Florida Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide
Fact-checked • Updated January 11, 2026
Florida borders only two states: Georgia to the north and Alabama to the northwest. The state is surrounded by water on three sides—the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the Florida Straits to the south. Florida has more coastline than any other state in the contiguous United States.
Florida Border Map
Map showing Florida's boundaries with Georgia, Alabama, and surrounding ocean waters.
Border Details
Explore each of Florida's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.
Georgia
Georgia borders Florida along the northern edge, with the St. Marys River forming part of the boundary.
Alabama
Alabama borders Florida in the northwest, with the Perdido River forming part of the boundary.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean borders Florida's entire eastern coast for about 580 miles.
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico borders Florida's western and northwestern coast for about 770 miles.
Florida Straits
The Florida Straits separate southern Florida from Cuba.
Which States Border Florida?
Florida shares its borders with only two U.S. states: Georgia to the north and Alabama to the northwest. This makes Florida one of the states with the fewest land neighbors in the contiguous United States.
North: Georgia
Georgia and Florida are separated by a border located on Florida's northern edge. The boundary runs roughly east-west from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Chattahoochee River (which then leads to the Alabama border) in the west.
The Florida-Georgia border extends for about 350 miles. The St. Marys River forms the eastern portion of this border, creating a natural boundary. Florida counties along this border include Nassau, Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee, Madison, and Jefferson. On the Georgia side, Camden, Charlton, Ware, Clinch, Echols, Lowndes, Brooks, Thomas, and Decatur counties sit along the border.
- About 350 miles east-west
- St. Marys River forms eastern section
- Florida counties: Nassau, Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee, Madison, Jefferson
North-West: Alabama
Alabama and Florida are separated by a border located on Florida's northwestern edge. The boundary runs roughly north-south from Georgia in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
The Florida-Alabama border extends for about 75 miles. The Perdido River forms the southern portion of this border, creating a natural water boundary. Only two Florida counties touch this border: Escambia and parts of Santa Rosa. On the Alabama side, only Mobile and Baldwin counties sit along the border.
- About 75 miles north-south
- Perdido River forms southern section
- Florida counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa
Ocean Borders: Surrounded by Water on Three Sides
Florida is unique among continental U.S. states because it's surrounded by water on three sides. The Atlantic Ocean borders the east, the Gulf of Mexico borders the west, and the Florida Straits lie to the south. This geography gives Florida approximately 1,350 miles of coastline—more than any other state in the contiguous United States.
East: Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean borders Florida's entire eastern coast, stretching from the Georgia border in the north to the Florida Keys in the south. This coastline runs for approximately 580 miles.
Florida's Atlantic coast includes major cities like Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. The coastline features diverse geography from barrier islands in the north to coral reefs in the south. The Florida Keys extend into the Atlantic, creating a unique island chain at Florida's southern tip.
- About 580 miles of Atlantic coastline
- Major cities: Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Lauderdale
- Includes the Florida Keys island chain
West: Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico borders Florida's western and northwestern coast, stretching from the Alabama border in the northwest down around the peninsula to the Florida Keys. This coastline runs for approximately 770 miles.
Florida's Gulf coast includes major cities like Pensacola, Panama City, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples. The coastline is known for its white sand beaches and warm waters. The Gulf Coast is generally calmer than the Atlantic side, making it popular for family beaches and fishing.
- About 770 miles of Gulf coastline
- Major cities: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pensacola
- Known for white sand beaches and calm waters
South: Florida Straits
The Florida Straits separate southern Florida from Cuba and the Caribbean. This body of water connects the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean and flows between the Florida Keys and Cuba.
At its narrowest point, the Florida Straits are only about 90 miles wide, separating Key West, Florida from Havana, Cuba. The Straits are part of the Gulf Stream current system and serve as an important shipping channel. While Cuba is visible from parts of the Florida Keys on clear days, no U.S. state borders Florida to the south.
- Separates Florida from Cuba
- About 90 miles at narrowest point
- Part of Gulf Stream current system
Most Coastline in Continental U.S.
Florida has approximately 1,350 miles of coastline, making it the state with the most coastline in the contiguous United States. Only Alaska has more coastline overall. Florida's peninsula shape gives it access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, creating diverse coastal ecosystems. The state has over 660 miles of beaches—more beach than any other state in the continental U.S. This extensive coastline has made Florida's economy heavily dependent on tourism, fishing, and shipping.
Florida Peninsula: Surrounded by Water
Florida is the only state in the continental U.S. that's almost entirely a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. The peninsula extends about 500 miles south from the mainland, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. This unique geography means that no point in Florida is more than 60 miles from saltwater, giving the entire state a maritime climate and coastal character.
Key Facts & Statistics
This table shows every border Florida shares, organized by direction and type.
Florida borders only two U.S. states: Georgia and Alabama
Frequently Asked Questions
What borders Florida?
What state borders Florida?
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Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Geographic features, river boundaries, and topographic data
Coastline measurements and ocean data
State coastline and beach information