Beaches

[clairemca]

Hi,

We are staying near Champions Gate in July and are planning on travelling to a beach for the day, any ideas where to go for the day and how far away it is?

Claire

[mfairhurst]

You could o to Daytona it is noce for a day trip you can drive on the beach for a small charge ,Also there is a man made beach at Lake Toko at old St Cloud .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[ellie]

We like Madeira Beach, which is not so well known and not busy. It is just below Clearwater, which we find too busy and commercialised. There is a fantastic boardwalk at John's Pass, nearly opposite, where you can spend time when you have had enough of the beach. There are interesting little shops, great fish restaurants and lots of other things to do like a trip on a Pirate ship, or boat trips to see manatees etc.

Madeira Beach is about an hour and 20 mins away from our villa on Highway 27. It is about 40 - 60 mins to Tampa, depending on traffic, and then Madeira Beach is a short drive on from there.

[carl mcguigan]

Just arrived back at the villa in champions gate after spending the day at treasure island beach, travel time 1hr 30mins a little busy around Tampa but a brilliant day.
We watched the sun go down from the roof terrace at the beach cafe and spotted dolphins earlier in the day a really perfect day.[msnsmile2]

[Nielsen]

Claire,

The Caribbean side of Florida is beautiful and the water is calm, soft and not that deep, you can walk out a fair bit before it reaches your waist.
As mentioned above there are plenty of places to go and one of our favourites is Madeira Beach as well.

On the Atlantic side the waves are much bigger and perfect for Buggy Boarding, so if you and your family like a little more action like that, then this is where you should go. Cocoa Beach has it all with a peer and hire shops for boards, sun chairs etc.
We have been there several times and always enjoyed it.

From you location I would allow 1 ½ hours to reach either coast.

TOM

[jimiansville]

We much prefer the Gulf coast beaches to those on the Atlantic side. The water is very clear and warm and the sunsets are amazing.

Clearwater is nice but can be busy especially at weekends. The seafront area has been renovated with a new boardwalk etc. Having said that Madeira beach is the place we tend to head for as it is quieter.

If you particularly wanted to go to the Atlantic coast there is a nice area at the north end of Cocoa Beach. It is nice and quiet and you can have nice long walks along the shore. Alos near Cocoa there is New Smyrna Beach which is nice.

[Val]

Hi Claire,
Spend a day on one of the gulf beaches, we usually go down to one of the beaches off Longboat Quay, the water is much warmer if the family want to swim and the beaches are beautiful. Have a good look at a map of Florida and travel down over the skyway bridge (think that is the correct name, just not got a map with me)it is spectacular and worth it.

Val

[reemur]

We have been to cocoa beach
will have to try the others
Carol

[Dianap]

None of them are very far and well worth the trip
New Symyrna Beach is really nice

[eastcoastbranch]

Madeira Beach is our favourite for a day out. You have the beach on one side of the road and the Intercoastal waterway on the other side. We love lazing on the beach then going over to John`s Pass for lunch or dinner. Restaurants are great and there are some nice shops to browse around. It only takes about 1hour and 30 mins to get there from where you are staying.
Have a great time
Hannah