Best Beaches Near WDW

[zweltar]

Hey all! My wife and I will be taking a 1 day break in the middle of our June trip to spend a few hours at a beach. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for the "best" beach that is a reasonable drive from WDW.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Danibelle]

The closest beach is Cocoa Beach. The nicest beaches are a bit further on the Gulf side (like Clearwater/St Pete area).

 

[zweltar]

Thanks!

 

[JeRmS]

You also have Daytona over that way as well ... hop on I4 and head east over to Daytona Beach!

SOME of the beaches on the west coast of FL are nice, not all .. but the drive over this way would be a lot longer than Daytona/Cocoa, at least 2.5 hours to get to Clearwater from Orlando.

 

[Butterbunkins]

Since I see you're from IL I would suggest taking the longer drive and heading over to the Gulf side unless time is the biggest factor. East coast residents tend to like the east coast of FL better, while those of us from the midwest tend to prefer the Gulf. It's not always the case, but it seems to be the majority. Our favorite is area is St. Pete Beach.

 

[Kay1]

I live by the Gulf and strongly prefer it to the Atlantic but think the drive to Cocoa Beach is so much easier.

Have fun either way.

 

[darrius1st]

On our last visit my family went to Daytona and it was great. It was very crowded and I think we paid $10 to drive on the beach and Park on the beach.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would go to the gulf side and visit HoneyMoon Island. It is a state park on the coast. With miles and miles of shoreline. Lots and lots of sea shells so take a plastic bag with you. Very nice bathroom/shower facility. A nice cafe to grab lunch. You can rent beach chairs. You won't be disappointed trust me. The drive is about 25 minutes longer than if you were to go to Cocoa Beach. I have been to Cocoa but found HoneyMoon Island to be much much better choice.
Here is the web page

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

 

[HWY20RIDE4MYSON]

2 hour drive to Clearwater, Lido Beach, Siesta Key or Anna Maria, best sunset is at Anna Maria

 

[doclegler]

I agree with the gulf side. Clearwater and the area north and south (Honeymoon/Caladesi and John's Pass) and so much fun and SO beautiful. We try to go every year.
The drive is about 2 hours, but SO worth it! We have done Daytona and Cocoa in the past, but found our "home" on the gulf.

 

[arthur06]

We love the Gulf side... water is much calmer. We have 3 kids under 12, so the calmer water is better for our family.

Last year, we went to Siesta Key. The sand is like baby powder. We ate lunch at Yoders (featured on Man v. Food) and shopped in the area.

Think of the beaches of Florida like WDW resorts... Some are value, some are Moderate and some are deluxe. It just depends on what exactly your looking for in your beach experience and how much you want to drive.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[RabFlmom]

We love the Gulf side... water is much calmer. We have 3 kids under 12, so the calmer water is better for our family.

Last year, we went to Siesta Key. The sand is like baby powder. We ate lunch at Yoders (featured on Man v. Food) and shopped in the area.

Think of the beaches of Florida like WDW resorts... Some are value, some are Moderate and some are deluxe. It just depends on what exactly your looking for in your beach experience and how much you want to drive.

Good luck with your decision!

I like your rating system.....but everyone will have to rate them on what they want to do at the beach....One person's deluxe might be another persons value rating. I would be bored without waves,boogy boarding, and surfing. so Brevard/Volusia beaches would be my deluxe. But if I wanted to play in sort of shallow lake water, pick up beautiful shells on a white sandy beach, see a sunset on the Gulf then Passe Grille, or Shell Island etc. would be my deluxe. None are bad beaches east or west Florida beaches are fun and beautiful.

 

[BellaBaby]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but we went to a nice beach a couple of years ago near cocoa beach. It had a woman's name, but I can't remember what it was! I heard about it on the Dis and hope someone can tell me what it could be. It had a parking area and showers/bathroom and was a quiet beach in that area.

We too love the gulf, but we won't have time this year as we have others in our party who will need to be picked up from the parks and we can't really go too far for a day trip.

TIA!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but we went to a nice beach a couple of years ago near cocoa beach. It had a woman's name, but I can't remember what it was! I heard about it on the Dis and hope someone can tell me what it could be. It had a parking area and showers/bathroom and was a quiet beach in that area.

We too love the gulf, but we won't have time this year as we have others in our party who will need to be picked up from the parks and we can't really go too far for a day trip.


TIA!!

Lori Wilson Park

If you chose to go to Cocoa go on a Sun. or Thurs. and head up to Port Canaveral and watch the Disney ship sail away. Lots of manatee and turtle are in the water at Jetty Park.

 

[BellaBaby]

Lori Wilson Park

If you chose to go to Cocoa go on a Sun. or Thurs. and head up to Port Canaveral and watch the Disney ship sail away. Lots of manatee and turtle are in the water at Jetty Park.

Sweet! That's it!! Thank you. I forget, will we just see it as we drive along in that area? Or are there specific directions?

 

[RabFlmom]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but we went to a nice beach a couple of years ago near cocoa beach. It had a woman's name, but I can't remember what it was! I heard about it on the Dis and hope someone can tell me what it could be. It had a parking area and showers/bathroom and was a quiet beach in that area.

We too love the gulf, but we won't have time this year as we have others in our party who will need to be picked up from the parks and we can't really go too far for a day trip.

TIA!!

That would be Lori Wilson Park. That is where we take little ones when they come from the Midwest because the bottom is pretty level and it is usually pretty calm. If you are there in the late afternoon on Sunday you can get pics of your kids in the water with the cruise ships heading down the beach behind them It is also a good spot to watch rockets launch.
There are actually 2 parks right next to each other so more parking. There is a nature trail, a pavilion, bathrooms, showers, and even a dog park on the North side. There is usually a stand up by the parking lot that sells snow cones and hot dogs etc. , too.

To get to Lori Wilson Park take 520 to A1A. Turn South(right) and go past Ron Jons. Not sure how many blocks down you have to go but it isn't far. There are big signs out on the road. After the day at the beach be sure to stop in at Ron Jons. Park in the garage and check out the surf shop there and then just walk across the street to Ron Jons.

 

[BellaBaby]

That would be Lori Wilson Park. That is where we take little ones when they come from the Midwest because the bottom is pretty level and it is usually pretty calm. If you are there in the late afternoon on Sunday you can get pics of your kids in the water with the cruise ships heading down the beach behind them It is also a good spot to watch rockets launch.
There are actually 2 parks right next to each other so more parking. There is a nature trail, a pavilion, bathrooms, showers, and even a dog park on the North side. There is usually a stand up by the parking lot that sells snow cones and hot dogs etc. , too.

To get to Lori Wilson Park take 520 to A1A. Turn South(right) and go past Ron Jons. Not sure how many blocks down you have to go but it isn't far. There are big signs out on the road. After the day at the beach be sure to stop in at Ron Jons. Park in the garage and check out the surf shop there and then just walk across the street to Ron Jons.

Awesome!!Thanks so much for the directions too!!

 

[two*little*birds]

Hands down it's Siesta Key Beach! We're going again this year and staying for 2 nights. Can't wait!

 

[SgtClaymore]

If you have any doggies go to New Symarna beach just south of Daytona it's a really awesome time for dog lovers.

 

[Buzz L. Year]

Sweet! That's it!! Thank you. I forget, will we just see it as we drive along in that area? Or are there specific directions?

Just get on state hwy 528 east. It turns into FL-A1A and you physically see the cruise port from the highway. 40 mins or so from Disney