Best day trip beach from Orlando?

July 17, 2006 7:33 AM

Where is the best beach day trip from Orlando?

I am visiting Orlando in August and would like to get away from the parks for a day at the beach. Desirables: public parking, public showers, and a bit of surf.

posted by flickroad to travel & transportation (14 comments total)

Anything in Daytona would be the closest and they have public areas-but I really prefer St Augustine-the state park on Anastasia Island has everything you're looking for, showers, restrooms, close parking, surf and places to rent chairs and umbrellas and boogie boards.

It's really closer to a 2 hour drive from Orlando though, but it's where I always go.
posted by hollygoheavy at 8:03 AM on July 17, 2006

If surf is important to you, you're probably best off going to Cocoa Beach. However, surf is the only reason I would recommend Cocoa Beach. It's not very pretty and terribly crowded.

I don't know if Daytona Beach would be good for you, since it's inside an inlet and, subsequently, I think gets less surf.
posted by chickletworks at 8:18 AM on July 17, 2006

Addendum: If you're willing to forgo the waves, I highly recommend any of the Gulf Coast beaches. They're about two hours from Orlando, but much more worth the drive than anything on the Atlantic coast, I think. They have "sugar sand": white and soft and fine. And the water is cleaner and warmer.
posted by chickletworks at 8:20 AM on July 17, 2006

A clarification: We will be just playing in the waves or maybe boogie boarding. No serious surfing.

Any particular Gulf Coast beach you might recommend? Oh, and St. Augustine does look nice.
posted by flickroad at 8:47 AM on July 17, 2006

Siesta Key

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siesta_Key,_Florida
posted by thenextword at 9:02 AM on July 17, 2006

Steer clear of Daytona. It's a dirty beach (they allow vehicles to drive on it) and is usually crowded. A little bit south of Daytona is the much nicer New Symrna Beach. I would say it's about an hour (or a little over depending on traffic) drive from downtown Orlando.

If you are looking for other things to do in addition to hanging on the beach, then St. Augustine is great. There's a lot of great historical sites and museums there. The Lightner Museum, especially its 'self-playing instruments' collection, is an essential visit. (St. Augustine can be very romantic as well, if you are looking for that type of getaway)

If you want to be a bit more adventurous and secluded, then Playlinda Beach, around the Cocoa area, is for you. It's in a nature preserve so there's not any 'civilization' around. You may have to hike a little to get to the beach, though. Parts of it are considered unofficially 'clothing optional' as well.

I would have to say my own favorite beaches are on the gulf (I don't surf so lack of waves is no big deal). St. Petersburg/Treasure Island has some fantastic beaches ... very clean and calm and you might even spot some dolphins if you're lucky. You could also visit the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete which is not to be missed if you are into such things. The only downside is St. Petersburg is a bit further from Orlando than the others but not too bad ... maybe a 90 minute drive.
posted by General Zubon at 10:14 AM on July 17, 2006

Sorry ... in my haste to help I missed your desirables list:

Desirables: public parking, public showers, and a bit of surf.

If you're solely just looking to have a beach day (no museums, etc) then New Smyrna Beach is the one for you. (Please note I spelled it wrong in the post above ... it's "Smyrna")

Directions From Orlando To New Smyrna Beach

History of New Smyrna Beach
posted by General Zubon at 10:34 AM on July 17, 2006

On the Gulf coast side, the St. Pete Beach area is probably your best bet. Fort DeSoto is only 5 miles away and might also be an option. Both beaches are clean, not crowded and have plenty of parking. They are about 120 miles from Orlando and take about two hours to drive to.
posted by gaelenh at 11:02 AM on July 17, 2006

im from orlando so ill second new smyrna as being less dirty, less crowded and nicer than daytona.
posted by c at 11:03 AM on July 17, 2006

I just moved from Florida and I have to tell you, if you're looking for nice beaches, go to the west coast. St. Pete's is a good idea. East coast beaches are icky.
posted by SassHat at 11:48 AM on July 17, 2006

I agree with the above about St. Petersburg ... as I stated above it is my favorite nearby beach. But if a desirable is 'surf' then the poster may be disappointed ... gulf beaches can be completely wave-less.
posted by General Zubon at 12:08 PM on July 17, 2006

If you want to boogie board then don't bother with the Gulf coast - my bathtub has more waves. Go to the Atlantic coast but steer clear of Daytona (I HATE the cars driving on the beach). I've always heard that New Smyrna is nice, but I like Cocoa Beach just fine, especially if it's during the week when the Orlandoites are at work.
posted by gatorae at 8:10 PM on July 17, 2006

Since I live near this beach and consider it the best beach ever, my vote goes for Caladesi Island in Dunedin, FL.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/default.cfm

Another good one is Sand Key in Clearwater Beach.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_Sand_Key.htm
posted by Number27 at 8:39 PM on July 17, 2006

Thanks for the excellent suggestions. Now I want to skip the parks completely and just hang out at the beaches.
posted by flickroad at 10:42 AM on July 18, 2006