What beach...

[kpsteffey]

Is there a nice beach near Orlando that you like to visit?

 

[FLParadisevilla]

I got this information from another homeowner who recommended these beaches. I think their drive times are a bit off.
I have not been, but would love to know what anyone else thinks as well.

Both Clearwater and Daytona are very easy to get to from Orlando. For Clearwater take the I-4 West to Tampa and then Clearwater Beach is clearly signposted and just about 10 minutes further on. (Total journey about 1 hour). About the same distance in the opposite direction I-4 East for Daytona, again clearly signposted. The I-4 goes right to Daytona, you take the main highway straight through the town and come to a T-junction - the sea is in front of you with access to the beach in your car. (Don't even need a 4-wheel drive)!
Both are worth a trip -lovely beaches - St Pete's is just past Clearwater and this year won an award for the best beach in Florida!

 

[lady_hlh]

We just went to St. Petes beach last weekend for a short trip and it was very nice. My DH is already considering going there for a longer visit in the future.

 

[DianeV]

We have been to both sides and prefer the Gulf side..

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Cocoa Beach is clean and quiet and a straight drive on 528 east (the Beachline).

There is a GREAT take out lobster shack there too, Mainely Lobster. They'll cook it for you. Snacking on lobster on the beach, anyone? It's terrific!

 

[Silverraindrop84]

I live in FL and I prefer the gulf side especially the Sarasota area. But the east coast beaches are much more closer to Orlando, I like Melbourne it's not as busy as Cocoa and Daytona.

 

[f7prez]

West Coast Beaches are the best but twice as far as the East Coast from Orlando/Lake Buena Vista. Clearwater Beach is almost 2 hours away and Cocoa Beach is about 1 hour away. Both are very easy to get to. Being directly on the Atlantic Ocean, Cocoa beach has better surf (bigger waves), Clearwater is on the Gulf of Mexico and has very calm water and a more tropical feel.

If you want to see if the Clearwater area is worth the drive look here.
http://www.americasno1beach.com/

 

[Minnie]

I live in FL and I prefer the gulf side especially the Sarasota area. But the east coast beaches are much more closer to Orlando, I like Melbourne it's not as busy as Cocoa and Daytona.

The Sarasota area is gorgeous. We stayed on Lido Key Island in Dec and loved it. It is about a 2.5 hr drive from WDW though.

 

[madcoco]

Frequently spend time on the Atlantic Side and prefer the Gulf beaches if that makes any sense whatsoever. If going to the beach. Keep an eye out for bacteria levels. This past weekend Cocoa Beach had high bacteria levels and they were advising people to stay out.
Slightly OT A 4,0000 lb female humpback washed up dead last week at CB and another on Daytona Beach yesterday. 29 Humpback Deaths this past 12 months along the Atlantic Coast. Way above normal.