Good beach near Orlando for 4th of July week?

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pojoe12

I would strongly recommend either Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach or Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach is probably the best choice but it is a little farther away from Orlando then Cocoa. You might want to stay away from Canaveral National Shoreline since it is a nudist friendly beach and you may end up spending the day explaining things to the kids!

Clearwater Beach is quite a bit farther away from Orlando than the others (an hour ride minimum one way) and it is on the Gulf of Mexico.

Don't forget to check the surf conditions before getting in the water. There has been a problem the past week with rip currents (over 200 swimmers had to be rescued just this past weekend) and people haven't taken it seriously and find themselves caught in it.

tpawolf

Clearwater Beach is a great family beach. The sand is like sugar. It will take longer to get to than cocoa beach but it is worth the drive. There is a playground on the beach by Pier 60. The sunset is killer! Also try sand key beach. Google the beach. It is a county park and it is less crowded than clearwater beach. There are lifeguards on duty. The changing rooms are nice and they have flushable toilets. Sand Key will close at sunset though, Clearwater beach will still be "open" no lifeguards after a certain time though. Make sure to have change for the parking meters though. At least 5 to 10 dollars worth for the whole day.

Make sure to have plenty of sunscreen. Florida is very hot and sunny. Have Fun :)

EDIT: Do not forget to do the stingray shuffle in the water. The Gulf is known to have stingrays. They will leave you alone if you shuffle your feet in the sand while in the water. DO NOT STOMP YOUR FEET in the sand. Rays will bury themselves in the sand and you will not see them. They CAN feel your steps if you shuffle your feet. Invest in water shoes also. These will not protect your feet from being stung but will help your feet from being cut from shells on the beach.

trubtch79

we went for the 4th of July week a few years ago and we spent a day at Cocoa Beach..It wasn't packed and we had a blast.

cookie

Cocoa beach isn't all that great. If you have the time, drive to the gulf coast and visit Clearwater beach. It's just beautiful!!
Very cool fair at sunset too!!

tinkerbell

Daytona Beach Is nice, I went there once when I went to Orlando. Its about a 45-60 min ride. I haven't been there in a while. Have you thought of any of the DIsney water Parks? They are really a blast and both kids and adults would LOVE it. They have something for everyone Including lazy rivers and thrill rides!

*MermaidMom*

I would suggest New Symrna beach. You can drive on the beach an park your car right there an do not have to worry about carrying all your beach gear from your car to the beach. Also if you do go to Cocoa Beach go to Jetty Park. It is a straight shot from Orlando. Have a great trip!!

likewoah

I live very close to Cocoa beach not all that great but let me tell you Clearwater beach is verrrrrrry nice clearwater and white softtt sand i love it and great dining!

Justin

I live in the gulf coast and i recommend the gulf beaches like Holmes Beach and Clearwater Beach. That is about an hour ina half to 2 hour trip.

â™¥kaitlynâ™¥

I live in Orlando and my favorite beach around here is Daytona. Cocoa Beach is nice also I really like the Pier that is up there. It may be crowded by the pier but i always have fun anyways.
Enjoy your trip and have fun!!!!

ajsmommy

I have two young children and take them to Cocoa Beach regularly. Granted, it is not as beautiful as the west coast beaches, but if you are going for only a day trip, it might be a very long drive in the car and back for so many little ones. We've never had a problem at Cocoa, there is plenty of free parking and while the sand might not be as beautiful, my kids always find plenty of shells to play with and love to get into the waves. Be cautious, however, of rip tides while you are there. That is definitely something you want to check on before heading out. It can be a very dangerous situation. Have a great vacation!

chappy_25_99

I have been to cocoa beach, wasn't very thrilled with it, my family goes to Clearwater Beach, it is clean and safe, lots of things go on at the pier in the evenings, they also have things going on during the day on the beach, I would say you would not be disappointed going here

youngdragonrider

cocoa beach! it is the closest beach to orlando. if u go to the beach next to ron jon surf shop they have great fireworks!

i lived there for 9 years.

Arbiter of Intelligence

With children your best bets are Cocoa Beach, Canaveral National Seashore, and Daytona Beach because there is no driving on those beaches. This will make it easier to manage 8 kids. The National Seashore will be pretty empty, has no beach culture (surf shops et c) and the occasional nudist. If you've never been to the beach before I suggest Daytona but Cocoa is the closest to Orlando.

I strongly agree with other respondents that have suggested Clearwater Beach. The beaches on the west coast are much nicer than the east coast beaches north of Ft Lauderdale. Clearwater Beach is about a 90 minute drive from where you will be. However, the beaches on the Gulf don't have crashing waves so if you're planning on entertaining the kids by playing in the waves you'll be disappointed.

Other notes:
National Seashore - no lifeguards
New Smyrna Beach is also an option but there is driving on that beach so you will have to eyeball the kids non-stop.
New Smyrna and Cocoa have lifeguards on duty. I don't remember if Cocoa has lifeguards.

Read and pay attention to the surf conditions posted at the lifeguard towers. Take undertow and rip currents seriously. Plan on rain every afternoon.

Kortniee

ANY WHERE DO NOT GO TO A NUDE BEACH THATS JUST GROSS!! ta ta for now

helpnout

I live in Kissimmee..We enjoy going to Cocoa & Melbourne Beach. Both beaches have lifeguards. We perfer going to the east coast because it is closer than the gulf and there are more places overall to park and to park for free. It's breezier on the east and if the kids like to collect seashells, you'll find more on the east coast than the gulf. Cocoa is great for seashells...Melbourne is good as well. The east coast has more facilities where you can rinse off and/or change clothes before heading back and have more restrooms. East coast has more waves than the Gulf. But you can't ever see a sunset on the east coast and seeing one on the Gulf is absolutly beautiful. I would avoid Daytona..to me Daytona beach has really gone down over the past 12 years. It's not nearly as nice as it used to be, but they do have the boardwalk where there are more activities for the kids than just playing on the beach or in the ocean. Either coast you go to, be sure to bring and wear plently of sun block..you can be burnt in about 15 mins. Bring lots of water to keep yourselves cool and dehydrated.

rameshp999

detona beach

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