Which beach to visit?

[Jaybeez]

We are planning to visit a beach for the 1st time in Florida this year and I was wondering where people would recommend. We have to travel from Orlando and will be going to the Gulf cost. Also we don't want somewhere too commercial. Any ideas please?

[LBV75]

Any of the beaches between Clearwater and St Petes beach are really nice. Only about 1.5 hours from Orlando.

The other option is the space coast and Cocoa Beach.

[MichelleP1]

Clearwater beach is really nice, also if you do go there you can go on a giant speedboat ride to spot dolphins called the Seascreamer - great fun!

[Helenr]

Another vote for St Petes or Clearwater

[Elsie]

Clearwater ... lovely white sand and a warm sea. Be warned though, take really good sunglasses as they sun bounces off the sand and water and plays havoc wih your eyes!

[Malcolm]

Siesta Key in Sarassotta is nice aswell about 90 mins drive from Orlando plus you got small shopping area St Armands near by that has a nice Cuban Cafe/restraunt and the Freddy Burger is awsom...........

[juli]

Another vote for Siesta Key - gorgeous soft sand
A nice village to wander round too

[Fiona]

St. Pete`s is one of our favourites. We go to the beach for a few hours and then drive down to the pier. DH and our sons fish and I have a look around the pier shops and aquarium. A 2 minute drive (if that!!) up the road from the pier is a shopping mall called Bay Walk where they have a really nice Johnny Rockets. Another nice place is John`s Pass and Madeira Beach. Have a look at these web sites www.floridasbeach.com www.stpetebeach.com www.stpete-pier.com www.johnspass.com :-)

[Happy Feet]

Are the beaches at St Pete's and Clearwater "proper" sand?
Hated the stuff at Cocoa Beach, stuck to our skins and refused to shift!

[Jaybeez]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll look at the websites that you have recommended later Fiona. :)

[kissimmee girl]

Another vote for clearwater. There are great boat trips to try too.

[olgaandcoda]

St Petes and stay to watch the sun set.

[Elsie]

St Petes and stay to watch the sun set.
Which is amazingly fast! You can actually see the sun slipping over the horizon - at least we could last August. We'd not seen anything like it before. Stunning.

[MalcolmC]

Are the beaches at St Pete's and Clearwater "proper" sand?
Hated the stuff at Cocoa Beach, stuck to our skins and refused to shift!

Yes. White sand like icing sugar at Clearwater

We've never had a problem at Cocoa Beach though. It's just sand, sand! - ordinary beach sand. Only problem I have is the water at Cocoa is noticably colder than the Gulf Beaches. Historic Cocoa Village is nice too - little cafes and gift shops and there's Merritt Mall.

[ClaireB]

Another vote for Clearwater here

[igoefamily]

Another vote for Clearwater. We had a great dolphin boat trip from the marina it was excellant. The beach is lovely.

[paulrfc]

another vote for Clearwater, it is amazing!!! we went on the Pirate ship the last time we were there and had a ball. :grin: :spin: