15 Warmest Beaches in Florida in January
Want to hit the beach in January while in the Sunshine State but not sure where to go? Then check out this list of the warmest beaches in Florida in January!
January is usually the coldest month in most states so it’s impossible to enjoy many of the country’s beaches during this period.
Luckily, Florida is blessed with stunning coastlines, sandy beaches, and warm, crystal-clear waters.
Even in January, the state’s year-round average temperature of 72°F allows beach lovers to take a refreshing dip and engage in many water sports.
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To help you plan your New Year vacation, we’ve made a list of the warmest beaches in Florida in January.
From the iconic Siesta Beach with various entertainment options to the beautiful South Pointe Beach with its famous pier, and the nature-rich coastline of Delnor Wiggins State Park, check out this list of the best beaches in Florida in January.
Prefer to travel in December instead? You can check out our list of warm beaches in Florida in December instead.
Warmest Beaches in Florida in January
Read on to discover the warmest Florida beaches in January.
1. South Pointe Beach, Miami Beach
Located in South Pointe Park, this public beach is one of Miami’s best family-friendly beaches, offering loads of activities for everyone.
At an average temperature of 76°F, it is also one of the warmest beaches in January in Florida so you can swim in the crystal-clear water under the watchful eyes of lifeguards.
Besides swimming, you can sunbathe, relax under the shady palm trees, soak in Miami’s skyline, or enjoy a picnic with your loved ones.
People-watching is also a top perk here, as this tranquil beach is usually buzzing with laid-back locals and fun-loving tourists.
And when you want a little break from the water, you can soak up gorgeous views of Fisher Island on the 20-foot wide promenade that leads onto the South Pointe Pier.
At this pier, you can fish, thanks to the recycling bins for fishing lines and different spots for cutting and cleaning your catch. You can also participate in water activities like kayaking and surfing or watch others from the viewing stations.
Meanwhile, the park also has a motion-activated mini splash zone for children, an off-leash bark park for your furry friends, and two dining places: a casual cafe serving drinks and snacks and a Smith & Wollensky steakhouse serving mouth-watering steak and incredible oceanfront views.
2. Smathers Beach, Key West
Located close to Key West’s airport, Smathers Beach is one of the warmest Florida beaches in January at an average temperature of 77°F thanks to the island’s year-round sunshine.
Palm trees line Key West’s largest public beach and its calm and shallow waters are perfect for swimming and for kids to splash about.
Other popular things to do here include snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, playing volleyball, or simply renting chairs and umbrellas and gazing upon the Atlantic.
You’ll also find plenty of food trucks nearby alongside picnic tables for when your belly starts to rumble. And for your comfort, public restrooms and showers are also available.
3. Crandon Beach Park, Key Biscayne
This beautiful, family-friendly beach boasts a picturesque setting with palm trees, sand dunes, walking and biking paths, and sea oats.
The two-mile-long beach in Crandon Beach Park is an excellent choice for families seeking adventure and relaxation.
You can come here to kayak, kiteboard, and surf, amongst other water activities, or even swim since its clear blue waters have an average temperature of 77°F in January and are perfect for a refreshing dip, especially in the southern part of the beach where the water is calmer.
The beach also has a famous sandbar perfect for wading. Other amenities include beach wheelchairs, freshwater showers, and lifeguard services to ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable. You should, however, note that flotation devices are not permitted here.
After spending some time on the beach, you can explore the park’s marina, golf course, tennis center, family amusement center, and nature center.
Finally, you’ll find picnic shelters and concession booths at the park where you can purchase snacks and drinks and rent water sports equipment.
4. Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale
At an average temperature of 75°F, Fort Lauderdale’s largest public beach is one of the warmest beaches in Florida in January and has all the amenities for a relaxing day by the beach.
Swimmers will love the calm crystal-clear waters, children will love the playground and the sugary sands to build sandcastles, picnickers will appreciate the picnic tables and charcoal grills, and sports enthusiasts will appreciate the volleyball and basketball courts for offshore activities, while the swaying palm trees are perfect for relaxing.
You can also engage in other water activities like fishing, snorkeling, and surfing, but if you prefer to keep active off the beach, a palm-tree-lined promenade with an award-winning wave wall runs behind the shoreline.
You can stroll down this promenade and browse its many shops, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes.
5. Delnor Wiggins State Park Beach, Naples
Hurricane Ian affected many Southwest Florida beaches, and Delnor Wiggins was one of them having suffered damages to some of its amenities, treelines, and dunes.
However, this beach has been reopened and still serves scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
At an average temperature of 75°F, this family-friendly beach is one of Florida’s warmest beaches in January, and it offers plenty of relaxing sands and inviting blue waters to enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing at the Wiggins pass, snorkeling (thanks to the hard bottom limestone reef), and sunbathing.
Additionally, you can unwind and watch shorebirds or comb the beach for seashells.
And while there are no more picnic tables and grills, you can still bring your own food and water in coolers. Also, there are beach wheelchairs for those with reduced mobility.
6. Bonita Beach Park Beach, Bonita Springs
Named after the Spanish word for “beautiful,” this beach might not look the same after Hurricane Ian, but it still draws beach lovers seeking warm water and a laid-back atmosphere.
Its crystal-clear waters are one of the warmest in Florida in January, with a temperature of 74°F, making it perfect for swimming, but be mindful of the debris still washing onshore.
Lying adjacent to Bonita Beach Park, the beach’s white sands are perfect for shelling and beachcombing, while the volleyball court makes for an ideal offshore activity.
You’ll also find a playground for the kids and picnic areas surrounded by sand dunes and coastal vegetation.
Meanwhile, the park also has many birding trails, so bring your camera along because you might spot a variety of bird species.
7. Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is one of the warmest beaches in Florida in January and a haven for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and capturing perfect Instagram photos.
This gorgeous public beach has an average temperature of 75°F in January, so its warm shallow waters are perfect for swimming.
Still, if you want more adventure, you can kayak or paddle along the Gulf Coast and parasail above the pristine waters.
Another popular thing to do here is beach combing! Also, if fishing is your favorite pastime, you can cast a line over the beach’s pier, which has a bait shop. If you’re lucky, you might catch some bluefish or cobia.
Meanwhile, adjacent to the pier is Times Square, offering many dining, shopping, and entertainment options, alongside breathtaking sunset views if you linger on into the evening.
8. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key
When putting together a list of the best Florida beaches in January, it’s impossible not to include the world-famous Siesta Beach.
Sought after by locals and visitors alike, this picturesque public beach has constantly been dubbed the best beach in America and one of the top in the world, and it’s easy to see why.
Its 99% quartz white sand that remains cold under Florida’s hot sun is the first draw; then, its spacious stretch of coastline offers ample space to enjoy a heap of activities like sunbathing, watching marine wildlife, kayaking, and kiteboarding, among others.
At an average temperature of 69°F in January, it might be a bit chilly to swim for Floridians but for folks from the North, it might still be ideal.
Around the beach, you will find two concessions: the Siesta Key Beach Pavilion, which sells snacks, healthy salads, and drinks, and the Siesta Sand Plaza concession stand for rentals.
The beach also boasts a shaded playground, volleyball courts, and additional amenities like restrooms, outdoor showers, and beach wheelchairs to ensure a comfortable visit for all visitors.
The beach also holds a festive Drum Circle every Sunday (one hour before sunset), so make sure you don’t miss it.
9. Delray Public Beach, Delray Beach
Also known as Delray Municipal Beach, this lesser-known gem is located near Atlantic Avenue, so it is perfect for foodies, shopaholics, and couples looking for secluded locations.
The white-sand beach is wide, clean, and clear-watered, and with an average temperature of 73°F, it is one of the warmest places in Florida in January.
You can indulge in numerous water activities like swimming, skimboarding, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and surfing on the south side of the beach with fantastic surfing waves.
Or, you can watch people and wildlife from the gazebo with long benches, but if you want to add a romantic feel, rent a cabana.
Meanwhile, the north side of the beach caters to people with reduced mobility by providing accessibility and beach wheelchairs.
Other beach amenities include volleyball courts and seasonal lifeguard services.
10. Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is a haven for surfers, thanks to its stellar and consistent waves. When you arrive here, you will see many professional surfers practicing their moves or waiting for a wave, even in January, thanks to the average temperature of 71°F.
You can watch them as you stroll along the historic 800-ft-long pier that extends into the North Atlantic Ocean or even give it a try yourself.
No need to worry if you’re not a pro surfer! You can enroll in the onsite Cocoa Beach Surf School and take surfing lessons with lifeguards on standby or simply visit to cast a line and bask in the sun.
Additionally, Cocoa Beach puts you in the heart of the action as the pier is lined with restaurants, shops, bars, and live musical entertainment.
And when the sun goes down, the beach comes alive with fresh seafood, creative cocktails, and beachfront concerts.
11. Lovers Key State Park beach, Fort Myers
After surviving the devastating Hurricane Ian, Lovers Key State Park beach has been reopened, and its quiet sands are perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Kayaking and swimming (though no lifeguards on duty) are some of the fun-filled experiences visitors can enjoy at this beach, and with an average temperature of 75°F, you can also enjoy these activities in January.
But if you want more offshore activities, you can rent an umbrella from the concession, lounge in the sand, or pick shells along the shoreline.
After spending some time on the beach, you can then explore the park. This 712-acre coastal park has lagoons and canals where you can spot many wildlife like manatees, bald eagles, ospreys, and marsh rabbits.
12. Spanish River Park, Boca Raton
For the perfect beach picnic, head to the family-friendly Spanish River Park in Boca Raton.
This scenic park has many picnic tables, grills, and pavilions, making it the perfect place to spend quality time with friends and family.
A river once flowed along the park’s west side and is now part of the Intracoastal Waterway, hence the park’s name, and you can fish in the waterway with a license. However, swimming in the waterway is not permitted.
But, you have access to the Atlantic Beach where you can swim even in January, thanks to its average temperature of 75°F. And for your safety, lifeguards are present all year round.
Then, after you are done exploring the coastline, don’t forget to hike the park’s nature trails.
13. Sombrero Beach, Marathon
Located on the Atlantic Ocean, this quiet and secluded beach is excellent for a romantic or family getaway and offers visitors plenty of photo ops.
Sombrero Beach is Florida Keys’ deepest water, and you can launch kayaks and snorkel amongst tropical marine life even in January, thanks to the beach’s temperature of 75°F.
Beyond water activities, you can also enjoy volleyball courts and picnic pavilions with grills at the park adjacent to this beautiful sandy beach.
The park also has a shaded playground area, restrooms, and showers. Also, your furry friends can come along although you’ll have to keep them on a leash at all times.
You should note that Sombrero Beach is a turtle-nesting beach, so activities around these areas are limited during the active nesting season from April through October.
14. Zachary Taylor State Park Beach, Key West
If your perfect beach vacation involves snorkeling and experiencing rich marine life while getting history lessons, then consider paying Zachary Taylor State Park a visit.
At the south end of this park lies Key West’s favorite beach for snorkeling, paddling, fishing, and swimming, and with an average January temperature of 75°F, you can enjoy these activities all year round.
However, Zachary Taylor is a coral beach, so you will need water shoes because of the rocky sea bottom, but you can purchase one at the concessionaire in the park’s picnic area if you forget to bring a pair. You can also rent snorkeling equipment there.
While snorkeling, you might encounter parrot fishes, lobsters, yellowtail snappers, and corals. Also, fishing is allowed only on the park’s west side, along Key West Shipping Channel.
But for some offshore activity, stroll the park to learn from the tour guides how Fort Taylor, built in the 1800s guarded Key West’s harbor during the Civil and Spanish-American wars.
Also, you will see the largest collection of seacoast guns here. Finally, the park has an oceanfront Cayo Hueso Café (open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) serving delicious local beach cuisine. You can also get beach wheelchairs here.
15. North Ocean Park Beach, Pompano Beach
Located in Pompano Beach, this beach is the perfect destination if you’re seeking a tranquil atmosphere with enough activities to keep the entire family occupied.
North Ocean Park beach is a serene stretch of beautiful golden sand framed by golden dunes and designed for wind-driven sports like kitesurfing.
Thanks to its warm temperature of 71°F in January, you will also find many visitors surfing, snorkeling, and diving.
Long and wide, the beach is spacious and ideal for sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, and birding. It’s also a nesting ground for sea turtles.
You’ll find amenities like a volleyball court, restrooms, showers, and picnic tables to heighten your experience.
Plus, the beautiful Hillsboro Lighthouse is visible from here and offers gorgeous photo ops.
Final Thoughts on the Warmest Beaches in January in Florida
Florida takes its nickname “Sunshine State” very seriously, so when you need to escape from the cold weather in other states, this seaside wonderland has much to offer on its shoreline.
At these warmest beaches in Florida in January, you can sink your toes in the white sands, soak up views of the Gulf and the Atlantic, opt for a leisurely swim, and explore amazing stretches of coastline!
Which one of these warm beaches in January in Florida will you be visiting first?
But before you go, consider sharing these Florida warmest beaches in January if you found the article helpful!
