Coming to Florida for a short vacation!!!

I am so excited! I am going to Florida for a work convention but will have one day to do whatever I want. I need to pick everyones brain over here because I need some advice! We are flying into Orlando but I really want to hit a beach. I have heard that Siesta Key and also Clearwater, Sanibel, are gorgeous. I want a CLEAN beach with warm water (most likely will need to go to the gulf side). I love pristine waters that are calm. Out of the three I listed, which would you prefer? What would you guys suggest? I know whatever we choose, we will have a ride ahead of us, but if it is the right beach, it will be worth it. From Orlando, what beach would you choose? Remember: I really want a clean, clear beach with clam waters. Also, how far (driving) is the beach from Orlando? I certainly don't mind driving to find that awesome beach, but don't want to be driving all day. Is it doable to get to one of the above beaches within 2 hours? Any tips/suggestions would be helpful! Thanks! Denise from FREEZING cold New Hampshire

i have not a clue.... but they are all nice to me.... i live down south so i dont know....xoxoxo have fun

Thanks, Alexa! What beaches are your favorite? I love a beach with clear, calm waters, soft sand, etc. Do you have any recommendations?

Hi Denise. I actually live in the panhandle of Florida right now but you are only about 55 miles from Daytona Beach which is a really nice area. It is a busy place in the summer but the winter usually provides a little quieter time. You can also get to a calmer area by going to Ponce Inlet on the south end of the island that Daytona Beach is on. It is calmer and beautiful beaches with public access in between houses all the way to the end of the inlet where there is a lighthouse. All that area south of Daytona beach, (Port Orange and Ponce Inlet) have areas that are quiet and beautiful. Look up directions on mapquest.com if needed. Good luck and enjoy your escape from the cold. Carol

Hi Carol! This is exactly the info I was hoping to hear! 55 miles is definitely doable! You are saying that Daytona is only 55 miles from Orlando? This is perfect. So, Ponce Inlet is on Daytona beach? Same distance from Orlando? And it is here where you would suggest I go for clear, calm waters? What do you think the water temps are like? Any other info on Daytona that you could give me? Thank you so much!!! HUGS, Denise

Oh, I meant to say this: The panhandle is where I am told, Florida's best beaches exist. Are they gorgeous there? Youa re so lucky to have all that beauty right in your backyard!

If you want really calm water I would opt for the gulf side. Although you are looking at quite a drive. Clearwater is the closest gulf beach of the ones you mentioned-- although Ft. Desoto isn't far from Clearwater. Clearwater is probably at least a 3 hour drive (maybe a little more). Ft. Desoto is probably about the same. I would do Ft. Desoto if you really have your heart set on a calm beach. The gulf is really nice. You float. Something about the salt content. But as someone else has said all of the beaches in Florida got pretty torn up this year. The East coast beaches are much closer. Daytona is nice but the water is cold and after all it is the ocean, so there are waves. I have never been to Ponce Inlet so I don't know about that.

Ft. Desoto is a great choice for calm and clear, but it said 3 hour drive. The ocean side I wouldn't consider calm or clear. When we use to do beaches we did the gulf coast...Ft. Desoto, Sharktooth beach, Tarpon Springs area, Clearwater, St. Pete. I just checked the water temp for St. Pete and it was 67 with 2 foot waves and Daytona is 70 with 3 foot waves..these are just surface temps. In the winter months we didn't do beaches, we went to springs around the state. If you want clear, calm and warm this time of the year..go to the Keys or Bahamas, just my opinion. Tracey -111

Clearwater is only 2 hrs from Orlando. I live in Tampa. As far as warm water....you will be hard pressed to find warm this time of year. Clearwater is clean and generally a very nice beach. There are other things to do there also like boat rides that search for dolphins swimming in the wild. Very inexpensive and fun! This is the coldest time of the year for Florida....70's during the day but you will get tan if you lay out. Have fun. Terese

If you want warmer, you need to come south. West Palm Beach and south of there. It is about a 2 - 2.5 hour ride. Went to the beach in Deerfield Beach a few weeks ago, lots of people out there in the water. Probably not as calm as you are looking for but much warmer.