Orlando does not have its own beach, but it is surrounded by some of Florida’s best coastlines within less than two hours by car. For families spending a week or more in the city, a beach day in the middle of a parks itinerary is exactly the break the group needs. Fewer lines, less noise, more sun and sand. Here are the seven best options for 2026, with everything you need to know to plan the outing.
About 60 minutes from Orlando via the 528 highway, Cocoa Beach is the default choice for most families staying in Kissimmee or areas near Disney. The beach is clean, the water is warm by May and access is straightforward with parking available near the boardwalk.
The area around the Cocoa Beach Pier has restaurants, surf shops and the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop, which is worth the stop even if you are not buying anything. For families with young kids, the zone in front of the Cocoa Beach Pier hotel has relatively calm water and beach chair and umbrella rentals available.
Drive time from Kissimmee: 55 to 65 minutes. Best for: families who want a no-fuss beach day with an easy drive back.
About 75 minutes north of Orlando, New Smyrna Beach has a completely different feel from Cocoa Beach. It is quieter, with fewer tourists and a small historic downtown with local cafés and restaurants worth exploring before or after the beach.
The beach itself is wide, with white sand and clear Atlantic water. In May the crowds are moderate, which makes it one of the best options of the month if the group wants peace and quiet. Some areas allow direct vehicle access to the sand, which makes the logistics easier with young kids.
Drive time from Orlando: 70 to 80 minutes. Best for: families who prefer a calm, local atmosphere over the more touristy spots.
Clearwater Beach is on the Gulf of Mexico coast, about 100 minutes from Orlando. The water is a turquoise that looks like it was edited, the sand is white and fine and the atmosphere is considerably more lively than the Atlantic beaches.
Pier 60 is the heart of Clearwater Beach, with a craft market, live entertainment at sunset and access to the best seafood restaurants in the area. For families who want the full Florida beach experience, Clearwater is hard to beat.
The one downside is the distance. Traffic on the I-4 between Orlando and Tampa can significantly extend the drive during peak season. Leaving early, before 8 am, makes a real difference.
Drive time from Orlando: 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic. Best for: families who want the visual Florida experience and have a full day available.
A few miles from Clearwater, St. Pete Beach has the same turquoise Gulf waters but with a slightly quieter, more residential feel. Pass-a-Grille, at the southern tip of the island, is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in all of Florida and tends to have fewer people than the more touristy zones.
Downtown St. Pete (Saint Petersburg) is 20 minutes away and has museums, restaurants and the Central Market worth visiting if the family wants to extend the day beyond the beach.
Drive time from Orlando: 100 to 115 minutes. Best for: families who want Gulf sand with a slower pace than Clearwater.
For families who prefer nature over tourist infrastructure, Canaveral National Seashore is the best option near Orlando. It is a federal reserve with 37 kilometers of undeveloped beach, sea turtles, dolphins and coastal birds that show up without warning.
There are no shops or restaurants inside the area, so you need to bring everything for the day. But that is exactly what makes it special. The quiet, the space and the feeling that the beach belongs to you more than compensate for the lack of services.
Drive time from Orlando: 60 to 70 minutes. Best for: families looking for nature who are willing to be self-sufficient for the day.
Daytona Beach has a reputation that precedes it, and it is not always the most family-friendly one. But the beach itself, especially in the zones north of the most touristy area, is wide, accessible and perfectly fine for a day with kids.
What makes Daytona different is that cars are allowed to drive directly on the beach in designated zones, something kids find genuinely fascinating. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk has rides, games and restaurants to round out the day.
Drive time from Orlando: 55 to 65 minutes. Best for: families who want a lively beach with additional entertainment options.
About 95 minutes southeast of Orlando, Vero Beach is one of the least known beaches among tourists visiting Orlando, and that is exactly its biggest draw. The beaches are clean, the atmosphere is relaxed and there are local restaurant options that give a more authentic experience than the crowded tourist zones.
Vero Beach is also one of the best areas in Florida to spot sea turtles during nesting season, which begins in May. With patience and a little luck, the family might cross paths with one at dawn or dusk.
Drive time from Orlando: 90 to 100 minutes. Best for: families looking for something off the beaten path with no rush to get back.
Heading out from Orlando to any beach during vacation season takes a bit of planning. A few things that make a real difference:
Staying in a family vacation home near Disney with a fully equipped kitchen makes days like these much easier to pull off. Pack the cooler the night before, leave early and come back with the kids asleep in the car.
Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach are about 60 minutes from Orlando. They are the fastest options for a spontaneous beach day.
It depends on what you are looking for. Gulf beaches (Clearwater, St. Pete) have calmer water and finer sand, ideal for young kids. Atlantic beaches (Cocoa Beach, Daytona) have more active waves and are closer to Orlando.
Yes. In May, temperatures along Florida’s coast range from 80°F to 90°F, Gulf water is around 77°F and the Atlantic is around 73°F. Perfectly enjoyable for swimming.
Most public beaches in Florida are free to access. Some state parks charge a vehicle entry fee, usually between $5 and $8. Parking in tourist zones like Clearwater can cost between $3 and $5 per hour.
Technically yes, but not recommended with kids. A beach day is already exhausting on its own. Combining both on the same day usually results in a tired group that does not fully enjoy either one.
The theme parks are the main reason most families go to Orlando, but often the most vivid memory of the trip is that unplanned day with sand between the toes and no schedule. Florida has it all within two hours, and from a well-located vacation home in Kissimmee or Davenport, getting there is easier than it sounds.
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