Best Beaches Near Disney World

It’s summertime, which means you should travel to the sunshine state. Enjoy a family trip to Disney world, and escape the heat by heading to the beach for a couple of days. Pack up those beach bags and head for some of Florida’s best beaches! Find some quiet time while visiting the world’s most famous theme park, Disney World. There are plenty of nearby beaches where you can kick back and relax, even if they don’t have Mickey Mouse in sight. Here are some of the best beaches near Disney World.

Why you should visit the beaches in Florida

One of the main reasons to visit Florida is because they have some of the best beaches in the country. You don’t have to go very far from your Airbnb (or hotel) to find a good beach spot, either. All you need to do is take a short drive – or hop on an Uber – and voilà! There’s your paradise with white sand and turquoise water just waiting for you.

Clearwater Beach

Your family is on vacation in Florida, and they are looking for a beach to quickly escape the heat. You escape to the nearest white sand beach to catch a glimpse of the rolling waves. You’ve arrived at Clearwater beach.

Clearwater Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand on the Gulf Coast about 17 miles west of Tampa. The beach is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with two entertainment piers, an aquarium, volleyball courts, more than 90 shops, and 20 restaurants and bars to explore within walking distance from the shoreline. It’s also known for its rolling waves, making it a prime spot for water sports activities like surfing and kiteboarding.

Clearwater Beach is also a popular wedding destination, so you might see brides and grooms strolling hand-in-hand along the shore. If you were wondering if Clearwater Beach has Disney characters in sight, it does not! But don’t worry – there are plenty of activities for the kids, like visiting an aquarium or going on a fishing trip.

Cocoa Beach

An hour East of Orlando is Cocoa Beach. This beach is situated on the Atlantic Coast about 27 miles southeast of Orlando. Cocoa Beach features water sports like sailing and kayaking, as well as a variety of other activities for tourists to enjoy including an aquarium with sharks and stingrays. The beach has white sand and blue water and there are plenty of things to do for the whole family!

One of the best ways to access Cocoa Beach is by taking U.S. Route 1A from Disney World or some other nearby location. If you’re traveling from west of Interstate 4, take Interstate 95 North to Exit 190B. You can also take the Beachline Expressway east from Disney World to Exit 192.

Why You Should Visit Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the entire United States, and it’s not too hard to see why! With white sand, blue water in front of a gorgeous background, what more could you want? Plus, with all the activities, like fishing and surfing or even just walking along the beautiful shore, your whole family is sure to have a good time.

What to Do in Cocoa Beach

You’re in the sunshine state, which means it’s always sunny here, so make sure to pack some sunscreen. If you burn easily, like me, then there are plenty of palm trees to chill under in Cocoa Beach.

There are several fun activities that anyone can enjoy while at Cocoa Beach, such as going fishing. If you hire a good captain and he gets a good haul, you can have fresh fish for dinner that evening! If you’re unsure where to find a good fishing guide, there are several businesses in Cocoa Beach that can help you out – just make sure to call ahead.

If your family loves the outdoors and wants to get some fresh air during their Disney World trip, then a camping trip is perfect! Make sure to pack the proper equipment and then hike to the beach, set up camp, and stay for a night or two. After that, you can drive to Disney World in Orlando for a day of fun!

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is located on the Atlantic Coast and it’s a popular tourist destination. If you’re coming from Disney World, you can take Interstate 4 to Exit 331. From there, head south on Route 92 until you reach International Speedway Boulevard. Take the exit onto International Speedway Boulevard and then turn right onto A1A South.

Once you get to A1A South, continue driving for another 3 miles until you reach Daytona Beach.

Why You Should Visit Daytona Beach

One of the best features of Daytona Beach is its proximity to Disney World. You can often see people camping on A1A South or relaxing under a palm tree, which makes it seem like you’re not even in the same state as Florida’s major theme park!

Another great thing about Daytona Beach is that it’s got plenty going on when it comes to entertainment. There are tons of restaurants and lounges where you can grab drinks and dinner, plus live music venues for those who love jamming out!

If you’re visiting in January or February, there is also the Daytona 500 race which occurs around that time. You might be able to catch some speedsters racing if you plan your visit right!

What to Do in Daytona Beach

There are several things that you can do in Daytona Beach. First off, make sure to go swimming at the beach. There are tons of nearby restaurants where you can grab lunch or just watch some NASCAR while sipping on a cool beverage.

If you love the water and are looking for an adrenaline rush, then there’s no better place to be than at Daytona Beach! There are tons of surf shops where you can rent some gear or even take lessons if you’ve never surfed before. And if you happen to fall off your board, don’t worry – just jump right back on!

Finally, if you’re looking to explore the area, there are plenty of fun things to do in Daytona Beach. There’s the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences where you can explore the exhibits within or take a stroll along their beautiful grounds. And don’t forget Adventure Island – it’s a great place to spend an afternoon!

St Pete Beach

First and foremost, St. Pete Beach is just a little ways away from Disney World in Orlando! You can take Interstate 4 to exit 45B and head east on Route 60; keep your eyes peeled for the turn off onto Route 699 toward Madeira Beach/ Treasure Island, then continue driving until you reach Gulf Boulevard.

Once you get to Gulf Boulevard, make a right and keep driving until you reach St. Pete Beach. This will only take about 10 minutes!

Why You Should Visit St Pete Beach

St Pete Beach is just minutes away from Disney World and offers loads of activities for the whole family! Make sure to pack your sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, fishing rod, and plenty of snacks before you head out on the road.

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway from the chaos of Orlando, then St. Pete Beach is your best bet. It’s close by, has tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy, and offers a bit more seclusion than others in the area. What else could you ask for?

Another great reason to visit St. Pete Beach is that it’s got plenty going on when it comes to family-friendly fun! There are tons of beaches where you can relax under a palm tree or just play in the sand. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement, there’s also parasailing and snorkeling nearby that are great ways to spend your day.

St Pete Beach is also just minutes away from the prestigious Johns Pass Boardwalk! This boardwalk has tons of restaurants where you can eat dinner or grab some drinks after a long day in the sun. There are also plenty of bars and nightclubs for those who love to party and have a good time!

What to Do in St Pete Beach

There’s plenty to do in St. Pete Beach, which is one reason why it’s got such a large following. For starters, make sure you swing by Rainbow River – many people say it’s one of the most beautiful and fun spots to visit in Florida.

There are also tons of restaurants that you can check out while you’re here! And we recommend trying some fresh seafood – nothing like a bit of boiled shrimp to go with your ice-cold beverage while you watch the sunset over the water.

In addition, you should also swing by the Johns Pass Boardwalk – it’s got tons of restaurants where you can eat dinner or grab a few drinks after spending all day in the sun. There are also bars and nightclubs if you’re looking for something a bit more exciting!

New Smyrna Beach

If you’re looking for someplace serene and calm, New Smyrna Beach is just the place for you! It is only about a 45-mile drive from Disney World, depending on traffic. You can take Interstate 4 to exit 45B and head east on Route 60; keep your eyes peeled for the turn off onto Route 699 toward Madeira Beach/ Treasure Island, then continue driving until you reach Gulf Boulevard.

Once you get to Gulf Boulevard, make a right and keep driving until you reach New Smyrna Beach. This will only take about 10 minutes!

Why You Should Visit New Smyrna Beach

The beautiful thing about New Smyrna Beach is that it’s got such a peaceful vibe to it. It’s one of the best beaches near Disney World and offers a more relaxed ambiance than others nearby. If you’re looking for a serene getaway from Orlando, then New Smyrna Beach is just the place to go!

Another great reason to visit New Smyrna Beach is that there are tons of different things to do while you’re here! You can spend the day relaxing on the beach or go fishing. If you love being out at sea, there are also many para-sailing and snorkeling tours you can take part in.

What to Do in New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is also just minutes away from New Smyrna Pier Park! This park has tons of restaurants and bars you can visit after spending all day in the sun. There are also plenty of souvenir shops where you can find some cool new items to add to your collection.

Ultimately, New Smyrna Beach offers a much more relaxed vibe than others in the area. It’s serene, has tons of restaurants and bars you can visit, and there’s also a fully functional pier! If you’re looking for someplace chill where you can unwind by the water, then New Smyrna Beach is worth checking out.

Vero Beach

Vero Beach is another great destination if you’re looking for a slightly more serene getaway. While it’s quite a drive from Disney World, it’s about the same distance as New Smyrna Beach so that shouldn’t be too much of an issue!

Once you arrive, make your way to the Vero Beach Municipal Park & Beach. This is where all the action happens – it’s a great place for those who love to be active and spend their time in the sun. There are also tons of restaurants nearby, so you can grab something to eat or drink after spending hours upon hours laying out on the beach.

Why You Should Visit Vero Beach

Vero Beach is a great destination for those who love to be active – there are tons of different things you can do. You can run around the park, go fishing, rent out some kayaks or jet skis and explore all that Vero Beach has to offer by the sea!

Another thing that makes Vero Beach so special is its location. It’s extremely close to all of the other attractions in Florida. You can drive down to Port Saint Lucie, play a round at Jacks or Alfred A. McKethan golf courses, and visit the Sawgrass Mills Mall (which is one of the top shopping malls in America).

What To Do In Vero Beach

There are tons of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops where you can stop by and grab a few drinks after spending the day in the sun. You can go fishing or rent some kayaks to explore all that Vero has to offer!

If you’re looking for something a bit more exciting, then head out to the Watercolor Wildlife Park. This park is home to many exotic animals, and also offers up some stunning views of the ocean!

Ultimately, Vero Beach is a great destination if you’re looking for something that’s away from all the chaos but still has plenty of activities for you and your family!

Siesta Key 

One of the most popular beaches near Disney is Siesta Key. It’s a little bit of a drive from Orlando, but it’s about the same distance as New Smyrna Beach, so it shouldn’t be an issue to get there!

Why You Should Visit Siesta Key

You should visit Siesta Key because it’s near some of the top attractions in Florida. You can visit St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, and Bradenton (which are both great for shopping) and even make a quick trip down to Miami if you want!

What To Do In Siesta Key

Once you arrive, make your way down to the Siesta Public Beach Park. There are tons of restaurants in the area if you’re hungry and want some breakfast or lunch. You can also have some fun by renting out some jet skis or kayaks and cruising around on the water. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, then there are plenty of shops nearby where you can find souvenirs and gifts to take back home with you.

If you choose to spend your time in Siesta Key, then there are many things you can do to keep yourself busy. If you love being active, then there are plenty of different beach activities you can participate in such as paddle boarding and jet skiing.

Siesta Key is extremely popular during the summer, so if you want to enjoy this destination without having to fight the crowds that inevitably come with summertime, we recommend visiting between November and March instead!

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, then make your way over to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. This is home to many exotic animals such as tigers and lions, plus there are tons of different plant life that are worth checking out!

Hit The Beach!

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of the best beaches near Disney World. Whether you’re looking for a secluded, relaxing getaway or something with more family-friendly entertainment in mind, there are plenty of options to choose from when deciding where to spend your day on Orlando’s coast.