocked by Dog Island. This makes it one of the safer beaches near Tallahassee for young children. Keep in mind that even though Dog Island blocks the stronger current, there is no lifeguard on duty.

George Island State Park Beach

A barrier island located on the gulf coast of Mexico, St. George Island state park beach is a prime example of a luxurious, untouched coastline. Of all the beaches near Tallahassee, this one ranks most often among the top beaches in the continental United States.

St. George Island offers a nine-mile white sands beach located in the St. George Island state park. This soft sand beach is ideal for relaxing with a good book and spending time with your family.

How far is it?

Expect an hour-and-a-half-long drive from Tallahassee to St. George Island state park.

Is it good for families?

The beach at St. George Island is a popular spot for a day trip or weekend getaway for people of all ages. Accessibility-wise, St. George Island is the perfect beach for families traveling with young children or people with a disability.

Young children will enjoy paddling safely in the warm water and collecting shells along one of the prettiest beaches. Slightly older children have the opportunity to try out some water sports, namely kayaking, and canoeing.

The state park beach does not invite animals, but the public beaches outside the state park boundary do, so even the furriest members of the family can come along and join in the adventure!

Bald Point State Park

Another of the best beaches near Tallahassee is Bald Point state park. Bald Point is situated on the wonderfully named Alligator Point, which connects Apalachee Bay and Ochlockonee Bay.

Bald Point state park costs $4.00 to enter per vehicle and $2.00 for a pedestrian. The park and beach are open to the public from 8:00 am until sundown, year-round. As a beach connected to a state park, visitors will enjoy access to land and water sports and outdoor activities.

How far is it?

You can drive from Tallahassee to Bald Point state park in a little under an hour, making it a fantastic beach to visit for a day.

Is it good for families?

Bald Point state park beach is an ideal locale for families. Children are sure to enjoy looking for marine life lurking in cavernous rock pools and collecting curious shells along the seashore. For older children with an adventurous spirit, Bald Point offers canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing.

Alligator Point offers a beach and state park. Depending on the time of year you choose to visit, children will have the opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife, including monarch butterflies and migrating raptors.

There are picnic areas and restrooms, making Bald Point state park beach the ideal seaside location for a fun-filled family day trip.

Andrews State Park Beach

Another of the best beaches near Tallahassee is St. Andrews state park beach. One of the most popular beaches in Florida for tourists and locals, St. Andrews, sits along the magnificent coastline just across from the Gulf Coast of Mexico.

Located in Panama City, the state park costs $8.00 per vehicle and is open from 8.00 am until sundown 365 days per year.

How far is it?

St. Andrews state park beach is approximately 100 miles from Tallahassee city center, so expect about two hours in the car.

It is doable as a day trip, but St. Andrews state park offers camping facilities for adventuring families who would like to spend a night or two.

Is it good for families?

As another beach within a state park, visitors to St. Andrews can choose from any number of land or water activities, making this beach a perfect place to visit with children of all ages.

Choose from swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and a host of other water sports. Alternatively, children are sure to enjoy clambering up dunes along the white sand beaches and exploring the nature trails just back from the seafront.

Expect a wide variety of amenities, including:

• Picnic facilities
• Restrooms
• Showers
• Campgrounds
• Nearby playgrounds

A visit to St. Andrews state park beach is hardly complete without a trip out to Shell Island. Books a boat tour to the secluded spot, and keep your eyes open for dolphins and manatees!

Cape San Blas

One of the most picturesque Florida beaches, Cape San Blas, is a narrow stretch of golden sand stretching out from Port St. Joe close to the Joseph Peninsula state park.

Cape San Blas is praised for its seclusion and laid-back atmosphere. Interestingly, it is missed out by many Florida tourists making it an ideal locale for a family looking to dodge the crowds.

How far is it?

Alright, this is the drawback… It takes approximately two hours by car from Tallahassee to reach Cape San Blas. If you can manage it, and your children will tolerate the car journey, the beach is worth it.

From Cape San Blas, it is approximately another 15 minutes to the Joseph Peninsula state park.

Is it good for families?

Yes. Easy answer. This Florida beach is quieter and more secluded than many of the more commercial beaches, making it a safer place for small children to run and play on the diamond-white sand.

It is by no means lacking, however. Your family can choose to try out kayaking or canoeing or hike one of the picturesque trails overlooking the cape. During most of the year, you will find the opportunity for horseback riding on the beach, perfect for budding equestrians!

The beach itself is so close to the Joseph Peninsula state park that your family is sure to find plenty to do. Maybe too much for one day, so why not make the most of the camping facilities and stay a night or two?

Cape San Blas has the necessary picnic tables and playground for smaller children, as well as restrooms and convenience stores just off the beach. It is one of the few dog-friendly beaches near Tallahassee, so it may be worth the drive just for that.

FAQs

Is there a beach in Tallahassee?

The city of Tallahassee, FL, is landlocked, so there is no beach there, exactly. There are numerous beaches near Tallahassee, with the closest beach just 30 minutes drive from the city.

Which is the closest beach to Tallahassee?

St. Marks National wildlife refuge beach is the closest beach to the city of Tallahassee.

What beach do FSU students go to?

Florida State University students frequent the Panama City beach, which is more of a resort town with a long stretch of white sand seafront.

Students from FSU are also known to visit St. George Island state park, which is less commercialized than Panama City Beach.