Beach for a day away from the parks?

[mickeywho?]

We were thinking of renting a car for a day and heading over to the coast for some beach time. Any suggestions?
Looking for a safe and clean beach, within a reasonable driving distance, great for taking a dip in the ocean and collecting seashells.
THANKS!

 

[OntFamily]

We're partial to the beaches on the Gulf coast (approx 90 - 100 minutes West of WDW)- around Clearwater or St. Pete beach.


There's also good beaches on the Atlantic Ocean (approx 60 -70 minutes east of WDW) -- try Cocoa beach.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The Bee Line Expressway was renamed the Beach Line Expressway a couple years ago to get you to think of it as the road to the beach. The Cocoa Beach area is Orlando's closest beach and you can get to it in about an hour. Just north of Cocoa Beach is Cape Canaveral and it has a popular beach at Jetty Park. If you take the Beach Line Expy (TOLL 528) straight east until it ends at Port Canaveral and follow the signs it ends at Jetty Park. On certain days during 4pm-5pm several cruise ships go out from Port Canaveral right past Jetty Park and it's popular for the beach goers to line the channel and wave to the passengers. The ships will blow their horns...Disney Wonder on Thursdays and Sundays horn plays "When you wish upon a Star".

BobK/Orlando

 

[shaycamp21]

Another vote for Cocoa Beach. It is fairly close and the beach is quite lovely.

 

[SaskDisNut]

After spending the day at Kennedy Space Center, we drove down to Cocoa Beach before returning to Pop. We didn't spend a lot of time there but we sure could have! The beach seemed to go for miles.

 

[mickeywho?]

Looks nice - certainly quiet anyways! I think we'll be heading to Cocoa Beach and maybe over to Jetty Park for the evening. Thanks guys!!!

 

[cudworth]

We're partial to the beaches on the Gulf coast (approx 90 - 100 minutes West of WDW)- around Clearwater or St. Pete beach.


There's also good beaches on the Atlantic Ocean (approx 60 -70 minutes east of WDW) -- try Cocoa beach.

I agree with the gulf coast it is a little futher but you will very happy with the baby power sand and and amazing clear blue water. I will find a picture and put it on for you to see. The gulf coast side has had 3 #1 american beachs in the past 5 years We went to Siesta keys near Sarasota . We plan on spending a week there when we go in Aug 2008

 

[cudworth]

I agree with the gulf coast it is a little futher but you will very happy with the baby power sand and and amazing clear blue water. I will find a picture and put it on for you to see. The gulf coast side has had 3 #1 american beachs in the past 5 years We went to Siesta keys near Sarasota . We plan on spending a week there when we go in Aug 2008

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[kelsco99]

I think Disney should create an extension to their parks by offering beach days (maybe a plus option) including transportation. I would love that

 

[surfer_ed]

We always hit Cocoa for a day. Love Ron Jons Surf Shop as well. Just be careful, the waves and currents can be a little dangerous if the surf is up.

I spent my youth as a lifeguard on the Atlantic ocean in NS so this is an added attraction for me but not everyone.