Hello We are taking some grandkids to Orlando for a Volley Ball Tournament and one of their main requests is to go to a beach on the gulf side. Due to time restraints of the VB Tourney I don't have time to drive the 2 hours each way to go up the coast to the north. Since many of you either winter or hang out down that way I thought you would be the perfect source of info for this part of our adventure. Needs to be on the Gulf side and as close (driving time wise) to Orlando as a decent beach can be found. Thanks in Advance!! Tom

If two hours of driving is a limiting factor then the Gulf beaches might not be feasible.I am sure you have looked at some maps of the area but the Gulf beaches that are closest to Orlando, Clearwater down to Sarasota, are all going to be a least two hours from Orlando with potentially some major traffic issues. Of course it would also depend on what area of Orlando you are having to get to, as the metro area is spread out over many miles.

We will be staying near and playing Volleyball at the ESPN facilities. I have arrived at the conclusion that 2 hours is a minimum drive time to the gulf beaches--are the ones on the atlantic side as poor as some say? thanks tom

Clearwater Beach in about 106 miles from Orlando. Mapquest says it's 1 hour and 45 minutes, but that would be without any traffic issues. If you could go during the week (before Friday) leave Orlando before rush hour and hit Tampa after rush hour you could make it in 2 hours. It's a nice beach. Be sure to wear plenty of sun screen (high rated) or you will drive back to Orlando with a serious sunburn!!

Since it is such a long drive either way, how about Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Just a thought. You can swim with the sharks and float along rivers all day or take some huge plunges.

dogvetia wrote:We will be staying near and playing Volleyball at the ESPN facilities. I have arrived at the conclusion that 2 hours is a minimum drive time to the gulf beaches--are the ones on the atlantic side as poor as some say? thanks tomEast Coast beaches are much closer to Orlando.Would rate them much closer to excellent than poor.

Need Gulf Beach ideas close to Orlando | Good Sam Community

sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
Clearwater Beach in about 106 miles from Orlando. Mapquest says it's 1 hour and 45 minutes, but that would be without any traffic issues. If you could go during the week (before Friday) leave Orlando before rush hour and hit Tampa after rush hour you could make it in 2 hours. It's a nice beach. Be sure to wear plenty of sun screen (high rated) or you will drive back to Orlando with a serious sunburn!!
dogvetia
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
We will be staying near and playing Volleyball at the ESPN facilities. I have arrived at the conclusion that 2 hours is a minimum drive time to the gulf beaches--are the ones on the atlantic side as poor as some say? thanks tom
Laman
Explorer
Jun 09, 2014
If two hours of driving is a limiting factor then the Gulf beaches might not be feasible.
I am sure you have looked at some maps of the area but the Gulf beaches that are closest to Orlando, Clearwater down to Sarasota, are all going to be a least two hours from Orlando with potentially some major traffic issues. Of course it would also depend on what area of Orlando you are having to get to, as the metro area is spread out over many miles.

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