Best beaches near Orlando

We%26#39;re going to Orlando the first week in April with our 14 yr old son. We would like to spend one day at ';the beach';. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

I realize that we could be running into Spring Break activities and I would like to avoid that if possible! We are mainly looking for someplace that is good for sitting, swimming and maybe shelling. Gulf side would be nice but will go either way. I think we would be willing to go 1 1/2 hrs drive.

thanks!

Best beaches near Orlando

Hello,

There is another question about this on the forums. Use the search function to find that thread.

My favorite beach is Ormond beach followed by New Smyrna beach.

Donna

Best beaches near Orlando

Idrove from orland to clear water beach, its pretty as a picture and i think it took about 1 1/2 hours.Lots of family fun and i cannot imagine there would be many spring breakers.

Thanks-I%26#39;ll look!

East coast beaches, like Cocoa Beach, are the closest and fastest to get to, but a place like Clearwater is definitely the better beach unless you want to surf.

Clearwater is prettier (IMO) but your son might like the boogie board rentals and Ron Jon%26#39;s surf shop at Cocoa. I took my 11YO son last March and did the boogie board rental, he loved it, and the waves are fun. Clearwater is nice but very few waves, no boogie boards, etc.

Do you want the nearest or the best????????

The best is Fort De Sota near St Pets and if you going at a busy time there is car parking there by the acre and you will be able to get one.

And it ';Free'; 1;40-1;50 mim driving time on a good day. I-4 to Tampa then 275 west and south to exit 16.

turn off exit 16 head for st pets beach , Fort de Sota is a turnoff a mile down.

Or Siest Beach about 2 hrs drive.

Water might be a bit cold on east coast beaches in

Thanks Attitude-I%26#39; know he would love that! I%26#39;ll do some more research on Cocoa. Will the water be very cold on the east side in April? He probably won%26#39;t care-but I might like to get wet. We%26#39;re so used to freezing ocean water here even in the summer that I%26#39;m not sure what to expect.

I agree, Fort DeSoto is beautiful. We went there the first week in April and the water was warm and beautifully blue, the sand powder white. There is a concession area available with food, drinks and water stuff. We also went to Cocoa Beach the same week. After going to Ft. DeSoto it was disappointing. The sand was brown, the area was older, no place to get lunch. There were waves though, but I liked bobbing on the gentle waves of the gulf in my tube better than the bigger ones.

The water is not Seattle cold. But living near the sea you will know what a ';Spring Tides are';

Spring Tides will be around in April just be aware of this particularly with small children.

Cocoa beach has at times some very Strong Long Shore drift and parts of Cocoa are badly scoured by them.

Good info XR! Now I just have to decide which way to go-east or west!