Best Beaches Near Orlando

Check out the best beaches near Orlando Florida for the best day trip on your vacation to the sunshine state.

Are you thinking of planning a vacation to the Sunshine State? A trip to the beach is probably high on your list of to-do’s while staying in Orlando, Florida. Read on and learn about the very best beaches near Orlando, plan your vacation now and make the very most of your stay here in Florida.

Beaches near the East coast of Orlando

Cocoa Beach

The Florida Coastline offers some of the best surf spots on the Eastern side of the state. There are several beaches to try out that are located near Orlando that are easily accessible.

Starting further south lies Cocoa Beach, just over an hour outside Orlando, and is an effortless beach to get to. Which is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Orlando. Cocoa Beach is well known for its surfing and its beautiful pier that stretches out into the water.

The wooden boardwalk to the dock is over 800 feet long and provides a magnificent view up and down the coastline and back to the beach itself.

One of the must-do’s is the pier as it is a great place to hang out as there are tables and chairs in which you can sit and lounge and watch the world go by.

Fishing is also possible from the pier for some added fun even if it is just to watch the locals make their catch.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants along the shoreline of Cocoa Beach to suit any taste and there is a great vibe about the place. They don’t call it the Space Coast for nothing!

Amazing Cocoa Beach is very close to the Kennedy Space Center home of NASA, so if you are staying nearby, why not check out the Space Center tour?

If you happen to be venturing to the area, be sure to check out the NASA website to see if a rocket launch is due to take place as it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed if you’re lucky enough to be there at the right time.

Check out this Awesome live feed of Cocoa Beach Pier

Melbourne Beach

Awesome Melbourne beach is situated in Brevard County along the space coastline, about 70 miles outside Orlando, and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there.

Highway A1A will take you to Melbourne Beach in a very quick drive from Orlando.

When you get a chance to visit Melbourne Beach, be sure to visit the Wooden Bridge out over the water. As it has some of the most incredible views looking back at the coastline.

Melbourne is known for its beautiful clean beaches, it’s surfing and its fishing. The beach itself is located on a barrier island and is separated by a lagoon. The island is approx 45 miles long and runs all the way to Cape Canaveral.

There is a beachfront park called Coconut Point Park, which is home to a sea turtle nesting sanctuary.

It is one of Orlando’s most popular beaches and an excellent choice for a day trip.

Daytona Beach

Fantastic Daytona Beach is one of Florida’s most beautiful and well-known beaches and is situated in Volusia County. Known as the world’s most famous beach is located about 65 miles North East of Orlando, and it takes about a one-hour drive to get there.

Daytona is home to the famous Nascar International Speedway racing track. The beach itself is said to extend more than 20 miles, and the boardwalk is home to some fantastic eateries and watering holes to keep you full and refreshed from the hot Floridian sunshine.

There are also many attractions to keep you busy, including the famous Daytona Beach Pier, which comes alive at night with all of the amazing lights, the Ferris Wheel, and the performance hat shell space.

Definitely, a must-visit beach while on your vacation to Florida.

St Augustine has many beautiful beaches

Another incredible beach to visit on the North East coast of Florida is located in St. Augustine, a City founded by Spanish explorers in 1565.

St Augustine is 110 miles outside Orlando and about a 2-hour drive away.

A visit can be made as a day trip, but it is worth considering staying overnight in this picturesque beauty spot. The town of St Augustine has an abundance of historical sites and museums to visit. A trolley tour, water sports attractions, and of course several pristine beaches to walk and relax on.

Check out this live cam of St. Augustine beachfront

Beaches near the West coast of Orlando

The next two beaches we are going to explore with you are Clearwater Beach and St. Pete’s Beach. Both beaches are located on the Gulf Coast. Both Clearwater and St. Pete’s beach is ranked the number one beach in the United States by Tripadvisor. So make sure to check both of these beaches out as they are definitely worth a visit.

Clearwater Beach

On the West coast of Florida lies the Gulf of Mexico, home to some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches the Sunshine State has to offer.

Clearwater Beach is probably one of the most well-known beaches on Florida’s West Coast and is located 110 miles outside Orlando.

Driving will take you approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes by taking the I-4 corridor West toward Tampa. Clearwater Beach is famous for its shallow waters and soft sandy beaches. It is a huge favorite for locals and tourists alike.

A boardwalk adjacent to the beach is lined with Palm trees, making for a very picturesque idyllic scene.

Attractions are plenty, so make sure you check them out while in town. Like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is home to the bottlenose dolphin experience.

If there was only one beach to visit on your trip to Orlando, Florida, then Clearwater Beach is a must-do for you and your family.

Live cam broadcast from Clearwater Beach Florida

St. Pete Beach

If you make the trek from Orlando to Clearwater Beach, we highly recommend you stay the night and also visit the beautiful beach and area of St. Pete.

Mesmerizing St Pete is a mere 45-minute drive south of Clearwater. The beach at St. Pete runs up the coastline where it meets with Clearwater Beach forming a 25-mile-long paradise of white sand.

Both Clearwater and St. Pete are very close to the City of Tampa, Florida. Home to many attractions and parks to enjoy, including the famous Busch Gardens Theme park, which is full of roller coasters. For any of you adrenaline seekers out there if you would like to read more about the Top 10 roller coasters in Orlando. Check out our blog post.

Check out this cool video that showcases ST. Pete Beach Florida

Well if this list doesn’t make you want to go to the beach while on vacation then we don’t know what will. If there is only 1 beach you can visit while on your vacation we totally recommend heading to the West coast and hitting up Clearwater Beach or St. Pete’s Beach.

We hope you’ve liked our list of the best beaches near Orlando Florida and we hope it’s inspired you to plan a beach day while vacationing in the sunshine state. Please leave a comment below to recommend beaches that we have left out of the list. Please feel free to share this blog post with your friends by using the share buttons below.