Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a romantic day trip, or simply a chance to unwind by the ocean, the beaches near Orlando deliver 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 think you’ll enjoy them too.
1. Daytona Beach - 1 hour
Daytona Beach is one of my favorite spots when I want the best mix of fun, sun, and excitement near Orlando, Florida—it’s only about an hour’s drive east, making it an easy day trip especially if you 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: Map & Directions
2. Cocoa Beach - 1 hour by car from Orlando
Since it’s just about an hour’s drive east, we find Cocoa Beach to be the perfect weekend getaway when we need sand, surf, and sunshine.
One of the coolest features here is the Cocoa Beach Pier, where you can go for fresh seafood and amazing views of the Atlantic.
It's great for building sandcastles and a romantic place to watch the sunset together. 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.
- Location: Map & Directions
3. Caladesi Island State Park - 2 hours
Caladesi Island State Park is one of the most amazing hidden gems I’ve ever discovered in Florida, and 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 and there are plenty of options whether you want romance or a family getaway like 3-star Beso Del Sol Resort or Shephard's Beach Resort.
You can reach Caladesi Island by ferry, and I thought that boat ride alone felt like such a cool and unusual adventure.
- Location: Map & Directions
4. Canaveral National Seashore - 1 hour
Canaveral National Seashore 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.
You can pack a picnic lunch and explore the dunes and trails, which give you a totally unique perspective of the area. I also 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. I have to say though that the line at the entrance can stretch out in the summer!
- Location: Map & Directions
5. Flagler Beach - 1.5 hours from Orlando
Flagler Beach has become one of my favorite beaches near Orlando, sitting just about 1.5 hours northeast of Orlando along Florida’s scenic coast.
The town still feels like a 1950s beach getaway, with mom-and-pop diners and six miles of uncrowded shoreline. The sand here has a unique cinnamon color, which I think makes it one of the most unusual and interesting beaches in the area. I enjoy strolling along Flagler Beach Pier, eating fresh seafood just across the street at Flagler Fish Company, and visiting Fort Matanzas National Monument nearby.
- Location: Map & Directions
6. Melbourne - 1 hour 45 minutes
Melbourne, Florida is only about an hour and a half from Orlando and we love the small-town charm or this area. The beaches here are spectacular, with 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. We enjoy walking along the Melbourne Beach Pier, exploring unique shops, art galleries, and cool cafés downtown.
- Location: Map & Directions
7. Treasure Island - 2 hours
I've combined a weekend on Treasure Island, a barrier island of about 6,800 residents with a retro beach-town vibe, with a stay in Tampa 40 minutes a way and mid-way between Orlando and Treasure Island. But if you just want to drop off the map for a few days, Treasure Island is the way to go. The beach here stretches for miles with soft white sand and calm water. The old-school motels, quirky shops, and vibrant beach bars make it such an interesting and unique destination.
The Treasure Island Beach Trail, a a pavd 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: Map & Directions
8. Clearwater Beach - 2 hours
From Tampa, it was about a 40-minute drive west to Clearwater Beach (2 hours from Orlando). This barrier island city of roughly 9,000 is also known for its sugar-white sand. 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, and the water is crystal clear, which makes it one of the most spectacular family-friendly beaches in Florida.
I think Clearwater has such a vibrant energy, with beach volleyball games, music, and families enjoying the sun. It always feels exciting and full of life without losing its relaxed vibe.
- Location: Map & Directions
9. Fort De Soto Park - 2 hours
Fort De Soto Park is one of the most spectacular and underrated beach destinations I’ve visited, and 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.
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.
- Location: Map & Directions
10. New Smyrna Beach - 1 hour from Orlando
New Smyrna Beach 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.
What I really love is the unusual mix of 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.
It’s also 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.
- Location: Map & Directions
Conclusion
There you go. I think you'll find the perfect beach spot to drive to from Orlando, whether you are looking for just a quick swim or a relaxing weekend surrounded by natre.
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.
