SMTN’s 5 Favorite Family Beaches Near Orlando

Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world with dozens of incredible cities to visit. We understand that after packing up the whole family for a vacation, you want to fit in every exciting attraction possible!

Between the many iconic theme parks and nearby beaches, it’s difficult to choose where you want to spend your time—but why not enjoy both? Orlando is centrally located and provides incredible opportunities for families to travel to the coastlines and back all in just a single day. So, whether you choose to stay in Orlando and make a day trip to one of the many nearby beaches or vice versa, all of your Florida vacation dreams are possible!

To make planning your road trip a little easier, here are the 5 best beaches near Orlando for families:

1. New Smyrna Beach

Drive time: 1 hour

For those looking for a quieter beach option, New Smyrna Beach offers 13 miles of beautiful coastline for your whole family to explore and is just a short distance from many resorts in Orlando. New Smyrna is largely a residential area with fewer hotels on the beachfront, which makes it a great place to find a parking spot and post up on the sand for the day. Enjoy sunbathing, body surfing, surfing, and even great fishing opportunities near the jetties. When you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can pack up and walk downtown to find a variety of restaurants and shops to close out your day.

2. Daytona Beach

Drive time: 1 hour

Families looking for plenty of fun will love Daytona Beach. Not only are there 23 miles of coastline to utilize for swimming and playing, but there is so much to do and see all within walking distance of the sand. The boardwalk area is a fan-favorite with a bandshell, rides, an arcade, and other entertainment that the whole family will love. In addition to all of the family fun, there is an exciting array of restaurants, shops, and other nearby attractions you don’t want to miss including tours at the iconic Daytona International Speedway.

3. Cocoa Beach

Drive time: 1 hour

Located on Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is the perfect place for families looking for a mix of both leisure and recreation. Not only can you enjoy just a day relaxing next to the water with your umbrellas and beach chairs, but there are endless activities to try like deep-sea fishing, eco kayaking tours, wind sports, watersports, and so much more. In addition to the beach, there are several nearby golf courses, a vibrant downtown area, and plenty of historic sites to visit during your stay.

4. Vero Beach

Drive time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Vero Beach is a small city on the east coast that gives vacationers the sleepy beach vacation they have always wanted. Its beaches are peaceful and stunning with ample excursion opportunities including scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, and more. When you’ve sunned yourself out on the sand, your family will love to explore the historic downtown area, local parks, museums, and other attractions that will round out a fulfilling and relaxing vacation.

5. St. Pete Beach

Drive time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Though the longest drive of the five, St. Pete Beach is not a destination to be overlooked. As one of the west coast’s most beloved beach areas, St. Pete is set on a barrier island and has been built to be an exciting city for all who visit. This laid-back beach town has white sugar sand, beautiful water, and plenty of beachside fun. Explore its two “main streets”, Corey Avenue and 8th Avenue, where you’ll find endless entertainment like restaurants, shops, local vendors for water excursions, and three impressive aquariums.

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