traveling with five 15 year old boys

[stevepete]

We're taking our DS and 4 of his friends to Disney the end of July. We want to take them to the beach one day and can't decide between Daytona and Clearwater. We keep going back and forth between the two for different reasons. Which would you go to and why? Thanks!

 

[bluwater]

I would always, always, always go to the Emerald coast - Clearwater. Get them a couple of snorkel masks. Caladesi Island - blue water - whitest sand - is wonderful and can be explored for a day. You take a little ferry over (there are no bridges) - you can rent chairs and umbrellas - take a picnic lunch or buy from the concession. Personally, I owuld never have interest in the Atlantic coast..the water is rough and dark.

 

[RabFlmom]

Neither.....I would bring 15 year olds to Cocoa Beach. Rent some boogie or surf boards and let them experience some waves together.

When they tire out.......usually takes my nieces and nephews at least 6-8 hours on the beach for this to happen, head to Ron Jons. My nephew brings the youth group from his church in Indiana to volunteer in South Florida and they always request a night in CB so they can hit Ron Jons before heading home.

 

[Detailor]

We're taking our DS and 4 of his friends to Disney the end of July. We want to take them to the beach one day and can't decide between Daytona and Clearwater. We keep going back and forth between the two for different reasons. Which would you go to and why? Thanks!

So, since you're from New Hampshire you can probably get to the Atlantic fairly easily up in New England. The Atlantic side in Florida has more sand and fewer big rocks than up north but it's still (relatively) cold and has that common Atlantic wave action. I'm with bluwater on this - go to the Gulf Coast and experience something entirely different. My preference is for Fort De Soto Park Beach (I think there are actually two different beaches there) further down the peninsula in St. Petersburg but most of those Gulf side beaches are pretty nice.

Dick Taylor

 

[connie1042]

I second Cocoa Beach. Lots of food places, waves and Ron Jon's. Our kids love it. We thought Daytona was dirty and rough looking. Never been to Clearwater, but that always get great reviews. But I really think 15 yr. old boys would rather have the waves and Ron Jon's.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Last summer, my then 17 year old DS loved Cocoa Beach. Ron Jon's, as the PP's mentioned, was a huge hit (as was the beach).

 

[Rose23]

Another vote for Clearwater. We are taking a day trip from Disney and going there in the Fall. Don't forget to SeeWinter.com, the dolphin from the DolphinTale movie.

 

[HopperFan]

Depends on what they like to do.

If they want waves and renting boogie boards or body surfing, you pick the Atlantic and I agree Cocoa Beach. If you want relaxed blue water, snorkeling and chill then I would go to Clearwater. If you pick Clearwater do your homework, public beaches are not all over the place, parking more limited so have a plan in place so you don't waste time. Spent a week there with hotel on the bay, the beach days were a challenge.