Hit the Coast with Our Helpful Orlando Beach Guide
Orlando may be known for its family-friendly activities and theme parks, but another major perk is that it’s close to a number of beaches. These coastal escapes can not only help you cool off during the height of the summer, they can provide a very different backdrop from the urban crowds during every season.
Here are our picks for navigating the many beaches so you can pick the ones with the best vibes for you.
Before You Go: A Handy Packing Guide
When the Florida sun and the Atlantic waves can be brutal, it never hurts to be prepared:
- Towels, swimsuits, complete change of clothes.
- Sunscreen, lip balm, hairbrush, face moisturizer.
- Insect repellent, first-aid kit.
- Beach towels, umbrella, toys, chairs, snorkel gear, portable speaker/charger, waterproof phone case.
- Water bottles, snacks.
New Smyrna: For the Surf
Located about an hour from Orlando, New Smyrna is a good place to watch the local surfers or to try it out for yourself. Plus, it’s close to excellent restaurants and bars, whether you’re looking for fresh oysters or paella. This stop in our Orlando beach guide has some incredible chefs, so you won't want to miss grabbing lunch or dinner here.
New Smyrna mainly has paid parking options, though there are limited free spots along Flagler or Canal. If you want to drive along the beach, you can apply for a permit from Volusia County, which will get you access to more beaches than just New Smyrna. Non-residents can purchase day passes through their Park Volusia program, which also includes off-beach parking privileges.
Daytona Beach: For Its Racing History
Home to the Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR's famous Daytona 500, Daytona Beach's racing history stretches back for well over a century. Located about an hour and 10 minutes from Orlando, this general area was known as the Birthplace of Speed, thanks to the hard-packed sand that made it perfect for motorcycle and stock car racing. In the 1950s, motorcycle racer Bill France Sr. moved the event off the water by building the speedway.
The city hosted the first Daytona 500 in 1959.
Daytona Beach still allows you to drive on the beach today, though the speed limit is just 10 miles per hour. Daytona has limited free parking spaces, and its popularity all but ensures you're likely to end up in a paid lot or standard street meters. Daytona is also home to a number of activities in the area, including the boardwalk, Marine Science Center, and museums along Beach Street.
Ormond Beach: For the Kids
Just a few minutes north of Daytona, Ormond Beach shares a colorful racing history with Daytona Beach. Today, it’s less known for its speed-racing, and more known for its laid-back vibes. If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, you’ll find a splash pad and playground at the Andy Romano Beachfront Park. This casual spot may have slightly fewer amenities than Daytona, but the upside is that there's more free parking spots and easy beach access.
Ormond Beach is also a good place to try the Scenic Loop and Trail, which is 30 miles and offers some very photo-worthy views. Or visit Rockefeller’s winter home, known as The Casement, which has been restored as a Cultural Center in the city. Known as The Jewel of Ormond Beach, it's an official Florida Heritage Site and hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year.
Cocoa Beach: For Its Diversity
Located just 50 minutes from Orlando and near Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach has everything from stellar surf to rocket launch viewpoints. Check out the Cocoa Beach Pier for an excellent mix of restaurants and shops where you can order anything from a calzone to a taco to a lobster roll.
If you’re lucky to show up during the bioluminescence phenomena, you can take a tour to catch the electric blue lights of these showstopping algae.
Cocoa Beach has largely paid parking options, though it does offer a trolley service from Port Canaveral, which can make it easier to expand your parking options and plan a more ambitious day. You can also visit the Kennedy Space Visitor Complex to learn more about the port’s integral role in the space program.
Melbourne Beach: For the Wildlife
Melbourne Beach, about an hour and 10 minutes from Orlando, is a part of the Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was established in the 1980s by Congress to protect the sea turtles. Home to the largest nesting habitat in the US, more loggerhead turtles come through here than any other spot in the Western Hemisphere.
And, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the state, more and more leatherback and green turtles are starting to take up refuge alongside the loggerheads.
Melbourne Beach has a local feel more so than a tourism vibe, which can be perfect if you need a break from the excesses of Orlando. The beach also hosts night walks during select days in June and July, so you can see the nesting turtles. On this family-friendly beach, it’s typically easy to find free parking along the coastline. However, there are fewer amenities, like restaurants, in this small town.
Satellite Beach: For Samsons Island
Like Melbourne, Satellite Beach is somewhat more of a local's spot, and it has several different places to get to the beach, including Pelican Beach Park and Hightower Beach Park (both of which have paid parking options). These parks also have outdoor showers to make clean-up a little easier. However, the bigger reason to visit Satellite is for its access to the spoil island known as Samsons.
This man-made island, a byproduct of channel dredging for safer ship passage, is a beautiful place to see natural vegetation. It even has picnic spots and grills if you want to enjoy a meal or snack. To get there, you’ll need to either arrange your own boating transportation. Or you hop on an eco-tour provided for free by the city.
These tours depart the first Sunday of the month at 9:00 a.m. and come back at 12:00 p.m., with reservations opening on the first of the month preceding the tour date.
The state of Florida prides itself on its coastline, so no matter which Orlando beach you visit, you'll find crystal-clear waters and inviting sands. Our beach guide can help you find the best spot for you, especially if you only have an afternoon to visit a single section of the coast.
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