Elope in Florida: Top 10 Beaches for Your Epic Day

The ultimate guide to finding the perfect location for your stress-free Florida beach elopement

If you’re ready to elope in Florida with crashing waves, endless sunshine, and salty air, then you’re in the right place. Florida is packed with some of the most stunning beaches for intimate elopements — and I’ve scoped out the best spots so you don’t have to waste time Googling or second-guessing. Some of the answers might surprise you!

Whether you’re into sunrises or sunsets, wild coastlines or calm turquoise waters, this guide breaks down my top 10 favorite beaches to elope in Florida after capturing dozens of Florida beach elopements. These aren’t your overrated Insta-hotspots like Miami Beach or Daytona — they’re all hand-picked for couples who want something beautiful yet off the beaten path.

Here’s a quick list of the best beach to elope in Florida:

• Smathers Beach — Key West
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park — Key West
• Bahia Honda State Park Beach — Big Pine Key
• Clearwater Beach — Clearwater
• St. Pete Beach — St. Petersburg
• Rosemary Beach — 30A (Panhandle)
• Frederick Douglass Memorial Park — Fort Pierce
• Fort Pierce Inlet State Park — Fort Pierce
• Chastain Beach — Jensen Beach
• Sebastian Inlet State Park — Sebastian
• House of Refuge — Stuart
• Anastasia State Park — St. Augustine

Ready for the breakdown of the full listof beaches to elope in Florida? Let’s dive in. 👇

Best Florida Keys Elopement Beaches

Let’s clear something up — while the Florida Keys are known for island vibes, epic sunrises and sunsets, and clear, turquoise water, there’s a common misconception that they’re lined with long stretches of sandy beaches. In reality, most of the Keys are rocky or have small beach access points, so you won’t find the wide, powdery shorelines like in Clearwater or Siesta Key.

But — if the Keys still checks all the other elopement boxes, there are still some stunning beach spots for your Florida Keys elopement.

Smathers Beach — Key West

Smathers Beach is one of the largest beaches in Key West and perfect if you’re after long stretches of sand with panoramic ocean views. It’s easy to access, has a palm-lined shoreline, and offers epic golden hour light for portraits. Since the beach faces south, this is a great spot for sunrise or sunset elopements.

Permits: Usually not required for small ceremonies with no setup, but check with the City of Key West for updates. This is a first come, first served location so you aren’t able to reserve anything ahead of time.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park — Key West

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the most unique Florida beach elopement spots, with both rocky outcrops, tall Australian pines, and sandy beach areas backed by a historic Civil War fort. It’s ideal for couples who want a mix of adventure, scenery, and history.

Permits: Required through Florida State Parks for weddings and the price varies on the number of guests with permits starting at $100.

Bahia Honda State Park Beach — Big Pine Key

Bahia Honda State Park Stands out for its historical charm and epic sunrise and sunset views. There’s an old train bridge that runs out of the park and acts as a historic backdrop along the beach.

Permits: Usually not required for small ceremonies with no setup, but check with Florida State Parks for updates.

Best Gulf Coast Elopement Beaches

If you’re all about golden hour magic, soft white sand, and beach towns with a little bit of personality, the Gulf Coast is where it’s at. From the upscale charm of 30A to the lively energy of Clearwater and St. Pete, this side of Florida brings the sunset vibes in full force.

Rosemary Beach — 30A (Panhandle)

Elegant and quiet, Rosemary Beach is nestled along scenic 30A and feels more like a European coastal town than your typical Florida beach. It’s ideal for couples who love upscale beach towns with charm and character.

Permits: Required for both weddings and photography. Photography permits are handled through the Rosemary Beach POA while wedding permits are handled through Walton County. Permitting is very strict in the 30A area and they will kick you out if you aren’t properly permitted!

Clearwater Beach — Clearwater

Clearwater Beach is perfect for a mix of epic sunsets and nightlife! The beaches are super well kept with soft sand and long stretches to the water. Since this is a popular tourist destination, there’s not much privacy and parking is hard to come by. If you want more privacy, Sand Key Beach is a great option that’s right down the road from the popular beaches. There is a wedding permit fee required for Sand Key Beach.

Permits: If your wedding will have less than 25 guests and does not require any setup (chairs, tent, etc.), there is no permit requirement. Check with the city’s website for how to obtain a permit if you don’t meet those criteria. No additional photography permits are required.

St. Pete Beach — St. Petersburg

St. Pete Beach is perfect for sunset-chasing couples looking for a low key big-city vibe! The beaches are super well kept with soft sand and long stretches to the water. Since this is a popular tourist destination, there’s not much privacy and parking is hard to come by.

Permits: Generally, permits are not needed for small ceremonies or personal photography.

Best South Florida Elopement Beaches

If you want to elope in Florida with laid-back vibes and coastal towns, then South Florida checks the boxes. And if you’re into early morning sunrises, peaceful coastlines, and that warm Atlantic breeze, this region has some seriously underrated gems.

From secluded spots with rock formations and local charm to beaches where you can literally ride horses into your ceremony (yep, for real), South Florida offers a super chill alternative to the big-name tourist beaches. These locations are perfect for couples looking to skip the crowds and make space for something a little more adventurous, a little more “you.”

Frederick Douglass Memorial Park — Fort Pierce

A local gem on the East Coast, Frederick Douglass Memorial Park is peaceful, less crowded, and full of natural beauty. However, it’s mention on this list is because it’s one of the only places in Florida where horseback riding on the beach is allowed! This makes it the perfect location to elope in Florida if you want a horseback riding adventure as part of your wedding.

Permits: No permit required for photography or weddings, but check with St. Lucie County for up-to-date permit info.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park — Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is perfect for couples who are seeking a low-key, intimate elopement beach ceremony with epic sunrise and sunset views. Fort Pierce is one of the best-kept secrets of the East Coast which makes it great for avoiding tons of tourists and living like the locals. Psst…it’s also one of Florida’s best fishing spots!

Permits: For elopements with no setup, there is no wedding or photography permit required.

Chastain Beach — Jensen Beach

Chastain Beach is ideal for couples who want that locals-only feel. With wide sandy shores, gentle waves, and minimal foot traffic, it’s peaceful and personal. It also has these really neat rock formations along the coast which makes it feel like the west coast.

Permits: Typically not required for small elopements, but verify with Martin County Parks.

Sebastian Inlet State Park — Sebastian

Sebastian Inlet State Park is perfect for early-rising couples who are seeking a low-key, intimate elopement beach ceremony. SISP is one of the best-kept secrets of the East Coast, which makes it great for privacy. It is close enough to big cities and offers an array of adventurous activities such as paddle boarding, boating, surfing, and so much more!

Permits: For elopements with no setup, there is no wedding or photography permit required.

House of Refuge — Stuart

Technically this beach is called Ross Witham Beach, but to the locals, it’s the House of Refuge. With tons of history and iconic California-like rock formations, this beach is popular. This location is on a tiny barrier island so you can get sunrise and sunset images. Keep in mind that depending on the current, tides, and sand build-up, the rock formations might not be visible or accessible as shown below.

Permits: Generally, permits are not needed for small ceremonies or personal photography. If you want to use the House of Refuge Museum, there is a fee.

Best North Florida Elopement Beaches

If you’re looking for a mix of quiet beaches, rich history, and seriously unique coastal backdrops, North Florida has some gems that deserve way more attention. This region feels a little more off-the-radar — which makes it perfect for couples who want a semi-private experience without going totally remote.

Anastasia State Park — St. Augustine

Anastasia State Park is IT for couples that want a white sand beach ceremony in a historic town! The beach has long stretches of beach with not a ton of tourists. This is great for a semi-private location in a city with tons to do. There are also hardened pathways which make it great for accessibility.

Permits: Required, there is a $100 wedding permit and $50 photography permit for this location.

Washington Oaks State Park — Palm Coast

Dreaming of dramatic coastal rock formations, but don’t think it’s possible if you’re planning to elope in Florida? Washington Oaks State Park is split into two sides by A1A with one side being stretches of beach with stunning coquina rock and the other half a lush garden. This beach is off the beaten path so it’s typically pretty quiet. It’s a rare combo that can make your Florida elopement feel one-of-a-kind.

Permits: Required. Contact the park office for current fees and reservation info

Elope in Florida With An Expert

Elopement plans can shift, so it’s super important to double-check the most up-to-date info — especially when it comes to permits. Everything in this guide was accurate at the time it was created, but always check with local parks or city websites before locking anything in. The last thing you want is a surprise rule or fee popping up the week of your elopement.

The good news? As a Florida elopement photographer, I help every one of my couples figure out exactly what’s needed — permits, timing, location logistics — so you’re not left navigating all that alone. I’ll take care of the behind-the-scenes stuff so you can stay focused on what actually matters: each other.

Whether you’re dreaming of the soft white sands in Clearwater, the historic charm of St. Augustine, or the quiet seclusion of Bahia Honda, Florida has so many beautiful places to say “I do.”

And if you’re looking for someone to take the stress off your shoulders and help bring your beach elopement vision to life — allow me to introduce myself. 👋

Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer