5 Best Beaches Closest to Orlando

Although Orlando has a wealth of fun activities and attractions right on its doorstep, sometimes a day at the seaside is a welcome break. Fortunately, there are several great beaches near Orlando where you can enjoy basking on the sands, beach games, family fun, watersports, romantic strolls, oceanside dining, and more. Check out these terrific beaches, all reachable by car.  

Daytona Beach

  Located on the Atlantic coast around 55 miles from the heart of Orlando, Daytona Beach is especially famous for being home to Daytona International Speedway. Other local attractions include Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, Eldora State House, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Casements, the Basilica of St. Paul Catholic Church, and Tarragona Tower. For outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, biking, nature spotting, and boating, check out natural attractions like Tomoka State Park, Tiger Bay State Forest, and Ponce Preserve.   The white sand beach is perfect for lazy days in the sunshine and an array of watersports, including boating, kayaking, banana boating, and fishing. You might even catch a glimpse of dolphins or sea turtles. Golf courses, top-class restaurants, adrenaline-inducing attractions such as the Daytona Sling Shot and the Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure, shopping hotspots, and year-round festivals add to the appeal. A great place for leisure, Daytona Beach is within easy reach of luxurious Lakewood Park in DeLand.          

Canaveral National Seashore

  Approximately 70 miles from Orlando, Canaveral National Seashore boasts more than 20 miles of gorgeous sands along a beautiful barrier island. If you love less built-up areas, natural beauty, and a feeling of (relative) remoteness, Canaveral National Seashore is a fantastic beach near Orlando. Hit the sands on beaches like Playalinda, Bethune, Klondike, and Apollo. Follow the boardwalks through the undulating dunes, explore the underwater world with a spot of snorkeling or diving, kayak around the islands, take a dip in the waves, and watch rockets launching from the nearby Kennedy Space Center.   When it comes to nature spotting, keen ornithologists should keep their eyes peeled for the many bird species that call the area home, including terns, egrets, spoonbills, falcons, warblers, ducks, storks, and bald eagles. Deer, armadillo, bobcats, alligators, manatees, and sea turtles are among the area’s other exciting wildlife, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a prime destination for nature lovers. Our Rivington community in DeBary is one of the closest Orlando communities to Canaveral National Seashore.  

St. Augustine

  A little more than 100 miles north of Orlando, along the Atlantic coast, St. Augustine Beach is a terrific destination for a day trip or weekend break. The water is pleasantly refreshing in the Florida heat and the waves are great for fans of surfing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and boogie boarding. The stretching sands beckon, great for soaking up some rays, cycling, and enjoying games like beach volleyball, frisbee and soccer, while the long pier is ideal for keen anglers.   There are plentiful dining and drinking options to hand, and nearby attractions include St. Augustine Distillery, St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, the Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine Aquarium, and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. There are numerous historic sites too for a fascinating journey back in time, including the Lightner Museum, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the Colonial Quarter, Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, and the quirky Medieval Torture Museum.    

Clearwater Beach

  Approximately 110 miles from Orlando, Clearwater Beach lies along the Gulf Coast. It’s especially easy to access from the Orlando communities of Hammock Reserve and Cypress Park Estates. Often named as one of the best beaches in the whole country, Clearwater Beach is known for its soft powdery sands and dazzling emerald water. You’ll find plenty of amenities close to the seaside, including restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels.   Family-friendly attractions include Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Splash Harbour Water Park, Heritage Village, and several mini-golf courses, wildlife areas, and parks. Older kids and teens are sure to enjoy activities like parasailing, Segway-ing, ziplining, and trying to beat the Escape Room. Fish from the long pier, explore tiny islands and islets, tour art galleries, relax in wineries… there are so many possibilities.  

Treasure Island

  Around 125 miles from Orlando and just south of Clearwater Beach along the Gulf of Mexico, Treasure Island is a veritable laid-back playground for people of all ages. There are boat trips to suit a wide range of tastes, including fishing excursions, dolphin spotting trips, snorkeling adventures, and cruises on a swashbuckling pirate ship. As well as the sandy beach, the area has boardwalks and dunes to discover.   Treasure Island Fun Center is perfect for younger members of the family, and many parks have play areas for little ones. The nearby Church by the Sea makes for a pretty photo stop, and nearby museums, art galleries, and wineries add to the fun. You can hop on the beach trolley for a quick and easy transfer back to town when you’re ready for a bite to eat.   It’s easy to enjoy an array of beach communities and seaside activities from your Dream Finders home in Orlando.  

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