Best Beaches Near Palm Coast 

What are the best beaches near Palm Coast, FL? We have you covered with the top beaches near Palm Coast! 

The beaches of Florida are known for their white sand, warm water, and spectacular sunsets. The beaches in Palm Coast are no exception. More than just a great place to visit, Palm Coast is surrounded by natural beauty and is a top-rated destination on Florida's Atlantic Coast for its access to the beach and serene atmosphere. 

Whether you are moving to Palm Coast or are planning your next family vacation, the city's affordable homes and abundance of outdoor activities make Palm Coast one of the best places to live in Florida. Located next to the Flagler Beaches, plenty of great beaches offer prime shelling, fishing, and sunbathing opportunities in Palm Coast. 

With the help of this beach guide, learn more about the ten best beaches near Palm Coast, with information on amenities and parking. 

Check out these best beaches near Palm Coast 

Flagler Beach 

Location: Oceanshore Blvd, Flagler Beach 

Amenities: 

• Boardwalk and pier 
• Kayak and boat launch 
• Sand volleyball court
• Pet friendly 

Parking: Free public parking lots 

Flagler Beach is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL, metropolitan statistical area and is located about 12 miles by car from Palm Coast. Found in Flagler County, Flager Beach on Florida's Atlantic Coast offers miles of beautiful beaches, natural parks, waterfront restaurants, and local shops. 

Featuring warm, white sand and sparkling waters, Flagler Beach is the perfect destination for a day in the sun with family and friends. Providing free beach access and easy parking, spending the afternoon at the beach does not have to be stressful. Best known for its retro style and laid-back atmosphere, Flagler Beach is the ideal place for sunbathing, swimming, shelling, fishing, surfing, and viewing breathtaking sunsets. 

Home to the classic Flagler Fishing Pier and Boardwalk, visitors can walk on the boardwalk for $1.50 per person or fish from the pier for a daily rate of $6. Usually open from dawn to dusk, the pier and boardwalk are closed due to heavy damage and unsafe conditions caused by Hurricane Ian, which hit landfall in September 2022. Check the fishing pier website for more information about reopening dates. 

Do you want to horseback ride on the beach? Equestrian Adventures of Florida is one of the state's only horseback riding touring companies that allows tourists to partake in an hour-long horse ride on the beach at low tide. This unique experience is a must-do when in Flagler Beach. 

Varn Park 

Location: 3665 N Ocean Blvd 

Amenities: 

• Pet friendly 
• Picnic area 
• Fishing areas 
• Restroom facilities
• Shower facilities 
• Wildlife viewing areas 
• ADA beach access and parking spaces 

Parking: Free public parking lots 

Varn Park in Flagler County is located just a short drive North of Flagler Beach and is an excellent spot for relaxing, shelling, and birdwatching. This eight-acre beachfront park is family and dog-friendly, equipped with wheelchair access, restrooms, and outdoor showers. 

Known to be uncrowded and quiet, the amenities at this beach, including its easy parking, make it one of the best beaches near Palm Coast. A great spot for surf fishing; frequent fish caught here include snapper, flounder, whiting, and blues. Varn Park is open from dawn to 11 PM every day. 

Old Salt Park 

Location: 200 16th Road 

Amenities: 

• Pet friendly 
• Wildlife viewing areas 
• Shower facilities 
• Restroom facilities 
• Fishing areas 
• Picnic area

Parking: Free public parking lots 

Old Salt Park is a public beach part of the Ocean Hammock Resort in Palm Coast. Beloved as a popular dog beach, dogs can roam around and have fun while on a leash. Though this beachfront park is not ideal for swimming or water sports since coquina rock formations surround it, your friendly friends will love it. 

Having easy water access, plenty of parking spaces, restrooms, and showers to wash off your feet, Old Salt Park is always a great spot to hang out when the weather is nice. Open from dawn to 11 PM every day, make sure to visit Old Salt Park the next time you want to go to the beach. 

Jungle Hut Road Park 

Location: 125 Jungle Hut Road 

Amenities: 

• Beach access
• Restrooms
• Outdoor shower facilities 
• Hiking and nature trails 
• Wildlife viewing areas 
• Pet-friendly 

Parking: Paved parking lot is available, but parking is limited 

Perfect for the whole family, including your dog, Jungle Hut Road Park in Palm Coast has made a name for itself as a top-rated beach. Located in the Hammock area of Flagler County, this small coastal park is worth the visit for its two acres of quiet beach and direct access to the water. 

Best known for its population of ruby-throated hummingbirds in the summer, Jungle Hut Road Park is an ideal place to bird-watch and unwind by the shore. Many locals and visitors love to spend their time here. 

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park 

Location: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd 

Amenities: 

• ADA-accessible amenities
• Pet friendly 
• Beach access
• Nature trail 
• Formal gardens 
• Playground 
• Visitor center 
• Picnic pavilion
• Restroom facilities
• Recycling 
• Interpretive exhibit 

Parking: $5 per vehicle, cash or credit card accepted 

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a famous state park near Palm Coast between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River. Surrounded by coquina rock formations and oak trees, this beautiful state park is best known for its formal gardens, hiking trails, and access to the beach. 

Frequently used as a location for weddings and ceremonies, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is home to native and non-native plant species, including birds of paradise, azaleas, and camellias. At the beach, pets and visitors can picnic, fish, relax, explore, and take pictures. 

There is always something to do and explore, featuring multiple events throughout the year, such as an Earth Day celebration, plant sales, history walks, and saltwater fishing clinics. You can check out the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Events page for more information about upcoming events. 

Wadsworth Park 

Location: 2200 Moody Blvd 

Amenities: 

• Tennis courts 
• Canoe launch
• Basketball courts 
• Picnic pavilion
• Two playground areas 
• Volleyball court
• Elevated boardwalk
• Racquetball court
• Light soccer fields
• Fenced skateboard park
• Clean restroom facilities 
• Dog park

Parking: Free public parking lots 

Wadsworth Park is located near Flagler Beach and is a popular spot for a day near the water. This 45-acre park is busy daily since it features multiple amenities and easy parking. Containing a 60,000-square-foot dog park, a skate park, playgrounds, and athletic fields that are home to many sports leagues in Flagler County, this beachfront park has a lot to offer its visitors. 

Open from dawn to 11 PM daily; there is lots of space to walk around and hang out. Many visitors to Wadsworth Park come to sunbathe, hike, kayak, surf, fish, boat, or kayak. This Palm Coast beachfront park has plenty of outdoor activities and water sports. 

River to Sea Preserve 

Location: 9805 N Ocean Shore Blvd 

Amenities: 

• Canoe and kayak launch
• Beach access
• Campgrounds
• Hiking and nature trail
• Pet friendly 
• Picnic pavilion
• Restroom facilities 
• Shower facilities 
• Wildlife viewing areas 
• Fishing areas 

Parking: ADA-accessible parking 

The River to Sea Preserve is located in Marineland, Florida, on both sides of Highway A1A. This 90-acre preserve begins at the Atlantic Ocean and provides canoe and kayak access to the Matanzas River and the Intercoastal Waterway. Critical to the environment, this preserve protects a maritime scrub ecosystem that is rapidly disappearing. 

Considered one of the most beautiful preserves in Flagler County, the River to Sea Preserve provides walking trails, public access to the beach, breathtaking views of the water, educational opportunities, and rentable camping and picnic pavilions. Known to be a great place to relax, walk on the beach, sunbathe, and take pictures, it is no wonder this is one of the best beaches near Palm Coast. 

Open from dawn to 11 PM daily, the River to Sea Preserve is also dog-friendly. 

Bay Drive Park 

Location: 30 Bay Dr 

Amenities: 

• Pet friendly 
• Walking trail
• Nature trail
• Beach access
• Dune walkovers 
• Horseshoe pit 
• Bocce ball court 
• Observation deck 
• Restroom facilities
• Picnic pavilion

Parking: Free parking 

First opened in 2020, Bay Drive Park is one of the most picturesque beaches in Palm Coast. Providing ADA accessibility, public beach access, free parking, and an observation deck, expect to have fun in the sun at this popular beachfront park. Not only is Bay Drive Park a quiet and relaxing place to spend the day, but it is dog-friendly and offers excellent amenities and recreational elements. 

Mala Compra Road Beachfront Park 

Location: 115 Mala Compra Rd 

Amenities: 

• Beach access
• Playground 
• Picnic areas 
• Volleyball courts 
• Pet friendly 
• Restroom facilities
• Wildlife viewing areas 
• Fishing areas 
• Birding areas 
• Outdoor shower 

Parking: Plenty of parking spots available  

Mala Compra Road Beachfront Park in Flagler County is a quiet and serene 36-acre beachfront park that is only a short drive from Flagler Beach. Since this park is found in a maritime oak hammock and ocean scrub community, many evergreen trees and shrubs are found here. 

Surrounded by coquina rock, a sedimentary rock formed of shell fragments and quartz created by the sea over 5,000 years ago, Mala Compra Road Beachfront Park is unsuitable for swimming. A perfect place to walk, birdwatch, sunbathe, picnic, watch for dolphins, and hang out with friends, this popular park provides easy access to the beach. 

Open from dawn to 11 PM every day, check out this dog-friendly beach near Palm Coast. 

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area 

Location: 3100 S Ocean Shore Blvd 

Amenities: 

• Campgrounds 
• Picnic pavilion
• Canoe and kayak launch 
• Shower station 
• Recycling 
• Boat ramp
• Restroom facility
• Interpretive exhibit 
• Pet friendly 

Parking: $5 per vehicle, cash or credit card accepted 

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a 14-acre state park and scenic destination in Flagler Beach. Named after a famous Florida folk singer, this park is a great spot to create memories that will last a lifetime. Between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway, Gamble Rogers provides up to half a mile of beach and boardwalk access, nature trails, and bike rentals.

Gamble Rogers is ideal for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, camping, surfing, fishing, building sandcastles, and lounging by the shore. It attracts a large crowd for its easy parking and clean amenities. 

FAQ: Best Beaches Near Palm Coast 

Here are some commonly asked questions about the best beaches near Palm Coast, Florida. 

Does Palm Coast have good beaches? 

Best known for its pristine beaches that are laid-back and uncrowded, Palm Coast is an ideal place for a family vacation or a romantic getaway. Surrounded by beautiful palm trees, the Palm Coast and Flagler beaches are one of the top tourist destinations in Florida. 

Does Palm Coast Beach have clear water? 

The beaches in Palm Coast offer some of the clearest blue-green water in Florida, making it a wonderful place to spend the day near the coast with friends and family. 

Can you swim at Flagler Beach? 

Stretching for six miles on the Atlantic Coast, Flagler Beach is an uncrowded beach with calm and warm waters, making it a popular spot for tourists and locals to swim, surf, shell, fish, and sunbathe. 

Does Palm Coast have a public beach? 

Situated between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, Palm Coast is located near some of Florida's best beaches with public access, warm water, and white sand on the Atlantic Coast. 

The Best Beaches Near Palm Coast, FL - Final Thoughts 

From beautiful beachfront parks to dog-friendly beaches, the beaches near Palm Coast are unique and offer the whole family tons of fun in the sun. Whether you like to build sandcastles or participate in water sports, Palm Coast is a go-to destination for a beach day. 

If you are moving to Florida and decide to call Palm Coast home, our knowledgeable Real Estate Specialists at UpHomes are ready to help you with your home search. Please contact us today if you are interested in searching for waterfront homes, single-family homes, or other property types.