Summary
- Siesta Key, Santa Rosa Beach, and Key Biscayne are among the safest beach towns in Florida with low crime rates and welcoming locals.
- Visitors to Anna Maria Island can enjoy the beautiful beaches and a tight-knit community that prioritizes safety.
- Naples, North Palm Beach, Sanibel Island, Satellite Beach, and Marco Island are also safe beach towns, offering a variety of attractions and activities for tourists to enjoy.
Florida is a sought-after destination that draws millions of visitors with its perfect weather, pristine beaches, and amusement parks — just to mention a few. However, while the Sunshine State has everything to keep tourists glued for days or months, many may wonder how safe its towns and cities are. After all, without the reassurance of safety, the thrill of discovering various attractions fades away.
Fortunately, there are places in Florida, some of which are towns that break away from typical tourist spots, with lower levels of violent and property crime. Here’s a list of the safest Florida beach towns where tourists can immerse themselves fully without constantly having their hearts race with worry.
While these coastal towns in Florida are the safest, no destination is entirely crime-free, only that the incidents occur less frequently compared to other places. People should always be mindful of the neighborhoods they plan on retiring to or visiting, take care of their belongings, and be cautious of their surroundings.
10 Siesta Key
Siesta Key has a low crime rate, about 70 percent less than the national average. As such, tourists are unlikely to have unpleasant experiences when strolling along the streets or hanging around the beach. The town is small, with friendly neighbors and welcoming locals who give travelers authentic experiences.
Siesta Key is also home to Siesta Key Beach, one of the best beaches in Florida with the clearest water. The beach is a geological marvel with powdery white sand and child-friendly waves, though kids should be under supervision.
- Best places to visit in Siesta Key: Siesta Key Beach, Siesta Key Village, Point of Rocks, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach
9 Santa Rosa Beach
The unfortunate event of being a victim of crime in Santa Rosa Beach is 1 per 1,171 inhabitants, which is less than most towns in Florida. Walking around feels safe, making it easy to discover some of the town’s most incredible spots and beaches.
Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach State Park, and Seaside Beach are some of the best places for parasailing, deep-sea fishing, and dolphin watching.
Eden Gardens State Park is another safe attraction in Santa Rosa Beach. It has a well-preserved white mansion surrounded by magnificent trees, fountains, picnic shelters, and gardens with unique plants.
- Best places to visit in Santa Rosa Beach: Eden Gardens State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach State Park
8 Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is one of the safest places in Florida to vacation, retire, or raise a family. Its palm-lined streets are also walkable for easy and stress-free access to various stores and attractions.
There’s much to love about Key Biscayne besides its safety. It’s home to breathtaking beaches, one of which is among the safest beaches in Florida to visit in summer. Its stunning nature preserves, restaurants with a view, and charming neighborhoods also make Key Biscayne worth the visit.
- Best places to visit in Key Biscayne: Crandon Park, Cape Florida Lighthouse, Miami Seaquarium, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Bear Cut Preserve
Choosing the best time to visit Florida depends on what tourists want to experience in any of these beach towns.
7 Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is one of the safest Florida beach towns when it comes to reported crimes. Nearly all incidents on Anna Maria Island are related to DUI and petty theft, making it generally safer for travelers than other urban areas in Florida.
Some statistics also reveal that it has a tight-knit community that values hospitality and safety.
Like most destinations on the Gulf of Mexico, Anna Maria Island has beautiful beaches with warm and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming. However, they should be aware of strong currents during some seasons that make swimming and other water sports dangerous.
- Best places to visit on Anna Maria Island: Coquina Beach, Bayfront Park, Anna Maria City Pier, Bean Point, Rod and Reel Pier
6 Venice
Venice is one of the safest beach towns in Florida, with many credible sources praising it for its low violent crime rate. Besides being safe, this coastal gem is worth visiting for its gorgeous sandy beaches, green spaces, and unique attractions.
Its 14 miles of beaches are known for prehistoric shark teeth, thus the town’s nickname “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.” Beachcombing is a famous activity, and the best time to find treasures is at low tide after a storm or strong winds.
- Best places to visit in Venice: Venice Beach, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Paw Park, Sharky’s On The Pier
Like most towns and cities in Florida, Venice is home to annoying insects, especially mosquitoes, so carry an insect repellent.
5 Naples
The crime rate in this adventure-filled destination in Florida is significantly lower than most towns its size. Sure, it’s not immune to crime, but violent incidents are nearly non-existent, making Naples one of the safest beach towns in Florida.
Tourists only need to be aware of their surroundings, especially when in crowded places, but Naples has a good safety-related track record.
Regarding activities, Naples has something for every traveler, from action-packed adventures to relaxing getaways. Naples Pier and Beach, 5th Avenue South, Third Street South, Naples Zoo, and Tin City Waterfront Shops are some of the attractions that provide exciting adventures.
- Best places to visit in Naples: Naples Pier and Beach, Naples Zoo, Tin City Waterfront Shops, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
4 North Palm Beach
According to NeighborhoodScout, North Palm Beach is 63 percent safer than most U.S. neighborhoods, making it a top contender for the safest places in Florida. The town’s high level of safety makes it a nice place to live or go for a vacation, and fortunately, there are incredible attractions to keep visitors hooked.
Visiting John D. MacArthur Beach State Park is one of the best things travelers should do in North Palm Beach. It’s the only state park in Palm Beach County that attracts thrill seekers who want to explore scenic trails and access a beautiful stretch of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Best places to visit in North Palm Beach: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach Country Club, MacArthur Beach Nature Center
3 Sanibel Island
Besides being a safe beach town, Sanibel Island is one of Florida’s small beach towns that are laid-back and low-key. It boasts of having the lowest violent crimes, with only a few incidents being theft or burglary.
Aside from being safe, Sanibel Island is worth visiting for its beautiful shell-covered beaches and extensive nature reserves with different wildlife species. Visitors will also love discovering hidden gems on Florida’s Gulf Coast for an unforgettable trip.
- Best places to visit on Sanibel Island: Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park, J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Historical Museum & Village
As mentioned, Sanibel Island has the best beaches for shelling, but there are some things to know to make the experience more rewarding and enjoyable.
2 Satellite Beach
Extreme violent crimes, theft, and other unpleasant experience are less common in Satellite Beach, making it one of the safest towns in Florida. It’s an incredible destination for a quick weekend getaway or vacation with the family.
Samsons Island Nature Park, Pelican Beach Park, and Hightower Beach Park are some attractions that promise gratifying experiences. About 30 percent of Satellite Beach’s land is water, so it’s no surprise why most of its best offerings are beach parks.
- Best places to visit in Satellite Beach: Hightower Beach Park, Samsons Island Nature Park, Pelican Beach Park, Canova Beach Park
1 Marco Island
Marco Island has long been an oasis of safety, as it has low records of pickpocketing, mugging, and terrorism. Most credible sources have ranked it top among the safest cities in Florida, where they use FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics for their findings.
Aside from safety, tourists will love Marco Island for its stunning beaches, world-class boutiques, luxury vacation homes, and expansive natural spaces.
- Best places to visit in Marco Island: Tigertail Beach, South Beach, Marco Island Historical Museum, Marco Island Center for the Arts, Mackle Park
Marco Island has only two public beaches: Tigertail Beach and South Beach, so tourists should stay at a beachfront resort to access a private beach.