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.

Best Beaches Near Orlando Under 1 Hour by Car

When I don't have a lot of time and just want to spend an afternoon relaxing by the ocean, these beaches are my go-to spots because they are the easiest to get to from Orlando.

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 (of course!), and I love the drive-on beach access that doesn't require too much planning beforehand.

I love that 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.

In addition, I loved that Daytona Beach was such a cool destination for foodies, including Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar (slow cooked ribs are amazing here!) and Caribbean Jack's (try the Coconut Crunchy Shrimp Salad).

• 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

We absolutely love Cocoa Beach, and have been many times. Since it’s just about an hour’s drive east, we find this beach to be one of the most perfect spots for a quick day trip from Orlando or a relaxing Florida weekend getaway.

My husband, son and I stayed at the 4-star Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront (from $171/night) for five care-free days which gave us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the ocean.

One of the coolest features here is the historic Cocoa Beach Pier, where we always stop for fresh seafood and amazing views of the Atlantic.

I also appreciated how close Cocoa Beach is to Kennedy Space Center, adding a unique twist to the trip.

The mix of space history and ocean scenery makes this destination one of the most unusual beach towns.

• Location: On 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 was my favorite highlight.

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. 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 - In fact, 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!

In addition, I loved that New Smyrna Beach offers so many great dining options during our affordable week in a vacation rental. The Breakers Ocean Front Restaurant & Bar was the best for ocean views, while Norwood's Restaurant & Treehouse Bar was a standout for retro vibes and live music.

• 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 most is the unusual mix of beach, nature and culture.

I can spend the morning spotting dolphins or manatees on a kayaking trip, then enjoy live music and art festivals in town by evening, my favorite highlight.

4. Canaveral National Seashore - 1 hour from Orlando

This is one of the most underrated beaches near Orlando, sitting just about an hour’s drive east of Orlando (between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach).

What I love about visiting Canaveral National Seashore is how wild and untouched it feels, especially compared to the nearby theme parks and busy beaches in central Florida. It’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy nature, and spend a peaceful day by the ocean. I recommend bringing plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray, and getting there early—parking is limited and the heat can build quickly.

To get to Canaveral National Seashore, I suggest driving, as there’s no practical public transportation option. The park is about 30 minutes from Titusville and roughly an hour from Orlando, depending on traffic. There are two main entrances—Apollo Beach (north) and Playalinda Beach (south)—so which one you choose will depend on where you’re coming from and what you want to see. Entry costs $25 USD per vehicle, which is good for seven days.

If you make the trip, I think you should absolutely plan to spend time on the beach and explore the park’s natural trails. The beaches here are pristine and far less crowded than most Florida beaches, making them ideal for swimming, sunbathing, or just relaxing with the sound of the waves. Playalinda Beach is especially popular, while Apollo Beach tends to feel a bit quieter and more remote.

Beyond the beach, there’s plenty to do. You can walk the Eldora Hammock Trail, visit historic sites like the Eldora State House, or keep an eye out for wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and countless bird species. If you’re lucky and visiting during the right season, you might even see sea turtle tracks in the sand. On certain days, you can also catch incredible views of rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral.

I’ll warn you that Canaveral National Seashore is very spread out and intentionally undeveloped. There aren’t many food options or amenities once you’re inside the park, so it’s best to pack snacks or a picnic and plan ahead. The lack of crowds and commercial activity is part of what makes it special, but it does require a little preparation. If you want a deeper understanding of the area, consider joining a guided kayak tour through the nearby lagoons or a wildlife-focused eco tour.

• 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 ($15-$25, or use your America the Beautiful Pass), and suddenly you’re in one of Florida’s most spectacular and unusual beach parks.

Local tip: You can pack a picnic lunch and explore the dunes and trails, which give you a totally unique perspective of the area.

A downside? I have to say though that the line at the entrance can stretch out in the summer!

Best Beaches Around 1 - 2 Hours by Car from Orlando

These beaches are perfect for a whole-day trip from Orlando with a bit more driving, but I don't mind it because we love the scenery along the way.

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 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 four 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 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 is one of my favorite coastal beach destinations to visit because it gives you that classic Florida beach experience without the theme-park crowds.

Only about an hour and a half from Orlando, we love the small-town charm of Melbourne, 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.

Best Beaches Near Orlando 2 Hours by Car

The following beaches take at least two hours to reach by car from Orlando so I like them for a weekend getaway or as a part of a longer Florida road trip.

7. Treasure Island - 2 hours from Orlando

If you just want to drop off the map for a few days, Treasure Island is my absolute favorite beach! We stayed in 4-star Bilmar Beach Resort for three relaxing days and enjoyed calm water and soft sand on Treasure Island that 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 away (mid-way between Orlando and Treasure Island).

• Location: On Florida’s Gulf Coast in Pinellas County, between St. Pete Beach and Madeira Beach
• Map & Directions

What I loved best:

The Treasure Island Beach Trail, a paved walkway right along the sand, is perfect for a joyful stroll or a romantic evening walk at sunset (an exceptional hidden gem on Florida’s Gulf Coast!)

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 which 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 was my favorite highlight!

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 in the U.S.! Since it’s only about 2 hours from Orlando, it’s a brilliant idea for a quick escape from the city. I've planned a weekend getaway combo to Fort De Soto Park and St. Petersburg too (since they are just 25 minutes apart).

Incredibly, Fort De Soto didn’t just have one beach. It actually stretched across five islands!

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.

Just a short, easy drive from St. Petersburg, it felt like an instant escape from everyday life, with no stress and no rush the moment we crossed the bridge onto the islands.

The park’s wide stretches of sugar-soft sand and turquoise water felt almost untouched, giving us space to slow down and just be together. We spent long mornings walking barefoot along North Beach, the breeze warm and salty, collecting shells and watching dolphins surface just offshore.

One of my favorite moments was biking along the park’s scenic trails, surrounded by sea oats, mangroves, and flashes of blue water at every turn—it felt peaceful and intimate, like we had the place to ourselves.

We loved setting up a simple picnic near the historic fort, sharing fresh fruit and snacks while listening to the waves roll in. Exploring the old fort itself added a touch of history and charm, especially as the sun started to dip lower and cast golden light over the stone walls.

Afternoons often turned into lazy beach days—floating in the calm water, reading side by side, or just lying in the sand with no agenda at all. The sunsets were always unforgettable, painting the sky in soft pinks and fiery oranges that made us pause and take it all in.

Evenings felt especially romantic, with quiet drives back along the water and that sun-tired, happy feeling you only get after a full day outdoors.

• Location: On Florida’s Gulf Coast at the southern tip of Pinellas County, near St. Petersburg, spanning a chain of barrier islands
• Map & Directions
• Fort De Soto Park website

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. Caladesi Island State Park - 2 hours from Orlando

This is one of the most amazing hidden beach gems I’ve ever discovered in Florida! In addition, 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 on my weekends. 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 - I thought that boat ride alone felt like such a cool adventure and I can vouch for it being the perfect family-friendly thing to do on a beach vacation!

• 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.

Hi, I'm Ema. I'm the face behind VacationIdea.com. My husband, son are frequent travelers and spent 5 years on the road discovering some of the best places to visit in the USA. We base ourselves in a new place every 4 weeks weeks which has allowed us to experience each destination as a local. I love to chase unique things to do near me and revisit old favorites for a cool, fresh perspective. I'm also eager to learn from my fellow travelers to see what works for people and what doesn't. Whether you like great sunsets, hidden gems, places of mystery, famous attractions, or underrated experiences, here you'll find all of those recommendations from locals that won me over. Let's explore together! More about us.