Top Beaches Near Orlando, Florida
A trip to Orlando is not complete without visiting some amazing beaches near this fantastic city. From the famous Cocoa beach to the not-so-famous but my personal favorite, New Smyrna Beach, we will review the best of the best beaches near Orlando. In just over an hour, you can reach various beaches to fit any beachgoer’s needs. You might think of Orlando as the theme park center of Florida and possibly the entire world. Still, they also have some of the best beaches in the USA.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is located only 45 minutes from the city of Orlando. This beautiful coastline offers a relaxed atmosphere and fantastic views of nature at its best. Surfers love the waves here, and you will see surfers regularly or give surfing a try yourself. If you need surfing lessons, they are offered here. Be sure to check us out before or after you visit Cocoa Beach, as this is the closest beach to The Escape Hatch in Orlando.
This Beach has lots of top-rated restaurants next to it, such as Coconuts on the Beach. They offer unique cocktails, or try their Mahi Sandwich. Cocoa beach is also famous for its deep-sea fishing options. You are only a short drive away from the amazing Kennedy Space Center, where you can actually meet astronauts. If you time it well, you can watch a rocket shoot into space! Not many places you can do that, right?
New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is a personal favorite of mine. It boasts 13 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches. But the best part is you can drive onto the beach and park, saving a considerable hassle of parking your car far away and having to lug all your stuff to and from the beach. It’s only around 1 hours drive from downtown Orlando.
Work on your tan, or go surfing; it’s also great for beach fishing. They have decent-sized waves for surfing. This is one of the lesser-known beaches, so it’s usually not too crowded except on national holidays. And it’s more family-friendly than some of the others on this list.
The New Smyrna downtown area also has some lovely shops and restaurants you should check out on your way to the Beach. A few notable restaurants you should try are the Outriggers Tiki Bar & Grille and The Grille at Riverview, both reasonably priced and highly rated.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, like New Smyrna Beach, enables tourists to park on its lovely white sand beaches, as evidenced in this live video of Daytona Beach. It’s about an hour’s drive from downtown Orlando and has its own “Main Street Pier,” where you can fish or watch the seagulls. There are numerous restaurants, such as the Inlet Harbor Raw Bar and Grill, and plenty of hotels to stay at during your visit.
Check out the Boardwalk Amusements and go shopping at the Ocean Walk Village Shoppes. The Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet is a great family getaway, and admission is only $8 at the time of this writing. It’s a great learning experience for the whole family.
Clearwater Beach
Looking for a true tropical paradise within driving distance? It may be a bit further to drive than some of the beaches mentioned in this article, but it’s worth the trip. Clearwater Beach is located on the Gulf of Mexico and has truly white sandy beaches, which are much whiter than New Smyrna. It almost looks like snow. The water is also more aqua green/blue, and the beaches are very well maintained. It’s a bit of a trek, but if you want to go jet skiing or snorkeling, this is the beach for you.
Clearwater is one of the top-rated beaches in the entire USA. You feel like you are in the tropics due to the consistent warm/hot weather throughout the year. A true gem that should not be missed. Don’t forget to check out Crabby’s Beachwalk Bar & Grill for their amazing Oysters and margaritas! Or have breakfast at the “Another Broken Egg Cafe” and try their amazing pancakes.
Vero Beach
It’s a bit of a drive, but Vero Beach is worth the two-hour drive from Disney World. It’s a small Florida city on the Atlantic coast. Be sure to visit Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Its white sanding beaches, sand dunes, and local turtle population are active between May and October. They have many great surf shops, such as the Wabasso Beach & Surf Shop or the Riverside Theatre, which hosts hundreds of performances.
With its tropical vibe and beautiful ocean views, Vero Beach is a perfect place to spend some peaceful time. Plenty of activities keep you busy once you’ve had your fill of resting. Vero Beach is also known for its great Golf courses and fishing locations.
In conclusion
We at The Escape Hatch Orlando hope you enjoyed our top picks for beaches near Orlando. There are many more beaches in Florida, so be sure to also research and find the perfect Beach for you and your family.
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