Florida's East Coast Beaches: The Space Coast

 

Daytona Beach - known as the "World’s Most Famous Beach"

Located on Florida's Central East Coast, just 53 miles from Orlando, Daytona Beach stretches 23 miles along the Atlantic. Well known for being the home of the Daytona 500 NASCAR race, spring break, and BikeWeek, Daytona is popular with young people and families alike. The gentle slope and tides have packed the white sands near the ocean which allows for driving of cars as well as the rental of many different types of beach bikes and buggies.

Florida East Coast Beaches

Florida East Coast Beaches

Of the 23 miles of beach, 16 miles allow driving and parking during the day and when the tide permits. Simply pack a lawn chair or blanket and cruise over to Daytona, park within feet of the water and deploy your lawn chair, sandals and suntan lotion - all while declaring this a sun and surf lovers paradise. On the flip side, if you are a nature lover or prefer a more "serene" retreat you will have to look a little further. Whether you’re cruising the boardwalk, hanging out on the pier or just kicking back with your favorite book, Daytona Beach is fun.

The Daytona Beach area is only an hour's drive from greater Orlando and even closer to St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center. Please click this link to reserve hotels at the worlds most famous beach!or Search for a vacation rental at Daytona Beach!

Directions to Daytona : From Orlando, take Interstate 4 East to Daytona

Ormond Beach - lots of options, nice beaches.

Visiting Ormond Beach can be one of your most rewarding vacations. Ormond Beach is located on the northern end of the greater Daytona Beach Resort Area in Northeast Central Florida. This area is known for it's famous drive-on beach, one of the few available in the world. Ormond Beach's nickname, the "Birthplace of Speed" comes from the turn of the century speed records set here on the beach. Today, millions of visitors come each year to witness automobile racing at nearby Daytona International Speedway.

Ormond Beach has areas to suit every need. Some of the beach areas permit driving, however the northern areas do not. All offer breathtaking beauty and water related fun! It's easy to see why our beaches are considered among the best in the world. Whether your day at the beach is to relax and read a book; cast a line into the surf; build sand castles with the children; or cruise along the shoreline with the top down, Volusia County beaches can accommodate your desired experience.

New Smyrna Beach - South of Daytona - nice beaches

Location: New Smyrna Beach is located on Florida's east coast, just north of Cape Canaveral. Off 1-95, exit 84A. Directions: East off I-95, Exits: Southbound 84A; Northbound 84.

New Smyrna Beach boasts over 13 miles of beautiful white sandy beach. Wide and flat with vehicle access like Daytona but much less crowded than its northern neighbor, (75 minute drive from Orlando) New Smyrna begins at Ponce Inlet and continues on to Canaveral National Seashore and Apollo Beach."The World's Safest Bathing Beach" is great entertainment in a clean, peaceful setting (sunbathing, swimming, surfing, jet skiing,wind surfing, fishing, shell collecting).
Located at the mouth of the Ponce de Leon Inlet, New Smyrna Beach serves as the gateway to the historic and picturesque Indian River Intracoastal Waterway and 13 miles of Atlantic Coast beach.

Rich in history and sunshine, New Smyrna Beach is often referred to as "Florida’s Original Theme Park." Bound at the southside of the island by the pristine 57,000-acre Canaveral National Seashore park and at the north end by Smyrna Dunes Park, with its 1.5 mile boardwalk loop around the Inlet area, nature comes alive here. Watersports abound, with some of the best surfing in the area and fishing that is absolutely first-class. Palm trees border Flagler Avenue, a true seaside beach street lined with quaint boutiques, surf shops and restaurants. Historic Canal Street in downtown New Smyrna Beach has enjoyed a renewed emphasis on its old town charm.

Florida's Space Coast, which includes Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay, offers 72 miles of sun-drenched Atlantic shores and more than 250 square miles of protected wildlife refuges. On Canaveral National Seashore, visitors will find dozens of miles of splendid sand beaches backed by high barrier dunes. Along the undeveloped natural shoreline, Playalinda Beach is a popular stretch for shelling, picnicking and swimming. Lucky visitors will also spot dolphins and whales frolicking offshore. Nearby, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is said to be home to more threatened and endangered species than any other refuge in the United States.

Cocoa Beach - closest beach to Orlando!

Location: Just 60 miles from Orlando on the Beeline Expressway! Come it's an easy drive! Cocoa beach is just south of Port Canaveral which the Disney Cruise Line's Magic and the Wonder call home port.

Cocoa Beach is just an hour from Orlando so it is very popular with tourists and residents alike. The beaches are not "serene" but offer a wide variety of fun with wide sands, gently sloping beaches and moderate but fun surfing and swimming waves. There are quite a few parks on the beach which offer direct access to the ocean. Most are from 2 acres to 40 acres in size and some offer picnic pavilions, surf fishing, nature trails, playgrounds and surfing or swimming. Many resorts, hotels, and restaurants adjoin the parks.

Melbourne Beach - beaches, parks

While most of Melbourne is located on the Florida mainland, a small portion is located on a barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon separates the island from the mainland. The area is the perfect side trip for the Orlando vacationer with beach dreams.

Bonsteel Park 8455 Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach is popular for surfing and shoreline fishing, this peaceful 2.34-acre community beach park is located 15-miles south of U.S. Hwy 192. Preserving the natural environment, facilities at this quiet south beach include a stabilized parking area and dune crossover.

Coconut Point Park 3535 Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach Located 5.5 miles south of U.S. Hwy 192, this 36.9-acre community beach park and sea turtle nesting site preserves the natural environment. Popular for surfing, beachcombing and fishing, the park amenities include a small pavilion, restrooms, and an outside shower. One of the 2 dune crossovers is wheelchair accessible.

Melbourne Beach

Spessard Holland North Beach Park

On the beach 8 miles south of US Hwy 192, this 4.53 acre community beach park is a popular fishing site and recreation area.

Spessard Holland South Beach Park

Across from Spessard Holland Golf Course & 3.5 miles south of U.S. Hwy. 192, this 6.5 acre community beach park with seasonal lifeguards is a popular family park with a 150' boardwalk. Many a memorable vacation has taken place on a stretch of sand not unlike Spessard Holland Park.

To the south, the Space Coast melts into Florida's Treasure Coast, comprised of Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Near this convergence, the popular Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area's dramatic shoreline entices beachgoers, while its crashing waves beckon surfers. And the inlet's rock jetties, beach area and river waters are synonymous with exciting fishing, making it one of Florida's premier saltwater fishing destinations.
 

Vero Beach

Florida's Treasure Coast, comprised of Indian River and St. Lucie counties, boasts more than 40 miles of golden Atlantic beaches edging cobalt-blue ocean waters. Nestled along the shore, Vero Beach's small-town atmosphere and casual lifestyle make it a relaxing family vacation destination.

In addition to plenty of beach fun, visitors can enjoy the town's shop-lined streets and award-winning restaurants.In addition to its beaches and waters for swimming, scuba diving, boating, fishing, and other water sports, Indian River County's parks offer countless opportunities for recreation and enjoying the out of doors. Eighteen golf courses allow for all levels of play, and tennis facilities are widely available.

Add Holman Stadium, the 6,500 seat Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney's Vero Beach Resort (where the Magic of Disney meets the Beauty of the Beach), and a host of museums, theatres, restaurants, night spots, and shopping areas and you have the makings of a great vacation.

No Florida vacation is complete without a trip to the beach, and no other beachfront resort can deliver the Disney-inspired family fun that you'll find at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Don't be fooled by all the fun and sun, this is one beautiful Disney property and is directly ON Vero Beach.

Nestled on a sun-drenched beach midway between Cape Canaveral and West Palm Beach, discover Disney hospitality with a splash of oceanfront fun on Florida's famed Atlantic coast. Let your kids slip down Pirate's Plunge, a 163-foot spiral water slide, or splash with them on the Pirate Ship wet-deck. There are no limits to the recreational opportunites and fun days. Swim in the Atlantic, play mini-golf, rent a hobie cat, roast a marshmallow at a seaside campfire, massages, 7 mile bike trail, the nearby golf courses! I should mention that this is one of my favorite Disney Resorts and one of Floridas best beaches (quiet) Disney's Vero Beach Resort. The Disney folks will pamper you at this wonderful beach resort. Just a 2 hour drive from Orlando and relatively serene and quiet the setting is magical and the service is legendary.

Jayce Park
Ocean Drive (north), Vero Beach: 8.3 acres, ocean beach, lifeguard, boardwalk, dressing and shower facilities, playgrounds, large picnic area, Bethel Creek House. 561-231-0578.

Round Island Park
5 miles south of Vero Beach on A1A: ocean beach, lifeguard, boardwalk, dressing and shower facilities, playground, picnic area, dune crossover for catamarans. 561-234-8375.

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