Orlando is the second largest city in Florida and well known for its many attractions. Most come to Orlando for the abundance of theme park options and get to enjoy choosing from every possible combination of accommodations available. But many wonder “how far is Orlando from the beach?”
Keep in mind that some links are paid affiliate links. When you buy through these links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Any opinions expressed are not impacted by this.
There’s hotels with lazy rivers, resorts with water parks, homes with pools to rent, and even luxury themed mansions available. One thing most visitors still yearn for during their visit is a quick trip to one of Florida’s beautiful beaches. And you are in luck because there are plenty of options for beaches also depending on how far you’re willing to drive.
Not all beaches are created equally so be sure to read and follow the tips below to find the best one for you.
Please note: Estimated drive times are in optimal conditions, expect variances during peak times and challenging weather.
All 17 beaches listed on google maps. Be sure to use tide charts to plan your arrival for best conditions.
East Coast Beaches near Orlando Florida
The closest and best beaches near Orlando on the Atlantic Coast can be reached within 1 – 2 hours drive from the city. Some are free, have free/paid parking, or paid entry but all are beautiful and worth a visit.
Toronita Avenue Beach Park
4200 S Atlantic Ave, Wilbur-By-The-Sea, FL 32127
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: nearby – must cross main street and is equipped with pedestrian signal crosswalk.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: handicapped accessible, restrooms, and showers.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 62 miles and 70 minutes via I-4 E.
Smyrna Dunes Park
2995 N Peninsula Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
- Cost: $10 per vehicle. $20 annual inlet parks pass. Free for Handicapped and Disabled Veteran registered vehicles
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: 2 miles of wide, elevated, handicapped accessible boardwalk, scenic overlooks , restrooms, picnic pavilions, and dog-friendly swimming areas.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 62 miles and 70 minutes via I-4 E.
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park
6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach.
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: available.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: restrooms, large picnic pavilions, showers and nearly 800’ of direct beachfront sidewalk. Across the street at Riverside Park area, enjoy tennis, pickleball, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, fishing pier and restrooms.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 65 miles and 75 minutes via I-4 E.
Grayce K. Barck North Beach Community Park
1100 N Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: 2 large lots nearby, $20 non-resident electronic parking day pass.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: nature trails, picnic area, restrooms, open-air showers.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 59 miles and 66 minutes via I-4 E.
27th Avenue Beachfront Park
3701 S Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: plenty available, $20 non-resident electronic parking day pass.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: boardwalk, basketball and racquetball courts, picnic area with sail shade coverings, outdoor showers, ADA accessible playground with grass turf, and restrooms. Also one of the locations where you can pick up a free fire ring during Bonfire season. Reservations begin in late October.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 60 miles and 68 minutes via I-4 E.
Best Beaches near Orlando – Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is known for its 23 miles of white sandy beaches. It’s also known for being able to drive on those beaches, and this includes golf carts and other 2 wheel vehicles. There are some rules and guidelines though:
- Cost – $20 fee per vehicle per day.
- Limited to specific sections (driving zones).
- Dependent on tide conditions.
- Do not exceed 10MPH.
- Headlights ON.
- Windows DOWN.
- No texting while driving.
Use the FREE beach app for real-time status updates.
Check out the LIVE Daytona Beach webcam.
Botefuhr Avenue Beach Vehicle Access Point
2001 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 60 miles and 80 minutes.
Worlds Most Famous Beach Daytona Beach
838 E International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 59 miles and 73 minutes.
The South Driving Zone extends from 27th Avenue North to Smyrna Dunes Park.
The North Driving Zone has 4 shorter stretches available for driving.
Andy Romano Beachfront Park
839 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: nearby.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: a splash pad, playground, pavilions, concessions, and restrooms.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 62 miles and 72 minutes.
Amsden Beach Approach
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: very few street spots.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: beach access only.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 65 miles and 76 minutes.
West Coast Beaches Near Orlando Florida
The west coast beaches are perfect for sunset chasers. They’ll take a little longer to get too but you’ll be delighted by the cool white sand and warm blue waters. You can treat yourself to dolphin spotting cruises or even parasailing. But the best part is the sunset, and the occasional marine life easily visible in the clear waters.
Some of the Best beaches near Orlando on the Gulf Coast are also very busy beaches but provide great fun for the whole family.
Clearwater Beach
7 Causeway Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: paid on street parking and parking lots. Lot 31 at Pier 60 has 139 spaces. Use the Parkmobile app to pay and find spaces.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: 1,080-foot fishing pier and recreational park, with a bait house, telescopes and six covered pavilions. Sunsets at Pier 60 is a nightly tradition of crafts and entertainment from 6PM to 9PM.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 109 miles and 150 minutes via I-4 W.
Sand Key Park
1060 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
- Cost: Pay for Parking.
- Parking: $5 per vehicle at automated pay stations (Visa & MC only).
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: boardwalk, nature trails, bath houses, playground, restrooms, shelters with grill, umbrella and cabana rentals, 2 beach wheelchairs available during life guard season..
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 110 miles and 150 minutes.
Indian Rocks Beach
1700 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
- Cost: FREE at 18 beach access sites for residents and visitors.
- Parking: paid parking available at the Indian Rocks Beach/Pinellas County Beach Access Park at 17th Ave. The fee is $2.50 per hour.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: facilities vary at each access point.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 111 miles and 153 minutes.
Morgan Park
2650 Gulf Blvd, Belleair Beach, FL 33786
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: limited spots available, metered parking $4 – 5 per hour, 3 hour limit.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: pavilion, benches, restrooms, and showers.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 111 miles and 152 minutes.
Archibald Beach Park
15100 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: metered.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: restrooms, two outdoor shower areas, chair rentals, covered picnic area, and two sand beach volleyball courts. On site Snack Shak.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 111 miles and 150 minutes.
Best Secluded Beaches close to Orlando Florida
If you’re looking for the paths less wandered, then you might want to head to one of the more secluded beaches. It might take a little more time and money but you’ll get to enjoy unspoiled views of the ocean and limited crowds.
PLAYALINDA Beach
- Cost: $20 per vehicle entrance fee or America the Beautiful Parks Pass accepted.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: handicapped accessible boardwalks and restrooms.
- Be AWARE: Parking lot #13 is where the NUDE beach exists. If that is not your interest, park at one of the other lots.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 57 miles and 75 minutes.
Fort De Soto
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.,Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Consists of 5 islands and 1136 acres on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.
- Cost: $5 per vehicle at pay booth.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: historic fort and museum, nature trails, waterfront camping, picnic shelters, ferry service to Egmont Key and Shell Key, concessions and souvenirs, playgrounds, and restrooms.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 118 miles and 147 minutes.
Pass-a-Grille Beach/Historic District
- Cost: FREE
- Parking: Use the beach access map to find available spaces. Use the Freebee on the beach app to request free shuttle service and access restaurants and more.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: limited to none. Nearby parks offer restrooms.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 115 miles and 143 minutes.
Canaveral National Seashore
S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796
- Cost: $20 per vehicle entrance fee or America the Beautiful Parks Pass accepted.
- Drive on the beach: NO.
- Facilities: handicapped accessible boardwalks and restrooms.
- Estimated drive time from downtown Orlando: 49 miles and 59 minutes.
3 Great Vacation Rentals in Central Florida:
Near Orlando – Brand New,14 Guests,Free Shuttle,Encore WaterPark,XBOX,Movie,Games,Pool/Spa from $399/nt.
Cocoa Beach – 100 yards from beach 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Sleeps 8 from $180/nt.
Clearwater Beach – 5 Story Townhome, Private Elevator, Hot Tub, Breathtaking Views, Steps to Beach from $395/nt.
5 Best (Easy) Places to pick up a sandwich on your way to the beach:
- Publix – there are locations everywhere and you can order through the app for easy pickup.
- Jersey Mike’s – lots of easy to find locations and great subs made Mike’s way or yours.
- Firehouse Subs – plentiful locations also.
- Try a cuban sandwich from La Segunda or the Floridian in Tampa.
Don’t forget to save on nearby adventure experiences including dolphin cruises, specialty car rentals, and local attractions with Groupon.
If you found this information valuable, be sure to share and follow for more travel tips!
Don’t forget to load up with the best beach gear for an easy fun day!
Ready to Wander?
Try one of my favorite resources!
5 thoughts on “17 Best and Closest Beaches to Orlando”
Orlando is really a great middle point to head to either the west or east coast beaches of Florida. This article is a wonderful starting point for my beach plans in the Orlando area!
I’d love to go to Florida one day. I would never go in the summer not of fan of heat but some winter for sure.
Yes, avoid summer if you can. Too hot and everyone is on vacation. Fall and winter are my favorites!
Thanks for all the great information. I’d love to go to Disney world some day.
I always wanted to go to Disney World also, never thought I’d wind up living so close to it. You just don’t know how or when things will work out. I hope you get to enjoy Disney World soon!