is Daytona closest beach to Orlando?

[newholidayx2]

or is there another?

 

[kadesha]

I'm not sure, but the drive from Daytona isn't too bad. (Although I HATE I-4!!!!!!!!!) Daytona is a great beach to visit, we like to stay there for a few days and then head to Disney for a few days.

 

[dioxide45]

I think Cocoa Beach would be closer.

 

[Jason71]

Cocoa's a bit closer (especially to WDW); Daytona's the more touristy, tho.

 

[SRRN]

We've Been To Both.cocoa Beach Is Very Nice,very Quiet When We Went In December. Personally I Love Daytona Beach,more Shopping,great Places To Eat,lots To Do And Imho,a Better Beach.

 

[snickerboo]

Cocoa Beach is better but Daytona is nicer. If you are able to drive down towards Ponce Inlet (about 15 minutes) from the main Dayton Beach strip, you will find a lot of undeveloped beachfront which is amazing. There's also a Marine Science Center there with rescued sea turtles and a lighthouse (both at Ponce Inlet).

 

[deej696]

Cocoa is the closest as its just a straight shot down the Bee line. If you want a nicer beach thats not as touristy though, its probably worth the extra 30 minutes or so to go to the gulf side. Honeymoon/Caladesi Island in particular is an awesome beach. Clearwater is also nice and easier to get to than Honeymoon.

 

[kilee]

We've done both Daytona and the Gulf side. I think it depends on what you're looking for exactly. If it's peace and quiet, I'd head to the gulf. If it's to see the ocean and such, head to Daytona. We can make it from WDW to Daytona in just under an hour.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Be sure to pay attention to the time of year you may be visiting Daytona Beach.

Run for the Sun (bike week) spring break time, special events, races all increase the population of Daytona Beach exponentially and can really interfere in your enjoyment of the place.

Cocoa Beach is our personal favorite. We go because we like the beach, not the surrounding area. Plus, it has the very best seafood place on the east coast of Florida, Maine'ly Lobster. It's essentially a take out (but there is some limited outdoor seating) place that offers the freshest seafood going.

 

[onelugnut]

go for cocoa,
its about the same time, but a much nicer beach
the strip is run down as o many touristy type beach areas,
but the beach is awesome

 

[KatMark]

We spent four days in Daytona last month after our days at Disney. We hadn't been to Daytona in probably 16 years. We had a good time, but I was shocked how many of the hotels are gone or boarded up after the hurricane. It's not the same town that I remember from years ago, but we still had a really good time. There are some great restaurants around Daytona--Aunt Catfish, Inlet Harbor, etc. I want to say it took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there.

 

[thepwa]

Cocoa is about 45 minutes. Maybe less.

Clearwater is an hour and a half, but a nicer place to go.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

When I lived in Orlando we always went to New Smyrna Beach - not touristy at all and a nice quiet beach (or at least it was then!).

It is closer than Daytona or Cocoa IMO. Just head up I-4 and take the New Smyrna exit (just North of Deland exit).

 

[Jason71]

Be sure to pay attention to the time of year you may be visiting Daytona Beach.

Run for the Sun (bike week) spring break time, special events, races all increase the population of Daytona Beach exponentially and can really interfere in your enjoyment of the place.

An excellent point, worth reiterating. Spring Break isn't the scene it once was, but Race Weeks (around Valentines Day and Fourth of July), Bike Weeks (somewhere in March and October), BCR (March or April) and the Turkey Rod Run (Thanksgiving) all slam the city to varying degrees.

I want to say it took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there.

That's a bit long, tho maybe to get all the way down to Inlet Habor. Barring traffic, you should be able to get from WDW to the actual beach at Daytona in about an hour and 15. Figure 45 to an hour to reach Cocoa.