Beaches close to Orlando

[dizneygirl123]

What beaches are nicest close to Orlando?? If will only be me and DH so would prefer a quiet beach.

 

[Orlando Vic]

What beaches are nicest close to Orlando?? If will only be me and DH so would prefer a quiet beach.

This is a frequently asked question. See this recent thread for ideas: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2701669&highlight=best+beaches

 

[Dopey420]

Atlantic Ocean: Cocoa Beach is the closest. North of Daytona are some nice quiet beaches. South of Daytona around New Smyrna Beach is nice and quiet. Canaveral National Seashore is very nice. Vero Beach has a Disney Resort that is nice and peaceful.

Gulf of Mexico: South of St.Petersburg has some very nice peaceful beaches.

 

[dizneygirl123]

how close is New Smyra beach and the others from Orlando?

 

[Detailor]

how close is New Smyra beach and the others from Orlando?

New Smyrna Beach: about 80 miles
Cocoa Beach: about 60 miles
Daytona Beach: about 80 miles
Vero Beach: about 100 miles
St. Petersburg beaches: 95 to 105 miles, depending on the beach

There's a big difference between east coast (Atlantic) and west coast (Gulf of Mexico) beaches so I think it would be worth figuring out what type of beach experience you want before you head out.

Dick Taylor

 

[Zeppelin]

What beaches are nicest close to Orlando?? If will only be me and DH so would prefer a quiet beach.

Cocoa Beach is probably the closest and easiet to get to....just get on the BeeLine (528?) east and it is literally a straight line to the coast....depending on where you get on the road there may be one or two tolls yet once past the airport it is a straight shot with little police so those of us with a heavy foot can get in the left lane and cruise

plenty of nice restaurants, some on the beach (try Coconuts), and places to eat, as well as public access...

 

[dizneygirl123]

Thanks for the info!! I would like to do the Gulf Coast but not sure I want to spend the time in the car.
We will likely head for Cocoa Beach.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

A few weeks ago we drove over to the gulf coast. It took us 1 hr 10 minutes from WDW.
And we went to this amazing beach called HoneyMoon Island. Its actually park of the Florida park system and it was very very quiet, nice bathrooms with running water, a cafe' and general store. It is called an island because it juts out into the gulf of mexico. and there is tons and tons of shore line to walk on. The water was like bath water. There a millions of shells on shore. You can stand in the water and feel the shells wash over your feet. There weren't many people there at all. We walked at least 2 miles and only saw maybe 30 people.
Oh it was 96 in Orlando when we left but only 80 degree on the coast.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/

We also went to cocoa beach and of the two I like Honeymoon the best. Cocoa beach is only an hour from wdw is real congested with traffic and tourist. Honeymoon was the opposite.

 

[dizneygirl123]

Thanks for the info Shelly - I am leaning toward Honeymoon beach - you are the second reply saying it is nice. Was it an easy drive ?

 

[gatorfreud]

So weird - I was going to recommend Honeymoon Island too! We are visiting a local friend before WDW and we just went there today. Very nice. Calm, peaceful water. The kids snorkeled. There is a big sand bar that you can easily walk out to and it is super shallow again.

I drove from her house, but I think it should be pretty easy to get to.

It was really nice. Cafe, bathrooms, outdoor shower, kayak, umbrella and chair rentals too.

Kim

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Extremely easy drive! I would avoid tampa around rush hour though.

Thanks for the info Shelly - I am leaning toward Honeymoon beach - you are the second reply saying it is nice. Was it an easy drive ?

 

[ajworthy]

I was thinking of heading to cocoa beach - but after reading the posts here - Honeymoon Island sounds more the way to go. Are there any places that are nice to stay there?

 

[Belle5]

Another vote for Honeymoon Island. We have also been to Cocoa...