Must see beach with budget hotel in Florida?

[runsandjumps]

What little I know about Florida is all pretty much disney related. This is our first trip there and it will be just DH and myself.

I am saving WDW for time with the kids. I want to do Universal Studios and HP for 2-3 days and the rest beach time. Problem is, I have no clue which hotel to choose or what other city to go to for the beach. I am trying to do this and remain under 2k for less than a week. I am looking for general areas - Miami or .....? We will rent a car while there. I have already checked on flights and they will cost around $450 for nonstop. So I need help because I am looking for around the first week in March. I'm so lost and would appreciate some non disney advice.

We love snorkeling and a stretch of sand to relax. I'm not interested in a party scene either. Please help.

 

[robinb]

I really like the Gulf beaches better than the Atlantic beaches. The sand is nicer. We don't snorkel in Florida, but my DD and DH have been diving out of the Tampa area. I really like Clearwater beach and those tiny beaches all up and down the coast near there. We've stayed at the Hyatt and the Hilton on Clearwater Beach. I enjoyed them both.

If you go near the Tampa area you can also look into snorkeling with the Manatees. I did it in December and my BIL did it in August.

ETA, if you really want to snorkel, I think you need to go all the way down to the Keys.

 

[David Brent]

Siesta Key was voted best beach in the US in 2012. My wife and I went there for our 2nd anniversary last year and the beach didn't disappoint.

 

[tina.tina]

Some people (especially from the north) have no problem swimming in cooler water but I would be concerned about water temperatures in early March. The water at Daytona Beach was too cold for me the second week of April. I think the gulf side is warmer than that. Farther south will be better, too. I saw on another thread from a Miami local that the water there was in the mid-70's in the winter.

 

[Darcy03231]

We like Vero Beach (Disney even has a resort there) and stay here:

http://www.vacationrentals.com/listing/p7025885

The whole family loves it!

 

[runsandjumps]

We like Vero Beach (Disney even has a resort there) and stay here: http://www.vacationrentals.com/listing/p7025885 The whole family loves it!

Oh my goodness- the proximity to the beach is amazing! It is a bit much for just us, but something just like it would be grand.

Thanks

 

[SplashMo]

I really like Clearwater Beach

 

[candacewi5]

Another vote for Siesta Key! It is an amazing experience. The sand is white, feels like powdered sugar because it is so fine, and never feels hot. It is on the gulf side and has been rated as the #1 US beach many, many times.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We spent a week at the hilton marco island after we left disney in November. It was beautiful and the service was top notch.

 

[Original Amber]

My other son has never been on vacation and he wants to go to a beach. Where is the closest public beach? He's not a big swimmer, so it doesn't have to be that kind of a beach. No, he doesn't understand that lakes and rivers can have beaches, since I know he's been to the local lake beach.

 

[Darcy03231]

My other son has never been on vacation and he wants to go to a beach. Where is the closest public beach? He's not a big swimmer, so it doesn't have to be that kind of a beach. No, he doesn't understand that lakes and rivers can have beaches, since I know he's been to the local lake beach.

From Disney? I would say on the gulf side Clearwater and on the Atlantic Side I would go to Daytona.

 

[robinb]

My other son has never been on vacation and he wants to go to a beach. Where is the closest public beach? He's not a big swimmer, so it doesn't have to be that kind of a beach. No, he doesn't understand that lakes and rivers can have beaches, since I know he's been to the local lake beach.

Orlando is in the middle of the state so the east coast on the ocean is just as close as the west coast and the gulf. If you've never seen an ocean, I would go east but I am personally not familiar with those beaches. Disney has a resort at Vero Beach that you can visit and use the beach but you won't be able to use the pool.

 

[Minnesota!]

We are spending a few nights on the gulf side in August. We got the Doubletree in North Redington Beach for under $100/night...and it is waterfront.

Super excited! Looks like a beautiful area with lots to do....

 

[lauradis]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Vacation...ivate_Gulf_Beach-Treasure_Island_Florida.html

Treasure Island is about 2/3 hr away from Disney. Its more of a touristy area. The beaches are fine, not the wow of Keys.

Very many options for budget places to stay. I would look into condo/ house rentals right on the beach with full kitchen that way you can skip the expense of eating out for every meal.

 

[lauradis]

My other son has never been on vacation and he wants to go to a beach. Where is the closest public beach? He's not a big swimmer, so it doesn't have to be that kind of a beach. No, he doesn't understand that lakes and rivers can have beaches, since I know he's been to the local lake beach.

That's a lake not a beach.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_sand_key.htm

https://www.google.com/maps/place/S...ata=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x8f648bb74f7758ec

Sand key park is one of my favorites. I think they still charge for parking and tolls to get there.

 

[robinb]

Another advantage of going to Clearwater is you can visit the Dolphins Winter and Hope at the Clearwater aquarium.

 

[GEM]

We just spent five nights at the Palm Court Motel in Dunedin. It's literally three minutes from Honeymoon Island State Park beach, consistently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the US. The Palm Court is a very cute, clean, and comfy old-school-Florida type motel. It's adorable....and very inexpensive. Great reviews on Trip Advisor. I felt totally safe there, just my 11 year old son and I. It's also maybe 15 minutes to Clearwater Beach, which has lots of fun activities. We did Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise, saw Winter and Hope (Dolphin Tale dolphis) at the aquarium, visited the Dali Museum, spent an afternoon at Tarpon Springs, and lots of other fun stuff. Loved it!

http://www.palmcourtmoteldunedin.com