Beach ideas?

[LGithens]

We typically don't do the beach...but this trip we are bringing along a friend of my daughter's that's never seen the ocean. So we've planned most of a day to drive to the coast so she can see the ocean.

Any suggestions of where to go, easy to get to, nice beach etc?

Thanks!
Lori

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I hope this helps some. I got this information from a fellow home owner.

Florida boasts over 800 miles of fabulous coastline with crystal clear water and glorious sandy beaches lined with palm trees. Some of the best beaches are within easy reach of the villa but remember they can get busy at weekends so go mid-week if you can.

EAST COAST
DAYTONA - drive time 1 hour
Daytona is one of the USA's most famous beaches with 23 miles of wide sandy beach. The tide goes out a long way making it great for kids to play. The beach has seen many land speed attempts, including Sir Malcolm Cambell reaching 276mph with Bluebird in 1935. You can drive along and park on the beach and there are sun beds and various equipment available for hire. Daytona is home to 'Race Week' and the Daytona 500 in February and 'Bike Week' in March so can get very busy.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH - drive time 1 hour
Just a little further south from Daytona, New Smyrna Beach is a popular local hang out. The south end of the beach has no car zone and is a conservation area and Smyrna Dunes Park at the north end is great for surfing. Smyrna Dunes Park also has three miles of elevated boardwalks winding along a coastal nature preserve. There have been minor shark attacks here but the waters are patrolled and considered to be safe.


CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE - drive time Just over 1 hour
Located in between Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach, this is one of Florida's most undeveloped beach fronts. It extends for around 25 miles and has dunes, lagoons, salt marshes and flatlands with very few crowds. Three government agencies collaborate to ensure an equal balance between the technical space programme, wildlife management and public recreation. The only amenities along this stretch are located at Apollo and Playa linda Beaches. Take snacks and drink as there are no facilities at all.


COCOA BEACH - drive time 45mins-1 hour
Cocoa beach is one of the many islands that straggle the east coast and is a laid back beach with lovely soft sand. The Cocoa Beach Pier juts out over 800 feet over the ocean and has a few restaurants, small rides and souvenir shops. Ron Jons Surf Shop is located here.
Cocoa village is on the mainland about ten minutes drive from the beaches. It is a lovely and picturesque village with a selection of shops, boutiques and restaurants and a great place to spend a couple of hours meandering around the quaint streets.

SATELLITE BEACH - Drive time 1 hour
The largest beachside community in South Brevard, Satellite Beach lines the low rise condo's along the beach front and the Pelican Beach area attracts sun worshipers. The shallow waters are ideal for children and there is also a playground and Samson's Island Nature Park

WEST COAST
CLEARWATER - Drive time 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Clearwater beach is a narrow island separating Clearwater Harbour from the Gulf of Mexico and is reached via a long inter coastal highway bridge. Serious sunbathing and water sports in abundance are here as are dolphins which can often be seen playing in the sea. The landmark Pier 60 is the centre point of beach activities and is great for sunsets. There are also plenty of seafront restaurants. It is also a favorite of the yachting community cruising along the coast.
ST PETERSBRUGH Drive time - 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Just a short drive south from Clearwater St Pete's boasts four miles of glorious white sandy beach. Snorkeling, wind surfing and other water sports are plentiful here too. Many of the restaurants serve locally caught fresh seafood and there is ample shopping in the town centre.

 

[jjj444]

One trip we went to Cocoa Beach one day and Clearwater another. The funny thing is is that we liked Cocoa better. Cocoa is on the Atlantic side and Clearwater on the Gulf of Mexico. We must have went to CLearwater after one of their red tides because the water had way to much seaweed for me. Cocoa beach was nice because its close and clear water. Some waves nad nice beach area.

 

[LGithens]

The last time we went to Cocoa Beach. We spent our first night at a hotel there. I'm not sure where the best place to go in Cocoa Beach to play in the ocean for an hour or so. I remember in 1990 taking my son to Kennedy and while waiting for our tour we asked where a quick beach was and they directed us to Jetty Park.

What about that or a good place to go in Cocoa?

Lori

 

[mickeysaver]

http://www.cocoabeachpier.com/

http://www.cocoabeach.com/index1.shtml

http://www.destinationcocoabeach.net/Cocoa_Beach_Florida_A.html

Lots of stuff to do in Cocoa Beach. I am trying to find a few things to entertain myself with while Gabby takes surfing lessons. I will of course watch some of her attempts to ride the waves, but it's a 3 hour lesson and it's early in the morning. I am hoping to find a wi-fi spot somewhere close by to grab a cup of coffee and check my email.

Happy planning! Maggie

 

[Kimmy]

Last summer we went to Coca Beach. We drove there twice during our stay in Orlando. We were only planning on going one time, we liked it so much we went a second time. Very nice, clean beach. They have several state parking areas which have picnic tables, outside showers to clean the sand off, and bathrooms. A few of my friends recommended Cocoa beach vs Daytona Beach.

 

[Amity 3]

We must have went to CLearwater after one of their red tides because the water had way to much seaweed for me.

red tide and seaweed aren't related.

 

[curlyjbs]

What's the water like (east or west coast)? Blues & greens or brown like we have here in jersey

~Connie

 

[Amity 3]

on the atlantic side, the further south you go, the greener it gets. it's a brown/green until you get closer to miami, the gulf has a green tint. you need to go offshore on both sides to get to blue water, but not as far offshore on the atlantic. that's when you set your rigs for the big fish.

 

[Kimmy]

Not as brown as Jersey! Much cleaner beaches!

 

[Dis1978]

I think we will try clearwater or cocoa beach. Does anyone know a good hotel? We can splash out a bit as it is only for a couple of nights, would like somewhere really nice for DS who is recovering from serious illness. Thanks!

 

[Luthien_Rei]

-"I think we will try clearwater or cocoa beach"

I would recommend Cocoa beach over Clearwater beach. Being a long time FL resident I have been to both many times. In general, the East Coast beaches are much bigger, the water cooler and more clear, and are more representative of what most people would think of when thinking of a FL beach.

Clearwater Beach is relatively very small, yet much more crowded, suffers from an extreme lack of parking, and the traffic in and out of the area is a nightmare, especialy on weekends or just about anytime over the summer. The Gulf water has much more seaweed, is mirkier, and very very warm. In the summer months the water feels like a hot tub. The majority of people who go to Clearwater are locals, as it is one of the only top beaches on the gulf coast.

Cocoa Beach is on the Atlantic and the water is much cooler and clearer. The beach is much much larger and the whole area looks and feels much more like a real Florida beach town. It's an excellent spot to surf and boasts a huge Ron Jon's Surf Shop as well as many other staples of a real beach town. It's an exhilerating sight to look up and down the beach and see nothing but coastline far off into the horizon both ways. The view at night with all the hotels, condos and restaurants lit up is spectacular, especialy from the Pier, which boasts wonderfully fun and clean bars, restaurants, and live entertainment nightly, as well as free parking after 5pm. Cocoa Beach offers a genuine Florida beach experience that IMO Clearwater Beach simply cannot compare to.

 

[Dis1978]

Thanks Luthien. Can you suggest a good hotel at Cocoa?

 

[Amity 3]

-"I think we will try clearwater or cocoa beach"

I would recommend Cocoa beach over Clearwater beach. Being a long time FL resident I have been to both many times. In general, the East Coast beaches are much bigger, the water cooler and more clear, and are more representative of what most people would think of when thinking of a FL beach.

Clearwater Beach is relatively very small, yet much more crowded, suffers from an extreme lack of parking, and the traffic in and out of the area is a nightmare, especialy on weekends or just about anytime over the summer. The Gulf water has much more seaweed, is mirkier, and very very warm. In the summer months the water feels like a hot tub. The majority of people who go to Clearwater are locals, as it is one of the only top beaches on the gulf coast.

Cocoa Beach is on the Atlantic and the water is much cooler and clearer. The beach is much much larger and the whole area looks and feels much more like a real Florida beach town. It's an excellent spot to surf and boasts a huge Ron Jon's Surf Shop as well as many other staples of a real beach town. It's an exhilerating sight to look up and down the beach and see nothing but coastline far off into the horizon both ways. The view at night with all the hotels, condos and restaurants lit up is spectacular, especialy from the Pier, which boasts wonderfully fun and clean bars, restaurants, and live entertainment nightly, as well as free parking after 5pm. Cocoa Beach offers a genuine Florida beach experience that IMO Clearwater Beach simply cannot compare to.

wow, we've obviously visited a different cocoa beach.

if you want a great Florida beach, go to Siesta Key.

 

[Luthien_Rei]

wow, we've obviously visited a different cocoa beach.

if you want a great Florida beach, go to Siesta Key.

Nah, I think we just have different idea's of what makes a good beach

Siesta Key is a wonderful beach, with some of the finest sand you'll find hehe, but outside of the extremely powdery sand I personaly find little reason to recommend it over east-coast beaches. I dislike the overly warm, and completely unrefreshing imo, water of the Gulf. The beaches and surrounding areas lack the fun and "old florida surfer town" feel of areas like Cocoa to me.

In the end, I couldn't recommend Siesta Key to someone vacationing in Orlando simply because it is much too far from here IMO for a day trip, especialy considering the multitude of wonderful beaches close at hand.

 

[chattyann]

Last year, we went to Cocoa beach and St. Petes beach. Although I liked St. Petes, especially the trip over to the shell island. I think I enjoyed the atmosphere of Cocoa better. Luthien is right, it just has the feel of a fun beach town. We are planning on going back to Cocoa next year ourselves. If you have any suggestions of reasonably priced beach houses or condos I would love to know about them.

 

[Amity 3]

Nah, I think we just have different idea's of what makes a good beach

Siesta Key is a wonderful beach, with some of the finest sand you'll find hehe, but outside of the extremely powdery sand I personaly find little reason to recommend it over east-coast beaches. I dislike the overly warm, and completely unrefreshing imo, water of the Gulf. The beaches and surrounding areas lack the fun and "old florida surfer town" feel of areas like Cocoa to me.

In the end, I couldn't recommend Siesta Key to someone vacationing in Orlando simply because it is much too far from here IMO for a day trip, especialy considering the multitude of wonderful beaches close at hand.

the Gulf temp is hovering around 65 today, how cold do you like your water?

 

[Luthien_Rei]

the Gulf temp is hovering around 65 today, how cold do you like your water?

My statement was in general about the relative temps of Atlantic and Gulf waters, in particular in the summer months when the gulf waters become so uncomfortably warm that it feels like you are in a pot of soup and the water is hotter than the humid FL air itself. Beyond that, the very hot water creates far too furtile a breeding ground for algae for my tastes, resulting in a fairly mirky looking Gulf water. Overall it's an experience I wouldn't personaly equate with a refreshing and enjoyable swim, nor one that I would recommend if asked for my opinion on FL beaches. To each their own.

I wouldn't imagine that most people would enjoy the current water temp at either beach, with winter still a very recent memory, but thanks for that water temp report.

I recommend Cocoa Beach. Surf's up peoples!

 

[DNSDisney]

I agree with Luthien_Rei concerning Cocoa Beach. I fell in love with it because it reminded me of the FL that I visited as a child before all the overgrowth of the Coastline. Hopefully it will stay the way it is in Cocoa.

As for places to stay ... Ron Jons Cape Caribe is awesome esp with kids or teens. check out their web site.

Sharon