Once you've exhausted the shopping and theme parks, spend some time relaxing at these top-notch beaches near Orlando
My first trip to Disney—a story I’m sure many of us can recall in fine detail—came when my grandparents announced they were taking the whole family to Orlando for spring break. We were four days in when my grandfather made a declaration: it was too hot. We piled into a rented van and drove straight east to Cocoa Beach. It was the prettiest sight a kid from the Northeast had ever seen, miles of pristine beach on one side and rows of skee ball arcades on the other. Cocoa grew up since then into something far tonier. But for many of us, a trip to Disney and a weekend at the beach near Orlando still sounds like paradise—or at least it does for the kids. But it’s not as easy as just setting a course for the shore. Follow our guide below for the finest stretches of sand not too far from the land of Mickey.
This guide was updated by South Florida-based writer Eric Barton. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
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Siesta Key’s beach performs a magic trick: this white quartz sand never gets too hot, even on summer days that feel like an open oven. Miles of that powdered sugar alone would make Siesta Key a worthy day trip from Orlando, but then there’s also the key’s St. Armands Circle, an entertainment district with restaurants and shopping that’ll fill a beach weekend.
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 through 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.
This 1,100-acre state park splays out anchor-shaped into the waters of Tampa Bay. Those spindly undeveloped islands remained in Florida before Europeans arrived, and the beaches regularly rank not only among Florida’s best, but also the finest in the world. That's why this park gets more visitors than any other in the Sunshine State. This isn’t a beach for everyone—you won’t find a luxury hotel or souvenir shop until back on the mainland—but for those who want bike paths and dog beaches and hours of shelling, there’s simply no better stretch of sand.
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.
At nearly three hours from O-town, Delray might be on the far end for an easy trip to the shore. But there’s a major payout in making it to this Palm Beach County town, with a stunning and still very natural beach and a lively entertainment district along Atlantic Avenue. The hotels run the gamut here, from inexpensive chains to boutiques with all the charm you’d expect from one of Florida’s best little cities.
Just a few miles south of tourist-busy St. Augustine is the far quieter seaside community of 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 beach 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.
Ponte Vedra Beach is just over two hours away from Orlando and is perfect for a weekend getaway. For golfers, 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. While most of the beach is lined with multi-million dollar homes and hotels, there are access points scattered between them. Bonus: there are numerous breweries and excellent restaurants for refueling.
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.
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.
You can be in New Smyrna Beach in about one hour, 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.
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 want to explore the beach and city more than one day. 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. You can even drive yourself onto the beach at various access points, where you can drive the hard-packed sand in a way that screams America with a capital M.
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