5 Best Beaches near Orlando

Cocoa Beach is on the east coast of Florida, just a 45-minute drive from Downtown Orlando. The beach is famous for its surf, laidback lifestyle, and beautiful natural landscape. There are stunning waves to ride, and if you want to try surfing for the first time you can take surf lessons.

The well-maintained shores around Cocoa Beach are wonderful for relaxing as well as taking nature walks around the coastline. This quintessential beach town is great for leisure time, with watersports and deep-sea fishing both popular. Plus, if you want to venture slightly further you can also head to the nearby Kennedy Space Center.

A resort area on the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Beach is an immaculate white sandy beach with beautiful, calm, blue waters that are excellent for swimming. Clearwater Beach is a popular spot for watersports, snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing, and the beach is only 2 hours from downtown Orlando.

Regularly rated as one of the best beaches in the United States, the climate at Clearwater Beach is mild and warm throughout the year. With beautiful tropical plants and palms lining the beach, it really is a paradise for those who love the sun, sea, and sand. If you're a seafood fan, try the freshest catch at one of the beachside restaurants.

Daytona Beach is a fun and friendly seaside town in central Florida. The beach is long, with regular lifeguard stations, and a popular boardwalk that's perfect for lengthy strolls enjoying the sun and people-watching.

There is a lively ambience here, particularly on weekends, with a funfair and games arcade overlooking the sand. Come summer, there are free and exciting concerts and fireworks held Friday and Saturday evenings on the pier. If you decide to spend more than a day here, you'll find a huge collection of hotels right on the seafront.

One of the most secluded and pristine beaches near Orlando is the Canaveral National Seashore. It's home to many endangered species, including sea turtles that come to the beach to lay their eggs in the sand.

Like many seaside cities, the area is ideal for visitors who enjoy outdoor activities. You’ll find horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, swimming, fishing, and boating. If you enjoy hiking, there is a trail near the Visitor’s Center that will take you through some gorgeous scenery. For everyone’s security and peace of mind, police patrols are frequent in these areas. Be aware that you need to purchase a pass to enter this protected beach.

The 13-mile stretch of white sand that makes New Smyrna Beach so wonderful is just an hour's drive from downtown Orlando. Located on the stunning Atlantic coast, the beach is popular among surfers and sunbathers alike, as well as anyone looking for a picture-perfect day out close to downtown Orlando. Adventurous visitors can attempt to surf on the famous eastern waves, which have been listed among the world's best.

Quiet and residential, the town of New Smyrna also has some important sites that should be visited during your time at the beach, including the New Smyrna Beach Sugar Mill Ruins and the historic downtown region with its quaint cafés and restaurants.