Top Orlando Beaches for Sun and Fun

Visitors to the City Beautiful are sometimes surprised to discover that Orlando is landlocked. Although the metro area is full of gorgeous lakes, it’s smack dab in the middle of the state, so reaching a beach takes a bit of time.

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Fortunately, with the exception of the Panhandle, Florida is relatively narrow. From Orlando, you can easily drive east to watch a beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic or head west to see it set over the Gulf Coast. In fact, you can even do both — ideally while listening to Florida band Sister Hazel’s album “Chasing Daylight,” inspired by that very notion.

If you’re longing for a bit of salt and sand while you’re in town visiting one of Orlando’s parks, here are five great beaches to try. Most are just an hour’s drive away.

Cocoa Beach

One of the beaches that Orlandoans consider their own, Cocoa Beach sits just east of Orlando, a straightforward drive down the Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway (toll road State Road 528). It’s incredibly easy to reach — just follow the expressway for about an hour until you pass the cruise ship port and hit the beach. Cocoa Beach is a treasured surf spot, home to a huge Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Cocoa Beach Surf Company, featuring a historic boardwalk and pier that host popular beachfront bars, gift shops, live music, and more.

New Smyrna Beach

Quieter and more residential than the Cocoa Beach waterfront, New Smyrna Beach is further north on the East Coast, about an hour’s drive from Orlando. Like Cocoa Beach, people flock here for the surf breaks. The white-sand beach is especially laidback and dotted with charming houses rather than touristy restaurants or souvenir stands. However, make sure to check out historic Flagler Avenue, which stretches from the Indian River to the beach; that’s where you’ll find plenty of eateries and shops.

Clearwater Beach

If it’s the Gulf Coast you’re craving, venture southwest to Clearwater Beach, where the sand is powdery white and the sunsets are dazzling. Moreover, take to the beachfront promenade on a bicycle or skates. Enjoy the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 festival featuring music, food, and street performances. If you have some extra time, consider taking the 20-minute ferry ride to Caladesi Island, one of the prettiest beaches in the country. Clearwater Beach is a little more than a two-hour drive from Orlando.

Daytona Beach

Just as famous for its NASCAR speedway as its sandy shores, Daytona Beach nonetheless offers a great oceanside environment on the Atlantic. It’s easily accessible from Orlando — about an hour’s drive via I-4. There’s no shortage of hotels, restaurants, and bars for tourists. Kids will love the carnival-like atmosphere of the lively promenade, especially when illuminated at night; adults relish the opportunity to drive right onto the hard-packed sand (at certain times, in designated areas). Expect vibrant nightlife and adventurous activities for all ages.

Canaveral National Seashore

This National Park Service-run Canaveral National Seashore is the ideal beach for nature lovers near Orlando. You won’t find people partying out of their truck beds or carnival rides on this beach. Instead, you might cross paths with threatened species like loggerhead turtles or manatees. Birders keep an eye out for falcons, wood storks, and bald eagles. Hiking and fishing are popular activities at the Canaveral National Seashore, which experienced some damage from 2022’s Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, but most of the park has since been restored and reopened. It’s about an hour’s drive east of Orlando.