Which Beach To Visit?

[walmuete]

Ok, once again I am asking for help. We will be in Orlando for 7 days and want to visit a beach while in Florida. Any recommendations? Thanks

 

[sydprincess]

I asked this same question a few weeks ago. The majority of the responses told me Clearwater Beach would be a terrific choice. I have done some research on the area since, and it offers a ton of great activities that you can get done in a day. Good luck!

 

[Feralpeg]

I've heard a lot of nice things about Cocoa Beach. I've never been there myself. Since the hurricanes, some of the beaches are still recovering. I've lived in Florida a year and have still not gone to the beach. LOL!

 

[courage]

Are you a strong swimmer? Do you like to surf? Do you like to watch big waves? Do you like Sunrises on the beach?
Go to Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic

Do you like calm water? Do you like Sunsets? Do you like white sand? Do you like to build a good sandcastle? Do you like Fl. Grouper sandwiches?
Go to the Gulf (Clearwater, St. Pete beach etc..)

Florida has beautiful beaches but the two sides are very different. I live on the Atlantic and I love it but I also love to go to the gulf. The distance from Orlando is about 1 - 2 hour drive either way.

 

[luvthatduck]

Ft. DeSoto beach in Clearwater was just voted the top beach in North America by "Dr. Beach", a professor at, I think, Central Florida University and an expert on beaches.
DW and I have always wanted to go to Canaveral National Seashore also.

edit: here is a link to the Clearwater Beach official web site
http://www.floridasbeach.com/

 

[Feralpeg]

If you go to the Atlantic side, please pay attention to the rip tide signs. I'm really getting depressed hearing about people drowning due to rip tides over there.

 

[Manon]

What do you think about Daytona Beach Shores????

Thanks!

 

[loriandmatt]

we have been to daytona beach area but stuck primarily to Ormond Beach (slightly above daytona proper on the coast)

we found it to be a bit more family oriented. nice soft sandy beaches. wide, but not too wide. we loved renting the doon buggies and riding on the beaches. can't do that in jersey!

-lori

 

[jana]

There is also Vero Beach which Disney has a resort at. We love it there. They have lots of activities at the resort if you want something more to do then just lay around the beach.

 

[Bride2Be0705]

When my family goes, we always take a day and go to Cocoa Beach... They have Ron Jon's surfshop there, and it's AMAZING!! And the beach is very nice!

Enjoy the !!

 

[jacksmom]

Vero Beach is nice and only about an hours drive from WDW! The Disney resort there is very nice also!

 

[la79al]

We are doing Daytona Beach one day and Clearwater Beach for 2 days (family there). Should we, with kids age 8 and 4 change the Daytona Beach day to a different beach?

 

[GoN2WDW]

We stayed at a condo in Cape Canaveral last summer while my daughter did space camp and their beaches are very nice and not crowded at all. Cocoa Beach and the Ron Jon's was really nice too! Added benefit...not far at all from Disney!

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

I haven't seen it mentioned so I will add New Smyrna Beach on the Atlantic side. Not only is it a great beach, but there is the best French Bakery there. It is called Mon Delice, they not only have awesome pastries they also make great sandwiches.

On the Gulf side Clearwater is a great beach, but if you can drive a little further south to the Sarasota area, Longboat Key is beautiful. Actually there are several keys and small islands south of Tampa that are just wonderful.
Not sure about public access, so if you are on a day trip you might stick with Clearwater.

 

[walmuete]

Thanks for the help! We just want to go and relax! We are not really swimmers or surfers, maybe wade out to about our knees, build sandcastles, and just look at the scenery! I am a big chicken when it comes to the ocean and so are both my girls! Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[yusinskas]

The nice part about Daytona Beach is that you can drive right onto the sand! The beach itself is not the greatest, and every time I've been there, it's been super-crowded. It's nice to just take your car there for a short drive. :>

The gulf beaches are very nice, that's where we usually go.

 

[mommic32]

We were at St.Petes beach a few weeks ago. We loved it, We stayed at Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, It is not cheap but it had everything we wanted! The water is beauitful and the sand is so so soft. They have a big slide that my daughters lived on for both days. I could go on and on,... BUt if you have any questions just ask. BTW, ST Petes beach would be perfect for you, water was very very calm, and also very shallow, I was not at all concerned for my daughters (9 & 11) as I usually am when we vist the Atlantic Beach..And the scenery,, The sunset was the best I have ever seen!
I would go back in a hearbeat..My only complaint was the fact that it was only 2 nights there....

Thanks for the help! We just want to go and relax! We are not really swimmers or surfers, maybe wade out to about our knees, build sandcastles, and just look at the scenery! I am a big chicken when it comes to the ocean and so are both my girls! Thanks for the suggestions!