Trying to find the right mix between adult and kids activities during the family vacation can sometimes be a daunting task. When planning a Florida beach vacation, look at these nine resorts that are known for being family friendly and offering great activities for kids and adults alike. They all also feature great kids clubs to give the adults some much needed grown-up time during vacation.
Photo Credit: Hammock Beach Resort
Hammock Beach Resort – Palm Coast, FL
Located near St. Augustine the Hammock Beach Resort is an ideal spot for families. A 91,000 square foot pool complex that includes a lazy river and water flume is one of the highlights of this resort. After an afternoon searching for shells along the beach let the kids have fun in the on-site kids’ club while you relax. Surf lessons or beach cruisers can also fill your afternoons. Beautiful resort in a beautiful location.
Photo Credit: Disney’s Vero Beach
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, FL
Everything with “Disney” in the name is always a hit with families. Many families come here for a few days before or after a trip to Disney World in Orlando (about two hours away). You can rent WaveRunners, boogie boards, and banana boats along the beach or just enjoy the natural beauty of the well-preserved coastline. Kids can join treasure hunts or take a cooking class on the beach, while – you guessed it – spending some quality time with Disney characters like Goofy.
Photo Credit: LaPlaya Golf and Beach Resort
LaPlaya Golf & Beach Resort, Naples, FL
Just ten minutes’ north of downtown Naples, this resort gives guests access to one of Naples’s few secluded beaches. The resort offers a Kids Aquatic Camp with activities like shell collecting and lifeguard games. Grown-ups can relax in a cabana and enjoy peace of mind. All suites come with ocean views.
Photo Credit: Sandpearl Resort
Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach, FL
At the Sandpearl Resort kids can join Camp Ridley and have fun with sand-castle-building contests and or stargazing through solar scopes. Chair and water sport rentals, kayaking, sailing and cooking are among the daily activities. Suite accommodations offer full kitchens and deep soaking tubs.
Photo Credit: Watercolor Inn
WaterColor Inn & Resort, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
500 acres of beautiful beach mixed with secluded pine forest. The WaterColor Inn & Resort offers 60 cottage-style newly renovated rooms. All first-floor units offer outdoor showers so the kids don’t drag any of the beautiful sand into the room. You can rent YOLO Boards, kayaks, and canoes to paddle along the nearby coastal dune lake. Beach bonfires and big-screen movie nights are always a huge hit with the kids!
Photo Credit: Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, FL
Just a wee bit south of the crowds and chaos that can be South Beach, the Ritz Carlton offers two heated pools, four restaurants, and water activities on Biscayne Bay. Vote by Travel & Leisure as the Miami area’s best full-service resort, you can enjoy tropical gardens, a tennis center, a 20,000-square-foot spa, and kids’ programs, all along a pristine beach. Within walking distance you can also enjoy two fantastic wading and play areas—Crandon Park and Bill Baggs State Park.
Photo Credit: Hawks Cay Resort
Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key, FL
Located not far from Key West, this 60-acre playground caters to families. Camp Hawk will delight the kids with a FULL day of supervised activities that includes fish feedings or snorkeling in the saltwater lagoon. Teens will be entertained in a special teen lounge and game room and Teen Night Out events. The entire family will love the Dolphin Connection, a close encounter with trained bottlenose dolphins.
Photo Credit: Marco Beach Ocean Resort
Marco Beach Ocean Resort, Naples, FL
Marco Beach Ocean Resort offers one or two bedroom suites with balcony views of the stunning gardens or the Gulf of Mexico. Complimentary umbrella-shaded chairs and beverage service along the beach is an amenity all adults come to love. You can enjoy almost anything from Jet Skiing to parasailing to deep-sea fishing.
Photo Credit: Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, FL
While the kids learn about coral reefs or hunt for shark teeth in the Ritz Kids Program, relax in a private pool cabana with butler service. Daily activities include guided nature walks and evening bonfires. Tours of the area, rich in history, are a perfect way to spend time off the beach with family.
