View Full Version : Best Beaches
We are staying in a villa at Emerald Island, if we were to have a day out at the beach, which beach would you recommend?
We have car, and driving isn't a problem.
Thanks
Andrea
heathercobbett
14-05-2005, 20:19
Clearwater for me,just over an hour from Emerald Island. Teenagers like Daytona and you can drive straight onto the beach.Alternatively,if just some of your party are going to Canaveral,you could drop the rest of the group at Cocoa on the Atlantic coast
I like St. Pete's best, beautiful white sand , calm waters and not too busy.
Hello Andrea
We always like to have at least one day out at the beach when we are visiting in Orlando.
Our choice would be one of the beaches on the Gulf Coast and our favourite is Sand Key Park. This is just a very short drive from Clearwater beach.
It has good changing room facilities, lifeguard on duty at peak times, beach patrol and drinks vending machines.
Plenty of car parking (you will need a good supply of quarters to feed the meter) and also BBQ facilities set amongst pleasant green areas around the outside of the beach.
Enjoy yourselves.
Jane
Southsider
14-05-2005, 20:56
I like Daytona, you can drive onto the beach and also hire beach buggys and drive about,it takes about 60mins to drive.
LiesaAnna
14-05-2005, 22:03
i had a good book lying on Daytona, it was heavenly, we were sat just next to the car
IanandSarah
14-05-2005, 22:09
Some good beaches on Long Boat Key too, but can get a bit busy,
Ian and Sarah
jolliffee
14-05-2005, 22:16
We would go for the Gulf coast, if you have never been it is special. [msnwink]
We would go for St. Petersburg if you like it quiet, or drive further along to Clearwater if you prefer a busier location. The beaches are wonderful:)
Gulf Coast for me to Siesta Beach down at Sarasota is excellent but probably to far away for a day trip.
had 10 days at St petes and love it, travelled to a few beaches while we were there and preferred it to the Atlantic coast
Steve and Dawn
16-05-2005, 23:44
Claerwater or Fort Myers for us..... Clearwater for fun things to do, Fort Myers for the peace and tranquility.
Steve & Dawn
Cape Haze, Boca Grande and Englewood for me:)
berrysmiles
17-05-2005, 00:49
:)Crescent Beach on Siesta Key has glorious sand and gentle waves - just wonderful. For a different beach style we like Daytona for the convenience of being able to drive the car onto it
Judy
berni_richards
17-05-2005, 01:05
we have done cocoa beach but want to do clearwater as we have heard so many great things about it.
St Pete's is OK and we also liked the beach at naples.
Mo Green
17-05-2005, 03:48
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ruth
Cape Haze, Boca Grande and Englewood for me:)
[/quote]
Same for me Ruth but then I'm biased[msnsmile]
UK Jane wrote <blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Plenty of car parking (you will need a good supply of quarters to feed the meter) and also BBQ facilities set amongst pleasant green areas around the outside of the beach.
[/quote]
I like the idea of BBQ facilities on the beach. Is this common and if so which beaches have them[?] We are planning to do Cocoa and possibly St Petes in August...do they have BBQ facilities[?] BBQ dinner at sun set on the beach sounds appealing[msnsmile2]
Do they all have changing facilities[?] My better halfs not a fan of sand but puts up with it for our benefit. changing facilities would be much better from her perspective so she could leave all the sand behind[clap][clap].
I like Clearwater, it is just so clean.
Been to so many beaches now!!
As a surfer for the past 20 years, I obviously prefer east coast!!!!!!
How many of you been to satelitte beach? Very good with all your need catered for!
Spent a lot of time at Cocoa.
We have done Gulf coast.... But all you do is float![msnwink]
Andy and Wendy
20-05-2005, 23:18
Try Bradenton - peaceful and not very commercialised. Can combine with a visit Sarasota before crossing the bridge to the various offshore "keys" of whihc Bradenton is also located on.
A nice day trip from the Disney area[msnsmile2]
Andy
sunseeker
20-05-2005, 23:49
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jeff66
Been to so many beaches now!!
As a surfer for the past 20 years, I obviously prefer east coast!!!!!!
How many of you been to satelitte beach? Very good with all your need catered for!
Spent a lot of time at Cocoa.
We have done Gulf coast.... But all you do is float![msnwink]
[/quote]
Yey a fellow surfer, im off to Fistral beach later this year for a fix. [msnwink]
Dave
orlandobabe
21-05-2005, 08:40
Clearwater for me too-but more like a 2 hr drive.
Siesta key at Sarasota is another favourite. That's 2 hrs too.
dave.parks
22-05-2005, 00:05
I think clear waters is the best, white sands very clean stretches for miles and the water is very warm watch your feet though when you go to the beach on to to path it does get hot [msncry]
Anyone recommend good hotels here for an overnight stay? Just an idea - while we are all going to Busch gardens, thought we may stay over and have a day at the beach.
andrewmckay5
22-05-2005, 16:42
Susan,
it may not be viable for one night but there is an OV owner with an apartment in Clearwater 50 yards from the beach. So if anyone is looking for a longer stay just click the villa links above.
Not my Gulf Villa I hasten to add.
andrew
Dear Andrea,
Think you are spoilt for choice with the suggestions, any beach on the West coast is perfect and you do not get as much breeze as from the Atlantic beaches, but if you want to venture further the beaches on the islands of Captiva and Sanibel are perfect and then there is always Boca Grande.
Enjoy
Val
andrewmckay5
22-05-2005, 18:53
Here you are Ruth:
http://www.shop-for-homes.com/ourtown.html
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ruth
Cape Haze, Boca Grande and Englewood for me:)
[/quote]
That is a fantastic site Andrew and describes the area perfectly to me:)
We always have a few nights at a beach resort when we are in Florida. For a day trip, I would go to Clearwater, it's beautiful. This year we are going to Ft.Lauderdale for a few days so are really looking forward to that. I am sure that you will love where ever you spend the day. Chloe
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Southsider
I like Daytona, you can drive onto the beach and also hire beach buggys and drive about,it takes about 60mins to drive.
[/quote]
Does it cost to drive onto the beach ?
Any idea on how much it costs to hire the buggies?
Its one place i have never been in all my visits, but i think i might give it a try this next time.
Thanks