Closest/nicest beach to Orlando

[HayGan]

DH and I are thinking of taking the kids to the beach one afternoon during our December vacation. I know it probably won't be warm enough to swim but we would still like to take them to play in the sand.

What is the closest nice beach to Orlando? How long is the drive (realistically) on a Monday afternoon (not rush hour?) I did a search for beaches here but I really couldn't find an answer!

Thanks!

 

[Magalex]

I noticed your question first then I noticed your location. I just had to response to say "Hi" from another Diser in Steeler country. Recently I have concluded if my 4 1/2 yr old will see the beach it will be during a trip to Orlando. Living in Pittsburgh doesn't give any good options to see the ocean/beach I have found out during recent searches. I have looked for any possible family friendly beach vacation on the east coast (6-8 hour trip from Pittsburgh). The New Jersey or the Maryland areas are not getting any positive reviews describing friendly atmosphere. I have even said to my DS will CBR be OK as the beach He saw pics and he said Cool
I think Waterpark vacations have become more popular in this area then a beach vacation. So I hope your question will be answered because I am interested too.

Magalex
POP 4/22-4/30/2005

 

[HayGan]

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a great family place within 10 hours of Pittsburgh! It is our favorite non-Disney vacation. The drive really isn't that bad!

There are lots of DISers from the 'Burgh here!

Here we go STEELERS - here we go!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lvdsny]

We love to go to the National Shore Lines Beach - it is over by Cape Canaveral. Very nice clean beach. It is approx. 1 hour drive from Kissimmee.
If you do a google under - canaveral national seashore - you can see all the things they offer such as boating, fishing, swimming, etc.

Mary

 

[mickeymousefan]

We have been to Siesta Key and it is a beautiful beach. According to the web site below, it is 132 miles from Orlando, near Sarasota.


http://www.siestakeychamber.com/

I live in southern New Jersey, and grew up vacationing at the Jersey Shore. The water and the beaches are not as nice as Fla beaches, but there are some really nice beaches. Sandy Hook for example, has a nice beach as does Island Beach State Park. Seaside Heights and Wildwood attract the rowdier crowds and seem less "family friendly".

 

[courage]

The Atlantic (Cocoa) is very pretty because the waves are bigger but the sand is not as nice as the gulf (Clearwater Beach) It is white and fluffy.
Cocoa is easier to get to because you don't have to go through Tampa traffic.
I perfer Clearwater for swimming because you never know about the underto on the atlantic....could be great - could be deadly!
If you just want to play in the sand - make a dinner reservation at the Polynesian then go down to the beach and wait for the fireworks!
If it is cold don't go to the beach - this past December the wind would have been wicked at the beach on certain days
I live 5 minutes from the Atlantic so of course, I love the gulf on the other side because it is more consistent and I am too old to surf!
You always have to check the weather and the tides before you go to the Atlantic.

 

[riu girl]

We spent a week 12/04 in the Daytona Beach area and it was nice. But I do prefer a nice fine white sand and beaches there have won awards for the finest,softest sand and Siesta Key public beach has been named the best family beach by FLAUSA. I can hardly wait to see this beach.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'd vote for something over at Canaveral as the easist for you to get too. Get up to what used to be called the Bee Line Expressway and shoot east.

When you get close you can slide a little north and do the national park thing, or slide south and do the Cocoa Beach thing which has Ron Jon's and all the associated tourist traps...but very nice beaches too...

I lived in Cocoa for a few years....nice place

Sarasota certainly has nice beaches too, but they are a bit farther away, you'd need to go thru or close to Tampa which is usually a bear and the beaches are a bit harder to get to from the highway.

Or you could head to Clearwater which is also nice, but you for sure must go thru Tampa then and don't recommend it if you don't have to. Traffic is usually a pain on the interstates around Tampa/St Pete (I also lived in St Pete for a few years)

I'd recommend Cocoa area/Canaveral

 

[JerJan]

http://www.newsmyrnabeachonline.com/images/nsbmap1.pdf
http://www.newsmyrnabeachonline.com/index.asp

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...ahXX=&2y=US&2a=&2c=New+Smyrna+Beach&2s=FL&2z=

Hi.... I have pasted some links for you for New Smyrna Beach, GREAT family beach and GREAT sand! I used to go there all the time when I lived in Orlando. It's about an 1 1/2 drive from Disnet but well worth the trip!