Florida Beaches

[candielips]

So how many of you fellow Cdns do a day at the beach while in Florida? If so, which beach is your fav?
We are staying at WDW this Aug for 2 wks, on property, and want to take a day to go to the beach, but we have no clue as to where a good beach is?
We are not looking for a lot of attractions at the beach, just a fun day at the beach for 4 adults and 8 kids. You know, clear water, sandy bottom, big waves.
I am also sharing my 1000th post!

 

[photomama]

Destin Florida has the most beautiful white sandy beaches and emerald green waters. But, it's no where near Disney

 

[Tower]

So how many of you fellow Cdns do a day at the beach while in Florida? If so, which beach is your fav?
We are staying at WDW this!

We've only done 2 beaches within a drive from Orlando. Cocoa Beach near Cape Canaveral was not a good experience, but it was a cold, windy day and that did put a downer on it.
Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast was nice, warmer water but very busy. Unfortunately, the Gulf Coast may not be as attractive if BP doesn't get their act together soon.

 

[who's ur daddy?]

Clearwater is so amazing. About 1hr 45 mins from Kissimmee, so a very doable drive.

We are doing the East coast beaches for a first time in a week. Will let you know how Vero Beach is!

 

[candielips]

Thanks! We were leaning more towards the Gulf. When I look at a map though I see so many other options around Clearwater and it is hard to decide which one.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Clearwater area beaches are gorgeous. We usually go in March and we went to caladesi island. It was like something from a gorgeous post card. I would highly recommend this place. You do pay a couple of fees, BUT it is so worth it.

 

[rjan67]

Cocoa beach is fun with lots to do. We often stay in New Smyrna just north of there.

 

[TaliaB]

People keep telling me to go to Clearwater. The other side of Florida tends to have more shark attacksSo I've been told.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Its an ocean and a sharks natural habitat....trust me I am scared ti death, but if I let everything scare me I would not leave my house ever. Follow simple rules: don't swim at night (its their feeding times); careful of murkey water; don't swim in schools of fish and stay close enough to the shore so that you can ecape quickly.

 

[candielips]

Clearwater area beaches are gorgeous. We usually go in March and we went to caladesi island. It was like something from a gorgeous post card. I would highly recommend this place. You do pay a couple of fees, BUT it is so worth it.

I looked at Caladesi Island and it looks gorgeous and exactly what we are looking for. I do not like that the ferry only allows you to stay for 4 hrs. That would not be enough time.

 

[TLPL]

4 words: Disney's VERO BEACH Resort!

 

[Sue M]

Thanks! We were leaning more towards the Gulf. When I look at a map though I see so many other options around Clearwater and it is hard to decide which one.

If you're looking for waves, you won't find it in Clearwater, have to go to the other side, Atlantic Coast. We have gone to Cocoa Beach. My daughters loved taking surf lessons from Ron Jons Surf School. We usually add a day or 2 before WDW and spend it at either Cocoa Beach or the Gulf Coast-St. Pete Beach.

 

[wtpfan]

We have been on day trips to Cocoa Beach (1 hr) on the East coast and Clearwater (90 min), Siesta Key (2 hrs) and Treasure Island (90 min) on the Gulf side. The nicest was Siesta Key with Clearwater coming second. This past trip in March we wanted to try a different beach around Clearwater and decided on Treasure island...It was great for shell gathering but there were quite a few homeless people there and we ended up leaving earlier than we had expected. We wished we had just gone back to Clearwater. Hope that info helps!

 

[rjan67]

People keep telling me to go to Clearwater. The other side of Florida tends to have more shark attacksSo I've been told.

I've been going to New Smyrna for 33 years (just south of Daytona) and haven't been eaten yet!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would highly recommend trying Clearwater Beach.