A Sandy Piece of Paradise
Sandbars have become the ultimate hangout for boaters—a little slice of paradise where you can drop anchor, kick back, and let the world drift by. Some are buzzing with music, laughter, and floating coolers, while others are quiet stretches of sand made for sun-soaked solitude. Lucky for us, the US has plenty of both—whether you’re chasing a party or pure peace.
What is a sandbar?
Sandbars are narrow stretches of land, or ridges of sand, that are formed in the water by tides or currents. They’re typically shaped like beachfronts, and sit just above the water.
Why are sandbars popular?
Sandbars are popular because their shallow waters are a warm and usually very clear, making them a safe and enjoyable spot to swim and hang out on a hot day.
Here’s 15 of the best sandbars in the US.
Disappearing island
The Disappearing Island sandbar is located between New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet, it connects the north end of Mosquito Lagoon and the Halifax River.
Felix Mizioznikov, Shutterstock
Disappearing Island: Beauty
This stunning piece of paradise only appears at low tide, but offers an impressive view of the ocean, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the North Indian River and the Halifax River Junction.
Bidisha, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Loxahatchee River Sandbar (Jupiter Sandbar)
Just north of West Palm Beach sits Jupiter, Florida—a sunny coastal town known for its relaxed vibe and postcard-worthy beaches. And every weekend, the Loxahatchee River Sandbar becomes its beating heart. Dozens of boats drop anchor here as locals and visitors alike wade into the clear water, turn up the music, and turn a simple afternoon into a floating beach party.
Loxahatchee River Sandbar: Parties
This sandbar is a hot spot for beach parties and snorkelers. Families are encouraged to enjoy the west side of the sandbar, where the party scene settles down a bit.
Loxahatchee River Sandbar: Best Time to Go
The best time to show up is about three hours before low tide and then wait for the water to come out. The sandbar is submerged under one or two feet of water during high tide.
At low tide, the fine-sand sandbar is exposed, standing several feet above the water level.
Three-Rooker Bar
Three Rooker Island, (also known as Three Rooker Bar) is an island in Pinellas County, Florida. Three-Rooker Bar is a unique semicircular sandbar that has only emerged within the last decade, and it’s only accessible by boat.
Christopher Hollis, Wikimedia Commons
Three-Rooker Bar: Unique
Every year it accumulates more sand, and vegetation has even begun to grow there. The water is unbelievably blue, and the sand is white-as-sugar making it a highly popular spot.
Peanut Island
Floating in the Intracoastal Waterway of West Palm Beach, Peanut Island is a local favorite with a twist—it’s not technically a sandbar, but it sure acts like one. As the tide shifts throughout the day, hidden sandbars rise and fall around the island, creating ever-changing pockets of paradise where boaters can drop anchor, splash around, and soak up the Florida sun.
Florida Guidebook, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Peanut Island: Fun Fact
Fun fact: Peanut Island is an artificial island created during the Cold War era to serve as former President Kennedy’s bunker. It is only accessible by boat.
Peanut Island: Amenities
On Peanut Island visitors have access to a dock, fishing piers, camping sites, public restrooms, and plenty of walking trails.
Florida Guidebook, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Stuart Sandbar
The Stuart sandbar is located in Stuart, Florida, on the St. Lucie Inlet on the bayside of Sailfish Point. The closest boat ramp is Sandsprit Park.
JonathanPuello, CC BY-SA 4.0 ,Wikimedia Commons
Stuart Sandbar: A Hidden Gem
Stuart sandbar is considered one of Florida’s hidden gems. The natural St. Lucie Inlet provides protection from the open ocean, making the water here calm, warm and gentle.
Aerial view of Sailfish Point and the St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County, Florida, USA.
Stuart Sandbar: Wildlife
Visitors can stroll far out into the shallow, crystal-clear water—often surrounded by curious marine life. It’s not uncommon to spot dolphins gliding by or manatees lazily drifting near the sandbar, making every visit feel like a front-row seat to Florida’s wild side.
Fort Pierce Sandbar
Fort Pierce Sandbar is in the Fort Pierce Inlet, on the north side of the channel leading out of the inlet. It is most known for its cool reefs and natural seagrass meadows.
McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fort Pierce Sandbar: Snorkeling
This magical sandbar is a unique underwater scene and a marine wildlife wonder making it a hot spot for snorkeling.
Ski Island
Ski Island is on the river, north of Banana River Bridge, just west of Port Canaveral. It is best known for boating parties. Families enjoy picnics, walking, wading and swimming.
Ski Island: Ashore
On the sandbar shore, visitors will find an array of rare and interesting shells. The water is warm and the views are spectacular.
Crab Island Sandbar
Crab Island Sandbar sits just north of the Destin Bridge, where Choctawhatchee Bay meets the Gulf. Once a tiny island, shifting tides and storms gradually transformed it into the famous submerged sandbar it is today. It’s a favorite for boaters and floaters alike—but because nature is constantly reshaping the area, Crab Island’s days in the sun might be numbered.
Crab Island Sandbar: History
Crab Island Sandbar was created back in the 60’s when the Destin Pass was dredged and the sand was used to make a “spoil island.”
Crab Island Sandbar: Life Span
It’s been slowly eroding away since it was created and is only a matter of time until it no longer appears.
About 2-4 feet of water covers the island at high tide. It can only be seen at low tide, and even then, the water still slightly covers the sand.
Whale Harbor Sandbar
This sandbar is east of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. It’s a popular spot for epic boat parties and even includes a waterfront bar with specialty drinks and tasty appetizers like Gator Bites.
Captain Franky, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Whale Harbor Sandbar: Not For Kids
It is highly recommended that you find a sitter for the kids when you plan a trip to Whale harbor Sandbar as it is more of a party spot than anything else.
Woman Key Wildlife Management Area
Unlike the last stop, this sandbar isn’t for the party crowd. The Woman Key Wildlife Management Area sits within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, offering a peaceful escape where nature—not nightlife—takes center stage. It’s a haven for seabirds, sea turtles, and anyone craving a slice of untouched paradise far from the noise.
David Bethune, CC-BY-SA-3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Woman Key Wildlife Management Area: Quiet Beauty
This sandbar is where you’d go for a serene atmosphere. The waters here are crystal-clear, and the bottom is sandy. Best of all—there is no cell service here, so you can truly relax in solitude.
Woman Key Wildlife Management Area: Wildlife Protection
As the name suggests, this sandbar is most known for its wildlife. In fact, a great portion of the beach is closed off to protect the wildlife.
Woman Key Wildlife Management Area: Wildlife Experience
Loggerhead turtles nest on the beach and dunes. Several species of wading birds also nest in the area and a large number of shorebirds use the sand spits.
FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Flickr
Boca Grande Sandbar
A few miles south of Woman’s Key is Boca Grande Key, where the sandbars are absolutely fabulous. With pristine white sand, turquoise blue water, this beautiful sandbar is known for its peaceful privacy.
Boca Grande Sandbar: Popularity
Boca Grande Sandbar is one of Florida’s most picture-perfect spots—where turquoise waters meet a charming, historic town that feels frozen in time. The surrounding area is famed for its world-class fishing, but the sandbar itself draws plenty of attention too. On any given day, you might find sleek yachts, sun-soaked locals, and the occasional celebrity enjoying the laid-back luxury of this coastal gem.
Jewfish Basin Sandbar
Jewfish Basin is less than ten miles of Key West. There are multiple sandbars here that fan out from the seafloor, surfacing at low tide.
Jewfish Basic Sandbar
As with other Florida sandbars, the Jewfish sandbar boasts stunning white sand and the perfect shade of turquoise water.
It is also a very popular spot for fishing and boating. Watch for sharks!
Torch Lake Sandbar: The Lake
Torch Lake Sandbar is located in Torch Lake in Michigan. The lake itself is best-known for the sandbar, and it was once named one of the most beautiful lakes in the world by National Geographic, due to its clear, clean water.
Torch Lake Sandbar
The sandbar is located a few hundred meters from shore, making it only accessible by water. It’s a naturally forming sandbar due to the buildup of sand from the inflowing river.
Torch Lake Sandbar: Parties
Epic sandbar parties here have become a very popular thing in recent years, especially on holidays like the fourth of July.
After a huge, unlawful party during the 2020 lockdown, authorities now frequent the area.
AnotherViewDroneService, Shutterstock
Great White Heron Park
The Great White Heron Wildlife Refuge lies just north of Sugarloaf Key, stretching across 6,200 acres of protected land and nearly 124,000 acres of sparkling blue water. It’s a haven for wildlife and boaters alike, where the sands are always on the move—constantly reshaping themselves into new, fleeting sandbars that make every visit a little different from the last.
Alexandre Laprise, Shutterstock
Great White Heron Park: Solitude
Given that this park is waterborne, it is a place of absolute solitude. It is known to be very quiet, with mostly locals frequenting the area.
Diamond Lake Sandbar
Diamond Lake is located in Cassopolis, Michigan. The sandbar is situated in the middle of the lake, surrounded by sparkling water.
Diamond Lake Sandbar: Parties
Diamond Lake sandbar is a hot spot for party-goers. There are many scheduled party events that happen throughout the summer, including, poker runs, volleyball tournaments, and Hawaiian luau and pirate themed parties.
Don’t miss the fourth of July party—which also stirred up some trouble during the 2020 lockdown.
Diamond Lake Sandbar: Surroundings
The stunning surroundings of the Diamond Lake sandbar include beautiful homes that look like what you’d find in magazines, an array of unique wildlife, and clear views for miles.
eberhard grossgasteiger, Pexels
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