Beach afternoon near Disney

[mcj79]

I'm looking for some advise on Beaches near Disney World. We live in NE so while we have beaches we don't have warm water! We will be down at the end of April. This is a adult vacation so the beach/area does not need to be kid oriented/safe. After being at the parks I think a less crowded space would be great. (I'm hoping at this time of year the beaches won't be over run with college kids.)

So, any beach clean pretty recommendations for adults without spending the whole day driving!?!?!?

Another idea I had was to hangout by the water & with some local marine life. I'm not sure if what I'm after is available near Orlando with out going to another big park. But are there places you can Snorkel, check out fishes/reef, manatees, dolphin or other marine life. Maybe a beach, reef, rescue or preserve area/center would be fine too. I don't want to be at another high volume park.

Also, is renting a car the best way to get to said locations?? I don't think I've seen anything about shuttle or trains....

 

[krayzmelmel]

About an hour and a half west is Clearwater Beach...... White sand, palm trees, the works! Right near there is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is where they filmed the movie Dolphin Tale starring Winter. She is there, and some movie props.

To the other side of Orlando is Daytona / cocoa beach, which is the Atlantic so the waves and sand are a bit rougher. Shorter drive, but IMO Clearwater beach is more picturesque and what people think of when picturing a beach.

Just beware of the crowds! Spring break city!

 

[Art 1]

Take the extra time and hit the Sarasota area beaches. Much, much more worth the little extra drive.

 

[SarahKate]

Cocoa Beach is going to be the quickest. It's a very easy drive. It's not the most picturesque. I'd recommend spending more than just an afternoon to get your beach fix. When we have our beach day, we get up leisurely and head out, pick up a quick bite to eat for breakfast @ the resort or on our way.

The gulf beaches are going to be more pretty and calmer waters but it will take longer to get there and isn't quite as much of a direct shot.

Last fall, we went to the east side and ended up at a place called Canaveral National Seashore. Very easy to get to. If you're wanting a place that's not crowded, THIS is the one. It's a huge area with lots of stopping points where you can park and get to the beach. Hardly anyone there when we went, although I'm sure it's not as much like that in the warmer months. We also saw about 6 gators that day - 6 trips to FL and this was the one trip where we finally saw some in their natural habitat! It was a pretty awesome day and I think our fave beach day ever.

 

[mcj79]

Thanks for all the feed back! We are trying to book a tour to swim with the manatees, they seem to all be offered in the Crystal River area. If we are able to book a tour then we will deal with the longer drive. Maybe rent a convertible or sports car to make it more fun!

Looking on google maps there is a man made beach Fort Island Gulf Beach(16000 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429) about 10 miles from the tours.
To the south Chassahowitka National Wildelife Refuge is along the way but I'm not sure about the beach situation there...
Hernando Beach & Little Pine Island Bay look like they are about 45 minutes, not sure if they are part of the park..
Going north it looks like a number of bays & state parks but I don't see any beaches on the map.

Any one been to these beaches or others within 0-60 minutes of Crystal River area?? Doesn't need to be really big or offer tons of stuff.. but, bathrooms & a food truck would be great! Trying not to have more then a 2hr drive back to DW.

Lookin

 

[4kids4karen]

There are going to be college kids pretty much anywhere you go. Clearwater is known for the college crowd. There are tons of places to choose from, however, I would plan for at least a 2 hour drive or longer if you get stuck in traffic. A sports car sounds nice, just remember people get sun burned in cars too! There are state and county parks on the beach. One we go to is Fort DeSoto Park. It's not ran over with college kids, but mostly families with younger kids, church groups, etc. There is also Treasure Island, Honeymoon Island, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, Indian Rocks, Maderia Beach, etc. We go to John Pass Boardwalk area in Maderia beach as well.

 

[spiceycat]

There are going to be college kids pretty much anywhere you go. Clearwater is known for the college crowd. There are tons of places to choose from, however, I would plan for at least a 2 hour drive or longer if you get stuck in traffic. .

Agree - you are forgetting SPRING BREAK it goes until the middle of May in Florida. the beaches will be crowded with college and some highschool kids on spring break.

since you want to get in the water - would only get in salt water - this thing is all over Florida not to mention showing up in Al, Ga and SC.La

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown...amoeba-strike---but-should-you-be-scared.html

this is why most of the lakes in Florida will warn you about swimming in them.

 

[nwbearcat]

We have gone to the beach on a day trip each of the last three years. We take a day away from the parks and have a blast with our girls. We have been to both the east coast and gulf. As far as spring break goes, we have traveled in May at both the beginning and middle of the month, and have never noticed a large spring break population. Clearwater and daytona are both busy beaches. Young crowd at Clearwater on the weekend, but everyone we talked to were locals. Coccoa much less crowded.

Like others have suggested, it depends on what you are looking for. If you have to have the white sand and crystal clear water then you have to go to the gulf. Being from NE there is some wave action but more like being at one of the great lakes. Lots to do around Clearwater area. However, it can be a pain to drive to, depending on the day of the week. Traffic can get bad. They say its an hour and a half, but it took us more like 2 hours each way, and I drive fast.

Atlantic side, you can do Daytona/New Symrna or cocoa. MUCH easier drive. Last year we went to Cocoa and it was under an hour door to beach. Cocoa is a more local vibe. Not built up. Wave action of the Atlantic is more fun if you like that sort of thing. Typical Atlantic beach. Brown sand. Blue water. There are beach bars and some hotels, but no huge places like Daytona.

If its me, and I am making the trip in a day, I am going to the Atlantic beaches every time. I like playing in the ocean with the kids, boogie boarding etc. There are places to eat/drink/etc. In cocoa, Ron Jon is right there, and you can even rent beach chairs etc if you choose. The deciding factor to me is 2 hours in the car vs. 4, and if I am going to the beach for just one day that is my priority. Nothing at all against the gulf. Beaches and water are gorgeous, I just don't want to spend that much time in a car for 5 or 6 hours at the beach. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[Art 1]

We have gone to the beach on a day trip each of the last three years. We take a day away from the parks and have a blast with our girls. We have been to both the east coast and gulf. As far as spring break goes, we have traveled in May at both the beginning and middle of the month, and have never noticed a large spring break population. Clearwater and daytona are both busy beaches. Young crowd at Clearwater on the weekend, but everyone we talked to were locals. Coccoa much less crowded.

Like others have suggested, it depends on what you are looking for. If you have to have the white sand and crystal clear water then you have to go to the gulf. Being from NE there is some wave action but more like being at one of the great lakes. Lots to do around Clearwater area. However, it can be a pain to drive to, depending on the day of the week. Traffic can get bad. They say its an hour and a half, but it took us more like 2 hours each way, and I drive fast.

Atlantic side, you can do Daytona/New Symrna or cocoa. MUCH easier drive. Last year we went to Cocoa and it was under an hour door to beach. Cocoa is a more local vibe. Not built up. Wave action of the Atlantic is more fun if you like that sort of thing. Typical Atlantic beach. Brown sand. Blue water. There are beach bars and some hotels, but no huge places like Daytona.

If its me, and I am making the trip in a day, I am going to the Atlantic beaches every time. I like playing in the ocean with the kids, boogie boarding etc. There are places to eat/drink/etc. In cocoa, Ron Jon is right there, and you can even rent beach chairs etc if you choose. The deciding factor to me is 2 hours in the car vs. 4, and if I am going to the beach for just one day that is my priority. Nothing at all against the gulf. Beaches and water are gorgeous, I just don't want to spend that much time in a car for 5 or 6 hours at the beach. Good luck and have a great time!

It's really not that far to the gulf from WDW. The traffic move fast from there. I-4 to I-75 south. It's well worth the extra time. IMO.

 

[LovesTimone]

Clearwater beach, is very busy, if you drive through clearwater beach and around the the corner,over the bridge,there is Sand Key park, nice area, bathhouse, picnic tables. YOu will have to bring your own, chair and such. During peak times there might be a rental place, for chairs and water toys.

Another suggestion is Fort Desoto Park and beach, you can explore the old fort and check out the beach. This is a really nice area, you can rent canoes, and bikes( also can rent) lots of trails. Really old florida, There is a nice bath house there to shower off before the ride home.

Cocoa Beach is on the other coast, nice, YOu can check out where they keep the Disney Crusie line, if they are in port. also the space center is over that way, nice trip.