The 11 best beaches near Orlando

About two hours southeast of Walt Disney World is Vero Beach, home to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The area is known for the vast sea turtle nests that pop up every summer along the shores and sand dunes. If you're traveling to the area to see the turtles, you want to plan for between May and October. Going to the beach at night to watch for hatchlings is fun, but be sure to take a red light with you, so you don't distract the turtles as they make their way to the ocean.

Cocoa Beach is the perfect spot for people who love all things space. It’s very close to the Kennedy Space Center Complex, so you can see rockets lift off right from the beach. The hour or so drive from Orlando makes this a great location for day trips – with watersports and fishing excursions abundant. The beach is also known as the surf capital of Florida, with plenty of beach shacks and surf houses offering lessons on the sport if you want to learn. 

Just a few miles south of St. Augustine is Flagler Beach. Parking for some beach access points is on the side of the road, and you’ll spot cars parked in nearby sandy areas to get down to the water. The beaches connect to the intercoastal waterways, where families will bring their boat or paddle board out for the day. This stretch of sand is known for great shelling, shark tooth hunting, and decent surf conditions. All in all, this is a great recommendation for a family-friendly beach. 

In about one hour, you can be in New Smyrna Beach, making this one of the closest day trip destinations from Orlando. While exploring the area, don't miss Canal Street for beach-front shopping, dining, and art galleries. The beach is also one of three areas in Florida where driving on the beach is allowed, so there is no need to lug all of your essentials from a parking lot down to the sand with you. Just be sure to stay on the packed sand when driving and parking. Trust us, the soft sand is a pain to deal with at the end of the day. 

Daytona Beach is known for its spring break crowds and racing fans (it is home to the Daytona 500), but there is more to the area than grubby beach bars and race cars. Each summer, the Daytona Beach Bandshell hosts free concerts featuring a variety of musical acts. The boardwalk is typically buzzing with people enjoying carnival-style games and rides. There are also plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops to pop into throughout the day to cool off and grab a bit to eat before getting back in the water. 

The nation’s oldest city is home to glittering beach waters and a thriving beach-front community. The two-hour drive from Orlando might seem long, but you’ll definitely want more than one day exploring the beach and city. After lounging on the sand, you can explore the Castillo de San Marcos, an old military fort near the intercoastal waterway, or climb the stairs at the St. Augustine Lighthouse to the top for scenic views of the city. When hunger strikes, head to A1A Burrito Works, serving burritos, tacos, and its version of a crunch wrap. If you have a car with four-wheel drive, you can even drive yourself onto the beach at various access points, but be sure to watch for kids running too close to the area with cars. 

St. Pete Beach is the quintessential beach town filled with pastel-colored buildings and white picket fences. For the perfect Instagram photo, stay at the historic Don CeSar Hotel, which opened its doors for the first time in 1928. If you aren't staying here, you can still snap a photo of the hotel from the sand. The beach is located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, offering gorgeous sunrise and sunset views each night. The bursting beach town is filled with art galleries, shops, and restaurants that are alluring and welcoming.

Clearwater Beach is a stunning spot on the Gulf Coast, where the waters are tame, and the vibe is relaxed. The beach is perfect for those who love jet-skiing, paddle boarding, or parasailing in the morning before getting cleaned up to explore the area. While the beach area is more for tourists, there are some unique local activities. Be sure to check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which has a fantastic sea turtle and dolphin rehabilitation center. Do not leave without trying a grouper sandwich at one of the local restaurants – a lunch favorite in the area.

If you’ve ever seen old surf movies from the 50s and 60s, you’ll instantly know the feel of Indialantic Beach, where island life is top of mind for residents and visitors. The beach is about an hour away from Orlando and totally worth the drive. All the quintessential beach activities can be done here, from shelling to body surfing. After spending time on the shore, do a little food tour around the area, where cheap eats abound. Some of our favorites are Long Doggers and Nini’s Cuban Cuisine.

Ponte Vedra Beach is just over two hours away from Orlando and is perfect for a weekend getaway. Fan of the fairways? The area is known for hosting the PGA Tour at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The beach is a great spot to search for shark teeth (look for small shiny black objects in the sand), and most of the beach is lined with multi-million dollar homes and hotels, so you might have to park a short walk away from the access point to the beach. There are numerous breweries and excellent restaurants for fuelling.

Jacksonville Beach has become one of the top destinations in northeast Florida. Parking is limited, so try to arrive as early as possible and keep your car parked in the same spot if you want to explore the nearby bars and restaurants like Eleven South and TacoLu. The beach is a favorite with the younger college-aged crowds since it's close to the University of North Florida, and 3rd Street is known for its bar-hopping scene.