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Looking for the best destinations for a honeymoon in Florida? We are here to help!
Beaches. Swaying palm trees. Sun for days, and days, and days…
Honeymooning in Florida is a no-brainer for many couples who want to luxuriate at beach resorts, visit some of the world’s most famous theme parks, or get adventurous with scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more.
But Florida is a big state with lots of places to go! How do you narrow down your Florida honeymoon itinerary?
In this list of the best places to go in Florida on your honeymoon, we’ll take a whistle stop tour through some of the best, the most beautiful, and the most honeymoon-friendly options.
1. Orlando
One of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the entire world, Orlando is filled with things to do for couples who want a more active honeymoon experience and don’t mind as much about beaches (as Orlando is inland!)
Spend your days screaming your head off on Space Mountain, dining with Mickey and friends at the Magic Kingdom, or visiting Hogwarts at Universal Studios.
Stay at a Disney Deluxe resort, like the Wilderness Lodge, to know that you’re getting the best of the best, or opt to save money by renting an Airbnb near the theme parks.
And Orlando isn’t just Disney World, either.
You can have a romantic date night in Orlando while spinning around on the Wheel, a slow-moving Ferris wheel with 360-degree capsules that let you get a gorgeous view of the city.
Take the swan boats out on Lake Eola to see the fountain up close and enjoy views of downtown, and then follow it up with dinner in the area at some of the fabulous eateries.
An Orlando honeymoon is just as filled with fun and sun, but also has the thrills. And if you get overwhelmed, you can always count on being able to lay out by the pool.
Best honeymoon resort in Orlando: Wilderness Lodge in Lake Buena Vista. See prices and reviews here.
2. St. Augustine
One of the most historic destinations for a honeymoon in Florida, St. Augustine is America’s oldest city and a fascinating place filled with red brick, cobblestones, and the stunning architecture that the Spanish left behind.
You’ll find plenty of beaches here, as St. Augustine is on the coast and St. Augustine Beach, south of the main visitor area, has plenty of wide-open beaches, beachside parks, places to fish and more.
Go on a tour of the historic Flagler College to see its beautiful design, or explore the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort that looks out onto the ocean.
Multiple museums like the St. Augustine Lighthouse museum give history buff couples things to do on their honeymoon, but most people prefer to stroll the quaint streets, stopping off at the boutique shops or enjoying lunch out in the sun from a family-owned restaurant (try the fried green tomatoes whenever you come across them).
St. Augustine is the perfect honeymoon destination when you want both the option of participating in plenty of activities, as well as just relaxing on the beach.
Best honeymoon resort in St. Augustine: Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection. See prices and reviews here.
3. Key West
The southernmost tip of the continental US, Key West is a quirky and vibrant place to visit on your honeymoon in the Florida Keys.
Here, you’ll find a colorful landscape filled with history and adventure, and most people travel around on foot or by mopeds or bikes, which means you can ditch the car and not have to worry.
Visit the famous Conch Republic Seafood Company for some of the best seafood around, or enjoy the nightlife on Duval Street.
Plenty of local bars provide tropical drinks and a party atmosphere (it’s always a party in Key West).
If you want to keep it more low key, you can visit Ernest Hemmingway’s House or head to Mallory Square in the evening for a relaxed vibe and the best sunset you’ll ever see in your life.
Lots of music and friendly chatter make for a memorable atmosphere.
Key West does have a few places to hang out on a sandy beach area, but by and large this is a great honeymoon destination if you want a coastal area, but don’t plan on spending too much time in the sand.
Best honeymoon resort in Key West: Sunset Key Cottages. See prices and reviews here.
4. Tarpon Springs
If you’re looking for a hidden gem of a honeymoon destination in Florida that isn’t filled with other honeymooners, Tarpon Spring is your best bet.
This city on Florida’s gulf coast is known for its sponge docks and Greek influence.
Say what? Yes!
The legacy of Greek communities carries on here through the sponge harvesting (natural sponges from the ocean!) and the plenty of Greek eateries that line the main streets.
Enjoy delicious dinners, spend some time exploring the local area including the Tarpon Springs Aquarium, and spend some time soaking in the sun at Fred Howard Park and Sunset Beach.
Kite-boarding and water skiing are popular activities in the area if you have a need for speed, or just enjoy long walks among the palm trees.
Make sure to also go on a day trip to St Petersburg, Clearwater Beach and Tampa.
5. Pensacola
For this honeymoon destination, we’re heading all the way up north to Florida’s panhandle.
Pensacola is a fantastic honeymoon option for those who don’t have the time to travel further into Florida (being a peninsula, it is a solid 10 hours drive from the top to the bottom of the state!).
Pensacola is known for its gorgeous beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, so beach bums are totally welcome here.
Pop out your umbrella, grab some beach towels, and sip on some fruity drinks as you listen to the waves.
There are also other things to do, like the Pensacola Museum of Art and Hawkshaw Lagoon Memorial Park.
Visit the Seville Historic District for amazing gastropubs, atmospheric restaurants, and all-day fun in the sun.
You’ll want to have a car in Pensacola, as you have to drive to get from the center of Pensacola to Pensacola beach, but it’s totally worth it.
Get some delicious seafood while enjoying the sea breeze at the iconic Peg Leg Pete’s, or go to Publix to purchase some picnic items to have a romantic dinner in the sand as the day fades to dusk.
Best honeymoon resort in Pensacola: Margaritaville Beach Hotel. See prices and reviews here.
6. Naples
If your idea of a honeymoon in Florida involves living the fancy life, then Naples is for you.
This Florida city is home to the rich and famous, mansions that you’ll have to see to believe, and overall an upscale vibe that you can feel from the beaches to the restaurants.
The beaches here are silky smooth and shining white, and you can easily lose yourself in the glimmering of some of Florida’s best sunsets.
Downtown Naples has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you entertained when you’re taking a break from the sand, and you can also take the popular trolley tour around Naples to see the major sights while traveling in an old-fashioned trolley car.
This makes for great Instagram photos!
Other romantic dates in Naples include a visit to the Naples Botanical Garden with over 170 acres of trails filled with blooming flowers, or head to Naples Zoo to get up close to your favorite animals.
If you’re a golfing couple, Naples has everything you’ll need as the golf courses are perfectly green, always in tip-top shape, and offer country club amenities like delicious food at on-site restaurants.
Live your best life on honeymoon in Naples, and if you’re really hoping to make this a splurge, considering booking a room at the Ritz-Carlton, the best and fanciest hotel in all of Naples.
Best honeymoon resort in Naples: Naples Bay Resort and Marina. See prices and reviews here.
7. Sanibel
Hoping to really get away from it all? Sanibel Island is a perfect honeymoon destination when you want more rugged Florida and the chance to disconnect and enjoy each other’s company.
It’s connected to the mainland with a causeway so it’s easy enough to drive to get dinner or buy something you forgot, but for most of the time you can just enjoy the many beaches on Sanibel, including Turner Beach and Lighthouse Beach.
Sanibel is known for having some of the most gorgeous seashells in all of Florida, and you can pick up some beautiful ones if you take an early morning walk out onto the sand.
In fact, if you’re really shell obsessed (and you might be by the time you leave Florida, you can’t help it), you can visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.
Sanibel Island also has a Wildlife Refuge with plenty of trails you can walk through, trying to spot Florida wildlife like herons or just soaking in the sun.
You truly can just spend your entire honeymoon on the island, picking a new spot each day to sunbathe or swim, but you can also drive into nearby Fort Myers for a day trip if you want an activity day.
Best honeymoon resort in Sanibel: Sanibel Moorings. See prices and reviews here.
8. Delray Beach
This Florida beach city, just north of Boca Raton, is a fantastic place to honeymoon when you want an authentic Florida experience.
While tourists do come here, Boca Raton is more popular, which means you’ll have access to the activities in Boca without paying the same prices or having the same clogged traffic.
Instead, you’ll get to luxuriate on Delray Beach, a sandy beach with plenty of space to spread out and play beach games, lay out your towels, or take long walks, hand-in-hand.
There are adorable cafes in Delray Beach for you to grab a morning snack or lunch, and a range of restaurant options on the beach from the casual to the classy.
Best honeymoon resort in Delray Beach: Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort & Spa. See prices and reviews here.
9. Cocoa Beach
Hoping to catch some waves, whether by boogie boarding or surfing on your honeymoon? Cocoa Beach is the place to be.
First of all, it has some of the best surf and sand in all of Florida, and it’s known for being the home of the largest and most iconic Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, where you can stock up on beach gear, even if you’re not planning on “hanging ten.”
Cocoa Beach also has a beautiful pier, as well as beachside parks where you’ll find green spaces to hang out while still smelling the sea air.
But perhaps the most important part, for many Florida newbies, to a honeymoon to Cocoa Beach is the ability to visit the Kennedy Space Center.
This is an all-day trip around the most famous space center in the world, where NASA has launched countless shuttles, rockets, and more.
You can get up close to the buildings where these are made and stored, as well as see fascinating artifacts such as moon rocks, astronaut suits from previous missions, and a preserved mission control room.
Any couple who has an interest in dreaming big and seeing history where it’s made will love a trip to KSC from Cocoa Beach.
Best honeymoon resort in Cocoa Beach: The Resort on Cocoa Beach. See prices here.
10. St Petersburg, FL
Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, St Petersburg is one of the best places to honeymoon in Florida.
The downtown area is very lively and there is a lot you can do here. If you are into art, make sure to visit the Dali Museum. It’s home to the largest collection of Dali pieces outside of Spain.
In the evening, make sure to go to Jannus live, it’s a beautiful outdoor venue.
But the true ‘honeymoon’ spot is St Pete Beach. It’s home to some of the best beaches in Florida and there are a lot of activities you can do. From clear kayaking to helicopter tours, everything is possible!
And of course, that’s a beautiful place to chill and enjoy your time with your spouse.
In terms of accommodation, the Don Cesar hotel is one of the best Florida honeymoon resorts. Direct access to the beach, spa, amazing rooms… it has it all!
Best honeymoon resort in St Pete: The Don Cesar in St Pete Beach. See prices here.
11. Destin
A vacation in the city of Destin, “the world’s luckiest fishing village”, promises to be full of beautiful scenery, fun activities, and romantic outings, making it one of the best honeymoon spots in Florida.
The city is in Okaloosa County, and it separates the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay.
There may be many beautiful beaches in Florida, but nothing beats Destin’s crisp white sand and incredible blue and emerald water!
There are also plenty of cool golf courses with exquisite views if you’d like to lose a few balls!
If adventure is more your thing, you and your spouse can get your fill of adrenaline-pumping activities in Destin – go parasailing, enjoy a variety of water sports, or spend the day at one of the best theme parks in Florida (Big Kahuna Water Park is excellent!).
Finally, no trip to Destin would complete without going to the stunning Crab Island. Make sure to book a tiki tour to enjoy it to the maximum.
Best Time to Go to Florida on Your Honeymoon
In much of the US, summer is considered the best time to visit places for great weather, but did you know it’s not actually the best time for a Florida honeymoon?
Florida’s rainiest and most humid months fall squarely in the summer, where you can expect torrential rain almost every afternoon and humidity like you wouldn’t believe.
Then, in September and October, hurricane season is at its peak.
This doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely experience one, but that your risk is much greater.
Truly, if you’re looking to be able to go swimming, enjoy the warmth, but not risk as much rain or hurricanes, April and May are fantastic months for a Florida honeymoon.
The driest months are the winter months, but Florida does get some cold snaps with cooler temperatures, which might not be what you’re looking for.
Now that you know everything about the best honeymoon destinations in Florida, it’s time to enjoy!
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