Best Beaches Near Orlando

The closest and best beaches to Orlando, Florida. All within a 1-2 hour drive from the theme parks.

All Beaches | Best Beaches Near Orlando

Taking a break from the theme parks? Orlando is surprisingly close to some of Florida's best beaches. Within 1-2 hours you can go from roller coasters to ocean waves. Here are the beaches worth the drive, sorted by distance from downtown Orlando.

18 Beaches near Orlando

Quick Comparison

# Beach Crowds
1 New Smyrna Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet
2 Cocoa Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
3 Daytona Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Popular
4 Vero Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet
5 St. Augustine Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
6 Caladesi Island ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet
7 Honeymoon Island ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
8 Clearwater Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Popular
9 Indian Rocks Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet
10 Madeira Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
11 St. Pete Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Popular
12 Pass-a-Grille Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet
13 Fort De Soto Park ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
14 Anna Maria Island ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
15 Longboat Key ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet
16 Lido Key ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Moderate
17 Siesta Key Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Popular
18 Venice Beach ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Quiet

Beaches Near Orlando, Ranked

1

New Smyrna Beach

Atlantic Coast ยท 43 mi from Orlando

New Smyrna Beach stands out for surfing capital of florida with excellent wave conditions. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids Limited natural shade โ€” bring an umbrella
Full beach guide
2

Cocoa Beach

Atlantic Coast ยท 49 mi from Orlando

Cocoa Beach stands out for best surfing on florida's atlantic coast. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.

Great for families with kids Dogs welcome on the beach Limited natural shade โ€” bring an umbrella
Full beach guide
3

Daytona Beach

Atlantic Coast ยท 51 mi from Orlando

Daytona Beach stands out for only beach in florida where you can drive on the sand. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Parking runs $20 daily beach driving pass; regular parking $10-15.

Great for families with kids Dogs welcome on the beach Can get very crowded on weekends and holidays
Full beach guide
4

Vero Beach

Atlantic Coast ยท 87 mi from Orlando

Vero Beach stands out for 26 miles of pristine, uncrowded atlantic beaches. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids Limited natural shade โ€” bring an umbrella
Full beach guide
5

St. Augustine Beach

Atlantic Coast ยท 91 mi from Orlando

St. Augustine Beach stands out for minutes from historic downtown st. augustine. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.

Great for families with kids Dogs welcome on the beach Limited natural shade โ€” bring an umbrella
Full beach guide
6

Caladesi Island

Gulf Coast ยท 94 mi from Orlando

Caladesi Island stands out for accessible only by boat or ferry. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Parking runs $8 per vehicle at Honeymoon Island State Park.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids No pets allowed on the beach
Full beach guide
7

Honeymoon Island

Gulf Coast ยท 94 mi from Orlando

Honeymoon Island stands out for four miles of natural beaches. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $8 per vehicle.

Great for families with kids Dogs welcome on the beach No lifeguards โ€” swim at your own risk
Full beach guide
8

Clearwater Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 95 mi from Orlando

Clearwater Beach stands out for #1 rated beach in america. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Parking runs $2-3/hour, lots $20-30/day.

Great for families with kids Crystal-clear water Can get very crowded on weekends and holidays
Full beach guide
9

Indian Rocks Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 100 mi from Orlando

Indian Rocks Beach stands out for peaceful, residential beach atmosphere. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids No pets allowed on the beach
Full beach guide
10

Madeira Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 100 mi from Orlando

Madeira Beach stands out for famous john's pass village and boardwalk. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $3-5 per hour or $10-15 daily.

Great for families with kids Famous John's Pass Village and Boardwalk No pets allowed on the beach
Full beach guide
11

St. Pete Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 100 mi from Orlando

St. Pete Beach stands out for iconic pink don cesar resort landmark. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Parking runs $3-5 per hour or $15-20 daily.

Great for families with kids Iconic pink Don CeSar Resort landmark Can get very crowded on weekends and holidays
Full beach guide
12

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 101 mi from Orlando

Pass-a-Grille Beach stands out for historic beach community dating to 1900s. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Parking runs $2-3 per hour.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids No pets allowed on the beach
Full beach guide
13

Fort De Soto Park

Gulf Coast ยท 104 mi from Orlando

Fort De Soto Park stands out for consistently ranked among america's top beaches. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $5 per vehicle.

Great for families with kids Dogs welcome on the beach No lifeguards โ€” swim at your own risk
Full beach guide
14

Anna Maria Island

Gulf Coast ยท 108 mi from Orlando

Anna Maria Island stands out for no high-rise buildings preserve island charm. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Free parking is a bonus.

Great for families with kids Dogs welcome on the beach No lifeguards โ€” swim at your own risk
Full beach guide
15

Longboat Key

Gulf Coast ยท 111 mi from Orlando

Longboat Key stands out for twelve miles of pristine beaches. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids No pets allowed on the beach
Full beach guide
16

Lido Key

Gulf Coast ยท 112 mi from Orlando

Lido Key stands out for beautiful lido beach with excellent facilities. It offers a good balance of activity and space. Parking runs $5 daily.

Great for families with kids Beautiful Lido Beach with excellent facilities No pets allowed on the beach
Full beach guide
17

Siesta Key Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 113 mi from Orlando

Siesta Key Beach stands out for 99% pure quartz crystal sand. It offers a popular destination, so arrive early for the best spot. Free parking is a bonus.

Great for families with kids Crystal-clear water Can get very crowded on weekends and holidays
Full beach guide
18

Venice Beach

Gulf Coast ยท 119 mi from Orlando

Venice Beach stands out for world-famous shark tooth hunting. It offers a peaceful escape with few crowds. Free parking is a bonus.

Uncrowded and peaceful Great for families with kids No lifeguards โ€” swim at your own risk
Full beach guide

Browse All 18 Beaches

New Smyrna Beach
Quiet

Atlantic Coast

New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is known as the surfing capital of Florida, offering consistent waves and a charming small-town atmosphere. This artistic coastal community combines world-class surf breaks with a historic downtown and pristine 13 miles of beach.

Families Quiet
Cocoa Beach
Moderate

Atlantic Coast

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is Florida's premier surfing destination and gateway to the Space Coast, combining excellent waves with rocket launch viewing opportunities. This laid-back beach town centers around the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop and offers authentic surf culture.

Families Snorkeling
Daytona Beach
Popular

Atlantic Coast

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is famous for its hard-packed sand that allows cars to drive right onto the beach, combined with a rich NASCAR heritage and 23 miles of wide, beautiful shoreline. This iconic destination blends motorsports history with classic Florida beach fun.

Families Surfing
Vero Beach
Quiet

Atlantic Coast

Vero Beach

Vero Beach epitomizes the Treasure Coast's upscale yet relaxed character with pristine beaches, excellent shopping and dining, and a thriving arts scene. This sophisticated coastal town offers natural beauty and cultural amenities in an uncrowded, Old Florida setting.

Families Quiet
St. Augustine Beach
Moderate

Atlantic Coast

St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach offers pristine Atlantic coastline just minutes from America's oldest city, combining historic charm with excellent surfing and family-friendly amenities. This laid-back beach community provides the perfect complement to exploring St. Augustine's colonial heritage.

Families Shelling
Caladesi Island
Quiet

Gulf Coast

Caladesi Island

An unspoiled barrier island state park accessible only by boat or ferry, offering three miles of pristine natural beaches that consistently rank among America's best.

Families Quiet
Honeymoon Island
Moderate

Gulf Coast

Honeymoon Island

A natural barrier island state park featuring four miles of beautiful beaches, world-class shelling, and abundant wildlife just minutes from Dunedin.

Families Snorkeling
Clearwater Beach
Popular

Gulf Coast

Clearwater Beach

Consistently ranked America's #1 beach, Clearwater Beach offers pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and the famous Pier 60 sunset celebration.

Families Sunsets
Indian Rocks Beach
Quiet

Gulf Coast

Indian Rocks Beach

A laid-back residential beach community beloved by locals, offering a quieter alternative to busier neighboring beaches while maintaining excellent access and amenities.

Families Quiet
Madeira Beach
Moderate

Gulf Coast

Madeira Beach

A vibrant beach town centered around the popular John's Pass Village boardwalk, offering excellent fishing, waterfront dining, and a perfect blend of beach relaxation and entertainment.

Families Snorkeling
St. Pete Beach
Popular

Gulf Coast

St. Pete Beach

A classic Florida beach destination featuring the iconic pink Don CeSar hotel, powdery white sand, and a vibrant beachfront scene perfect for families and sunseekers alike.

Families Sunsets
Pass-a-Grille Beach
Quiet

Gulf Coast

Pass-a-Grille Beach

A historic, quiet beach town at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach, offering Old Florida charm, a quaint downtown area, and uncrowded beaches perfect for a peaceful getaway.

Families Quiet
Fort De Soto Park
Moderate

Gulf Coast

Fort De Soto Park

A sprawling 1,136-acre county park featuring award-winning beaches, historic fort, extensive campgrounds, and the area's most popular dog beach at North Beach.

Families Snorkeling
Anna Maria Island
Moderate

Gulf Coast

Anna Maria Island

A charming seven-mile barrier island that preserves Old Florida character with a strict ban on high-rises, offering pristine beaches, quaint shops, and a relaxed island lifestyle.

Families Snorkeling
Longboat Key
Quiet

Gulf Coast

Longboat Key

An exclusive 12-mile barrier island resort destination featuring upscale resorts, championship golf courses, and pristine beaches perfect for a luxurious Gulf Coast getaway.

Families Quiet
Lido Key
Moderate

Gulf Coast

Lido Key

An upscale barrier island just south of downtown Sarasota, featuring pristine Lido Beach, the famous St. Armands Circle shopping district, and easy access to cultural attractions.

Families Snorkeling
Siesta Key Beach
Popular

Gulf Coast

Siesta Key Beach

Famous for its 99% pure quartz sand that stays cool in the sun, Siesta Key Beach consistently ranks among the world's most beautiful beaches.

Families Snorkeling
Venice Beach
Quiet

Gulf Coast

Venice Beach

Known worldwide as the Shark Tooth Capital, this charming beach town offers exceptional fossil hunting, beautiful beaches, and a welcoming downtown area with Old Florida character.

Families Quiet

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest beach to Orlando?
The closest beach to Orlando is New Smyrna Beach, approximately 43 miles away. It's a popular choice for a quick day trip from the city.
How many beaches are within driving distance of Orlando?
There are 18 beaches within 120 miles of Orlando, giving you plenty of options for a day trip or weekend getaway.
What's the best beach near Orlando for families?
New Smyrna Beach (about 43 miles from Orlando) is an excellent family-friendly option with calm waters and good amenities.
Is it worth driving from Orlando to the beach for a day trip?
Absolutely! With beaches as close as 43 miles away, a day trip from Orlando is very doable. We recommend arriving early to make the most of your beach day.