The coastal strand is a thin strip of land that occurs on the upper beach, just inland of dunes. It is the zone of early successional vegetation, which lies between the upper beach, and more highly developed communities landward. It is vegetated by a dense thicket of salt-tolerant shrubs and woody plants. Commonly found species are saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), sand live oak (Quercus geminata), and cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). This lush, native vegetation is the perfect place for the beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus), gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), indigo snake (Drymarchon corais) and other rare and endangered species.

The coastal strand community is quite stable compared to dunes, but are vulnerable to damage if the vegetation is disturbed. The vegetation is often dwarfed as a result of the salt spray, forming an upward slanting canopy on the seaward side from nearly constant sea breeze.

The coastal strand is probably one of the fastest disappearing communities in Florida because it is considered ideal location for real estate development. The strand used to be an undisturbed band found up and down the Atlantic coast, but is now severely fragmented. Exotic species such as Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Australian pine (Casuarina litorea) have invaded disturbed strand communities, further degrading the remaining communities in Southern Florida.