Best Beach?

[ColoradoLime]

This being my DD's first trip to a coastal state, we'd like to take one day and head to the beach so she can play in the ocean. Can anyone recommend a good beach?

 

[blondietink]

We love Clearwater Beach near Tampa!

 

[jdvm]

Our favorite is Siesta Key on the west coast of Florida.

John

 

[MarkinNM]

Nice idea!!

Can you please tell me how long it takes to get to WDW to the ocean?? Miles??

 

[siestakey]

I second Siesta Key Beach. I live on Siesta Key and we are only 1 1/2 hours from the Mouse, come on over

 

[Scully12]

Cocoa Beach is on the Atlantic Ocean...it takes one hour to drive from Disney to the beach. It's probably the closest. For a first beach trip though I'd suggest Clearwater. It hink it's about an hour and a half from Disney. It's on the Gulf of Mexico sooo it's prettier!

Here's a map:
http://elanproperties.com/images/PinellasMap.jpg

This says it's 95 miles...
http://www.convertunits.com/distance/from/orlando/to/clearwater

 

[mlbudach]

We've been to Cocoa Beach and Clearwater by Tampa. Clearwater takes longer to get to, but the sand is much nicer. Gulf side beaches are much nicer.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

We've been to Cocoa Beach and Clearwater by Tampa. Clearwater takes longer to get to, but the sand is much nicer. Gulf side beaches are much nicer.

Ditto. Been to both as well, and loved Clearwater. The sand is amazing, the ocean is gorgeous. We even saw a manatee swim right past us. I think it took us like an hour 45 minutes to get there. There's also a bunch of activities there that might be of interest to your daughter. I know there's a pirate cruise for kids and an aquarium that also does tours.

 

[Detailor]

I think that the choice of beach depends on what you and your daughter want to experience. Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic is an okay beach with fairly coarse sand and tends to be exposed to wind. The water tends to be on the cold side - at least as compared with water temps on the Gulf side of the state. But you do get to see some really nice wave action. I think that Cocoa Beach is worth the drive (50 to 60 minutes from WDW/Orlando via Toll Road 528/the Beachline) when you think about the alternative of being thatclose to the Atlantic Ocean and not going to see it.

On the other hand, I really like the gulf side. The water is warmer and calmer than on the Atlantic side. And, as others have mentioned, the sand is finer and cleaner looking as the wave action is a fraction of that experienced on the open water of the Atlantic beaches. I like the Fort DeSoto beaches at the Fort DeSoto county park that's just outside of St. Petersburg in Tierra Verde. When we've been there there have been no crowds and great lengths of nice beach, adjacent picnic area and snack bar concessions. You take I-4 west, then onto I-275 south through Tampa and across the causeway bridge over the bay to St. Pete and exit to Pinellas Bayway. It's probably a little more than 90 minutes from WDW.

Dick Taylor

 

[Frothy]

The stretch from Clearwater down to St Pete's would be my choice.

 

[rootbeerkid]

Our Florida Beach experience is somewhat limited and is without much comparative wisdom, but maybe it will be of interest. Each Disney trip includes a trip to both the Gulf and Atlantic shores. Because of friends in Melbourne, the Atlantic visit is to Spessard Holland Beach in Melbourne Beach. On the Gulf side, following Florida route 50 out of Orlando to the Gulf will lead to Pine Island Beach. It’s a little thing, all of about 3 acres, but its out of the way, uncrowded and generally well maintained. That’s it. These two beaches have vested memories that draw us back each trip. Eventually we may get to the more popular and bigger beaches, and then again, maybe not.

Happy (sandy) Trails, wherever you choose.