Best Gulf Beach for day trip

[ma-warman]

We are staying at HIFS and want to do a trip to the beach. A few years ago we went to Clearwater and enjoyed that. What other beaches can you suggest that isnt too far. We like to white sand and would like to look for shells!!! Also we would love to see dolphins! I know that is a hard list to fill but I thought someone might know!!! Thanks!!

 

[spiceycat]

white sand - then that would be the West Coast - East coast (Ocean Side) has on the whole light brown sand.

St Petersburg is surpose to be nice.

On the ocean side - Cocoa beach, Melbourne and Vero Beach - are all surpose to be nice - Only have stayed at VB - Disney has a place here.

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Well, I see you mentioned "Gulf" so I assume you want the west coast of Florida only. I have looked into beaches in the St. Pete/Clearwater area myself since we will be going to that area after our Disney World trip. There are lots of nice beaches in that area. You can do a Dolphin cruise also. Lots of places do those cruises. You can rent wave runners etc... Here's a link to some beach information. If you want to drive about an hour further south the Sarasota area has some nice beaches too!
Good Luck!
http://www.bestwesternflorida.com/2000/beachsf.htm

 

[pm914]

Are you going for just the day or will you have an overnight stay also? If you're going for just the day, Clearwater Beach is probably your best bet. Closest to Orlando (still kind of far for a day trip), and lots of restaurants and shops across the street from the public beach. Nice long pier, white sand, plenty of dolphins.
Have fun!

 

[disnaholic]

Hi
We absolutely love St. Pete Beach! It is a 2 hour drive from Orlando, but well worth it! It is my favorite beach!! We like to eat dinner at Crabby Bills(fave restaurant for my kids, DH and myself) which is a beachfront restaurant, then go out the back door onto the beach and play until dark! We then go down the the Don Ce Sar Resort (right down the street) for ice cream at the wonderful ice cream saloon there, and then head back to Orlando!

 

[jeffreyml]

Our family loves Madeira Beach which is directly North of St Petes Beach. Great white sand beaches, lots of shells and activities. You can walk on the beach and head over to John's Pass for some dinner or a Dolphin cruise, Pirate cruise or just spend some time at the different shops in the Pass.

 

[lejaf]

We just got back from 5 nights at HIFS and 4 nights at Holiday Inn Harbourside - Indian Rocks Beach. We had the best time, loved the beach, loved the hotel (had a suite and it was large with a full kitchen), loved the laid back atmosphere! We saw dolphins from the beach on two of the days we were there. They were pretty far out in the ocean, but it was obvious that they were in fact dolphins. It's about a 10 minute drive from Clearwater which I found to be very congested with way too much traffic for my liking, but it was also on Saturday so maybe I was dealing with the weekend beach traffic, who knows. Before our trip, my daughter insisted she would never like another hotel quite as much as HIFS, but when we were leaving, she told me that she liked the Holiday Inn Harbourside just as much as HIFS.

 

[disneyfan551]

I'm not the OP, but thanks for the comments! It is really nice to hear of the local restaurants that you enjoy too! I had thoughts of trying a beach we haven't visited yet, such as Indian Rocks, but the reminder of St. Pete & Crabby Bill's is very tempting!!!

Would love to hear more! Keep 'em coming!!

 

[denisenh]

We were atHoneymoon Island a few weeks ago and saw a bunch of dolphins pretty close to the shore. They were playing and jumping right out of the water....It was quite a beautiful sight.
You could take the ferry shuttle from there to Caladesi Island which is well known for its beautiful beach.
One of these days I will get there.
There are photos and other info at the above websites as well.
I think just about all of the Clearwater area beaches are very nice. All of those listed by other posters are great.
Just be sure that you know where you are going and have some idea where to park.
I guess that would be one of the pros going to a state park....plenty of parking.

 

[PamNC]

Isn't Florida grand? All the beach choices. We love the gulf - white sand...clear water. And, I don't know if you'll consider this a day trip because it's about 2 hours but Siesta Key near Sarasota is the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. We've gone twice but we've always stayed overnight 2-3 nights.

We like New Smyrna on the Atlantic side - there's the Cape Canaveral National Seashore. You pay a couple of bucks, but you basically have the beach to yourself. It's beautiful. And about 1 hour away.

PamNC

 

[LisaRay]

disneyfan551...... don't forget that the original crabby bills is in Indian Rocks! We had never heard of this place before but stumbled upon it one year on the day after thanksgiving! It is the only one we have ever been to but there are several.
http://www.crabbybills.com/

 

[disneyfan551]

lisaray... Thanks so much! I didn't realize there were more than 1! It's been several years since we've been, so this is terrific!!

Does anyone know how long it takes to drive to Indian Rocks Beach from Disney?

Thanks again!

 

[jeffreyml]

Here is a great link to one of the Condos we've rented. The owner has frequented many resturaunts in the area and has reviewed and listed them along with links to the web pages.

One thing we also like to do after dinner is head back to the beach for a sunset stroll to take pictures of the wonderful Gulf Sunsets!!

Restuaraunt Links

 

[floridagirrl2]

Here's another vote for Siesta Key--white sand beaches and brilliant, clear, blue-green water.

 

[seastar]

St Pete Beach and Treasure Island are both great wide beaches with lovely white sand. Tons of places to stay in all price ranges.

I love Caladesi Island but to get to it you must take the ferry. It is usually uncrowded and a great day trip.

I live here and never tire of the beautiful sunsets!!!

 

[SherGoof]

We're from the northeast part of the country (Philly) and actually travel to the Jersey shore every year (frequently). Went to Ft. Lauderdale last year, and was not overly impressed. We want to do a day trip this year, but my DH doesn't want to spend alot of time on the road. I would prefer the gulf side (water's clearer isn't it?), but if the atlantic is closer we'd have to do that. I've read all the posts and researched some of the beaches, but need specifics - which beach is the closest to Disney? How would I get directions to it?

Thanks - we leave the end of April.

 

[melissa6631]

we LOVED clearwater beaches.

The drive out there was surely worth it to me. I've never seen such beautiful water and sand.

 

[ZuZugal]

I must agree w/Disnaholic! St. Pete's is the best. We love to eat at Johnny Leverock's...it's been great every time. The one on Corey ave. DOES overlook the water on an inlet (kids love to be on the lookout for large birds and manatees).
You must do the Don Ce Sar for ice cream. A wonderful treat at the end of the day. Walk the beach south of the Don and you will be almost alone on the beach! Great for shelling as well.

 

[SherGoof]

Dumb question -
How do I get directions? I can't "mapquest" - Clearwater or St. Petersburg beach?