best beach near Orlando??

[lisa2669]

Which beach would you visit while in Orlando? Not visiting parks so looking to visit a beach one day.

 

[gigem_aggies]

Last year, we rented a car and drove to Clearwater. Gorgeous beach area. We really only went there though so we could visit the aquarium (where the dolphins from the movie Dolphin Tale live). I think it was about an hour or so drive.

 

[Grumpy92]

Fort Desoto in St Pete. Just a beautiful park and beach

 

[NinaBella]

Do you want a public beach access? Ft Desoto is okay. If you want a more resort feel you can buy day passes to some resorts like the Don Cesar (advance purchase necessary). Tradewinds Resort is popular for families.

 

[erinch]

Since we are originally from SoCal, we head to the east coast where there is a greater semblance of waves. We love Cape Canaveral National Seashore, which is a it over an hour.

 

[Macprincess]

Siesta Key, on the gulf coast, near Sarasota. About an hour and half from Disney. White sand! Constantly voted one of the best beaches in Florida. By far, in my opinion, it offers one of the best sunsets I have ever seen.

 

[herb102211]

Another vote for Siesta Key. It's gorgeous and is always voted one of the top beaches in the country.

 

[UCFGrad01]

I like the Gulf beaches better, myself. Clearwater, Sanibel, Anna Maria, Siesta Key, etc. It'll be a bit longer of a drive, but IMO, worth it. White sand that stays cool underfoot (and is very soft), lovely water with fewer waves, awesome sunsets.

If you head out east to the Atlantic beaches, just head out the Beachline (SR 528, toll road) and you'll hit Cocoa Beach.

 

[mich1073]

Cocoa Beach is closer by far, but Gulf beaches are prettier water, calmer and very white (cool sand is you go to Siesta Key). Cocoa is more surfing beaches as there are more waves. But all of Florida beaches are much better than alot of places. So think about what is important, easy quick drive over calmer prettier waters, so go to cocoa. If you want the best beaches head west... Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key are by far my favorites. I love closer to Clearwater and Indian Rocks but drive south to AMI and SK. Clearwater is loud and traffic is AWFUL. AMI parking can be a bear but worth it. Very old town feel as they did not build ANY high rises and its all very old style florida in alot of ways. Also the public beach that is right at the end of the road at Holmes Beach has a GREAT food court area that has all you can eat pancakes and a good meal at night to watch the sunset. The best parking is in that area as well.

Siesta Key has tons of high rises but some of the beach sand int he world as you do not have to wear shoes as it does not get hot as its pure quartz. Great beach too.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

As a local, I typically head to Clearwater to Sand Key Park. Another option I like is Lido Key near Sarasota, though a little further. Steps away is St. Armand's Circle for shopping and dining so you can spend an entire day there.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Daytona. It's far closer than many of the others listed and you can drive on the beach. No toll road either. Siesta Key is very nice but factor an easy 5 hours round trip. Cocoa Beach is also an easy drive and you could even take in Kennedy Space center with the drive time savings or just visit Ron Jons.

 

[GreatLakes]

If you are looking for less crowded and Gulf coast check out Honeymoon Island. There is a very small fee for entry (between $2 and $8) and that small fee keeps the crowds a bit lower than the free beaches. Dunedin is also a really nice little town to visit once you are done at the beach.

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

We are doing Daytona for a day trip because my boys want to see the Ponce Inlet lighthouse since it is the tallest Florida lighthouse.

 

[schumigirl]

If you are looking for less crowded and Gulf coast check out Honeymoon Island. There is a very small fee for entry (between $2 and $8) and that small fee keeps the crowds a bit lower than the free beaches. Dunedin is also a really nice little town to visit once you are done at the beach.

Love Dunedin.

It really is the most perfect little town to visit. We almost bought a home there a few years ago.



Yes, Daytona and Cocoa are closer, but it's worth driving a little extra for the Gulf Coast. Clearwater is the most popular we find. We can do a drive from our Universal hotel and back easily in a day, leaving Universal around 11am........have lunch, some beach time, dinner and sunset.......then back to RPR........easily. We have also stayed overnight at The Hilton at Pier 60.

There are some beautiful beaches to choose from along the Gulf coast. Anna Maria Island is one of our favourites too.

 

[RabFlmom]

It probably depends on if you want to look at the sand and water or actually play in the water. Which ever side you choose is beautiful compared to the Pacific beaches I have been on in Central America. Beaches on the East coast are generally a darker sand than the West coast but there are white sand beaches, too like at Ponce Inlet area beaches. The beaches n the East coast are more natural and less crowded if you don't go to the beach at the end of a causeway . At times on the gulf in Clearwater my toddlers could walk out about half a football field and sit on the bottom and still not be underwater. On the East coast it varies because of the waves but with little ones being there a few hours before low tides is calmer and easier waves for them to boogie board on. Westgate now owns the Cocoa Beach Pier so it is prime tourist instead of a local beach so if you are looking for that type beach you will get more of a tourist feel. If you want more natural less crowded beaches to spend on the beach where you can almost feel like it is your own private beach head to Melbourne area. If you go to county beaches parking is free. We also don't have the private beaches where condo owners come out and kick you off their beach.

 

[firstwdw]

As a local, I typically head to Clearwater to Sand Key Park. Another option I like is Lido Key near Sarasota, though a little further. Steps away is St. Armand's Circle for shopping and dining so you can spend an entire day there.

What is the name of the beach that you walk to from St Armend's Circle? We stumbled across that years ago and it was very very nice! How far a drive is that from Magic Kingdom?

 

[mich1073]

What is the name of the beach that you walk to from St Armend's Circle? We stumbled across that years ago and it was very very nice! How far a drive is that from Magic Kingdom?

That's Lido Key. I was lucky enough about 7 years ago to ride my horse there for a photo shoot. Pretty awesome. And back in the 60s or so it was a nude beach or at least topless.