Cocoa Beach Pier vs Clearwater Beach

[aubriee]

My husband wants to do a partial day at a beach during our Dec 6th-16th trip. It would probably be on Sunday Dec 15th. We would have my 80 y/o mom with us. Which would be better for us, Cocoa Beach Pier, Clearwater Beach, or some other beach (but no more than 1 1/2 hours from WDW though, as my mom hates to ride in a car and her knees get stiff if riding for a long time)? She will have an ECV, but can walk some, just not long distances. She and I would probably shop, while he braves the ocean.

 

[Art 1]

Clearwater easily out of the two, but if it were me I would drive a little longer and hit the Sarasota area beaches, much nicer.

Cocoa is way over rated.

 

[PJBeans]

I agree with Art1 - The Sarasota beaches (especially Siesta Key) are well worth travelling a little further to. Also, check out Yoder's Amish restaurant in Sarasota if you get that far.

 

[QueenQuad]

We're traveling to DW in March and are planning on an ocean day and we too are trying to figure out which beach to go to (Cocoa or Clearwater). The distance to each is pretty similar but which would have less traffic issues?

 

[Pickleball]

We're traveling to DW in March and are planning on an ocean day and we too are trying to figure out which beach to go to (Cocoa or Clearwater). The distance to each is pretty similar but which would have less traffic issues?

Cocoa Beach is the easiest to get to and a lot less traffic but you do have to pay tolls.

 

[AJPPGH]

We stayed at cocoa beach right next to the pier before our Disney cruise last year....not a very nice place. Not very nice beaches either. I would head to one of your other choices

 

[kathy884]

Clearwater Beach is a big wide beach with a lot happening (lots of people and activity) which I personally prefer to a secluded quite beach. The beach has nice soft sand and there is a pier you can go walk out on for a very nominal fee. There are also a bunch of boat that ride out by the various mansions and let you see dolphins who love to ride by the boat that are relatively inexpensive to go out on. It's always our beach of choice for an Orlando day trip, and we think worth the extra drive (longer drive here than to Coco.)

I can't compare this to the Siesta Key beach others have mentioned as I haven't been to those in over 30 years (I know we were in Sarasota when I was in High School on a family Florida trip, but I don't remember anything about the beach.)

I do, though, love Clearwater beach, and it's hard for me to imagine someone not liking it.

 

[QueenQuad]

I'm starting to lean heavily towards Clearwater. I have a friend who went last January and loved it (they were staying with family there, so obvious choice in a beach, closest!). Little more driving for me, but I'm thinking it will be worth it.

 

[NORMA MUNOZ]

We are also going to the World for Spring break but also wanna do a beach day I was thinking of Clearwater.

 

[DanaAustinChelsea]

I'm starting to lean heavily towards Clearwater. I have a friend who went last January and loved it (they were staying with family there, so obvious choice in a beach, closest!). Little more driving for me, but I'm thinking it will be worth it.

I agree I would visit Clearwater, or any beach he Gulf side, over the Atlantic side any day! We visit Honeymoon Island State Park each trip to WDW.

I recently did a post on my blog {with photos} for Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, if that would help Honeymoon Island is about an 1 hour 45 min away from WDW, but worth the drive.

 

[QueenQuad]

Ahhh Honeymoon Island sounds WONDERFUL!!! The pics look great!! I'm definitely looking into that as an option!!

What about a fabulous seafood restaurant? Can you suggest one in that area?? We're in Colorado, so no "real" seafood here

 

[staceyrhood]

Honeymoon Island is great, we go a few times a year. Clearwater is nice also. I've lived in central Florida 13 years, went to Cocoa beach once, that was once too many for me

 

[jpeppers]

Clearwater by far, the beach is beautiful. I really thought Cocoa Beach was very trashy, we went into a Waffle house there and walked out because it was so gross (and I'm not even close to a snobby person) and was kind of put off by the strip joints that were very prevelant plus parking wasn't the easiest to find.

 

[RabFlmom]

I think it depends on what you want to do at the beach. Does your husband want waves? Do you and your mother want to sit on a pier drinking a beer or drink after shopping in the stores and watch surfers surfing. Do you want to pick up lots of shells?

I am thinking since mom is in a chair some of the time, you only want the beach and water for an hour or so. At Cocoa Beach, you also have Ron Jons where you can shop for hours. The port and Disney ship is just miles away. so is Kennedy Space Center or even just Space View park in Titusville so I voted Cocoa Beach. We find the Gulf beaches kind of boring, but we are a surfing family and love to play in the waves.

 

[wiigirl]

Clearwater easily out of the two, but if it were me I would drive a little longer and hit the Sarasota area beaches, much nicer.

Cocoa is way over rated.