Inexpensive FL beach vacation in the summer???

[FQLover]

Can you fly into Tampa? That is about a 75 minute drive then down to Siesta Key (rated Best Beach in the U.S. a couple of different recent years).

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

From BWI the inexpensive flights are Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Tampa and others are double the price.

 

[FQLover]

Okay, got it. I just Googled and the driving distance from Orlando to Siesta Key is 2 hours, 10 minutes ,and from Fort Lauderdale, it is 3 hours, 4 minutes. Both fit your needs then if you do find an affordable nice place there. The water is turquoise and the sand is cool to the feet and powdery white. Amazing for this Northerner to see.

 

[NinaBella]

Allegiant Airlines out of St Pete is a budget Airline. I don’t find SouthWest prices for TPA or MCO very different. I have Tampa friends who say they get cheaper prices out of MCO and I am like... but the drive doesn’t make it worth the savings (if you live with half an hour of TPA).

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Allegiant only flies to like 5 places from BWI. One is Fort Walton Beacg but they only fly there 2 times per week. Gosh, if your flight is canceled do you have to wait until they fly out of there again several days later? Weird.

For us it is all about finding inexpensive nonstop flights out of BWI. I am looking at Vegas and Florida and the flights into MCO and Fort Lauderdale are definitely the least expensive. Southwest has the best prices. We won't fly Spirit.

 

[Dakota731]

We rented a nice condo on Sanibel through VRBO and it was very reasonable in July.

 

[monorailsilver]

My sister lives in Ft. Myers so for the past 5 April’s (soon to be 6) we have gone for 10days.

I have always loved the Gulf side, I feel like it’s more homey, granted some of the Naples/Marco Island, etc... areas are extravagant! But generally I feel it is laid back with all the retirees!

I can’t help with hotels since we stay at her house and drive to the beaches in the area. Sanibel has some places I would think of staying at but I have never looked into them. The island is laid back and shouldn’t be crazy like it is up until Easter....or at least I hope this Easter as we go after. We finally rented bikes/used my sisters and rented a surrey (never again, I will sit on the beach with my mother). It’s nice and flat and easy to ride but again not in a surrey. I am not overly fond of the Sanibel beaches to spend the day there, I do like the public beach in captiva but you have to go early to get one of the coveted parking. Spots.

We generally have been going south to the beaches in Bonita and Naples but we *love* Manasota Key beach for its free parking and sharks tooth hunting (yes there are tons). My kids are tired of the beach but they love going there. So I would also look into Sarasota/englewood/Venice for places to stay. You can either fly into tampa for Ft. Myers.

Free/cheap: there is always a mini golf course, a pier where there are fisherman catching stuff you don’t want to know you are swimming with (um, 2 baby sharks), shells galore.

I honestly think the water is much bluer north of Ft. Myers/Sanibel and the inlet/river that feeds into the gulf. It is also a hit or miss depending on the rain and tides.

 

[NinaBella]

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[iluveeyore]

Too bad you didn't like the East coast - we stayed in St. Augustine in the Crescent Beach area last year and loved it - July rates run from $99/night to @ $150 per night for most condos. We had a pool, were right on the beach to watch the sunrise, could watch the sunset over the intercoastal waterway behind the property, and were a 10 minute drive to all the fun things to do in St. Augustine. We also did a kayak trip I got on Groupon for $15 for two that was amazing. But I understand the draw to the Gulf Coast as well. Enjoy whatever you find FYI, St. Augustine is about a 60 minute drive from Orlando. Happy planning!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Also looking at gulf side in the Panhandle.
Condos are a solid $500 more than we paid a few years ago in the PCB area.
We want June 9-16, but can move a week either direction.
Just not finding much that is affordable this year, we may pay the extra, we may find a different destination.

 

[bearzabout]

Have you considered Airbnb? Rates for a room in a house start at $40/night. One 3 bedroom house on Longboat Key is $89/night plus cleaning and 13% Airbnb fees.

Make sure to read reviews and ask questions before booking anything.

 

[Sleepy425]

It isn't on the gulf side, but we are going to Amelia Island next year in May. We found a small motel (Surf Beach Motel) across from the beach for $328 for 4 nights. It is a one bedroom suite with mini kitchen and gets good reviews on travel sites. My mom went to Amelia Island with her friends last year and said it was very nice and relaxing.

 

[katie111]

Anna Maria Island seems to have lots of listings in the $150ish range when input in a random July week. Most have a short walk to the beach. Beaches there are beautiful and I think it would meet all of your criteria. It's about a 3 hour drive from Orlando.