Beach day trip from Altamonte Springs/Orlando with teens

Question

Hello,

My family of 5 plus mom in law will be spending 8 nights at an airbnb Mar 29-Apr 6th. We will have a rental car. I am researching and trying to plan a day to travel to the beach. I would have loved to go to the Gulf side, but it is twice the driving time as opposed to Atlantic. My family has been to Fort Lauderdale before.my kids are 13,15 and 17. Maybe they want to swim? Definitely walk around, explore and maybe some amenities? Shells and interesting nature experiences are fun for us too. Looking for opinions and beach area ideas. Thanks!

Answer

For a day trip to the beach from Altamonte Springs/Orlando with teens, the Atlantic coast is much more manageable than the Gulf side due to driving times. Here are some great options and considerations for your trip:

Beach choices within about 1–2 hours from Orlando:

Cocoa Beach: About 1 hour 15 minutes from Altamonte Springs. Popular for families, surfers, and shell collecting. There’s a nice boardwalk area with shops and restaurants, plus the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier. Lifeguards are on duty, making swimming safer for teens. The sand is soft and walkable.
Daytona Beach: Roughly 1 hour 20 minutes away. Famous for driving on the hard-packed sand in designated areas. Plenty of amenities including shops, arcades, and restaurants along the boardwalk. Good for swimming, walking, and exploring.
New Smyrna Beach: About 1 hour 20 minutes drive. Quieter and less crowded than Daytona or Cocoa, with a more natural feel. Great for shell hunting and tide pooling. The beach stretches long distances, so teens can walk or explore without feeling crowded.

Activities and amenities suitable for teens:

Swimming and boogie boarding – all listed beaches are safe for strong swimmers.
Shelling and exploring tide pools at New Smyrna or Cocoa Beach.
Boardwalk shopping and casual dining (Cocoa Beach and Daytona). Teens often enjoy grabbing snacks, ice cream, or local treats.
Surf lessons or rentals (Cocoa Beach has several surf schools and rental shops).
Short nature walks along dune areas or beach parks for birdwatching and small wildlife observation.

Tips for your day trip:

Arrive early to secure parking and avoid mid-day crowds, especially during spring break.
Pack snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and beach gear. Some beaches have rental shops for umbrellas, chairs, and water sports equipment.
Consider combining the beach with a visit to nearby attractions if teens want a little adventure, e.g., Cocoa Beach’s Ron Jon Surf Shop or Daytona’s boardwalk amusements.

Overall, for a balanced day with swimming, exploring, and casual amenities, Cocoa Beach is the most versatile and convenient, while New Smyrna offers a quieter, nature-oriented experience. Daytona Beach is more lively and fun for walking around and boardwalk activities.