10 Beaches to Visit During a Beach Hopping Roadtrip From Orlando

Orlando is a city in Central Florida known for its theme parks, especially Disney World and Universal Resort. But you might be more of a beach person longing to sink your toes into the sand. The city is landlocked, however, so there are no beaches. No worries — you can visit plenty of driveable Floridian beaches close to Orlando!

In fact, you can go on a beach hopping road trip! Unable to bring a car with you to Orlando? No problem. You can book a car rental on Klook!

Here are the beaches near Orlando you can drive to!

Clearwater Beach is 108 miles or roughly two hours away from Orlando, with white sands to die for. It’s along the Gulf Coast of Florida or the Northern part of the Gulf of Mexico, making the water as clear as glass!

Around four hours from Clearwater and two hours from Disney World is Vero Beach. Lying on the East side of Florida, it’s well-loved by beachgoers, nature lovers, and even cafe connoisseurs. Here you’ll also find Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, where you can stay in cozy villas and step into the sand as soon as you wake up.

After enjoying Vero Beach, you can drive up North for 50 minutes and reach Indialantic Beach, an hour away from Orlando. It got its name from being between Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The best thing about this beach is that it’s hardly ever crowded and is great for shelling, stand-up paddleboarding, and more!

From Indialantaic, you can drive further up north for around 30 minutes to reach Cocoa Beach, which is known for being close to the Kennedy Space Center. This beach town is known for its gentle waves, deep sea fishing, and proximity to museums and historic sites. It’s practically already a beach in Orlando, being only 45 minutes away from the city and a great day trip destination.

Another fantastic beach near Orlando is on Canaveral National Seashore, a barrier island with dunes, lagoons, and protected habitats. It’s 30 minutes from Kennedy Space Center, so you might even feel the rumble of a spaceship launch. Here you can fish, enjoy the feel of the sand, and go boating.

New Smyrna is one of the best beaches near Orlando, conveniently located an hour away. It spans a remarkable 13 miles along the coastline, perfect for beach cycling. If you’re a surfer, you’ll also love the giant waves!

Only 20 minutes North of New Smyrna Beach is the famous Daytona Beach, a hip and happening beach near Orlando that’s popular among spring breakers. It also boasts fantastic beach resorts, restaurants, and nearby attractions like the Daytona International Speedway (a venue for racing).

Should you want a more serene and rustic beach to get R&R, just drive for 12 minutes up North from Daytona to Ormond Beach. This beach is known to be more relaxing and tranquil, perfect for getting your mind off your worries and stressors. You can also admire Ormond’s picturesque white sand and low surfs.

From Ormond Beach, you can drive an hour up North and reach St. Augustine Beach, where you can enjoy bodyboarding, swimming, and even fishing at the pier. Here you can sift through the gorgeous white sand to build your collection of shells and climb up St. Augustine Lighthouse for breathtaking sea views.

Around 50 minutes from St. Augustine Beach is Jacksonville Beach, which also has a famous fishing pier and ideal waves for surfing. You might even get a dolphin sighting along the surf line! You can also grab a drink at a rooftop bar and admire the dazzling scenery.