Kara Franker
Travel like a local and stay in one of the many Airbnb Florida vacation rental homes.
Offering an experience you won’t get at a traditional hotel, Airbnb owners open up their own homes for rent to travelers. You can often score great deals or get more bang for your buck by renting an entire home for the whole extended family.
“We pack minimally and travel on a budget, and Airbnb apartments give us laundry and kitchen facilities, lots of room to spread out, and fun neighborhood locations, often for less than a hotel room,” said Julie McCool, co-founder of the blog McCool Travel.
"Vacation rentals, like Airbnb, offer better amenities and more space at a lower price than traditional hotels,” said Charles McCool, who recently wrote an article about 8 Great Airbnb Advantages. “They are especially great for families."
Speaking of family vacations, check out these incredible Airbnb vacation homes along the Florida coastline.
Sanibel Island
This rental home near Sanibel is the only house on an island.
- - AirBnB
Escape to your own private island near Sanibel. This three-bedroom, three-story home offers incredible views and it’s the one and only house on the mini island. You’ll need a boat to take you to and from Sanibel where you’ll find lots of local shops and restaurants. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva are famous for their excellent shelling, so make sure you leave room in your suitcase to take home treasures from the sea.
Anna Maria Island
Located near Sarasota, spread out in luxury at this sprawling six-bedroom home on Holmes Beach in Anna Maria Island. Walk to the beach, or hop on the free trolley and take a tour around the charming island community. Go during the summer, which is sea turtle nesting season, and you might even spot mother sea turtles venture onto the shore to build their nests and lay their eggs.
Indian Rocks Beach
This three-bedroom rental in Indian Rocks Beach has direct access to the beach.
- - AirBnB
Located near St. Pete on the Gulf Coast, Indian Rocks Beach is a great place to relax and unwind. This three-bedroom home has direct access to the beach and a wide veranda where the views stretch for miles. Jaunt over to John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk for great seaside eats and entertainment.
Palm Harbor
Palm Harbor, just north of Tampa Bay, boasts this five-bedroom family getaway.
- - AirBnB
Situated just north of the Tampa Bay area, Palm Harbor is a hidden gem and this huge five-bedroom retreat will not disappoint. It’s located on the water in the quiet Crystal Beach area and the sunsets from the back porch are simply stunning. Spend some time exploring the nearby Pinellas Trail, a great place for bicyclists and runners to explore the area.
Port St. Joe
On the St. Joseph Bay not far from Panama City, Port St. Joe offers a northern Florida escape that’s perfect for the whole family. This dog-friendly beachfront home has coastal views and direct beach access. Enjoy breathtaking views up and down the Forgotten Coast on the two waterfront patios.
Pensacola Beach
This rental in Pensacola Beach is hard not to like.
- - AirBnB
If you love sugar-white sand and calm aqua waters, then you’ll surely fall in love with Pensacola Beach. This lavish six-bedroom pool home is nestled right between the beach and Santa Rosa Sound. Water activities abound in this seaside town. Go sailing, boating, fishing, kayaking and parasailing—it’s fun for the whole family.
St. Augustine
This vacation rental in St. Augustine offers amazing oceanfront vistas - and seven bedrooms.
- - AirBnB
Featuring four oceanfront balconies and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, this enormous seven-bedroom mansion is located in historic St. Augustine. Dubbed “Summer Wind” the home is situated directly on the sand. Spend some time exploring Old Town, where you’ll find historic gems like the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Fort Matanzas and Flagler College, the former site of Henry Flagler’s first St. Augustine hotel.
Stuart
Watch dolphins swim in the surf in the quaint and cozy town of Stuart on Florida’s east coast. This waterfront four-bedroom home resembles a castle and even has a water slide directly into the inlet. If you’re into eco-tourism, then you’ve come to the right place. Make sure the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, Hobe Sound Nature Center, Blowing Rocks Preserve and Jonathan Dickinson State Park are all on your must-see list.
Lighthouse Point
This six-bedroom rental in Lighthouse Point is close to Fort Lauderdale.
- - AirBnB
In Fort Lauderdale’s seaside community of Lighthouse Point, you’ll find a spacious six-bedroom mansion. Hillsboro Beach isn’t far from this lovely home, or hop in the car down to Las Olas Boulevard where you’ll find a wide variety of shopping boutiques and local restaurants in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Check out more great places to stay in Florida.
