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Best beaches near Orlando

When you’ve had your fill of Orlando’s theme parks, retreat to the area’s best beaches.

By Joanna Tweedy | December 23, 2021 (Updated October 2, 2025)

Orlando woos millions of tourists every year with high-energy theme parks, spas, luxury shopping, and fine dining, but there’s also picturesque sand and surf not too far away. Once you’ve had your fill of all the local thrills, extend your Florida vacation with a few days on the beach. Head east for great surfing and untouched nature or head west for white sugar sands, posh seaside towns, and sublime sunsets on the Gulf Coast.

Surfing on New Smyrna Beach

Embrace the surfer vibes at New Smyrna Beach, with some of the East Coast’s biggest waves hitting the shore here. This 17-mile (27-kilometer) stretch of golden beach is about an hour from downtown Orlando, and it rarely feels crowded due to its size. You can park right on the sand in certain places (for a fee), meaning you won’t have to lug the towels, chairs, and cooler that far! New Smyrna Beach is also a fabulous spot to immerse yourself in Florida’s nature. Don’t miss Smyrna Dunes Park, where you can stroll along an approximately 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) extended ocean walkway with views of saltwater marshes, sand dunes, and Florida’s tallest lighthouse, Ponce de Leon Inlet Light. No matter how you spend your day, Hampton Inn New Smyrna Beach is the perfect retreat. Fuel up for the day with a tasty and complimentary hot breakfast or recharge your batteries lounging by the saltwater pool.

Look for manatees in Vero Beach

The Treasure Coast, named in honor of the bounty-laden ships that wrecked here, is home to Vero Beach, a nature enclave 107 miles (172 kilometer) southeast of Orlando. This historical small city boasts a thriving arts scene (don’t miss the Vero Beach Museum of Art), plenty of upscale restaurants, and quaint low-rise resorts like Hampton Inn & Suites Vero Beach Downtown, which is conveniently located for quick access to all these attractions and more. The Atlantic-facing beaches of Orchid Island are another main draw. Surfers love Sebastian Inlet State Park for the mighty waves that land here, but there are more gentle pursuits, too. Exploring the emerald Indian River Lagoon is also a must. Rent a kayak and paddle through North America’s most biologically diverse estuary — you might spot manatees, pelicans or porpoises.

Sunsets in St. Petersburg

When you cruise over Old Tampa Bay to St Petersburg, you know whole lot of fun is on the horizon. This charismatic tourist city, often mentioned in the same sentence as nearby Clearwater Beach, has lively pier life, tangerine sunsets, and sugar-sand beaches. Head to Treasure Island Beach, a wide band of soft, alabaster-white sand, where you can rent a cabana. St Pete’s Pier is a 26-acre (10.5 hectare) waterfront district that juts out into Tampa Bay and boasts entertainment galore, including a marine Discovery Center and children’s playgrounds. A stay at Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach feels like a destination in itself. Enjoy direct beach access, an outdoor pool with plush loungers, an all-day beachfront bar, and Coconut Charlie's Grill, named one of the best seafood restaurants in the area.

Getting under the Big Top in Sarasota

What do vacationers love about Sarasota County? Award-winning, Caribbean-esque beaches for starters. Head to Siesta Key, a slender 8-mile (13-kilometer) isle that boasts three sugar-sand beaches: Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach. A trolley bus ambles between them, bypassing pastel-hued houses, tasty-looking seafood restaurants, and souvenir shops. Beyond the beach, Sarasota’s circus heritage is sure to impress. Famous ringmaster John Ringling was born here, and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art remains one of Florida’s most popular museums. When it’s time to rest, make sure the stay is comfortable by booking spacious accommodations in an ideal location. Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota fits the bill, with the added perk of a shaded outdoor pool for when you need a break from the beach.

Joanna Tweedy

Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former U.K. national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.