You can find even more family getaways in our Florida Family Travel Guide, including our list of the best beaches in Florida for families. 

World-famous Daytona Beach is about an hour from Orlando. Photo courtesy of Daytona Beach Area CVB 

Florida Beaches Near Orlando on the Atlantic Coast

1. Cocoa Beach

This surf town is situated on Florida’s Space Coast and is the closest beach to Orlando. With 72 miles of beautiful shoreline, Cocoa Beach is popular for watersports, deep-sea fishing, and surfing. Visit the flagship location of Ron Jon Surf Shop, the world’s largest surf shop. Explore the landmark Cocoa Beach Pier complete with restaurants, shops, fishing, and live music. Be sure to set some time aside to visit nearby Kennedy Space Center.

2. Daytona Beach

Known as the "World’s Most Famous Beach," Daytona Beach is a one-hour drive from Orlando. The beach spans 23 miles, and visitors can drive and park on certain portions. There is a popular boardwalk area complete with a bandshell, rides, amusements, and an arcade just steps from the beach. Take a tour of the famous Daytona International Speedway or venture to the top of the historic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Florida’s tallest lighthouse.

RELATED: Great Things to Do with Kids in St. Augustine, Fla.

Playalinda, in New Smyrna Beach, literally means "beautiful beach." Photo courtesy of New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau

3. New Smyrna Beach

If you want a day of surfing and sunbathing, try New Smyrna Beach. This 13-mile stretch of beach is just a one-hour drive from Orlando, making it an easy day trip. Like Daytona, visitors can drive and park along portions of this Florida beach. But unlike Daytona, there aren't many hotels along the shoreline; the beach is largely residential. An area at the end of the beach known as the jetties—a formation of rocks that form an inlet—is popular for fishing, but watch out for sharks as the abundance of baitfish in this area tends to attract them. Downtown New Smyrna is within walking distance of the beach and has a variety of restaurants and shops to check out. 

4. Vero Beach

Situated on Florida’s Treasure Coast, at two hours Vero Beach is a bit farther away from Orlando than other beaches. However, this beach boasts family-friendly shores with wide-open spaces in a quaint beachside community. It is also a great location for nature adventures, with many parks offering access to rivers and inlets. Rent a kayak or canoe to explore the river system, and keep your eye out for manatees. Take an airboat ride or charter a fishing boat while in the area. Visitors can also experience some Disney magic at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, WDW's only Florida beach resort.

RELATED: Great Things to Do in Miami with Kids

Enjoy the white sands and water sports of Clearwater Beach. Photo courtesy of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Florida Beaches Near Orlando on the Gulf Coast

5. Clearwater Beach

With wide, white-sand beaches and clear, calm waters, Clearwater Beach remains a top pick for families year after year. Roughly two hours from Orlando, this area has an abundance of activities, including parasailing, jet skiing, dolphin tours, and a 1,080-foot fishing pier complete with a nightly sunset festival. Visitors wanting to avoid traffic and parking at the beach can opt to take the Clearwater Ferry from downtown to the beach. If staying the weekend (or week), plan to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

6. Caladesi Island State Park

Caladesi Island is one of Florida’s few undisturbed barrier islands, making it a true getaway experience. This state park is two hours from Orlando and is known for its remote, pristine beaches. It is only accessible by water, either through park ferry or personal boat, but it's well worth the extra effort. Visitors can board the park ferry from Honeymoon Island. Once at Caladesi, families can explore the island’s three miles of nature trails, swim in the clear blue-green waters, and relax on the white-sand beaches. Canoes and kayaks are also available to rent and explore the island’s mangrove forest.

St. Pete Beach tops many lists of the best Florida beaches. Photo courtesy of Visit Florida 

7. St. Pete Beach

Located south of Clearwater and a two-hour drive from Orlando is St. Pete Beach, a gorgeous, white-sand beach located on a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico. It includes the longest undeveloped stretch of public beach in the area known as Pass-a-Grille Beach, perfect for shelling, snorkeling, or just enjoying historic Old Florida charm. Another popular St. Pete Beach area is Fort De Soto Park, which is comprised of five interconnected islands. With a large pirate ship playground near the North Beach entrance, a wide tidal pool for little ones to splash in, and lots of opportunities for shell-seekers, it’s easy to see why St. Pete Beach is known as one of the best family beaches in the country.