There’s a joke circulating in the travel world. It goes like this: Someone asks where to go in Florida that isn’t crowded, and a local responds, “Come back 30 years ago.”
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Here’s the cold, hard truth: Florida is facing the same challenges brought on by overtourism as other major hubs, from Barcelona to Venice.
From an economic perspective, that’s a positive problem. Reliable, consistent interest in Florida’s coastal areas and beach towns creates jobs for locals and helps funnel revenue into statewide industries. It expands and improves hospitality infrastructure, which has very cool ripple effects—like protecting wildlife sanctuaries that tourists like to visit, for example.
On the other hand, overtourism is a threat to that very industry—after all, what winter birds and spring breakers will want to visit if beaches are overcrowded and roads are frequently congested?
If you’re dying for a little sunshine and want to visit places in Florida that aren’t crowded, noisy, and full of traffic, head to one of these locations. While you should still look into seasonal crowds and be aware of major holidays, you can usually skip out on all the hustle and bustle during low season.
Places in Florida that aren’t crowded—at least, not during low season
Anna Maria Island
Located around an hour north of Tampa, Anna Maria Island isn’t the hidden gem it used to be. The barrier island, only seven miles long, offers dune-style beaches that are pristine and wide-open. The waters are so clear that you can even snorkel.
Accessible by a single roadway, the area often fills up during the weekends during high season. However, if you visit before 10 am in October and November, you won’t be sharing the beach with thousands of other vacationers.
- Best time to go: October – November
- Hang out on these beaches on Anna Maria Island: Manatee Public Beach, Coquina Beach, & Bean Point Beach
Perdido Key
No, it’s not located in the Florida Keys. Perdido Key is a barrier island located on the Florida Panhandle near Panama City Beach and Destin. It’s home to two popular parks: Perdido Key State Park and Johnson Beach National Seashore.
While the area gets packed during the peak summer season, the heaviest traffic and crowds head to nearby hubs. When you visit Perdido Key, you have those big-destination amenities close by without the same degree of hustle and bustle.
- Best time to go: March-May, October-November
- Hang out on these beaches on Perdido Key: Johnson Beach National Seashore, Big Lagoon State Park, and Perdido Key State Park
Cayo Costa State Park
When it comes to places that aren’t crowded in Florida, Cayo Costa State Park is hard to beat for one reason: It’s accessible only by boat. (The ferry stopped running in 2025.) Cayo Costa State Park sits just west of Cape Coral and spans around 2,400 acres.
That makes it harder to reach (especially if you don’t have your own vessel), but you’re guaranteed some peace. Just know that Cayo Costa State Park also sees tons of traffic on the weekends, meaning the best time to go is always on a weekday, regardless of whether it’s high or low season.
- Best time to go: September – November
- Hang out on these beaches in Cayo Costa State Park: Gulf Side beaches and the South end
Cape San Blas
Not far from Perdido Key on Florida’s panhandle, you can find Cape San Blas. (And St. George’s Island, which I’ll get to below.) It’s a 17-mile peninsula that’s a short drive from St. Joe Beach to the south.
You can find expensive beaches on Cape San Blas that are home to ‘Old Florida’ adventures like horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking. Best of all, Cape San Blas isn’t usually overcrowded in spring and winter, giving you plenty of time to plan a visit.
- Best time to go: October – March
- Hang out on these beaches in Cape San Blas: TH Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Salinas Park, & Indian Pass Beach
St. George’s Island
St. George’s Island is a 22-mile barrier island that’s located adjacent to Cape San Blas. The two locations are very similar in terms of activities, scenery, and crowds. Expect plenty of space to yourself, especially if you avoid the summer months. The ambiance is very casual, meaning you won’t be sitting next to noisy groups blaring music. (Unless it’s spring break.)
- Best time to go: September – November
- Hang out on these beaches on St. George’s Island: East End Beach & St. George Island State Park
