Perry FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Perry, Florida.
1. Keaton Beach
NATURAL GULF COAST ESCAPE
Keaton Beach is a Gulf coast community featuring one of Florida's most natural and undeveloped coastlines, located 22.5 miles south of Perry. The beach area includes sandy shores, a local pier, and a children's play area known as Hodges Park, along with covered pavilions with picnic tables and charcoal grills. Keaton Beach is renowned as a premier summer scalloping destination and provides abundant fishing opportunities for Florida anglers.
2. Dekle Beach
SERENE FISHING VILLAGE
Dekle Beach is a quiet coastal community near Perry offering a peaceful Gulf of Mexico experience. The area is primarily known as a fishing village that attracts anglers seeking the rich marine life of Taylor County's waters. Visitors can enjoy the simple beach setting while experiencing authentic Old Florida coastal charm away from more commercialized destinations.
3. Dark Island Beach
HIDDEN COASTAL GEM
Dark Island Beach is one of Taylor County's lesser-known waterfront destinations offering a secluded experience for visitors. The beach provides access to the Gulf waters with fewer crowds than more popular coastal areas in the region. Nature enthusiasts appreciate its relatively untouched shoreline and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
4. Hagens Cove Park
NATURAL COASTAL RESERVE
Hagens Cove Park is a natural coastal area featuring both national park protection and beach access near Perry. The park offers visitors a chance to experience the unspoiled Gulf coastline with minimal development. Its protected status helps preserve the natural ecosystem while still allowing for recreational activities like fishing, bird watching, and beach walking.
5. Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
CRYSTAL CLEAR SPRINGS
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park features a beautiful first-magnitude spring that produces 168 million gallons of water daily, creating a natural swimming area. The park offers access to the Suwannee River along with limestone outcroppings, sinkholes, and hardwood forest that create a diverse ecological experience. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the 72-degree spring water year-round, paddling on the Suwannee River, or exploring the park's hiking trails.
6. Steinhatchee Falls
SCENIC RIVER CASCADES
Steinhatchee Falls is a picturesque natural limestone shelf where the Steinhatchee River cascades approximately three feet, creating a rare waterfall in Florida's otherwise flat landscape. The falls area includes a small park with picnic facilities and access to the river for swimming and wading during appropriate water levels. This scenic spot has historical significance as it marks an ancient Native American crossing point and was later part of the route used during the Second Seminole War.
7. Steinhatchee River Public Beach
RIVERFRONT RECREATION SPOT
Steinhatchee River Public Beach offers visitors access to the scenic Steinhatchee River as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico. The beach area provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and launching small watercraft in this charming coastal community. Visitors appreciate the combination of river and nearby Gulf access, making it a versatile spot for water recreation.
8. Suwannee River State Park
HISTORIC WATERWAY RETREAT
Suwannee River State Park sits where the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers meet, offering scenic views and access to these iconic Florida waterways. The park features limestone bluffs and several historical sites including Confederate earthworks, old steamboat landings, and the remnants of a 19th-century settlement. Visitors can enjoy swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hiking along the Florida National Scenic Trail which runs through the park.
9. Manatee Springs State Park
CRYSTAL SPRINGS WILDLIFE HAVEN
Manatee Springs State Park features a first magnitude spring that produces millions of gallons of clear, cool water daily and flows directly into the Suwannee River. The park is named for the gentle sea cows that winter in the springs, offering visitors a chance to spot these magnificent creatures along with other wildlife like otters, birds, and fish visible in the crystal-clear water. Recreational activities include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and camping, with a boardwalk that provides easy access to view the spring and its natural surroundings.
10. Fanning Springs State Park
REFRESHING NATURAL POOL
Fanning Springs State Park centers around a second magnitude spring that pumps approximately 65 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily into the Suwannee River. The spring maintains a 72-degree temperature year-round, creating a perfect natural swimming hole surrounded by a small beach area and grassy picnic grounds. Visitors can swim, snorkel, picnic, and occasionally spot manatees that seek refuge in the warm spring waters during colder months.