Are you looking for the best scenic beaches near Orlando Florida? If so, this list will give you loads of ideas!
If you’re looking for a great day trip, setting up on a stunning beach could be the perfect pick, and the good news is, there are so many beautiful beaches near Orlando!
Orlando beaches are some of the best in the USA – so make sure you make time to explore some of them!
If you’re not familiar with the area of Orlando though, you may not be sure where to start or which Orlando beaches are worth going to!
Though you might not believe us, there are a bunch of excellent beaches near Orlando (despite it being one of the most urban places in the state of Florida).
With amazing boardwalks, plenty of vegetation, and white sands on offer at these beaches near Orlando, it would be rude not to at least explore the options that are available to you!
So, if you’re looking to spend some time away from Walt Disney World and Universal on your next trip to Orlando, it may be worth giving our list of the top 15 beaches near Orlando a good read!
Orlando beaches are plentiful, but these are the best of the bunch.
Orlando beaches: Daytona Beach
One of the top 15 beaches near Orlando is Daytona Beach. Located only an hour from Orlando, it’s the perfect choice for Orlando beaches to visit if you’re looking for a quick getaway.
Not only is Daytona beach perfect for oceanfront runs, picnicking, and sunbathing, but it’s just massive so you won’t need to worry about being too close to other beachgoers!
However, large doesn’t necessarily mean quiet, so be prepared for a livelier beachgoing experience at Daytona. This is such a great choice for beaches near Orlando.
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Orlando beaches: Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is another option for beaches near Orlando which is perfect for a day trip.
As Cocoa Beach is only an hour’s drive easy from Orlando, you’ll be able to reach here in no time at all. This is one of the best Orlando beaches.
What we love about Cocoa Beach (aside from its great surfing opportunities!) is the great shopping pier. Cocoa Beach Pier is a well-known 800-foot pier that is home to shops, music, restaurants and more.
So, if you’re looking for more from your beach trip than sunbathing and swimming, then be sure to head to Cocoa Beach. This is a great choice for beaches near Orlando.
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Orlando beaches: New Smyrna Beach
Another one of the top beaches near Orlando has got to be New Smyrna Beach. Though this beach is somewhat like Daytona beach in terms of its layout, it’s much more secluded.
With a much sleepier atmosphere, it’s the perfect getaway spot for couples that are looking for a romantic evening stroll.
If you’re after something much more adventurous, be sure to check out Daytona Lagoon Waterpark.
Offering go-karts, laser tag, and much more, if you’re looking for a nostalgic option for beaches near Orlando… it’s the perfect spot at which to feel like a kid again!
This is a beautiful choice for Orlando beaches.
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Ormond Beach
Next up on my list of beaches near Orlando… Just north of Daytona beach is Ormond Beach. As one of the top beaches near Orlando, Ormond Beach does see plenty of visitors.
However, despite this it’s still a relaxing and tranquil choice of Orlando beaches. Though the main draw at Ormond Beach is the stunning natural shoreline, the surrounding town is packed with awesome restaurants and impressive homes.
So, if you want to see how the other half lives it’s well worth venturing out and trying this beach near Orlando.
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Canaveral National Seashore
Next on my list of the best beaches near Orlando, it’s the Canaveral National Seashore. Located only an hour and a half out from Orlando, Canaveral National Seashore is one of the most well-maintained beaches near Orlando on our list.
If your main goal of finding a good option for beaches near Orlando, is catching a glimpse of Florida’s wildlife, then this beach should be your top pick.
As Canaveral National is a protected seashore, you’re much more likely to spot endangered animals here than at any other beach nearby.
So, be sure to keep an eye out! This isn’t one of the most centrally located Orlando beaches, but it’s wonderful nonetheless.
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Melbourne Beach
Melbourne Beach is another excellent beach near Orlando that’s perfect for people that are seeking a bit of serenity.
As this beach is on a barrier island, it’s well and truly secluded and you won’t get the same kinds of crowds as you might see on other beaches. You love this choice for Orlando beaches.
Of all these beaches near Orlando, if you choose to check out Melbourne Beach, be sure to head onto the wooden pier.
As one of the most stunning lookout spots in the area, it’s a wonderful picture-taking spot that will give you some shots to remember.
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Clearwater Beach
When you’re looking for Orlando beaches, this next one is a great choice.
Not only is Clearwater Beach located only 100 miles from Orlando (so one of the closest beaches near Orlando!), but it’s seen as one of the best beaches in the country!
Though we don’t want to be too biased on our list of the best beaches near Orlando, we think that Clearwater Beach is probably the most aesthetic beach in Florida.
With clear waters and perfectly white sand, it’s a traveler’s dream come true. I mean, it is called CLEARwater beach after all…
This is definitely a must-visit for beaches near Orlando. This is another wonderful choice for Orlando beaches.
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Caladesi Island State Park
If you want to visit two beaches in one day, Caladesi Island State Park is the perfect beach to visit in tandem with Clearwater Beach (previously mentioned on this list of beaches near Orlando). You could visit both of these Orlando beaches in one day!
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It’s only 20 minutes by ferry from Clearwater Beach, Caladesi Island State Park is one of the most secluded beaches in Florida.
However, it’s not just the secluded nature of this beach that we love, but the sheer number of activities that are on offer here.
From kayaking to swimming, there are just so many things to do at Caladesi Island State Park that make it worth visiting for beaches near Orlando.
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Orlando beaches: Treasure Island
No, we’re not talking about the famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel here, we’re still talking about a beach (and it’s one of the beaches near Orlando!).
This is one of our favourite Orlando beaches, and it’s not hard to see why.
Sure, Treasure Island is slightly further from Orlando than the beaches that we’ve mentioned so far (around 2 hours by car), but it’s well worth the trip for the day (and to many people 2 hours isn’t too long anyway!).
With plenty of paved areas to get your rollerblading and cycling perfected, it’s an outdoor lover’s haven and a great option for beaches near Orlando.
So, pop it on your list and see how many treasures you can uncover at this stunning beach!
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Siesta Beach
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly option for beaches near Orlando, then Siesta Beach is truly one of the best options out there.
Not only is Siesta Beach truly beautiful with its perfect sand and clear waters, but it has kid-friendly shallows and a full-time lifeguard that will keep those little ones safe.
If you fancy it, you can even have a family volleyball game at one of the nets that are set up on the sands! Count us in! This is such a fun option for beautiful beaches near Orlando. Another wonderful choice for Orlando beaches.
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Flagler Beach
Next on my list of beaches near Orlando, it’s Flagler Beach. Located just 80 miles from Orlando, Flagler Beach remains one of the most popular beaches near Orlando for surf-mad tourists and locals.
If you’re looking for Orlando beaches with a bit of life and atmosphere, this is a good pick.
With some great waves during most months of the year, this is definitely a great choice for beaches near Orlando. You certainly won’t be disappointed if you choose this beach to try your hand at conquering the ocean.
Be sure to check out the small stores that are dotted around the area too – they’re said to contain some great bargains and kitsch pieces that you won’t find anywhere else!
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Fort De Soto Park
Though you might not want to head to Fort de Soto Park if you’re terrified of seagulls, it’s genuinely one of the top beaches near Orlando if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing afternoon.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch sight of a turtle or a dolphin at this beach, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!
It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for beaches near Orlando for fun days out!
St Augustine
St Augustine Beach is next on my list of beaches near Orlando! If you’re coming to the beach for an excellent workout, then be sure to add St. Augustine to your list of the top beaches near Orlando.
With 42 miles of beach (yep, you read that right!), there’s plenty of room to flex those swimming muscles. This is one of the best Orlando beaches for swimmers!
However, it’s not only swimming that you’ll be able to tick off your list of activities at St. Augustine beach. With plenty of great trails and pathways nearby, you’ll be able to get a great hike or bike in too!
Oh, and if you’ve got a spare hour, be sure to check out the majestic St. Augustine lighthouse too. It’s said to offer some of the best views around, so don’t miss out!
All of this makes this a great choice for beaches near Orlando.
St. Pete Beach
Another fantastic choice for beaches near Orlando that we love is St. Pete Beach. Though the beach itself is a great draw, what makes this beach so special is the local town.
With shops, galleries, restaurants, and more, it’s a fantastic place to visit if you’re looking for a bit of everything.
Just be sure to stay on the beach until sundown if you can – you really can’t beat an awesome sunset, can you? This is a great place to check off on this list of Orlando beaches.
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Pine Island
The final place on our list of the top 15 beaches near Orlando is Pine Island. This one’s a bit of a trek, we’re not going to lie, but it’s worth visiting if you’ve got a spare day – trust us!
As there have been no huge developments here, Pine Island feels like a wonderful step back in time. So, if you’re just looking to get in some evening strolls and want to grab a quick bite, then Pine Island is the place to go.
This is a really great option for beaches near Orlando!
Hopefully this list of beaches near Orlando has given you plenty of ideas and inspiration for which Orlando beaches to visit!
There are plenty of beaches near Orlando (as you’ve discovered from this list!) so you have so many choices when it comes to picking the perfect beach near Orlando for a day out with friends or family!
Orlando beaches are known for being wonderfully beautiful – so enjoy!
