The 20 Best Beaches Near Orlando for Families
Are you looking for the best beaches near Orlando? Orlando has about a million things to do, from theme parks, zoos and botanical gardens, gator encounters, slingshots (yikes), etc. One thing Orlando does not have? Beaches! However, there are plenty of beaches near Orlando if you are willing to drive a little bit.
Today, I am creating a list of the best beaches near Orlando for families. Notice I didn’t say the best beaches in Orlando because there are no (natural) beaches in Orlando! The “pool” beaches at Disney and Universal Orlando Resort are still fun! You can also check out Volcano Bay, Universal’s incredible water park!
Orlando is in the middle of the state, so you’ll have to go to either coast to find a beach. Thankfully, since the state isn’t very wide, you can easily access Atlantic or Gulf Coast beaches.
My best tip is to choose beaches on the Gulf Coast. Yes, it’s a longer drive, but these are some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire country! The Atlantic Coast can be a bit colder, and the beaches aren’t quite as nice, but if you’re in a hurry, they’re a great option.
Do I need a rental car in Orlando?
You might need a rental car if you’re flying into Orlando. I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. They have the best prices, and you don’t have to pay until you pick it up!
The 20 Best Beaches Near Orlando for Families
Here are 20 beaches near Orlando that are great for families. If you’re looking to escape the craziness of Orlando (and maybe see some manatees!) check out 16 things to do in Crystal River with kids.
Cocoa Beach
You’ll find the closest beaches to Orlando about an hour away to the east on the Space Coast. Cocoa Beach is a fantastic beach near Orlando.
When you are not relaxing on the sand, swimming or surfing in the water, or building a sandcastle, there are plenty of other fun activities to choose from at this beach. You can even watch the bioluminescent comb jellies glow on this sunset paddleboard tour.
One of the most popular options is walking along the Cocoa Beach Pier.
Ron Jon Surf Shop is also practically right on the edge of the sand of Cocoa Beach. This is an excellent place to shop for surfing gear. And if you want to learn more about surfing, you can venture to the Florida Surf Museum.
New Smyrna Beach
Driving to New Smyrna Beach from Orlando will take a little more than an hour. This beach is just south of Daytona Beach, which I will share more information about in a minute.
If you do not like crowds, I recommend choosing New Smyrna over Daytona when you want to enjoy a little time in the sand with your family. New Smyrna Beach is also a great place to take a fishing trip.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is approximately 58 miles from Orlando. While this beach near Orlando is always perfect for families, it becomes the destination of choice during spring break. So if you’re visiting during spring break, you may want to pick a quieter beach.
There is so much more to do than swim at this Florida beach. Your time at this beach near Orlando can be spent parasailing, paddleboarding, jet skiing, or playing a rousing game of beach volleyball. Your family can also learn how to surf.
The best time to visit Daytona Beach is between the middle of May and the end of October. These months are when sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand. The eggs then hatch, and the baby sea turtles return to the ocean.
If you’re traveling during Spring Break, I would avoid Daytona Beach, although all Florida beaches are crowded during March and early April.
Ormond Beach
Ormond Beach is only an hour’s drive from Orlando. I recommend visiting Tomoka State Park before or after spending time on Ormond Beach.
Indialantic Beach
Indialantic Beach is located in the town of Indialantic, just over an hour from Orlando. The views from the boardwalk are incredible, so don’t miss it!
This is also one of the 10 best places to see sea turtles in Florida.
Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach is a beach surrounded by plenty of family-friendly activities. When your family is on the beach, you must spend some time near the forty-foot dunes.
Vero Beach
Vero Beach is 106 miles to the southeast of Orlando. There are more than 26 miles of sandy coastline to explore at this beach on the Atlantic Ocean.
Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach is a short 76 miles from Orlando. This beach does not see the massive crowds other beaches near Orlando do. This makes it the perfect option for many families on vacation (especially during busy travel months!)
There are historic ruins nearby waiting for your family to explore. Your family will also love shopping for souvenirs at the beachside shops.
Canaveral National Seashore
The Canaveral National Seashore is only 66 miles from Orlando. A quick one-hour drive will have your family walking along this sandy shoreline.
When your family arrives at the Canaveral National Seashore, you must purchase a parking pass. The passes can be purchased at either the Playalinda Beach entrance or the Apollo Beach entrance.
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach is 103 miles from Orlando, an hour-and-a-half car ride. Don’t miss our list of things to do in St. Augustine with Kids for more ideas!
Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach is 76 miles to the southeast of Orlando. After visiting the Kennedy Space Center, your family can easily spend a few hours at the beach. Visiting Melbourne Beach during the summer months can be exciting because it is one of the largest nesting grounds for sea turtles.
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Sebastian Inlet State Park is near both Vero and Melbourne Beach. It is an hour and a half drive from Orlando. The beaches within this state park are all undeveloped. That means you won’t need to worry about massive resort crowds during your visit.
A few things your family can do at Sebastian Inlet State Park include swimming, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Satellite Beach
Satellite Beach is approximately one hour from Orlando, making it a simple day trip for families. This beach is on a barrier island, so it will not be as crowded as some other beaches in Florida.
Treasure Island Beach
Treasure Island Beach is 113 miles from Orlando, a two-hour drive. This is one of the farthest beaches from Orlando on the Gulf Coast, but it may still be worth the drive thanks to great snorkeling.
You can check out some of my favorite gear on my Amazon storefront or the links below. You can also charter a boat and head out onto the water to do a little fishing.
This is one of the quieter beaches near Orlando. So, if your family is looking for peace and tranquility, this beach should be near the top of your list.
Fort de Soto Beach
Fort de Soto Beach is located within Fort de Soto Park. It takes approximately two hours to drive to this beach near Orlando. If you don’t want to swim in the Gulf, there are a few tidal pools near the beach.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is a laidback area in Florida, just south of Tampa. There aren’t any high rises, drive-thru restaurants, or lots of traffic. But there are six beaches on the island that your family will fall in love with.
If you want a day filled with swimming and water sports, I recommend heading to Coquina Beach. Manatee Beach is another fantastic option, thanks to all the amenities there.
Sometimes we go to the beach and forget sand toys, but we make it work!
St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach is approximately two hours from Orlando. It is located on the Gulf Coast, so the water is warmer throughout the year. I recommend arriving at this beach near Orlando early in the day because finding a parking spot can be nearly impossible later.
This is one of the best beaches in Florida for water sports. A few family-friendly options include a sunset cruise, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, parasailing, and canoeing.
Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Rocks Beach is near Tampa. This accessible beach is three miles long. Plenty of restaurants and shops are located near Indian Rocks Beach. This means your family can easily find something to eat or shop when you need a break from the sand and the water.
Caladesi Island State Park
There are only a couple of undisturbed barrier islands in Florida, and Caladesi Island State Park is one of them. A two-hour drive from Orlando will have you walking along this remote island in no time. Once you arrive at Honeymoon Island, you board the ferry to ride to the park.
Your family will love the soft sandy beaches and turquoise water on the island. This beach, along with several others on this list, are also some of the best beaches for shelling in Florida!
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is another beach on the Gulf side of the state. This beach is 108 miles from Orlando or about a 2-hour drive. Clearwater Beach is our family’s favorite beach near Orlando and one of our favorite beaches in all of Florida!
One of our favorite beaches in Florida, Clearwater Beach!
The water at Clearwater Beach sparkles under the sun, and the sand will feel soft under your feet. The sand gets raked early each morning to ensure it stays soft, white, and clean.
You will love the safety factor when visiting this beach during your Florida vacation. This is one of the few beaches in Florida that has lifeguards on duty all year long.
When you are planning a beach getaway at Clearwater Beach, you may want to combine it with a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Don’t forget to check out 30 Things to do in Clearwater with kids for even more things to do in Clearwater.
The best beaches near Orlando for families
These are the 20 best beaches near Orlando for families.
Are you planning an Orlando vacation? Make sure to check out Star Wars Land vs. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, 7 things to know about the Disney Skyliner, and Where to find Dole Whip at Disney World!
About Florida Travel With Kids
Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.
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