Closest beach to Orlando

[my4kids2ofeach]

My family would love to go to the beach, which one is the closest?
Is it nice?

 

[WDWPinCollector]

Hi My4kids:

Technically Cocoa Beach here in Brevard County, about 70 miles east of WDW, is the closest beach, and is advertised as such. It is a nice beach, and there are other things to do in the area if you've had enough of the sand.

The fastest way to get here is to take the I-4 north to the 528 or Beachline Expressway (toll). That will take you basically right on out to Cocoa Beach. There are plenty of signs to guide your way. I would allow for about 90 minutes to drive, depending on traffic conditions.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tink2312]

I agree - Cocoa Beach is nice - there's also a few park areas and nature reserves right on the beachside.

 

[Amity 3]

as Florida beaches go, I'd give it a 5 out of ten. it's ok. it's only real asset is that it's closest to Orlando.

 

[Luthien_Rei]

I'd give Cocoa beach at 8 or 9 out of 10, easily.

Great old-school Florida surfer town. Great water. Great fun. Aside from a handfull of people who usualy will speak ill of it, you'll find the large majority on here love Cocoa, and rightfully so.

From downtown Orlando, it is barely an hour away, maybe 45-50 mins with little traffic.

 

[WDWPinCollector]

I agree with Luthien Rei. Cocoa Beach is a bit less tropical than the Miami Beaches, but it's a nice beach nonetheless.

 

[Amity 3]

Aside from a handfull of people who usualy will speak ill of it, you'll find the large majority on here love Cocoa, and rightfully so.

when it claims the 'best beach in the US' title, I'll quit disparaging it. that's never going to happen.

 

[Luthien_Rei]

when it claims the 'best beach in the US' title, I'll quit disparaging it. that's never going to happen.

Why because you said so? Do you disparage all beaches in the USA that don't currently have such a title so vehemently?

Your posts have a negative tone. This thread simply asks for beach suggestions near Orlando. People have simply been giving them. Please don't hijack the thread with an anti-Cocoa Beach crusade.

To say it has no assets is just untrue and silly. At minimum, you should atleast acknowledge your strong personal disregard for the area, and acknowledge what others might appreciate about it, when making such a strong and negative blanket statement. You've posted without citing reasons or providing an alternative, seemingly just to disparage and display your bias. Keep these threads constructive and on topic.

Feel free to start a seperate "Bash Cocoa Beach" thread.

 

[Amity 3]

Why because you said so? Do you disparage all beaches in the USA that don't currently have such a title so vehemently?

Your posts have a negative tone. This thread simply asks for beach suggestions near Orlando. People have simply been giving them. Please don't hijack the thread with an anti-Cocoa Beach crusade.

To say it has no assets is just untrue and silly. At minimum, you should atleast acknowledge your strong personal disregard for the area, and acknowledge what others might appreciate about it, when making such a strong and negative blanket statement. You've posted without citing reasons or providing an alternative, seemingly just to disparage and display your bias. Keep these threads constructive and on topic.

Feel free to start a seperate "Bash Cocoa Beach" thread.

you've posted with quite a few misspellings and grammar related flaws.

 

[Amity 3]

Why because you said so? Do you disparage all beaches in the USA that don't currently have such a title so vehemently?

Your posts have a negative tone. This thread simply asks for beach suggestions near Orlando. People have simply been giving them. Please don't hijack the thread with an anti-Cocoa Beach crusade.

To say it has no assets is just untrue and silly. At minimum, you should atleast acknowledge your strong personal disregard for the area, and acknowledge what others might appreciate about it, when making such a strong and negative blanket statement. You've posted without citing reasons or providing an alternative, seemingly just to disparage and display your bias. Keep these threads constructive and on topic.

Feel free to start a seperate "Bash Cocoa Beach" thread.

the sand is disgusting.

the water is by no means clear, I need to anchor out at least a half-mile from shore to find 'clear' diving. and at that point the visibility is only about ten feet underwater.

Ron Jon's is not a surf shop, it's a mega-mall with a closer store in Orlando. real surf shops are beachside hole in the walls where the guy that runs it will take you out for a surf or dive session. they don't their profit on their t-shirt sales to tourists.

Cocoa Beach is just another Florida tourist trap that bills itself on being the closest beach to Orlando. that alone should send off alarms.

Florida has the best beaches in the continental US. claiming Cocoa as a 9 out of 10 shows your ignorance to our resources and a waste of people's time that want to vacation here.

do everyone a favor and just stop.

 

[my4kids2ofeach]

How about compared to Ocen City, MD??
I am sure it's beautiful! Thank you all for your opinions!

 

[Koda]

you've posted with quite a few misspellings and grammar related flaws.

Who cares about the grammar, as long as we get some constructive information? Since you don't like Cocoa Beach, Amity 3, which beach do you suggest?

 

[WDWPinCollector]

If Amity is such a stickler for grammar, he/she might want to know that the plural of hole in the wall is holes in the wall. Same thing goes for mother-in-law and quarter pounder with cheese. They are in the plural: mothers-in-law and quarter pounders with cheese.

 

[lillygator]

as a native and having been to lots of beaches, I too, don't care for Cocoa....and we used to live over there. Gulf coast beaches tend to be much nicer and the water is nicer as well.

 

[keishashadow]

How about compared to Ocen City, MD??
I am sure it's beautiful! Thank you all for your opinions!

Since Amity 3 is a local & a boater, I'm sure he knows the FL beaches very well ; wouldn't discount his advice. We're a good 8 hours from any ocean, so our standards are much more lax lol.

IMO opinion you cannot compare OC to CB - two entirely different "types" of beaches.

Ocean City beaches fronting the hotels are groomed and in some points riduculously wide to cross the hot sand. OC was also deluged with big black flies last July that evidently escaped from Assetaque/pony island. It was explained they imported them in a misguided attempt to keep the mosquito population down. Everyone on the beach had rolled up newspapers in hand. Not sure what they've got planned this year to keep the tourists occupied lol.

The beach @ Jetty Park is whole 'nuter critter . You pay an entrance fee to access a small park/campground. Wherein you can fish, swim, look for dolphins and watch cruise ships depart on certain days.

My DS is a bit of a neat freak/germaphobe (expect for his messy bedroom ). Explained to him that it's a natural beach; as in covered in seaweed, etc...he luved it, plan on making it a pit stop each trip for an afternoon since it's an hour's easy drive from Orlando.

btw, we were thrilled to watch a rocket launch last year and hope to catch the shuttle from the park too in June. How cool is it to be able to swim in the ocean & watch that spectacle at the same time?

 

[Gillian]

Since my BIL moved to Sarasota we've gone to the Gulf beaches, and love them, but now I want to visit Cocoa Beach!

ETA: the reasons are that it would be nice for my kids to see some Atlantic beaches, with dunes if they have them, and natural areas. Plus I think things to do other than beach would be fun. They're a little older now, so we don't always need the calm water of the gulf.

 

[Tink2312]

Gulf coast beaches tend to be much nicer and the water is nicer as well.

Yep, I agree, but they are a bit further out of Orlando and difficult to do in a day.
As for the Gulf beaches, we especially like St. Petes Beach or Dunnedin where you can go see the dolphins (although there's not really a beach there).

 

[tarheelmjfan]

It's been way too many years since I've been to Ocean City, so I'm sure it's changed completely. At that time, I would say Cocoa Beach compares favorably. It's really been too long to fairly voice an opinion on that though.

If you're going to the beach to play in waves, Cocoa Beach is a good choice. I would say the same for Daytona Beach. However, as Amity noted, they're not even close to the nicest beaches in Florida. IMHO, the nicest beaches by far are on the Gulf Coast. Although, we go to Cocoa & Daytona for weekend getaways to play in the waves, I don't even consider them among the nicest of the Atlantic Beaches. What they do have going for them is that they're closest to us & to Orlando. If you just want to see the ocean, CB will be fine. You can fulfill that desire & have a fun day at the same time. Just don't leave thinking you've seen Florida's beaches. CB & DB really aren't a good representation. However, they do have sun, sand, & surf, so enjoy.