What beach would you recommend to go to if you where in the Orlando area?

Cocoa Beach is the closest. You'll have to drive only about an hour to get there. It's not as beautiful as the gulf coast beaches, but within your time frame. It's family friendly and never too crowded (especially if you don't get too close to the pier). I go several times during the summer, and we always have a fun day.

Fort DeSoto of St. Petersburg is one of the cleanest beaches in the US. It is free of heavy tourism and is unbelievably gorgeous and historic. The sand is so clean and white and the beach doubles as a nature preserve making it a very attractive place to spend the day.

You can also rent kayaks, fishing equipment and the like. It's about 1.5 to 2 hours away but it is worth it! Ask anyone in the area and they will have nothing but good thigns to say about it.

In 2005 it was named America's top beach so trust me its worth a try!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Desoto

Daytona Beach to the east, Clearwater Beach to the west.

St. Petersburg is the best in my opinion! The sand is a beautiful white,the water is so clear and gorgeous! We went there after we were done at Disney World and I want to take another vacation to just go back there.

daytona beach, cocoa beach, but the best is clarwater wich is a little farther than the rest of them

gulf coast is prettier but cocoa beach is nice also if you go to cocoa beach you have to go to the ron jon surf shop its cool

hah orlando isn't near the beach!

you'll have to drive a bit

try a waterpark

daytona beach, there are plenty of big shells to snorkel for there