Close beaches

We are planning on splitting up our trip to Orlando with a few nights at a nearby beach. It seems Cocoa Beach is the closest and it does look nice but I was wondering if anyone else has recommendations for a different beach I may have overlooked? (Our group is me and my husband and our 18 month old. So we are interested in a nice hotel, good pool and nice beach closeby to restaurants.)

Thanks!

Close beaches

Hi have been to both coasts Cocoa Beach is lovely but must say the waves were big (being on the Atlantic) and maybe a bit too much for paddling with an 18 month old. We went to Indan Rocks Beach on the Gulf Coast,lovely beach, windy the day we were there, sea much calmer and takes about 1 and a half hours to get there from Kissimmee. Haven%26#39;t stayed in either place so can%26#39;t comment on hotels.

Close beaches

I would recommend the Gulf Coast beaches, the closest of which is Clearwater. The Gulf Coast has calmer, warmer water, and better sand. Cocoa beach is worn down from frequent tropical storms and tends to have a lot of seaweed and crabs. It is a mediocre beach, IMO but Clearwater and the other Gulf Coast beaches are great.

The Gulf Coast beaches are a little bit farther than the East Coast, though. Cocoa is about 30-45 minutes out from Orlando, Clearwater is about an hour to an hour and a half away.

For a nice beach with active waves, try the Daytona Beach area, you can drive and park on the beach (small fee), there is plenty to do in the area along with the beach, Ponce Inlet lighthouse, Angel and Phelps free chocolate factory tour, minor league ball park, Daytona Speedway tour and IMAX, boardwalk, Traders restaurant hot wings, and much more.

Personally,

I would perhaps take a look at Sanibel Island.

I%26#39;ve only ever spent the day at Sanibel %26amp; Captiva but they seem to have a great ambience, nice beaches with plenty of restaurants and resorts. They have as much of an islandy feel as your likely to get in Florida.

You may find some good condos too.

Try looking on www.holiday-rentals.co.uk

For your situation gulf coast beaches are the best.

St Petes and the beautiful beaches of Fort de sota.

At St Petes many hotels back onto the beach

Fort de Sota America%26#39;s best beach has shallow warm inner pools as well as shallow beaches. Shade, pninic areas , berbaque spots run right down to the shoreline.

Siesta beach with its white corals sand is large clean, shallow and easily accessible.

All the above can be got to within 2 hrs drive of the Disney parks area..

Cocoa beach has few hotels which back onto the beach. And along with Daytona the surf is rougher and colder. And has strong longshore drift currants, not ldeal unless your kids can swimm like a fish.

I have been to Cocoa and Clearwater. Both were crowded, Clearwater is definitely more little-kid-friendly. Maybe you could find a gulf-coast beach that isn%26#39;t so famous? And beware the seagulls, they ripped a sandwich from my hands. The kids found it hysterical even if I didn%26#39;t!

While Cocoa Beach is the closest, I definitely prefer the Gulf Coast beaches (Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach are favorites). Actually, any beach other than Daytona.

I live close to the East Coast beaches and usually vote for those. However, with a little one I would agree that the West Coast ocean is calmer.

If you do chose Cocoa Beach or Melbourne Beach, the Hilton or Radisson are good choices. Another option is to check out the Ron Jon resort. It has the best beach side water park that I have seen in this area. (dont do the timeshare tour, just rent the room).