weekend away at the beach - clearwater or other?

[BevS97]

We have been to Orlando 4 times already, but have really just stuck with Orlando and Disney.
I am thinking for a change we could venture to the beach, I'd prefer to go to the Clearwater side (is that the west coast?)

Is Clearwater the best place to go for a short visit, or someplace else? (we won't do BG)

Any hotels that can be recommended?

[debs1505]

Can definitely recommend Clearwater. Check out the seascreamer for dolphin watching - www.seascreamer.com. Beautiful sand, clear water, fab sunsets - the Gulf coast is beautiful!:D

[chocking]

Another vote for Clearwater here, we stayed at the Marriot suites for a week on sand key and it was fantastic. If you like seafood you must try crabby bills, no frills just fantastic fresh seafood.

Cxx

[MrB]

Is it good for shells?

[katie]

I got some lovely shells from clearwater a few years ago - big ones they were too.

Katie :)

[helengiles]

Would definately recomend Clearwater but have only been for the day. Make sure you have double the factor suncream that you would normally have in Orlando as the sea breeze can be devastating. I burned really bad last year and normally I am OK in the sun

[steve404]

Hello,

Its worth a trip to Caladesi Island just outside Clearwater, park your car, get on a short ferry ride to Caladesi and spend about 4 hours on the Island before you get the ferry back to your car. Fantastic beach, safe, with sunshades if you require them, and you will, and with plenty of shells, and hot water to swim in, also a great nature walk nearby, you may see all sorts of real Florida wildlife.
Thoroughly recommended.
Agree with the suncream, slap it on.

Steve.

[Diamonddog]

Did Iread that there's extensive roadworks in/planned in Clearwater this summer?

[bluegirl]

Another BIG thumbs up for Clearwater we stayed there a week in 2002 and again for a week in 2004, excellent.:d:

[debs1505]

Did Iread that there's extensive roadworks in/planned in Clearwater this summer?

There has been roadworks in/around Clearwater for the past 3 years!! Never been a problem tho.

[anna68]

Naples is gorgeous, a three hour drive though.

[Fiona]

We always go to the Gulf Coast for the day everytime we visit Orlando, but prefer St. Pete`s to Clearwater. However, Clearwater is also really lovely, but St. Pete`s is definitely our favourite. :-)

[Twink]

Hi,
Madeira Beach is our favourite, inbetween St.Petes & Clearwater, DH loves fishing so he is like a little boy in a sweet shop, loads of lovely shells to collect - but you have to be early. Reddington Shores pier you can hire fishing rods for the day, plenty to catch and good fun. Cannot recommend Crabby Bills though - we been three times now and each time we found it very mediocre, would recommend the Conch Republic restaturant.

[tonio]

another vote for clearwater, I love it and there is so much to do, we are also going to miami for 2 days this march and really looking forward to it. I always tell people there is more to orlando than just theme parks.

toni

[colin39]

so what is coco beach like some one said it was nice there? and how far away is it from disney?

[ChoppyGirl]

We got married in Vegas in 2004 and had a week in Clearwater afterwards. It was fab. We liked it sooooo much we are having a week there in April after 2 weeks at WDW. You need to recover fully!!!!!!!!!

[Mike]

Hiya Bev. After three Orlando-only trips I can honestly say that the last two (family) ones where we spent a full week at the Gulf have been by far and away the best... a great way to relax and change the pace after the parks.

My vote (as always!) is for Siesta Key as a venue for more than a couple of days... I found Clearwater a bit commercial and over-busy... the smaller islands like SK have a much more laid-back feel to them. Hotels are a bit thin on the ground though... mate Scott and I did stay one night at the low-rise Best Western at SK... great location and cheap and cheerful but a long way from luxury. The mainstay accommodation seems to be private apartments and some houses, although they are dearer than the Orlando ones.

Mike:smile:

[TinkTatoo]

We went to Vero beach last year and loved it - how about renting some DVC points and staying there. Vero Beach (http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortLanding?id=VeroBeachResortLandingPage)

[fozzie bear]

We usually spend time on the coast and loved both Naples and St Petes. Did a lot of research on where to stay this time but have decided to stay in Orlando for the 2 weeks instead. Place I really fancied on tripadviser was the Banana Bay Club in Sarasota - it has fantastic reviews which counts for a lot because US reviewers appear very fussy.

Good Luck

[Dayle]

We enjoyed a week in Clearwater in 2002, it is a comercialised seaside town, but there is lots to do in the area.
Doesn't your DD enjoy ice-skating, we went to a shopping mall with an ice-rink in the centre DD(6 at the time) loved that.

Judith

[BevS97]

OOh Judith, that might have just clinched the deal - I love shopping -she loves skating - how perfect is that!

[joelsa]

Not been to Clearwater, but hear it's georgeous. My vote would go to Sarasota/Siesta Key, we had a week there lastime after 2 weeks of Orlando, and i just love, love, love it. It has beautiful beaches of white talcum powder sand and a lovely relaxing feel about it. Perfect

Jo xx

[MattF]

Another vote for Clearwater here, we stayed at the Marriot suites for a week on sand key and it was fantastic. If you like seafood you must try crabby bills, no frills just fantastic fresh seafood.

Cxx

Hi,

What was the Marriot like? We are going there for a week in August after Orlando. How far away is the beach?

Thanks
Matt & Claire

[coolnana]

Cocoa beach is nice but i wouldn't recommend it when you have small children. The beach can shelve away very steeply and the waves and current can be VERY strong. We have been to St Petes and Clearwater and love them both. Agree withearlier posting about sunscreen and the breeze. We went to Clearwater for the day in 04, it was great , the breeze kept it from being too hot for the kids to run about, i was really ott with the sunscreen where everybody was cocerned, imagine my shock when i got into the car and looked in the mirror-completely missed the extreme edges around my face , so they were red raw, i had also started growing my hair and had it tied back and growing a fringe[ it had been very short and wavy before]the skin on my head along the fringe line looked as though i had been scalded,was sore for weeks- not used to being burnt -always had short hair, i had the biggest case of giant dandruff for weeks, every where i went i had large flakes of skin falling off my head- gross, but a warning.

[kateystevens]

Cocca Beach is lovely and if there is a shuttle lauch that day you get a really good view! The beach is really sandy and nice to walk along too! Ron Jons Surf Shop is well worth a visit just off the beach. It is about an hours drive due east from Kisssimeee and the road is virtually straight all the way.

[RuddClan]

We want to do Clearwater for a beach day this summer while we are in Florida. Whats the deal though? Do we just follow the map to Clearwater and a beach appears? Are there Car Parks? Shops? Shade on the beach?

Any help appreciated. :D

[debs1505]

Very easy to find! Follow the signs for Tampa, then there are signs for Clearwater. Loads of parking, shops and 2 beaches - north and south! Fab restaurants, loads of shade/loungers - cant remember the cost for them but it isnt much. Would highly recommend going! Remember to go out on the Seascreamer - www.seascreamer.com. :wavey:

[Touch of Tink]

Hi, can I jump on the bandwagon and ask a question? This is something I want to do, but better half (?) isn't too keen on beaches and only want to go for 1 day. We are staying in Orlando for 1 week with daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter but have 1 week on our own when we would like to go. Is it possible to do it in 1 day and have a few hours on the beach or should we plan on an overnight stay. The only other option is Daytona or Cocoa Beach but I am not too keen. Any suggestions?

Many thanks, xx :wave: :wave:

[debs1505]

Hi, can I jump on the bandwagon and ask a question? This is something I want to do, but better half (?) isn't too keen on beaches and only want to go for 1 day. We are staying in Orlando for 1 week with daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter but have 1 week on our own when we would like to go. Is it possible to do it in 1 day and have a few hours on the beach or should we plan on an overnight stay. The only other option is Daytona or Cocoa Beach but I am not too keen. Any suggestions?

Many thanks, xx :wave: :wave:

You can do a day trip to Clearwater no problem! The route is very straight forward, taking about 90 mins max. We always do a day trip as we love it!!

[mona]

Sorry for taking advantage of this thread here for a minute......
but we are thinking of spending a day/weekend at Siesta Key.. everybody seems to spend longer there though ...ie. a week or so.
Do you think it's still close enough to Orlando to make it only a day or weekend ??? ( We just haven't got more time !)

thanks Mona

[debs1505]

Sorry for taking advantage of this thread here for a minute......
but we are thinking of spending a day/weekend at Siesta Key.. everybody seems to spend longer there though ...ie. a week or so.
Do you think it's still close enough to Orlando to make it only a day or weekend ??? ( We just haven't got more time !)

thanks Mona

Wouldnt attempt to try it in a day! ;)

[mona]

Wouldnt attempt to try it in a day! ;)

Ohhhhh no.....:(
Even a weekend.....say saturday till sunday night ?????
I was really looking forward to it after all of Mike's praises...and photos !!!
Just had to experience it for myself...

But I know we have to stay realistic and if it's too much then it's not meant to be.....:cry:

Mona

[debs1505]

A weekend possibly, but you will spend most of it driving! Save it for next time!! ;)

[mona]

A weekend possibly, but you will spend most of it driving! Save it for next time!! ;)

:cry: :cry: :cry:

Is there anywhere closer apart from Clearwater that has a lovely less commercial beach....sort of SK atmosphere ??

[Dayle]

You could try Caladesi Island mentioned earlier in this thread,it is a small island just North of Clearwater that can only be accessed by boat,seem to think it has been on the USA top 10 beaches list at some point.

Judith