Nearby Beaches - Cocoa or Clearwater?

[deej696]

We always have our own food so I've never gotten food at the snack bar, but I dont think it serves stuff other than just, well, snacks Its a window next to the ranger office if I remember correctly. Its not a far walk from the beach, and the restrooms and showers are actually in between the ranger building and the beach.

 

[BellaBaby]

Thanks! Maybe we'll bring a small cooler....

 

[scooby9932]

We normall drive over to Cocoa for the day from WDW. I am also interested in Clearwater ...

How far a drive from WDW?
Is there more than 1 beach or just 1 "Clearwater Beach"
Details please!

I've not yet been there, but I've been doing research like a good DIS'er.

From what I can tell on google maps, it's about 1.5 hours from Disney, depending on traffic through Tampa, of course.

There are a string of beach communities, starting with Clearwater and going south to St. Pete's Beach. Each has it's own "personality" from what I've read. Depending on what you're looking for (quiet, secluded beaches vs. party town areas), you should find something to your liking.

There's a lot of good information out there on the web on the Clearwater Beach area. Here are two links that will give you an idea of the area:
Clearwater Beach.com
Florida Beaches

If you're interested, be sure to fill out the form to get the visitor's guide. I got mine in the mail last week & it's a great resource for hotels, activities, restaurants, etc.

 

[Mcbruns]

How far is Clearwater from Disney? Is there a main hwy to jump on to take you straight there?

Sorry to hijack the thread!!

Thanks - I was getting ready to ask the same question.

 

[jmpellet]

We are staying in Clearwater next month and had spent one day there last July - it was awesome. It was so calm and the water was so warm. There were dolphins coming close to the shore and everything!

 

[stardebby]

We're coming early May, how's the water then? We usually do Cocoa too, but want to try something different. An hour and a half sounds fine.

Caladesi sounds cool, how much is the ferry and how long does it take to get over to the island on it? Also, what hours does it run? Any info would be appreciated!!

The water should be great by May. I think the ferry is 10.00 per person. It takes about 15 min. and you can only stay for 4 hours. the first ferry leaves at 9:30am then every 30 min after that. Hope this helps .

 

[BellaBaby]

The water should be great by May. I think the ferry is 10.00 per person. It takes about 15 min. and you can only stay for 4 hours. the first ferry leaves at 9:30am then every 30 min after that. Hope this helps .

Great info!! Thanks!!

 

[disneymom3]

For those of you interested in the bigger waves on the Atlantic side, we went in Feb to Melbourne and I have to say that after YEARS of going to Cocoa from WDW, I will never go again. Melbourne, is a little further but I cannot tell you how much nicer it is. I have always felt you had to be a little careful of exactly where you ended up in Cocoa and felt so drawn to Melbourne.

I grew up in CA so without the waves, it's not a beach.

 

[MarthaJr.]

For you research junkies.........try this one! www.beachdirectory.com

 

[DSLRuser]

We just got back last night. monday were went to Sarasota, with the thoughts of going to siesta ket beach. It was on travel channel as the #2 beach in florida.

So we left @ 9:30am and arrived at the beach by 11:30. problem was, at 11:30 there was no parking anywhere within 3 miles of the beach. we drove around for about an hour and still had no luck.

I had a back up plan. My 2nd choice was Lida Beach just a few miles north. We drove the 15mins to that bech, and after a 10 min search for parking, we got a spot. Unloaded the kids and beach stuff, for a nice 6 hour stay on the beach.

The beach at Lida was clean, water was clear, was not too crowded. We had a nice time.

about 6:00 or so we made the 2 hour drive back to disney.

I can recomend Lido beach for a great family time.

 

[ckdsnynt]

We were at Clearwater a few years ago in August and it was great! The water was so clear we could still see our fgeet and we were in up to our waist! We stopped at a store, picked up a styrofoam cooler, some cokes and lunch meat and ate right on the beach. Be warned tho, that the sea gulls are attack gulls! Do not hold you sandwiches where they can see them because they will swarm down and take them away from you! Birds scare me to death so I willingly gave mine up without a fight

 

[cathy_s]

We normall drive over to Cocoa for the day from WDW. I am also interested in Clearwater ...

How far a drive from WDW?
Is there more than 1 beach or just 1 "Clearwater Beach"
Details please!

Depending upon traffic the drive can be an hour and a half to over 2 hours. There are times it has taken longer from Tampa to my house than it takes from WDW to Tampa.

To get from WDW take I-4 west to 275. The most direct route (although there is some construction) is to take the exit for hwy 60....same exit as for the airport....and just stay on the road. There's a nice drive across Tampa Bay and sometimes you might even be able to see a dolphin or two. The road does split when you get close to the beach but both end up taking you to the same place-one just happens to go through "downtown" Clearwater.

If you want the touristy gift shop type of beach you want the main beach. There is a smaller beach-north beach-that is closer to the residential area of Clw Beach but parking is harder to find. My favorite beach is Sand Key. It is south of the main Clw Beach area and is NOT touristy. It's a county park. You do still have to pay for parking but there is plenty of parking. There are no snack bars, restaurants etc. but there are showers and changing rooms. It's a lot like you'd find at a campground. Very basic but privacy. The main beach has nothing like this....only outdoor showers at the edge of the parking lot.

IMO the best restaurant on the beach is Salt Water Cafe.

I'll be happy to answer any other questions if anyone has them.

 

[srwarden1928]

From someone who has been doing Florida beach vacations for more than 40 years (I started at about age 2) my absolute favorite is St. Pete Beach. It is south of Clearwater. I highly recommend the Plaza Beach Hotel for its reasonable price and outstanding location.

 

[MarthaJr.]

I agree with PP--we love St. Pete Beach. We found it about 10 years ago and have been back every year. It is just the right combination of soft, white sand, lovely warm water, hotels, motels, restaurants and gift shops--and not too touristy. We always add a few beach days on to our Disney trips!

 

[Poohbear5]

Anyone here been to Fort Desoto beach?
Map quest says 2 hours from WDW.
Mr Beach had it on his list a few years back. We've never been to any FL Beach so we're hoping it looks as nice as the photos. Hope it's worth the drive.

 

[mla973]

Thanks for all of the info. We, too, are looking to take a day trip to a beach from WDW. I have been to Cocoa Beach, so I could drive there easily, but I have never really been impressed.

We are going mid-April, so it may not be warm enough to swim, but we'd like to walk the beach and do some shopping in the downtown areas. It sounds like Clearwater might be it for us. Thanks to all for the links!

 

[v.t.]

The information so far has been great. Now I am even more confused! We are planning on driving down from Texas. The boys (9,9,and 7) want to go to the Space Center, but the gulf side sounds so nice... would we be crazy to cross the state? I am driving down with the kids and my parents early, then picking DH up at the airport on Saturday, before Tuesday's trip to Disney. Should we do both? And if so, can anyone recommend an affordable place to stay that can accomdate 6 people (near the space center) and 7 people on the gulf side.
Thanks, you guys are great!