Where is the nearest beach to Disney

[EjandMD]

If this is in the wrong forum, please send it to the right one. Looking to go to the beach next weekend for the day. Is Coco or Daytona the best to go to? We want to dive, pull up to public parking, and enjoy a day in the sun!

 

[DisneyMamaof3girls]

I believe Cocoa Beach is the closest. We thought about doing this, so I looked into it a little bit. We decided we don't want to sacrifice a day in the parks on this trip though. Maybe next trip!

 

[Detailor]

Cocoa Beach is the closest.

In my opinion, the best would be on the gulf side - water is warmer and beaches are softer and sandier. We like Fort De Soto Park beach but there are lots of good beaches over there - Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Sunset Beach, Treasure Island beach, Honeymoon Island beach, etc.

Dick Taylor

 

[loveysbydesign]

Cocoa is def. the closest and easiest to get to! Bring money to pay to park! If you're drivng be sure to bring boogey boards along for the kids!

 

[kimmyann]

We drove to Clearwater Beach last summer from Orlando, it took less than two hours. It was totally worth it simply because it is so beautiful. I would take the gulf side over the atlantic side any day. The atlantic side is rough and the water doesn't look very good, the gulf side is calm & the water is clear. I live 10 miles from the beach on the atlantic & we rarely go, it's just kinda gross IMO.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We drove to Clearwater Beach last summer from Orlando, it took less than two hours. It was totally worth it simply because it is so beautiful. I would take the gulf side over the atlantic side any day. The atlantic side is rough and the water doesn't look very good, the gulf side is calm & the water is clear. I live 10 miles from the beach on the atlantic & we rarely go, it's just kinda gross IMO.

We just went to Clearwater for the first time this past Nov. and loved it! My dh and I prefer the clear calm waters of the gulf while our kids prefer the boogey boarding action of the east coast!
Love Ft. DeSoto Beach too

 

[Elky]

I think we'll try the gulf in a few weeks...

 

[seattle-swarm]

Does anyone know if any beaches close to Disney have shells for beachcombing???

 

[bucsfan1029]

I agree with the previous posters that prefer the gulf coast beaches. Both sides of Florida have beautiful beaches, but I would choose the gulf any day over the Atlantic. Clearwater, St. Pete, Indian Rocks, Madeira, etc are just a 90 minute or so drive from Orlando.

 

[donaldduck352]

Cocoa Beach is the closest.

In my opinion, the best would be on the gulf side - water is warmer and beaches are softer and sandier. We like Fort De Soto Park beach but there are lots of good beaches over there - Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Sunset Beach, Treasure Island beach, Honeymoon Island beach, etc.

Dick Taylor

I gotta agree.The Gulf is alot warmer,with the best sand too be found..

But lack of waves for the surfer.You have to go to the panhandle,like Destin,FT.Walton and my fav-Santa Rosa to find that!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

IME, if the weather is at all windy, Turtle Beach on Siesta Key can kick up some serious surf. If you want somewhere on the West Coast with waves, Turtle will usually fit the bill.

However, the drop-off on the north end of Turtle is STEEP, and actually, can be pretty treacherous. In weather, I wouldn't try it unless I was a very strong swimmer and wearing a flotation device. (We actually go to Turtle to fish, not to surf.)

Point of Rocks (at Crescent Beach just a mile or so north of Turtle), is MUCH calmer and has a lot of fun snorkeling. (No restrooms, though. You'll want a hotel room there if you're playing at Crescent.)

The North Beach at Ft. deSoto County Park in St. Pete has several times been named the best beach in Florida. It's isolated, but it does have basic concessions and a nice dressing room for daytrippers.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

On our summer '09 trip, we took a beach day as well. We wanted a day trip that took less than an hour each way. We chose Lori Wilson park beach in Cocoa. Someone on the DIS actually recommended this beach to me. Free parking, restrooms with changing facilities, a nice boardwalk to the beach, and we almost had the place to ourselves!

Here is a good link http://www.beachhunter.net/cocoa-beach/lori-wilson-park.htm

 

[loveysbydesign]

On our summer '09 trip, we took a beach day as well. We wanted a day trip that took less than an hour each way. We chose Lori Wilson park beach in Cocoa. Someone on the DIS actually recommended this beach to me. Free parking, restrooms with changing facilities, a nice boardwalk to the beach, and we almost had the place to ourselves!

Here is a good link http://www.beachhunter.net/cocoa-beach/lori-wilson-park.htm

We planned to go to this exact beach when we went to Cocoa Beach but couldn't find it...even with my map!

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

We planned to go to this exact beach when we went to Cocoa Beach but couldn't find it...even with my map!

I don't remember having any trouble, but I think we just used our GPS and I always print out directions from mapquest for backup. It is a good day trip.

 

[loveysbydesign]

I don't remember having any trouble, but I think we just used our GPS and I always print out directions from mapquest for backup. It is a good day trip.

I;m not sure how we missed..I think we turned the wrong way on Ai or whatever that road is called
We will find it in October when we go again!!!!!