Orlando Beaches
Visitors to Orlando might be surprised to find that there are not anynatural beaches nearby. Since Orlando is located in Central Floridathat means it is entirely landlocked. But Orlando does have somefantastic simulated beach offerings, and there are several real beachesless than two hours away.
Man Made Options
If you want to snorkel, swim with dolphins and soak up the sun then SeaWorld’s special Discovery Cove experience might be just right for you.Offering several pools and sea- like dwellings, this attraction wasdesigned with a Hawaiian paradise in mind. There is also a bird aviaryfor those who want to take in the exotic sights and sounds of islandliving. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is another exciting option for thoselooking to soak up some sun and cool off in the water. Offering a sharkreef, a surf pool, a lazy river along with traditional water rides andpools, this is a great way for families to make a splash together whileon their Orlando vacation. There is even saltwater snorkeling for thosewho find themselves longing for a real beach.
Real Beaches
Daytona Beach, home of the famous Daytona 500, is one of Florida’s mostpopular beaches. About an hour away from Orlando, Daytona (or“America’s Most Famous Beach” as it is commonly called) offers a 23mile stretch of beautiful sandy beach. Don’t have beach chairs withyou? No problem. Daytona’s own Surf Chairs can be reserved free ofcharge so vacationing families can enjoy all Daytona has to offerwithout hauling their own beach gear with them. You can also rentkayaks, motorboats or parasailing equipment if you want to hit thewater while in Daytona. The beach is divided into pedestrian only andvehicle access areas, so make sure you pay close attention to thesigns. But this is an ideal getaway for those staying in Orlando.
Hailed Florida’s “best beach” for the second year in a row by readersof the Orlando Sentinel, New Smyrna Beach in South Daytona also has alot to offer visitors from Orlando. Enjoy some fun in the sun byrelaxing on the beach, surfing or boogie boarding, kayaking, fishing orboating. You can also take in some of Florida’s historical sites orrelax with a massage at a local spa. Smyrna Beach offers a littlesomething for everyone, and is only a short jaunt from Orlando.
Less than an hour’s drive from Orlando, beach lovers may also love thewildly popular Cocoa Beach. Great for building sand castles or taking adip in the Atlantic Ocean, Cocoa Beach is a family friendly locale thatsteals the hearts of many. If you want to be adventurous you can alsogo deep sea fishing or take an up close look at Florida’s sea creaturesvia an eco tour. There are also plenty of beachy dining options whereseafood is fresh and your feet can remain bare. Visitors to Cocoa Beachmight also want to stop by the nearby Kennedy Space Center where theycan view the inner workings of NASA up close.
About an hour away from Orlando, visitors will find the Canaveral National Seashore. This is an ideal destination for beachgoers who alsoenjoy camping. With plenty of nearby hiking trails, those willing toexplore can enjoy breathtaking views of Florida’s coastline fromincredible heights. There are also plenty of canoeing, fishing andboating options. This beach is more suited to those who want to explorethe coast, while some of Florida’s other offerings are aimed at sunseekers and those donning bikinis.