The 5 Best Beaches Near Orlando
When you think of a Florida vacay, you may envision swaying palm trees, tropical drinks, and beautiful sandy beaches – and for a lot of the state, you’re not wrong.
When it comes to Central Florida, we have plenty to be proud of, like world-famous theme parks and attractions. However, what we make up for in family entertainment, we lack in local beaches.
Fortunately, our central location means that you’re never too far from one of our state’s stunning beaches. Accessible roadways offer quick access to some of the country’s most famous shorelines with all of the tropical vacay vibes you dream about.
Looking to plan a beach day from Orlando? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick guide to Orlando’s closest beaches to help you determine which one helps you check all the boxes for a perfect day on the coast.
Atlantic Coast Beaches
Orlando’s location just east of the middle of the state means the closest beaches are on the Atlantic coast. Fortunately, they're some of the most popular beaches in not just the country, but the world. Here’s a brief rundown of what you can find waiting for you on the eastern coastline of the Sunshine State.
Daytona Beach
Time and time again, Daytona Beach has been crowned The World’s Most Famous Beach. 23 miles of white sandy coastline, breathtaking ocean views, and a lively pier have made Daytona a popular destination for spring break vacations, family holidays, and romantic honeymoons for the past several decades.
Daytona Beach is also one of the only beaches in Florida that lets you drive your car on the sand. Take a scenic ride along the coastline or park your car next to your beach towel to ensure everything you need is close at hand.
Traveling with a furry friend? There are several designated dog-friendly beaches in Daytona that are perfect for enjoying with your (leashed) companion.
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier is a great spot for family fun. Do a little shopping at the Ocean Walk Shoppes, catch a performance at the Daytona Beach Bandshell, or grab a snack or souvenir at one of the whimsical gift shops or restaurants.
There’s no shortage of oceanfront dining in Daytona Beach, either. Check out the Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar, a three-story seafood and burger joint with a reggae bar and spectacular ocean views. Crabby’s Oceanside is another favorite with laid-back vibes, a stunning patio, and lots of live entertainment.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, a favorite go-to beach for many Central Floridians, is a straight-shot east of Orlando. Located on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is also a great place to watch a rocket launch (if you’re in the right place at the right time) or catch a cruise from Port Canaveral.
Fill your day at Cocoa Beach with classic beach bucket list items like searching for seashells, building sandcastles, and splashing in the ocean. It’s also one of the top spots for surfing, whether you plan to hit the waves solo or take a lesson. Deep sea fishing, kayak tours, and birdwatching are all great Cocoa Beach activities, too.
The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier boasts over 800 feet of restaurants, bars, gift shops, and live entertainment for a fun waterfront experience. Downtown Cocoa Beach is home to even more dining, shopping, and family-friendly fun when you’re ready to take a break from the sun.
While Cocoa Beach is a great spot for human visitors of all ages, the beaches aren’t dog-friendly.
New Smyrna Beach
The 17 miles of white sandy shores of New Smyrna Beach make it a beautiful destination for a beach day. Located between Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach is about an hour east of Orlando.
Named one of the “World’s Top 20 Surf Towns” by National Geographic, New Smyrna Beach is known for its spectacular oceanfront and diverse wildlife. You never know when you may see dolphins cresting in the waves or sea turtles nesting onshore!.
The Canaveral National Seashore is a nearby national park that has the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline in Florida. If you’re looking for a more natural approach to a beach day, this is the place to be.
New Smyrna Beach is also dog-friendly. Take your pup to the Smyrna Dunes Dog Beach for some leashed fun in the sand and water.
When you’re ready to refuel for the day, you can head to a restaurant with waterfront seating like The Breakers Ocean Front Restaurant & Bar. There’s plenty of sensational dining a little further inland, too, like the famous Norwood’s Restaurant & Treehouse Bar which offers beautiful outdoor seating in their actual second-story treehouse.
Gulf Coast Beaches
Experience the west coast beaches of the Sunshine State for yourself at these popular Gulf of Mexico destinations that are within a short two-hour drive from Central Florida. Check them out for yourself to see why some Floridians claim the “west coast is the best coast.”
Clearwater Beach
A little further west of Tampa, you’ll find the famous powdery-white sands and clear blue waters of Clearwater Beach. With over 35 miles of picture-perfect beachfront, Clearwater Beach has recently been named one of Travel + Leisure’s best white sand beaches in the world and “Best Beach in the South” by USA Today.
It’s a great family-friendly destination with plenty of accessible restrooms, playgrounds, and other features that make a day at the beach a total breeze.
While there’s plenty of fun to be had on the shore, Clearwater Beach is also home to a variety of attractions on the water, too. You can spend the day on a sightseeing or dolphin cruise, or take the family out on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise aboard a replica pirate ship.
Getting hungry? Clearwater Beach is home to plenty of fantastic restaurants with beautiful waterfront views that are serving up the freshest catches straight out of the Gulf of Mexico. If you stick around for dinner, you can toast to the end of a glorious day at the beach as the sun sets over the water.
Siesta Key Beach
A little further south, not too far from Sarasota, is Siesta Key Beach with its cool, soft sand made of 99% pure quartz. In 2024, Siesta Key was ranked the #2 Best Beach in the U.S. and the #9 Best Beach in the World by TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards.
Siesta Key is the perfect getaway with beaches that invite relaxation and calm. Soft waves and their famous cool sand make it ideal for a rejuvenating beach day.
Nearby Siesta Key Village is a charming spot for shopping and dining, full of small boutiques and fun restaurants. There’s even a free trolley to make traversing the island easy without having to repark your car.
When you’re done having dinner in town, head back to the beach to watch the sun set at Sunset Point. You may even catch a drum circle, or an honorable rendition of Taps that rings out as the flags are lowered with the sun.
Central Accommodations
While Orlando may not be home to its own beaches, it’s the perfect place to stay and have access to some of the state’s — and the world’s — best beaches. A short car trip is all you need to spend a day or two of your Orlando vacay with your toes in white sands looking out over the gentle waves of the water.
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando is your perfect home base for your Orlando vacation, wherever your adventures take you! Our comfortable beds and family- and dog-friendly amenities make us the perfect place to rest your head after a day of sea and sun with the ones you love.
Orlando’s closest beaches are never too far away when you stay at Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando.
