Orlando has the theme parks, but no beach. The good news: you can be standing in the Atlantic in about an hour. Here are the closest beaches to Orlando, with drive times and my honest pick for where to go.
Beaches Near Orlando: Drive Times at a Glance
- Cocoa Beach (Atlantic): about 1 hour
- New Smyrna Beach (Atlantic): about 1 hour
- Daytona Beach (Atlantic): about 1 hour
- Melbourne Beach (Atlantic): about 1 hour 15 minutes
- Clearwater Beach (Gulf): about 2 hours
- Anna Maria Island (Gulf): about 2.5 hours
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic, especially on weekends and holidays.
1. Cocoa Beach: Danny’s Pick
Cocoa Beach is the classic Space Coast beach town: a long, wide beach, the Cocoa Beach Pier, surf shops (including the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop) and rocket launches you can sometimes watch right from the sand. Pair it with a day at Kennedy Space Center or a manatee and dolphin kayak tour.
Want more space? Check out the oceanfront Cocoa Beach condo. For the full rundown, see my Cocoa Beach vacation guide and Cape Canaveral guide.
2. New Smyrna Beach
About an hour northeast of Orlando, New Smyrna Beach is another popular surf town, with a laid-back beach scene and a walkable Flagler Avenue full of shops and restaurants.
3. Daytona Beach
Also about an hour from Orlando, Daytona Beach is famous for its wide, hard-packed sand, where you can drive and park right on the beach in designated areas, plus the boardwalk and pier. See my Daytona Beach vacation guide.
4. Melbourne Beach
Just south of Cocoa Beach, Melbourne’s beaches are quieter and less developed, about an hour and 15 minutes from Orlando. I haven’t spent time there myself yet, but it’s a good option if Cocoa Beach feels too busy. See the Melbourne vacation guide, or stay at the Element Melbourne Oceanfront.
Gulf Coast Beaches: Worth It as a Day Trip
If you want the famous white sand and calm, clear Gulf water, head west, but plan it as a full day. You’re looking at about 2 to 2.5 hours each way.
5. Clearwater Beach (about 2 hours)
Powdery white sand, calm water and a lively beach scene around Pier 60. Trying to choose between Gulf beaches? See my Clearwater vs. St. Pete Beach breakdown and Clearwater Beach guide.
6. Anna Maria Island (about 2.5 hours)
Old Florida charm, no high-rises, a free island trolley and some of the prettiest beaches on the Gulf. If you can, stay the night. I stayed at Silver Surf Gulf Beach Resort in Bradenton Beach. More in my Anna Maria Island guide.
🏝️ Want the whitest sand? See my best white sand beaches in Florida.
Atlantic vs. Gulf: Which Beach Should You Pick?
- Short on time: Atlantic (Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna, Daytona), about 1 hour
- Surfing and waves: Atlantic, with Cocoa Beach as the surf capital
- Calm, clear water for little kids: Gulf (Clearwater, Anna Maria Island)
- Sunsets over the water: Gulf, since the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico
Staying in Orlando? See my Orlando vacation guide, plus Christmas in Orlando if you’re visiting for the holidays.
Beaches Near Orlando FAQ
What is the closest beach to Orlando?
Cocoa Beach is the closest major beach to Orlando, about an hour east via State Road 528 (the Beachline, a toll road). New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach are also roughly an hour away.
Is there a beach in Orlando?
No. Orlando is inland, so there are no ocean beaches in the city. The nearest Atlantic beaches, like Cocoa Beach, are about an hour away by car.
Are the Atlantic or Gulf beaches better from Orlando?
For a quick beach day, the Atlantic side wins because it’s about half the drive. The Atlantic has bigger waves and is great for surfing. The Gulf beaches like Clearwater and Anna Maria Island have calmer water and white sand, but they’re about 2 to 2.5 hours away, so plan them as a full day trip.
How far is Clearwater Beach from Orlando?
Clearwater Beach is about 2 hours west of Orlando, roughly 100 miles, depending on traffic through Tampa.
Can you do a beach day trip from Orlando?
Yes. Cocoa Beach is an easy day trip at about an hour each way. Clearwater and Anna Maria Island work as longer day trips, but you’ll spend 4 to 5 hours in the car round trip.
🗺️ This spot is on our interactive Florida map
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