nice beach close to orlando?

[dreams91]

I am wanting to go to a beach in Florida while we are down there for our honeymoon & Wedding. Any thoughts on a beach that is close, but is still nice post-hurricanes?

Thanks!!

 

[aprilgail2]

St Petersburg Beach is nice but about 1 and a half hours from Disney.....Orlando is in the middle of the state so any beach you go to is going to be a drive I think.

 

[dreams91]

Okay, 1 1/2 hours isn't too bad....as long as I get to see a nice beach. Over here, our weather is always cold and the beach isn't so nice when it is really cold outside.

Any other suggestions?

 

[ADisneygirl]

I live on the west coast of Florida, and you could drive over here and go to Clearwater Beach. It is a beautiful beach. But I suggest that you go to the other side of Florida. It will be a shorter ride from Orlando (by about 1/2 hour). I have been to New Smyrna Beach. That is the closest from Orlando. If you drive a little more on the Beeline you could be at Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach and see the Disney cruiseline and maybe watch a rocket launch from the beach!

We are from New York and love the Atlantic ocean, so we prefer the beaches on the east coast. You get some big crashing waves over there. At Clearwater beach you will see very small, lapping waves along the shore and you might be able to see through the water to your feet. That's pretty neat, but we prefer not to know what is under there! We like the ocean to be moving!

 

[yourtravelpro]

Originally posted by dreams91
Okay, 1 1/2 hours isn't too bad....as long as I get to see a nice beach. Over here, our weather is always cold and the beach isn't so nice when it is really cold outside.

Any other suggestions?

Hi dreams91...where in WA do you live?

 

[ducklite]

I would head towards the Gulf. Tampa and North got less torn up than the Atlantic side.

Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater, Indian Rocks are all very nice. Further North, Fort Island Gulf Beach is also nice.

THe temperatures are starting to cool down a bit, and the Gulf coast is generally less breezy and the water is warmer.

Anne

 

[floridafam]

I also vote for heading toward the Gulf. The beaches and water tend to be very calm.

Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Indian Rocks Beach are all nice.

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi State Park are also nice.

Have fun.

Are you going for the day or staying overnight? We just returned from a weekend at Sand Key. We usually stay at the Sheraton but stayed at the Marriott this time. Wonderful hotel!

 

[snoopy]

Love the gulf coast beaches like St. Pete and Clearwater. Particularly if you have little ones or kids who aren't strong swimmers, the water is very calm.

 

[JimB.]

After the storms of september, the East Coast beaches are in not-the-best shape.

I would head to the west coast for that reason.

We have had severe erosion up here, I can't imagine what shape the beaches are down in central east Florida.

Check out www.FloridaToday.com

That's the local Brevard County paper. You can probably get some fairly accurate info there...

 

[disneyworld!]

I was at Cearwater in May!! I love the beaches in the Gulf coast!
we stayed at http://www.shephards.com/default.asp

then I drove to Daytona Beach and then Orlando.
from Clearwater it took about 2 hours, seems to be alot of construction on I4. so drive early!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am interested in Siesta Key, (on the Gulf... I MUCH prefer the Gulf beaches!!!)

Anybody been there? That white sand looks awesome! I would love any tips or info.

TIA

 

[dreams91]

yourtravelpro--I am real close to Vancouver, WA.

Treasure Island...that sounds fun. I've ehard alot about clearwater. I might have to do some research on that. Which side is the side that is "warmer" and you can "see the fish?" I think that would be cool.

 

[yourtravelpro]

Originally posted by dreams91
yourtravelpro--I am real close to Vancouver, WA.

I live about 10 minutes outside of Seattle. I've been to Vancouver many times on my way to my mother-in- law's place in Portland.