Any description of Florida is incomplete without the word hot, but luckily, it’s also incomplete without mention of its suite of awesome beaches and springs. Next time you find yourself staring hopelessly into the abyss of your AC vent, check out one of these well-loved hot-spots instead. Some locations do charge a small admission fee, and all locations are within about 2 hours or so of Orlando.

 

 

Alexander Springs Recreation Area Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 15 minutes Sitting in the massive, 383,000 acre Ocala forest, Alexander Springs is among Florida’s most popular freshwater destinations. It is the only Ocala forest spring that permits scuba diving. If you prefer staying above water, though, don’t fret: Alexander Springs also has plenty of places to swim, canoe and hike. 49525 County Rd 445, Altoona Photo via eyes_for_iris/Instagram
Canaveral National Seashore Estimated driving distance: 1 hour Canaveral’s beach may not be quite as out-of-this-world as its literally space-bound rockets, but we think it’s a pretty close runner up. This is your go-to when you need a break from it all. Go for a hike to see some awesome birds and hunt for cool driftwood, or just zen out and snooze on the sand. Photo via Canaveral National Seashore/Facebook
Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park Estimated driving distance: 40 minutes Northwest of Orlando, this bubbly Apopka spring features a nice lazy river run. Rent a tube and never look back. 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka Photo via jonathan.t.marcia/Instagram
Weeki Wachee Springs Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 45 minutes Mermaids have never been easy to find, except at Weeki Wachee’s iconic live mermaid shows. But if underwater acrobatics aren’t your thing, you can also explore one of Florida’s largest natural springs by swimming, tubing, or taking a 25 minute river boat ride, included in all park admissions. 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Photo via brittvangraan/Instagram
New Smyrna Beach Estimated driving distance: 1 hour Oh NSB, how we love/hate you. You’re one of the best surf towns in the country, but you also experience an unusually high number of shark bites. You’re the fastest way for Orlandoans to get a beach fix, but the fact that you allow cars to drive on the beach can be a bummer. But you know what, you’ll always be No. 1 to us, not just because you’re the shortest distance away but because there’s no better feeling than putting your hot, sandy feet up on the dashboard and stopping for a dip cone at Frozen Gold on the way out of town. Photo via scooby7285/Instagram
Devil’s Den Spring Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 45 minutes Snorkel or scuba dive your way through the blue waters to see 33-million-year-old fossil beds, ancient rock formations and stalactites. Spring access is limited to snorkelers and scuba divers. It’s an experience you definitely won’t forget. 5390 N.E. 180th Ave., Williston Photo via aaronkbartman/Instagram
Wekiwa Springs State Park Estimated driving distance: 30 minutes Get there early because this popular clear water spring with origins in the Wekiva River fills up fast with tourists and residents. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka Photo via meenbean_/Instagram
Blue Spring State Park Estimated driving distance: 45 minutes Blue Spring, the biggest spring on the St. John’s River, is a designated manatee refuge and home to a population of West Indian manatees during the winter, but in the summer it’s all about hanging in the H2O – swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, tubing, kayaking and canoeing are all allowed on the Blue Spring Run. If you’ve got a scuba license, you should definitely check out the underwater cave lingering about 100 feet below the surface. 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City Photo via nastya_sot/Instagram
Playalinda Beach Estimated driving distance: 1 hour At Playalinda, you just might see a full moon. And by moon we mean a whole lot of naked butts gallivanting around one of Florida’s only nude beaches. Just remember, you can only change into your birthday suit in Lot 13. Photo via daddybyday/Instagram
Ichetucknee Springs State Park Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes This spring is more than two hours away from Orlando, but boy is it worth the drive. Tube down this serene lazy river or go scuba diving in the caves of nearby Blue Hole Spring. 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White Photo via scottmpeck/Instagram
Cocoa Beach Estimated driving distance: 1 hour Orlando’s closest beach off Florida’s Space Coast is just an hour away and the stuff of surfing legend. Explore its sandy Atlantic beaches, famous pier and the world’s largest surfing shop at the Cocoa Beach Ron Jon Surf Shop. Photo via gubbybearr/Instagram
Fanning Springs Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes Nestled aside an oxbow in the long Suwanee River, Fanning Springs is one of Central Florida’s premiere second magnitude springs. In case you’re a strictly first-magnitude kind of person, and its daily 65 million gallons of newly emerging spring water aren’t quite enough for you, observe also its Wilderness Trail and rentable cabins. For those hiking, cycling or paddling into the springs, primitive camping sites are also available. 18020 US-19, Fanning Springs Photo via florida_destination/Instagram
Pass-a-Grille Beach Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes The casual, slightly-more-southern cousin of Clearwater Beach, Pass-a-Grille is home to the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, classic hotels and motels, and of course, beautiful, white sandy beaches. Fun fact: its name is reportedly in honor of the fishermen who used to grill catches there hundreds of years ago. Photo via lwnewstart/Instagram
Ginnie springs Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes ’Visibility Forever’ is the tagline of Alachua County’s Ginnie Springs, and for good reason. Dive into its aquamarine waters and see for yourself, or rent one of its stand up paddle boards and check out its surrounding forests. 7300 Ginnie Springs Rd, High Springs Photo via ginniesprings/Instagram
Clearwater Beach Estimated driving distance: 2 hours Stretching 2 and a half miles down the west coast of the Pinellas peninsula, Clearwater Beach is host to a lot more than its high rise resorts. Keep your eye out for Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise ship, or head inland for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, featuring Winter, star of Dolphin’s Tale. Photo via clearwater.beach/Instagram
Caladesi Island State Park Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 30 minutes Winner of America’s Best Beach 2008, this West Coast reprieve is one of the few completely natural islands on the Gulf Coast. It features no shortage of fishing spots and hiking trails, and it’s home to many native birds, such as Skimmers and Pelicans. Just know that at Caladesi Island, the birds watch you, too. Or at least that sweet sandwich you packed. Photo via terezkat84/Instagram
Rainbow Springs Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 30 minutes Come to the place that Floridians have been visiting for almost 10,000 years, according to archaeological evidence. Tube, snorkel, canoe and kayak your way down the Rainbow River before it gets to the Withlacoochee River. 19158 SW 81st Place Road, Dunnellon Photo via michaela_carver/Instagram
Silver Glen Springs Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 30 minutes Bubbling up between the Oak, Cedar and Pine scrub forests of Ocala, at this popular spot you can kayak, canoe, and snorkel your way along the mile long river to Lake George. Be careful with your paddles, though, because Silver Glen Springs is also a popular spot for our native, freshwater fish. 5301 North Highway 19, Ft. McCoy Photo via boquick/Instagram
Cedar Key Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes Far from the biggest of the beaches, Cedar Key is host to a charming gulf-side town of roughly 1,000 residents. Rich in history and old-Florida feeling, here you can bicycle along quiet streets and get your fill at several fine seafood establishments Photo via Tampa Bay CVB/Visit FLorida
Three Sisters Springs Estimated driving distance: 1 hours, 45 minutes Host to a number of vital Manatee sanctuaries, the Three Sisters Springs is a great spot for catching a glimpse–or even a touch–of one of Florida’s most recognizable aquatic species. 601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River Photo via alexiamarielodwick/Instagram
Siesta Key Estimated driving distance: 2 hours, 15 minutes This Gulf Coast barrier island near Sarasota is host to quartz sand, blue-green waters, romantic sunsets and now, an MTV reality series about the lives of rich kids. You’re going to need a few good mimosas for that last one. Photo via ms_vtv/Instagram