Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida
Searching for the best beaches near Orlando, Florida to visit on your next day trip or vacation? Well, you are in the right place! Whether I'm planning a family outing, a romantic weekend with Chris, or a solo day trip to unwind by the ocean, the beaches near Orlando deliver such a refreshing change of pace from the city. Living in Orlando is fun, but honestly, you start to miss the ocean. Here are the beaches I recommend that are worth driving to for a day or a weekend, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Daytona Beach - 1 hour from Orlando
This is one of my favorite beaches when I want the best mix of fun, sun, and excitement near Orlando. I love that it’s only about an hour’s drive east, making it an easy day trip from my home base especially if I get started early before everyone else hits the road.
I always feel a rush of joy when I first step onto Daytona's 23 miles of wide, golden sand. The waves here are awesome for surfing, and I love the drive-on beach access that doesn't require too much planning.
If you get bored of relaxing, you can explore the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, catch a concert at the Bandshell, or visit the Daytona International Speedway nearby.
- Location: Located along the Atlantic Ocean on Florida’s east coast
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
My personal highlight here is watching surfers at sunset before driving home.
2. Cocoa Beach - 1 hour by car from Orlando
Since it’s just about an hour’s drive east, we find this beach to be the perfect spot for a quick getaway.
One of the coolest features here is the Cocoa Beach Pier, where you can go for fresh seafood and amazing views of the Atlantic.
I think that Cocoa Beach is one of the best beaches near Orlando because it's family-friendly, easy to get to and has all the amenities for a simple beach day trip.
We stayed at the 4-star Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront for two care-free days which gave us more time to relax and enjoy the ocean.
- Location: COn Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County, along the Atlantic Ocean
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Building sandcastles and watching the sunset together after.
A downside? You need to watch out for summer thunderstorms in the afternoon - they can spoil your fun if you have to run for your car.
3. Caladesi Island State Park - 2 hours from Orlando
This is one of the most amazing hidden beach gems I’ve ever discovered in Florida, and we love that it’s only a couple of hours west of Orlando (near Clearwater and Dunedin!).
You can go on a day trip but I like spending a night or two in the area. Fortunately, there are plenty of options whether you want romance or a family getaway like 3-star Beso Del Sol Resort or 3-star Shephard's Beach Resort where we stayed two blissful days.
You can reach Caladesi Island by ferry, and personally I thought that boat ride alone felt like such a cool and unusual adventure.
- Location: Off the Gulf Coast of Florida near Dunedin and Clearwater, accessible by ferry or private boat
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Building sandcastles on the beach with my son was my personal highlight.
4. Canaveral National Seashore - 1 hour from Orlando
This is one of the coolest and most underrated beaches near Orlando, sitting just about an hour’s drive east between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach.
We love how wild and unspoiled it feels here. There are no big hotels, no flashy boardwalks, just miles of untouched sand, dunes, and waves that make it feel like a hidden gem from another time.
One of my favorite parts is spotting wildlife. Look for manatees, dolphins and sea turtles nesting along the shore. It’s an absolute best spot for nature lovers that completely won me over.
You can pack a picnic lunch and explore the dunes and trails, which give you a totally unique perspective of the area. I have to say though that the line at the entrance can stretch out in the summer!
- Location: On Florida’s east coast between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, spanning Volusia and Brevard counties
- Map & Directions
- Canaveral National Seashore website
What I loved best:
I love how affordable it is...just a small entry fee, and suddenly you’re in one of Florida’s most spectacular and unusual beach parks.
5. Flagler Beach - 1.5 hours from Orlando
This has become one of my favorite beach vacations, sitting just about 1.5 hours northeast of Orlando along Florida’s scenic coast. Why? First off, the town still feels like a 1950s beach getaway, with mom-and-pop diners and six miles of uncrowded shoreline. Secondly, the sand here has a unique cinnamon color, which I think makes it one of the most unusual and interesting beaches in the area.
Chris and I decided on a last minute romantic getaway this month and stayed at 3-star adults-only Island Cottage Inn (around $167/night) for five care-free days. We enjoyed lunch at Golden Lion Cafe a few times, just 6 minutes away right across from the beach where we loved the ocean views.
- Location: Along Florida’s northeast coast in Flagler County, between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach
- Location: Map & Directions
What I loved best:
My personal highlights were strolling along Flagler Beach Pier, relaxing on the beach (of course!), eating fresh seafood just across the street at Flagler Fish Company, and visiting Fort Matanzas National Monument nearby.
6. Melbourne - 1 hour 45 minutes from Orlando
This town is only about an hour and a half from Orlando and we love the small-town charm of this beach destination, perfect for a day trip from the city.
I thought the beaches here were spectacular and some of my favorites when I moved to the South. I adore wide stretches of golden sand and waves that are awesome for surfing, swimming, or just looking at. I’ve always thought it was one of the absolute best spots on Florida’s Space Coast.
- Location: On Florida’s Space Coast in Brevard County, along the Indian River Lagoon and near the Atlantic Ocean
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Beyond the beach, my favorite things to do are walking along the Beach Pier, exploring unique shops, art galleries, and cool cafés downtown.
7. Treasure Island - 2 hours from Orlando
But if you just want to drop off the map for a few days, Treasure Island is my absolute favorite beach! The sand on Treasure Island is soft, with calm water, and stretches for miles!
In addition, I've combined a weekend on this barrier island of about 6,800 residents with a retro beach-town vibe, with a fun stay in Tampa 40 minutes a way (mid-way between Orlando and Treasure Island).
The Treasure Island Beach Trail, a a paved walkway right along the sand, is perfect for a joyful stroll or a romantic evening walk at sunset. Treasure Island is an exceptional hidden gem on Florida’s Gulf Coast!
- Location: On Florida’s Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, between St. Pete Beach and Madeira Beach
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
The old-school motels, quirky shops, and beach bars make it such an interesting and unique destination.
8. Clearwater Beach - 2 hours from Orlando
This barrier island city of roughly 9,000 is known for its sugar-white sand and it's one of my top pics for a relaxing beach weekend getaway! From Tampa, it was about a 40-minute drive west to this amazing city (2 hours from Orlando), where we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach ($245) for three nights, right on the sand.
We love the soft, sugar-white sand here—it feels like walking on powder. In addition, the water is crystal clear, which makes it one of the most spectacular family-friendly beaches in Florida.
- Location: On Florida’s Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, west of Tampa, on a barrier island along the Gulf
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Watching beach volleyball games, music, and families enjoying the sun!
9. Fort De Soto Park - 2 hours from Orlando
This park is one of the most spectacular and underrated beach destinations I’ve ever visited! Since it’s only about 2 hours from Orlando, it’s a brilliant idea for a quick escape. I've planned a weekend getaway combo to Fort De Soto Park and St. Petersburg too (they are 25 minutes apart).
Fort De Soto didn’t just have one beach. It stretched across five islands! We arrived early and followed the winding road past mangroves and marsh. Everything felt bigger here.
We love that this park’s a whole experience filled with history, nature, and absolutely stunning scenery. The sand is soft and white, the water is calm and clear, and I honestly think it’s one of the absolute best spots for both swimming and kayaking.
- Location: On Florida’s Gulf Coast at the southern tip of Pinellas County, near St. Petersburg, spanning a chain of barrier islands
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
One of my favorite features here is the dog-friendly beach area. Watching pups splash in the waves is always exciting and adds to the cool, relaxed vibe of the park.
10. New Smyrna Beach - 1 hour from Orlando
This is one of our favorite coastal escapes, and since it’s only about an hour from Orlando, it feels like the perfect spot for a quick beach day without having to pack an overnight bag. It's also historic! Founded in 1768, it’s one of the oldest settlements in Florida.
For me, it's such an affordable day trip, with plenty of free fun like beach walks, shell collecting, or simply relaxing under the sun. We’ve had some of our best family memories here without ever overspending. Trust me, if you want a cheap day away from the daily grind, head to my personally vetted favorite, New Smyrna Beach!
- Location: On Florida’s east coast in Volusia County, just south of Daytona Beach along the Atlantic Ocean
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
For me, New Smyrna Beach is one of the best beaches near Orlando, Florida because it's scenic and unique!
What I really love is the unusual mix of beach, nature and culture.
You can spend the morning spotting dolphins or manatees on a kayaking trip, then enjoy live music and art festivals in town by evening.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
