Article at a glance
- Over 1,000 miles of beautiful, uncrowded beaches. Perfect for students who want to relax and soak up some Vitamin D.
- Florida's beaches are lined with hotels, bars, and restaurants, making it easy for spring breakers to go straight from the club to the hotel room without driving.
- Florida offers many unique experiences and activities for students to enjoy.
College students spend spring break in Florida for a refresher course on fun in the sun, sand, and sea. With over 1,000 miles of beautiful, uncrowded beaches, a Florida spring break sparks the imagination with daydreams of sunbathing and partying on the sand. The best Florida spring break destinations offer more than fun for beach bums. They offer unique adventure opportunities and fan-favorite amusement parks.
Why Is Florida a Spring Break Destination?
Sun, Sand, and Sea
After months of hard work at reading, writing, and arithmetic, students deserve to escape the confines of brick and stone buildings and get back to nature on Florida’s beaches. The warm weather, beautiful shorelines, and tropical environment rejuvenate the spirits. Besides the emotional release, the Vitamin D soaked up during spring break helps boost happiness that lasts long after the vacation.
Parties and Exciting Nightlife
Florida combines an exotic climate with the safety of accessible transportation. The many beaches that line the state cater to spring breakers and vacationers by placing hotels, bars, and restaurants along the shoreline. Close quarters make it easy to go straight from the club to the hotel room without driving.
New Adventures and Opportunities
Florida plays host to amusement parks, wildlife preserves, and ocean-oriented activities. Visitors indulge themselves in everything from relaxing on the beach to adrenaline-inducing roller coasters and water parks. For those interested in history and culture, Florida’s history stretches back far beyond that of the United States, making it an intriguing place for spring breakers with curiosity and quieter passions.
Where Should Spring Breakers Visit in Florida?
With multiple prime Florida spring break locations, deciding on the right place to go depends on what spring breakers want to do. Before choosing a destination, check availability and pricing to ensure everyone else hasn’t chosen the same place. Get started by checking out our list of the best Florida spring break spots and why students want to spend their college spring break in Florida.
Panama City Beach
Why Spring Breakers Love It
Panama City Beach attracts thousands of visitors every year with its white sand beaches, beautiful views of the open ocean, and the potential to see the bottlenose dolphins who prefer the beach above others.
Special Attractions
Gulf World Marine Park
Sea animal enthusiasts flock to Gulf World Marine Park to view daily shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, and ocean-loving birds. Other favorite experiences include swimming with dolphins, meeting sea lions or penguins, or shadowing an experienced Gulf World animal trainer throughout their workday.
Shell Island Shuttle
Take a boat ride to Shell Island, an undeveloped barrier island in the St. Andrews State Park preserve. With no hotels, bars, or other buildings hemming the beach, visitors enjoy unparalleled views of the horizon while swimming, snorkeling, or exploring the island.
Shipwreck Island Waterpark
If the ocean doesn’t provide enough thrills, Shipwreck Island Waterpark lets you enjoy the tropical Florida weather while indulging in water-focused fun. Enjoy floating along the lazy river, plunge down enormous water slides, or experience a safer version of ocean tides in the wave pool.
Miami Beach
Why Spring Breakers Love It
Notorious as one of the best spring break beaches in Florida, Miami Beach offers some of the wildest nightlife experiences in the state. From chill vibes to rooftop partying, there’s somewhere to go for every spring breaker in Miami Beach.
Special Attractions
South Beach
When most college students imagine a Florida spring break, they picture the bright buildings, high-end shopping, and nighttime entertainment of South Beach. Visitors may stay on the beach in one of the historic hotels, making it easier to safely enjoy the vibrant bars and parties taking place each night.
Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel
Although not a day-long affair, Miami visitors don’t want to miss the chance to take in a unique view of the city from the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel. The Wheel tops out at nearly 200 feet, and each gondola features comforts, including climate control, leather bucket seats, a total enclosure, and a glass-bottomed floor.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Escape into history with a visit to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The beautiful museum showcases classical Italian styles combined with the grandeur of the early 20th century, and visitors enjoy the magnificent gardens.
Daytona Beach
Partying at Daytona Beach remains a spring break tradition for college students. Multiple beachside resorts cater to the celebratory atmosphere, clubs close to beach hotels bump in the night, and college students get around with Daytona’s party bus designed to keep the fun going safely.
Special Attractions
VIP Passport
Partiers looking to get the most out of their spring break should indulge in a VIP Passport. This card gives you access to the most popular clubs in Daytona, including Ocean Deck, 509 Loung, and Razzle’s, in addition to other parties and celebrations.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk
Get the classic beachside boardwalk experience with arcades, gift shops, street performers, and a Ferris wheel ride above the ocean. Visitors can escape to the area’s white sand beaches if they need a break before returning to the food and fun.
Equestrian Adventures of Florida
After enjoying brunch and mimosas, take a relaxing horse ride on the beach or through one of the area’s many state parks and reserves.
Orlando
The perfect mixture between adventure and nightlife, Orlando offers plenty of opportunities for college students to spend spring break in Florida. Many popular beaches lie within an hour’s drive, including Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach, and New Smyrna Beach.
Special Attractions
Disney World
When college students spend spring break in Florida, many consider dedicating the week to Disney World. With four separate parks offering multiple opportunities for fun, spring breakers may spend days riding and visiting Disney World attractions, then retire for a night of partying before starting again the following day.
ICON Park
Twenty acres of entertainment await without ticket costs as a gatekeeper. ICON Park features over 50 bars, restaurants, boutiques, and attractions, including a 40-story observation wheel.
Wild Florida Airboats, Gator Park and Drive-Thru Safari
For a break from partying and theme parks, Wild Florida offers an adventure into the Florida swamps. Check out wildlife including local flora and fauna, but watch out for alligators.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay may not offer the same wild parties and attractions as other typical spring break locales, but for the prettiest beaches with smaller crowds and plenty of opportunities for adventure, it suits just fine. College students will enjoy a break from their studies without the stifling masses congregating in other, more prominent spring break destinations.
Special Attractions
Busch Gardens
With amusement park rides, live shows, and a zoo with over 12,000 animals, Busch Gardens provides a little something for everyone on its 300-acre estate.
The Florida Aquarium
Come face-to-face with over 8,000 animals from Florida, Madagascar, South Africa, and other exotic places. Visitors will see freshwater and saltwater creatures like river otters, stingrays, sharks, and other sea animals.
Cruisin’ Tikis Tampa
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride combined with a party atmosphere with Cruisin’ Tikis Tampa. Drinks, food, snacks, and music, all provided in a cruise ride on a specially designed tiki hut deck boat.
Siesta Key Beach
Featuring beautiful beaches and gorgeous gulf coast seas, Siesta Key provides a fun spring break experience for college students wanting to avoid huge crowds. Instead of hotels and megaresorts, spring breakers can rent beach bungalows, cottages, and single-family homes for their stay.
Special Attractions
Siesta Key Village
Shop, dine, and party in the Siesta Key Village. Nearly 100 boutiques, restaurants, bars, shops, and cafes occupy an easily-walkable space for a low-impact activity.
Point of Rocks
For snorkeling adventures, Point of Rocks at Crescent Beach provides a five-foot-deep area to safely venture into the blue. Snorkelers can view marine life while enjoying their pick of genuine seashells.
Siesta Key Aqua Adventures
College students wishing to hit the waves can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or jet skis to create lasting memories of fun in the sea. For a more relaxing activity, indulge in the Dolphin Tour to KoKo Island, a two-hour boat ride through Siesta Key’s wildlife sanctuaries.
Choose Florida for Spring Break
Spend spring break in Florida for the country’s best getaways, adventures, and parties. With so many beaches to choose from, anyone needing to leave the books behind can find fun, relaxing activities in Florida. Learn more about other spring break getaways sponsored and organized by StudentCity.