Beaches near WDW

[stardebby]

I live in the Clearwater area and the beach is great. Also if you have kids with you there is a Pirate Ship Cruise at the Clearwater marina and dolphin watch cruises. Clearwater beach is about hour and half from wdw.

 

[MelanieC]

We always head over to Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach My kids love seeing the cruise ship and we've done it so many times it feels homey to us!! Easy to get to too!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Since this thread isn't about the theme parks, I've moved it to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[garnet1240]

Can anyone recommend a hotel on the beach at Siesta Key Beach?

Thanks

 

[Pammy jo]

Yes, I'd like some ideas for staying in Siesta Key too.

Can someone also tell me, are the waves there at least big enough to do a little boogie boarding?

 

[NotUrsula]

IME, the biggest waves on Siesta are down on the south end of the island, at Turtle Beach. We usually stay at Crescent, and you don't really get many breakers there. However, you *can* snorkel at Point of Rocks.

 

[Lisa P.]

For big, fun waves and oceanside activities and fine, hard-packed, tan-colored sand that's great for biking or driving on, go to the Atlantic/east coast. Daytona has lots going on at the beach (including restaurants, shops, mini-golf, etc); Ormond or Flagler are quieter, Cocoa is near NASA.

For gentle, clear, warmer water in offseason, gorgeous sunsets and soft, white, powdery sand, go to the Gulf/west coast. Clearwater is easy to reach with oceanside activities (watersports, boating, etc) and has a decent public access beach. Some of the other areas mentioned are great too.

Which is best depends on what you all want to do and the ages of the people going. HTH!

don't want to intrude on your post but are there any good beaches to take children ages 11&8 snorkeling??

Don't know about this but you may want to consider visiting one of the state parks within an hour of WDW that has freshwater springs. When canoeing in these, it's like looking at an aquarium - crystal clear. Some allow you to swim with manatees. Just verify that the swimming area is near the headwaters and you'll avoid alligators, who don't like the cooler water anywhere near there.

 

[fussymonkey]

Just verify that the swimming area is near the headwaters and you'll avoid alligators

I actaully recoiled in horror reading that- its enough to keep me from swiming in any freshwater area in FL ANYWHERE! I'm terrified of gators.