Florida Beaches - East
coast beaches
Daytona Beach - known
as the "World’s Most Famous
Beach"
Located on Florida's Central East Coast,
just 53 miles from Orlando, it stretches
23 miles along the Atlantic. Well known
for being the home of the Daytona 500 NASCAR
race, spring break, and BikeWeek, Daytona is popular with young people and families
alike. The gentle slope and tides have packed
the white sands near the ocean which allows
for driving of cars as well as the rental
of many different types of beach bikes and
buggies.
Of the 23 miles of beach, 16 miles allow
driving and parking during the day and when
the tide permits. Simply pack a lawn chair
or blanket and cruise over to Daytona, park
within feet of the water and deploy your
lawn chair, sandals and suntan lotion -
all while declaring this a sun and surf
lovers paradise. On the flip side, if you
are a nature lover or prefer a more "serene"
retreat you will have to look a little further.
Whether you’re cruising the boardwalk,
hanging out on the pier or just kicking
back with your favorite book, Daytona Beach
is fun.
The Daytona Beach area is only an hour's
drive from greater Orlando and even closer
to St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center.
Directions to Daytona : From Orlando, take
Interstate 4 East to Daytona
Ormond Beach - Lots of
options, Nice beaches.
Visiting Ormond
Beach can be one of your
most rewarding vacations. Ormond Beach is
located on the northern end of the greater
Daytona Beach Resort Area in Northeast Central
Florida. This area is known for it's famous
drive-on beach, one of the few available
in the world. Ormond Beach's nickname, the
"Birthplace of Speed" comes from
the turn of the century speed records set
here on the beach. Today, millions of visitors
come each year to witness automobile racing
at nearby Daytona International Speedway.
Ormond Beach has areas to suit every need.
Some of the beach areas permit driving,
however the northern areas do not. All offer
breathtaking beauty and water related fun!
It's easy to see why our beaches are considered
among the best in the world. Whether your
day at the beach is to relax and read a
book; cast a line into the surf; build sand
castles with the children; or cruise along
the shoreline with the top down, Volusia
County beaches can accommodate your desired
experience.
New Smyrna Beach - South
of Daytona, Nice beaches
Location: New Smyrna Beach is located on
Florida's east coast, just north of Cape
Canaveral. Off 1-95, exit 84A. Directions:
East off I-95, Exits: Southbound 84A; Northbound
84.
New Smyrna
Beach boasts over 13 miles of
beautiful white sandy beach. Wide and flat
with vehicle access like Daytona but much
less crowded than its northern neighbor,
(75 minute drive from Orlando) New Smyrna
begins at Ponce Inlet and continues on to
Canaveral National Seashore and Apollo Beach."The
World's Safest Bathing Beach" is great
entertainment in a clean, peaceful setting
(sunbathing, swimming, surfing, jet skiing,wind
surfing, fishing, shell collecting).
Located at the mouth of the Ponce de Leon
Inlet, New Smyrna Beach serves as the gateway
to the historic and picturesque Indian River
Intracoastal Waterway and 13 miles of Atlantic
Coast beach.
Rich in history and sunshine, New Smyrna
Beach is often referred to as "Florida’s
Original Theme Park." Bound at the
southside of the island by the pristine
57,000-acre Canaveral National Seashore
park and at the north end by Smyrna Dunes
Park, with its 1.5 mile boardwalk loop around
the Inlet area, nature comes alive here.
Watersports abound, with some of the best
surfing in the area and fishing that is
absolutely first-class. Palm trees border
Flagler Avenue, a true seaside beach street
lined with quaint boutiques, surf shops
and restaurants. Historic Canal Street in
downtown New Smyrna Beach has enjoyed a
renewed emphasis on its old town charm.
Cocoa Beach - closest beach
to Orlando!
Location: Just 60 miles from Orlando on
the Beeline Expressway! Come it's an easy
drive! Simply drive east from Orlando (or
the Orlando International Airport) on the
BeeLine (SR 528) Expressway. Cocoa
beach is just south of Port Canaveral which the
Disney Cruise Line's Magic and the Wonder
call home port.
Cocoa Beach is just an hour from Orlando
so it is very popular with tourists and
residents alike. The beaches are not "serene"
but offer a wide variety of fun with wide
sands, gently sloping beaches and moderate
but fun surfing and swimming waves. There
are quite a few parks on the beach which
offer direct access to the ocean. Most are
from 2 acres to 40 acres in size and some
offer picnic pavilions, surf fishing, nature
trails, playgrounds and surfing or swimming.
Many resorts, hotels, and restaurants adjoin
the parks.
One major highlight of Cocoa Beach is the
pier which stretches 840 feet over the Atlantic
Ocean and is open year-round. Food and beverages
are readily available, with four restaurants,
souvenir shops and frequent live entertainment.
From an outdoor cafe table, guests can dine
and see for miles down the beach making
this a great spot to view a space shuttle
launch and enjoy the ocean and sunshine.
Fishing equipment can be rented nearby for
the angler in the family. Dress is casual
since most patrons are beachgoers still
in their bathing suits. The Cocoa Beach
Pier is located on the North end of Cocoa
Beach off A-1-A at Meade Avenue.
Lori Wilson Park at Cocoa Beach - Located
at 1500 N. Atlantic Ave.
This 32 acre oceanfront park is operated
by Brevard County and has seasonal lifeguards.
Facilities include restrooms, three pavilions
along a 1,000' boardwalk, six dune crossovers,
maritime hammock, volleyball court, a playground,
barbecue grills, and a 274-space parking
lot located on both the north and south
sides of the park. Parking is $1 for cars,
$10 for buses. Please call (321) 455-1380
Melbourne Beach - Beaches,
Parks
While most of Melbourne is located on the
Florida mainland, a small portion is located
on a barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon
separates the island from the mainland.
The area is the perfect side trip for the
Orlando vacationer with beach dreams.
Bonsteel Park 8455 Highway A1A, Melbourne
Beach is popular for surfing and shoreline
fishing, this peaceful 2.34-acre community
beach park is located 15-miles south of
U.S. Hwy 192. Preserving the natural environment,
facilities at this quiet south beach include
a stabilized parking area and dune crossover.
Coconut Point Park 3535 Highway A1A, Melbourne
Beach Located 5.5 miles south of U.S. Hwy
192, this 36.9-acre community beach park
and sea turtle nesting site preserves the
natural environment. Popular for surfing,
beachcombing and fishing, the park amenities
include a small pavilion, restrooms, and
an outside shower. One of the 2 dune crossovers
is wheelchair accessible.
Spessard Holland North Beach Park
On the beach 8 miles south of US Hwy 192,
this 4.53 acre community beach park is a
popular fishing site and recreation area.
Spessard Holland South Beach Park
Across from Spessard Holland Golf Course
& 3.5 miles south of U.S. Hwy. 192,
this 6.5 acre community beach park with
seasonal lifeguards is a popular family
park with a 150' boardwalk. Many a memorable
vacation has taken place on a stretch of
sand not unlike Spessard Holland Park.
Vero Beach
In addition to its beaches and waters for
swimming, scuba diving, boating, fishing,
and other water sports, Indian River County's
parks offer countless opportunities for
recreation and enjoying the out of doors.
Eighteen golf courses allow for all levels
of play, and tennis facilities are widely
available.
Add Holman Stadium, the 6,500 seat Spring
Training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers,
Disney's Vero Beach Resort (where the Magic
of Disney meets the Beauty of the Beach),
and a host of museums, theatres, restaurants,
night spots, and shopping areas and you
have the makings of a great vacation.
No Florida vacation is complete without
a trip to the beach, and no other beachfront
resort can deliver the Disney-inspired family
fun that you'll find at Disney's Vero Beach
Resort. Don't be fooled by all the fun and
sun, this is one beautiful Disney property
and is directly ON Vero Beach.
Nestled on a sun-drenched beach midway between
Cape Canaveral and West Palm Beach, discover
Disney hospitality with a splash of oceanfront
fun on Florida's famed Atlantic coast. Let
your kids slip down Pirate's Plunge, a 163-foot
spiral water slide, or splash with them
on the Pirate Ship wet-deck. There are no
limits to the recreational opportunites
and fun days. Swim in the Atlantic, play
mini-golf, rent a hobie cat, roast a marshmallow
at a seaside campfire, massages, 7 mile
bike trail, the nearby golf courses! I should
mention that this is one of my favorite
Disney Resorts and one of Floridas best
beaches (quiet) Disney's Vero Beach Resort.
The Disney folks will pamper you at this
wonderful beach resort. Just a 2 hour drive
from Orlando and relatively serene and quiet
the setting is magical and the service is
legendary.
Jayce Park
Ocean Drive (north), Vero Beach: 8.3 acres,
ocean beach, lifeguard, boardwalk, dressing
and shower facilities, playgrounds, large
picnic area, Bethel Creek House. 561-231-0578.
Round Island Park
5 miles south of Vero Beach on A1A: ocean
beach, lifeguard, boardwalk, dressing and
shower facilities, playground, picnic area,
dune crossover for catamarans. 561-234-8375.
Florida beaches - West coast beaches
Florida's West Coast Beaches: The Suncoast
Florida's west coast beaches and the Gulf
of Mexico are also close to Orlando! Spend
a few days at a beautiful Florida beach.
Clearwater Beach Florida
Clearwater is a quiet Florida city with
a community spirit that always seems to
have something going on. In fact, the entire
county of Pinellas seems to have this spirit.
Its many public parks and outdoor festivals
are a treat to residents and visitors alike.
Clearwater is connected to the barrier island
of Clearwater
Beach to the west via a two
mile nicely landscaped causeway which includes
a walking and biking path. From here you
can experience beaches, beaches and more
beaches. A string of barrier islands with
fine white sand beaches line the Gulf of
Mexico along the Pinellas coast. They start
with renowned Clearwater Beach to the north
and parade south with Sand Key Park , Indian
Rocks Beach , Madeira Beach , St. Pete Beach
, Pass-a-Grille and Fort de Soto Park .
Clearwater Beach has an excellent marina
where one can find numerous charter, party
and rental boats for fishing, sailing, cruising,
para-sailing, and dolphin watching. Half-day
and full-day fishing trips are available.
The marina also berths a large number of
private boats and has transient slippage
for visiting boaters.
St Petersburg Beach
St. Petersburg and its surrounding area
has a wonderful dual personality. On its
west side facing the Gulf of Mexico is St.
Petersburg Beach and a series of beautiful,
sister city beaches stretching north along
the coast. On its opposite side facing Tampa
Bay is downtown St. Petersburg - the cultural
center of this area. Both personalities
of the St. Petersburg area have much to
offer.
Downtown St.
Petersburg is a revitalized
blend of luscious parks and impressive architecture
that come together into a very pleasant
city environment. One could easily enjoy
a warm sunny day simply strolling through
this area. Fort De Soto State Park is a
900-acre park that has seven miles of beaches,
two fishing piers, a bike and walking trail,
picnic and camping facilities, and a historic
fort for which the park is named. Visitors
can stroll through Fort De Soto which was
built during the Spanish-American war. Immediately
adjacent to the fort is a fishing pier that
extends for hundreds of feet into the Gulf.
The pier overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa
Bay and Egmont Key . Johns Pass Village
at Madeira Beach is a rustic boardwalk community
with restaurants, bars, shops and boat rental
facilities. The village overlooks Johns
Pass on the inside of the pass that leads
to the Gulf of Mexico. Those with an interest
in boating could watch the comings and goings
of private and commercial boats through
this narrow pass for hours.
The Pinellas Trail is paved trail for walking,
jogging, biking and roller blading. This
34 mile trail stretches from St. Petersburg
to Tarpon Springs. For professional sports
enthusiasts, the area is a veritable paradise.
Major League Baseball team Tampa Bay Devil
Rays play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
from April to September. Across Tampa Bay,
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football team
play at the Raymond James Stadium during
the season from August to January. The Tampa
Bay Lightning National Hockey League team
play to the Ice Palace from October to April.
Panama City Beach
Panama
City Beach is a beach resort town
in the Panhandle of Florida. Its primary
industry is tourism. Visitors come here
for its magnificent beaches with their emerald-green
seas. The area is popular with the young,
particularly college students looking for
a break, and can become quite active during
its peak season in the summer. Along the
Gulf coast are numerous hotels and resorts,
many quite reasonably priced, where you
can walk right out to the beach without
the need to cross roads or travel. Further
to the west the area is less busy for those
who enjoy a more relaxed environment.
The beaches are among the best in Florida
with nearly 20 miles of fine sugar-white
sand, relatively warm and generally calm
seas. In the summer the water is often crystal
clear with a beautiful emerald-green hue.
From the beaches one can simply enjoy sun-bathing
and swimming or partake in more adventurous
activity with the available parasailing
rides, jet skis, catamarans, and seaplane
rides. Boating excursions are also available
for sight-seeing, dolphin watching, fishing,
snorkeling, and diving.
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