As Independence Day approaches, going to the beach seems like the fitting and Floridian way to spend the holiday and to celebrate the birth of our nation.

Unfortunately, due to the record-breaking number of COVID-19 cases that we’re currently experiencing, Floridians will be forced to “adjust” how beach recreation takes place.

Here is a list of the beaches that will be CLOSED: (we will update as any changes occur)

  • Miami-Dade which includes Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach will close their beaches from July 3-7. 
  • Palm Beach County which includes Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton will close their beaches from Friday to Monday, reopening again on Tuesday. 
  • Broward County which includes Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood Beach, Las Olas Beach, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach will be closed July 3-5. Shops and restaurants on the beaches, however, will still be open for business. 
  • Martin County which includes Hobe Sound Beach near Palm Beach and Jupiter Island announced a full closure of its public beaches. They will close July 2nd at 6pm, and reopen on Monday at 7am. 
  • Monroe County which includes the Florida Keys will also be closing their beaches starting on Thursday at 5pm through dawn July 7.

Here is a list of the beaches that will be OPEN: (we will update as any changes occur)

As of Wednesday, these beaches remain open for the holiday weekend.

Panhandle, Northwest Florida

• Escambia County, which includes Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island

• Santa Rosa County, which includes Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Santa Rosa Beach

• Okaloosa County, which includes Fort Walton Beach and Destin beaches (Henderson Beach, James Lee Beach, Princess Beach, Matterhorn, White Point, and some Eglin Air Force off-base beaches)

• Walton County on the Emerald Coast, including Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Miramar Beach

•Bay County, which includes beaches on the Gulf Coast in Northwest Florida, Mexico Beach and Panama City Beach

•Gulf County

• Franklin County, which includes St. George Island, Apalachicola, Carrabelle and Alligator Point

• Wakulla County, which includes Wakulla Beach

• Taylor County in the Big Bend of Florida, which includes Keaton Beach

•Dixie County, which includes Horseshoe Beach, in the Big Bend of Florida


West Coast

• Levy County, which includes beaches in north-central Florida and the city of Cedar Key

• Citrus County, which includes Fort Island Gulf Beach

• Hernando County, which includes Pine Island Park

• Pasco County, which includes New Port Richey, Port Richey and Hudson Beach

• Pinellas County, which includes ‎Indian Rocks Beach, ‎St. Pete Beach, ‎Howard Park and ‎Madeira Beach

• Hillsborough County, which includes Apollo Beach, St. Pete and Clearwater

Southwest Florida

• Manatee County, which includes Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach

• Sarasota County, which includes Siesta Beach, Venice Beach, and Turtle Beach

•Charlotte County, which includes Englewood and Port Charlotte beaches in Punta Gorda

• Lee County, which includes Fort Myers Beach, Captiva and Sanibel Island

East Coast

• Nassau County, which includes Fernandina Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach

• Duval County in Northeast Florida, which includes beaches in Jacksonville — Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach

• St. Johns County in the Northeastern Coast includes St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and Crescent Beach

• Flagler County, which includes Flagler Beach, the Palm Coast and Beverly Beach

• Volusia County, which inludes Daytona Beach, New Smyrna and Ormond Beach

• Brevard County, which includes Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Patrick Air Force Base beaches, Second Light, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Jetty Park at Port Canaveral and Canaveral National Seashore

• St. Lucie County, which includes Blind Creek Beach, Blue Heron Beach, Coconut Drive Beach, Dollman Park Beach, Gulfstream Beach, Herman’s Bay Beach, and Jetty Park Beach. Like Martin County, St. Lucie County is expected to follow suit with beach closures, with a potential decision coming Wednesday, July 1, from the County Commission.

Cocoa Beach:  City commissioners in Cocoa Beach decided  on Tuesday groups at the beach have to be limited to 10 people or less.

Having an exciting holiday weekend is still within reach, even with beach closures, however current CDC guidelines pertaining to social distancing, the wearing of masks, and limiting to groups of 10, are a wise way for you and your family to stay sage this Independence Day.