Florida is always the go-to when it comes to booking a sunny vacation this time of year.
Don’t get us wrong — the “Sunshine State” is a phenomenal place to vacation and certainly makes the cut.
But the South is teeming with paradisal getaways that don’t require playing pickleball with retirees or dealing with hordes of fellow vacationers.
We dug deep to find the South’s most underrated beach getaways, blending our team’s personal experience with meticulous research by scouring reviews, ratings, and verified photos of unsung southern seaside spots to find the right vibe for everyone.
Without further ado, these are Travel Off Path’s 4 most underrated beach getaways in the South this spring:
4) Crystal Beach: Galveston’s Laid-Back Nemesis
Galveston is personally my least favorite beach in the U.S., and not just because I stepped on a dirty diaper, where locals acted like that it was just another day in this popular port city.
It’s my least favorite because it’s cheesy, overhyped, and just doesn’t match up to any of its Gulfside competitors, including nearby Crystal Beach, an hour and a half drive from Houston.
Here, you know exactly what you’re signing up for — but there are also some unexpected delights, like quite possibly the best road trip destination in the South, Camp Margaritaville Resort Crystal Beach.
That’s right, Jimmy Buffett tapped into every possible market before he passed away, including RV resorts. According to reviews, there’s no place better.
While Crystal Beach doesn’t boast Florida’s shade of Caribbean Blue, compared to Galveston, the waters are clearer, the beaches are cleaner, and there’s no overflow of cruisers invading already unsightly shores.
Think of Crystal Beach as a spacious oasis for beachside bonfires under starry skies, fresh seafood without the tourist prices, and 27 miles of calm shoreline where you can drive right up, cooler in tow, without worrying about a parking ticket — but don’t forget your permit!
3) Gulfport: Unexpected White Sand & Secret Island Excursions
Mississippi’s sprawling coastline may no longer qualify for “hidden gem” status given the hype over the last year or so.
Obviously, Biloxi has long been the most notable name, but did you know if you fly into the region, your first stop is Gulfport?
We’re here to tell you that you might love budget-friendly Gulfport so much, you’ll never make it to Biloxi.
Hear us out…
Biloxi might’ve been crowned by Southern Living as having Mississippi’s whitest sand, but they also have the most tourists and noisy casinos.
I mean, does anyone really care to hear a soundtrack of jingly slots all day? Yeah, us either…
While Gulfport does have some fun casinos too, they’re scattered, and the beaches see fewer crowds with an equally beautiful coastline that gleams just as much as Biloxi.
But it doesn’t stop there. More notably, Gulfport’s secret island (Ship Island) is reopening for tourism this month and offers the clearest water in Mississippi, equal to Florida’s popular Gulfside wonders.
Pack sunscreen, snacks, and a power bank for all the pics that may drain your phone battery on this under-hyped day trip with common dolphin sightings and interesting historical landmarks.
2) Key Biscayne: Discover Miami’s Quiet Side
Think Key West is the only ‘Key’ worth visiting? Think again.
Turns out you don’t have to venture all the way down to the map-dot edge of South Florida — you can hop across the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami, just as fun to drive as it is to say, and find the exact opposite of glitzy South Beach.
The truth is, many tourists skip Key Biscayne when exploring Miami as they favor the aforementioned South Beach and cultural hotspots like Little Havana.
Key Biscayne is a white-sand paradise with gorgeous, vibrant waters that locals flock to escape those very tourists.
While restaurants are upscale, everyone fits in here no matter how many commas are on your paycheck.
There’s an abundance of peaceful, scenic nature beyond the coast, such as mangrove forests and quiet biking trails, and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a must-visit ($8 entry).
1) Nokomis: Florida’s Tourist-Free Haven
I live on the West Coast and love California’s beaches, but sometimes life is a buffet, and you just gotta fill your plate with something off the usual menu.
I visit Nokomis, Florida every year and swear by its potential to be a household name (if only people knew about it).
With always-busy Siesta Key close-by, Nokomis lies just far enough to be off-radar.
If you don’t want to deal with finding front row beach parking, come here instead. There’s always a free parking space in front of this gem’s white sand coastline and snorkelable waters, which very few tourists ever visit.
Once your beach day wraps up at sunset, you can either wait around on Wednesday or Saturday nights for lively drum circles, or hit up one of many local tiki bars, such as Pop’s or Nokomo’s — both staples in my annual trips.
The bottom line is, there are a few Florida getaways even AI overlooks. Enjoy Nokomis before the secret is out.
And locals, don’t blame me for spilling the beans!
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