10 Best Beaches Near Orlando: Top Sun, Sand & Surf Spots

This article highlights the best beaches near Orlando, where you can spend the day, or take a quick trip to the ocean.

Orlando is known for its warm weather, and there is a variety of beaches to relax on, or a multitude of fun and exciting activities to take part in.

There is something for the whole family, or everyone can enjoy a variety of activities and warm beaches on their own.

Key Points & Best Beaches Near Orlando

Beach	Key Points
Cocoa Beach	Famous for surfing, family-friendly, home to Ron Jon Surf Shop. About 1 hour from Orlando.
Daytona Beach	Hard-packed sand for driving, lively boardwalk, annual events. ~1 hour 15 mins from Orlando.
Clearwater Beach	White sand, calm waters, ideal for families, great sunsets. ~2 hours from Orlando.
Siesta Key Beach	Soft quartz sand, clear water, highly rated for relaxation. ~2.5 hours from Orlando.
New Smyrna Beach	Quieter, good for surfing, charming small-town vibe. ~1 hour from Orlando.
Fort De Soto Park	Pristine beaches, kayaking, nature trails, dog-friendly. ~2.5 hours from Orlando.
St. Pete Beach	Resorts, water sports, vibrant nightlife, soft sand. ~2 hours from Orlando.
Canaveral National Seashore	Secluded, natural beauty, great for wildlife watching. ~1 hour from Orlando.
Indian Harbour Beach	Family-friendly, fishing, less crowded than Cocoa Beach. ~1 hour from Orlando.
Ponce Inlet	Lighthouse, fishing, good surfing, quieter than Daytona Beach. ~1 hour 15 mins from Orlando.

10 Best Beaches Near Orlando​

1. Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular beaches near Orlando, famous for its surfing culture and laid-back atmosphere. Home to the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop, it attracts both beginners and experienced surfers.

The beach is family-friendly, offering soft sand, gentle waves, and a variety of restaurants and shops along the coast.

Visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, or simply relaxing in the sun. Its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center adds a unique experience

Making it perfect for combining a beach day with sightseeing. Cocoa Beach is about an hour’s drive from Orlando.

2. Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is known for its hard-packed sand and for allowing cars to drive along the shoreline. The boardwalk features arcades, shops, and restaurants, which makes it fun for families and tourists.

Daytona Beach is host to many annual events, including bike weeks and races at the Daytona International Speedway.

The beach is versatile, as the waves are safe for swimming and light surfing. Daytona Beach is great

if you’re looking for an active beach because you get adventure, entertainment, and beach relaxation all in one. From Orlando, it’s about an hour and fifteen minutes.

3. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is famous for its beautiful white sand and calm, shallow waters, which are perfect for families with children.

It has amazing facilities, including restaurants and shops, as well as resort and beach activities like parasailing and swimming with dolphins.

The beach is well-maintained, and the clear water, along with the coastline, makes it great for swimming and relaxation.

Clearwater Beach is highly recommended for vibrant beach activities, and it is about a two hour drive from Orlando.

It is also great for families because the beach is still very lively. The crowds are drawn to the beach to watch the beautiful sunset, which is famous, and there is entertainment at Pier 60 in the evening.

4. Siesta Key Beach

Renowned for its finely ground white quartz sand and crystal clear turquoise waters, Siesta Key Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the United States and the world.

This location is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and having a picnic in a peaceful environment.

The beach provides excellent accommodation for families, including shaded areas, showers, and playgrounds.

Beach goers can snorkel, kayak, and stroll the beautiful coastline. The sunsets are spectacular and are worth capturing. Located about 2.5 hours from Orlando

This is the best beach for those looking for a beautiful and relaxing beach experience without the crowds.

5. New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is a great place to take a break. It is a quieter, less commercialized beach but still excellent facilities and charming local shops. It is also known for it’s surfing conditions attracting all levels of surfers.

It is a family beach too, great for soft hier, safe swimming and a more relaxed pace. There are a few art galleries and cafes to fill your time for a leisurely day by the ocean.

Spend the day there, or hike the nearby parks and trails and take advantage of the fishing opportunities.

New Smyrna is about an hour from Orlando and great for people who are looking for a little of adventure, some relaxation and the real uncommercialized Florida.

6. Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park is a place where people can enjoy nature. For those looking to spend a full day outside, the park is a great option. Visitors can choose to go on a trail or enjoy one of the many park amenities.

There is a dog-friendly beach, observe and photograph birds, go on a historic fort tour, have a picnic, and use the other beach amenities.

The park is loved by families and nature lovers and is wonderful for fishing from the shore and during the fishing off the pier.

For those looking for a park closer to the Orlando area, there are many activities for those looking for a park closer to the Orlando area.

7. St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach is a lively resort town that features a beautiful beach. Visitors can partake in fun activities such as jet skiing, paddle boarding, and parasailing.

There are many beachfront families. St. Pete Beach is perfect for families and couples. The well-maintained, lifeguarded, and shower equipped beach is a great place for families.

St. Pete Beach is two hours from beautiful Orlando and offers easy access to Fort De Soto and John’s Pass Village.

8. Canaveral National Seashore

Canaveral National Seashore is a unique, dfront beach that is a great secluded option. Because it is a great option for people that love to see wildlife like sea turtles and manatees and enjoy sans crowds.

The beach offers miles of untouched sand perfect for long walks and beach photography.

Visitors can enjoy historic and stragic points of interest, dry camping, and designed hiking trails. You will love Canaveral National Seashore, help also to provided Florida’s coastal calm.

9. Indian Harbour Beach

An hour from Orlando, Indian Harbour Beach is a little family-friendly, less-crowded beach located near Cocoa Beach.

It has a calm and relaxed environment, and is perfect for a peaceful getaway. It has soft sand, picnic, and fishing areas.

Because of the warm waters, activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling are common.

This beach is ideal for casual beach-goers looking for natural beauty and quiteness at Indian Harbour Beach.

There are small local shops and cafes, making the relaxed community atmosphere even better.

10. Ponce Inlet

Ponce Inlet offers a quiet beach alternative to Daytona Beach. It features a historic lighthouse, a couple of fishing spots, and places to surf. Visitors can enjoy the gorgeous beach, surf, or even enjoy the beachcombing.

Paddle swimming and family leisure is possible in the calm shore waters, while the larger waves are great for surfers. Pier and shoreline fishing is available for anglers.

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is a must-see location for history lovers. In about an hour and 15 minutes, Ponce Inlet gives the perfect combination of history and leisure.

Conclusion

To sum up our travels to the best beaches near Orlando ,There is something for everybody whether active and fun beach activities or calm and serene beach activities.

These beaches are amazing for all ages and for all interests. They are so close to the city so they are perfect for day trips.

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