Good Beach

[twinz]

Were looking to go to a good beach for a day in sept/oct of this year. We were thinking of one that is on the gulf coast, maybe with lots of shells to collect. We are going with three children ages 8,7,6. Also it would be great if it were 1-2 hour drive from Orlando.
Thanks in advance
Laura and Leslie

 

[WDWfan uk]

...... the nearest Gulf Coast Beach, which would take you approximately an hour and a half with clear roads would be Clearwater Beach or St Petes. I don't remember finding that many shells there - beaches further down the coast e.g. Sarasota have some great shells, but the sand is wonderful, the sea is calm and suitable for children.

 

[Bonnie40]

Can't say enough good things about Venice Beach. It's just south of Sarasota and they are famous for fossilized shark's teeth that wash up on the shore. Quiet, upscale area with some shops. The public beach is easy to find and parking is free. Nice little lunch spot on the beach. I don't know anyone who has gone there and not loved it! Your kids will have a ball! If you want a nice treat, go for dinner at Sharkey's. Ask and you can get directions. It's a nice restaurant on the pier. Sunsets are amazing and it's a fun place to go. Venice Beach is always the highlight of our vacation!

Bonnie

 

[TiggerT]

We stayed in Clearwater in June. We stayed at Best Western Sea Wake. This is on the beach on an inlet into the bay, not actually on the Gulf, and not in the bay. The water was even calmer then the Gulf, which was visible - about a quarter mile away. There were a lot of shells on the hotel beach and the water was crystal clear. Also the kids were catching crabs and DH caught a tiny little Hermit Crab - the water was very clear. When we went up to the public beach around the corner - on the Gulf, the waves were a little bigger, but I did notice very few shells. We also could see dolphins in front of the hotel and had a pod of 8-10 manatees swim right up to DH - someone said they never see manatees in that area - so it was a special treat. There is also a Holiday Inn next door to the Best Western, all on the same beach.
Pier 60 in Clearwater - which is where the public beach is - has a great playground, and every evening they have artisans set up with stuff to sell, kind of like a little fair every night.
There are many boat rides offered at clearwater harbor, and if you want to do more serious shelling some of them went on shelling excursions.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

We just returned from St Pete Beach and the Don Cesar resort last week. The beach is gorgeous there, clear water and plenty of shells for my DS and DD! The Don Cesar resort channel said it was 1 1/2 hours from WDW. We did not combine Disney on this trip, but others said that was about right.

 

[twinz]

If you do not stay at these hotels can you still use "their" beach area? We will be doing this as a day trip. Thanks for all the great ideas...