Easiest beach to get to

[Ladygoldenhair]

Cocoa? Tampa or other? Seems like big waves when we were at Cocoa Beach in May.

 

[goofy4tink]

Cocoa Beach is about an hour east of WDW. Tampa is about 80 mins, and that's just Tampa proper, add another 20 mins on for the beaches.
I would go to Cocoa if you're looking for surf. The beaches on the Gulf side tend to be very mellow, with little surf.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do Cocoa.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Thanks, Tampa is too far. I could always just spend pool time. Are there any other options when staying on site?

 

[nacho113]

Our fave is Daytona Beach on the Atlantic side and second choice would be Clearwater beach on the Gulf side (approx 90 minutes either way).

South Beach in Miami is VERY nice but quite a jaunt for a day trip (approx 4 hours)

 

[momofEAP]

Our fave is Daytona Beach on the Atlantic side and second choice would be Clearwater beach on the Gulf side (approx 90 minutes either way).

South Beach in Miami is VERY nice but quite a jaunt for a day trip (approx 4 hours)

We are going to be taking a little side trip to see Winter, from Dolphin's Tale, in Clearwater. Which area would you recommend beach wise?

 

[nacho113]

We are going to be taking a little side trip to see Winter, from Dolphin's Tale, in Clearwater. Which area would you recommend beach wise?

There are miles of nice beaches from St Pete's Beach all the way up through Treasure Island, Madera Beach, Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach to Clearwater Beach.
Clearwater Beach is our favourite, has a nice pier, nice shops and restaurants and the sunsets are awesome.
We have stayed on Treasure Island and Indian Rocks beach both are nice (and have the same great sunsets), just prefer the "action" around Clearwater Beach.

Clearwater Beach is only 2 or 3 miles away from the aquarium, just across the Causeway.
Directions here: https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...NyF3vDCiDGSjtQzSg6F-A&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&t=m&z=15

 

[lovelyvacations]

We are going to be taking a little side trip to see Winter, from Dolphin's Tale, in Clearwater. Which area would you recommend beach wise?

Just wanted to tell you about our experience last year. We did 3 days at Clearwater beach (stayed at Hilton Clearwater, wow!) Walked to Clearwater aquarium to see Winter (daughter loved it). Then drove to Disney for 5 more days. Took about 2 hours, if I remember correctly. Very easy drive. Might want to consider this. The split trip was so fun. Rented a car at Tampa airport and returned to Orlando airport. I know this doesn't really answer your question , not wanted to just tell u about our experience, in case you wanted some info. Have a great trip!

 

[panda8899]

If you are going to Clearwater aquarium anyway the Clearwater beach is right there. I mean like within walking distance. My mom used to live about half a mile from the aquarium and it was about a mile from her place to Clearwater beach.

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

Cocoa Beach and New Smyrna Beach.

 

[Capt_BJ]

big surf at Cocoa usually only happens when there is a storm off shore ... otherwise a foot is average . . .

here's a cam at the pier, check it for a few days and see for yourself

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=cams02

also the is the NOAA weather buoy off Cape Canaveral http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41113

you can see what the waves are doing here too:

current conditions

Wave Height (WVHT): 1.3 ft
Dominant Wave Period (DPD): 9 sec
Water Temperature (WTMP): 83.3 °F

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Found a beach! We are splitting a stay with CBR. Hope that gives us the flavor of the Caribbean.

 

[Lewisc]

You won't be far from Blizzard Beach. Has decent waves.

 

[ParrotBill]

Our favorite beach(es) are a bit north of Clearwater by Dunedin. Honeymoon Beach State Park and adjacent Caledesi State Park which is reached only by a ferry (pontoon boat ferry).

On our trip week before last we spend a day at Honeymoon and also a day renting a pontoon boat to visit two other barrier islands - 3 Rooker and Anclote South Sandbar.

Anyone wanting more info on this can ask here or PM me.