best florida beaches near disney

[lilly99]

We are visiting disney next May and want to spend a few days at a nice beach. My kids absolutely love shelling. Does anyone know of any nice beaches not too far from Disney where we could find some great shells?:mickey:
thanks

[Daisy'sMom]

Try the Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville. It's on the east coast and very lovely. For Gulf shores, try Fort DeSoto, the best on the west coast. It's in St Pete. :mickey:

[MsMin]

For shells I would recommend Clearwater/St. Petersburg areas. Sanibel is great but a little further down and the shells were not that great following their hurricanes in 04(?) It may be better but another 80-100 miles south.

[disneydeb]

I like the beach at Siesta Key. It is near Sarasota, not too far fom Disney. I don't know how good it is for shelling though.

[murphy1]

I'm from Pinellas County and with kids, I agree about going to Clearwater Beach, also a little known one, Pass-a-grille Beach. Ft. DeSoto is great, it has a real "Pirate" fort, too. Depending on the tides and that, you will find good shells. We got some nice ones at Ft. DeSoto Bch. in June. If you are over in Clearwater, go to Island Estates to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, I wish more people would visit this place, it's a gem! It's right near Clw. Bch. too.

[biodtl]

I haven't been there in years, but Clearwater was always a great beach.

[Tink#64]

A few years ago we went from WDW to Cocoa Beach. It's just about an hours drive. Not much there, just a few restaurants & souvenear shops. We loved the Ron Jon's Surf Shop! We did find some shells, but not anything fantastic. My DB left there & went to the Gulf side & he loved it at Ft. De Soto. But it is a longer drive, not sure how far you're looking to go.

The beach is such a great way to unwind after WDW!

Have fun!