College Beach Towns in Florida

In Florida, there are many different and exciting colleges and universities.  Amazingly, the diversity of schools is equally matched by the many beach towns in Florida. From Jacksonville and Miami on the east coast to Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers on the west! Choosing a school to attend means you should also consider the town. So we made a list of the top-rated college beach towns in Florida to help you start looking. To discover them all, and maybe your new alma mater, read on!

Choosing The Right College Beach Town for You

Deciding where to go to college is a difficult, but exciting decision. If you’re reading this, then you’re already thinking about college beach towns. So you’ve already done the first step, which is to make sure to think about the climate where you will be attending college. Who really wants to go to college and spend four years somewhere cold or rainy? You also need to consider the local area and city. You should take into account if you want to go to college near a big city with thriving nightlife or if you prefer a quiet beach town. Whatever you want, we’re here to help with the best college beach towns in Florida.

St. Petersburg, Florida

With some of the best beaches on earth, St. Petersburg is easily a top college beach town in Florida. On the Gulf Coast, the sunsets are spectacular, and the nightlife is ridiculous! In winter, the weather is gorgeous, and the city is also well-protected from hurricanes. In addition, the town is surrounded by water! You can walk from class to a beautiful waterfront beach in mere minutes! Add in the fact that Tampa is minutes away, and you’ve got yourself one of the best Florida beach towns.

Stairway leading to beach with palm trees

Fort Myers, Florida

While everyone “up north” is freezing, you can study at the beach if you go to college in Fort Myers! Best Places gives the city a 9.3 out of 10 on their Comfort Index. A score like that makes studying and cramming for finals so much more enjoyable. As with the others, Fort Myers has a vibrant nightlife and fun outdoor activities. And the beaches are some of the finest in the state, with turquoise waters that rival the Caribbean. Throw in 270+ sunny days, and Fort Myers makes a strong case for Florida’s best college beach town!

Sarasota, Florida

In 2020 Sarasota, Florida, was named one of the Best Places to Live in the US by US News and World Report, and we think you’ll agree. One of the big reasons why is that the beaches seem to go on forever in Sarasota. Sarasota is super-chill, has light traffic, and has access to the beach within minutes from campus. The nightlife and weather are practically perfect, especially during the school year. In other words, Sarasota is easily one of the best beach towns in Florida.

Aerial view of a town in Florida with blue skies

Boca Raton, Florida

No list of the top-rated college beach towns in Florida would be complete without Boca Raton. It’s the #1 Top-Rated College Beach Town in Florida! The diversity, nightlife, and the weather in Boca Raton are spectacular. In addition, the beaches are stunning! The ocean water is warm all winter – perfect for snorkeling, surfing, skiing, and more. Plus, The nightlife is some of the best in Florida! One thing to note; Boca Raton is one of the most expensive cities in Florida, especially for housing. It might not be your best choice if you’re on a budget.

Punta Gorda, Florida

There are quite a few colleges and universities in and around Punta Gorda, Florida. That’s less surprising when you consider the city gets high grades for almost everything. Punta Gorda is next to Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park and has fantastic kayaking, canoeing, and kiteboarding! (The mango groves are a must-see while you’re there!) Indeed, Punta Gorda is one of the loveliest towns in the Sunshine State! That makes it one of the top-rated college Beach towns in Florida.

Naples, Florida

With fantastic weather and outdoor activities, we also had to mention Naples, Florida. The beaches are spectacular, the waters are clear, and the days are sunny. What more could you ask when you need to study, cram, or chill between classes?!

college beach towns in Florida

The Best College Beach Towns in Florida

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If you’re looking for short-term storage as a student, Hide-Away is a perfect choice. We have month-to-month leases that are perfect for students’ summer storage. They guarantee you’ll never get stuck in long-term rental contact with Hide-Away. If you need help, please chat with us online anytime. You can also reserve Florida storage units online. Until then, best of luck choosing a school in one of Florida’s outstanding college beach towns!