Sometimes you just want complete chill: no cars, no parties, no music … just you and the sun beating down, the sound of the waves, the salty breeze and the sand between your toes. This is why we live in Florida. With summer here, these low-key beaches close by can help any Floridian take a quick relaxing staycation.

Lover’s Key Three and a half hours from Orlando Lover’s Key beach is clean, large and beautiful with clear water and white sand beaches, making it perfect to gather shells or paddleboard into the open ocean. Nature trails and playgrounds are also found at this beach. Photo via Maria G./Yelp
Bowditch Point Park Three and a half hours from Orlando Spacious boardwalks lead straight to this beach featuring gorgeous sunsets and typical beach amenities. Although parking spots are limited, the local buses stop here daily and secluded spots are frequent along the way. Photo via Bill J./Yelp
E.G. Simmons Park Two hours from Orlando Boat docks, pavilions and open waters make this natural area perfect for fishing, hiking and camping. Sea life including turtles, crabs and the occasional manatee also make the area perfect for a quick “science” lesson. Photo via Mark P./Yelp
Siesta Beach Two and a half hours from Orlando Although this beach is known for its beautiful sunsets, it’s the unique activities like drum circles, volleyball and castle-building contests that set it apart from others. Crystal-clear water here features sandbars abundant with sand dollars. Photo via Lydia T./Yelp
Bowman’s Beach Four hours from Orlando If you’re looking for a perfect spot to hunt seashells, look no further. This location features clear blue waters with shells in a multitude of sizes and colors along the sandy shores. Photo via Andrew D./Yelp
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Hour and a half from Orlando This boulder-strewn beach is home to one of Florida’s largest coquina rock outcroppings and transitions into lush oaks and magnolia trees at the top of the landscape. Walking trails, rose gardens and gazebos can also be found across the park, making it a popular spot for weddings and other special occasions. Photo via Amanda E./Yelp
Canaveral National Seashore Hour and a half from Orlando Although this beach has a small $5 entrance fee, it’s worth it for the vast amounts of wildlife that patrons can spot and open beach with very limited visitors, making it the ideal spot to read a book or just chill. Photo via Pamela S./Yelp
Caladesi Island State Park Two and a half hours from Orlando This secluded island is known for its turquoise waters and white sugar sand. Visitors often see dolphins frolicking in the waters. You can only reach the island by ferry, which leaves every half hour. Photo via Hoda B./Yelp
Vilano Beach Two hours from Orlando Seashells and shark teeth are common souvenirs found at this St. Augustine beach. Seaside restaurants, hotels and resorts decorate the horizon, and it’s an ideal location to watch the sunset. Photo via Rachel M./Yelp
Pass-a-Grille Beach Two and a half hours from Orlando At the Southernmost end of St. Pete Beach rests this quaint and laid-back town right on the beach with boutiques, ice cream shops, outdoor art markets, fishing piers, restaurants and more. Tourists seem to miss this hole in the wall a bit further off the coast, which makes it a nice secluded area for locals. Photo via Reynol A./Yelp
Sebastian Inlet State Park Two hours from Orlando Hiking, camping, fishing and more can be found at this hidden cove off the inlet. Shallow water gives the opportunity for all ages to relax in the cool water and the jetty keeps the water calm. Trees for shade and abundant sea life populate the waters – you can catch snook, snapper, drum, flounder, pompano, sheepshead, and even shrimp here. Photo via Jim B./Yelp
Gasparilla Island State Park Three hours from Orlando At the center of Gasparilla Island lays the famous Port Boca Grande Lighthouse houses built in 1890 and now a museum open to the public. Guests can enjoy a walk down the historic island or can grab their snorkeling gear to search for colorful fish and coral nearby. The two picnic areas offer pavilions of shade and scenic views to cool off in the hot summer sun. Photo via Gasparilla Island State Park/Trip Advisor
Longboat Key Two and a half hours from Orlando This nature-lover’s beach with limited public access points makes finding secluded spots especially easy. Although there are a lack of public facilities, shops and restaurants can be found not too far away and sand dollars are abundant along the sandbars a few feet out from the shore. Photo via Nhi P./Yelp
Crandon Park Four hours from Orlando Beautiful and spacious beaches are the highlight of this tucked-away nook safe from the South Beach tourists. Relax in the shade provided by beach palms and enjoy the views of fish, seagulls, iguanas, turtles and even the occasional manatee. Photo via Arturo B./Yelp
Anastasia State Park Two hours from Orlando With close proximity to local shopping centers, but far enough away to enjoy isolated sandy spots, this location is perfect for a day filled with fun activities. Long stretches of pristine beach, a salt marsh lake for paddling and kayaking, and spots for bird-watching make the spot so much more than just a beach trip. Photo via Candis D./Yelp
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Two and a half hours from Orlando One of the best-kept secrets in Jacksonville, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is well-groomed and uncrowded. Nature trails provide new adventures and the area is also a popular spot for camping. However, make sure to bring your most trustworthy pair of sandals as the walk is a longer one down to the water. Photo via btauten/Trip Advsor
Avalon State Park Two hours from Orlando For only $2 in parking fees a day, enjoy these isolated sandy dunes with picnic areas and cool breezes. Light waves also make this location great for wakeboarding or surfing. Photo via Missy H./Yelp
Coral Cove Park Two and a half hours from Orlando Gorgeous tunnels with sea grapes, eroded rock formations and close-by coral reefs full of sea life make this location a popular zone for photography. The coral makes the spot a great location for snorkeling and diving but beware of rough edges when swimming. Photo via MJ H./Yelp
Little Talbot Island State Park Two and a half hours from Orlando The flat landscape of Little Talbot Island makes it ideal for visitors to bike across and play various sports including soccer and volleyball. The beach is quite large with lots of space for parking and enough for every family to have their own secluded area. The tide pools are perfect for younger children to play in and the relaxing sound of waves and the cawing of birds overtakes the regular loud chatter and music. Photo via Tania M./Yelp
Bean Point Two and a half hours from Orlando Visitors frequently compare the clear waters of Bean Point to the Caribbean, with the white sand and shades of blue ocean. The crystal-clear oasis makes this spot perfect for looking for manatees and specifies of fish, but it’s sparse on seashells and dogs and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Photo via Nita H./Trip Advisor
Sunset Beach Two and a half hours from Orlando Besides the obvious breathtaking sunsets, Sunset Beach is decorated with unique tiki huts and beachfront bars. The clean sand and water make the location popular but not overcrowded, as seagrass tends to keep those wary of the slimy seaweed farther away. The location includes a boat launch with spots to barbecue but has limited shelter in case of harsher weather. Photo via Matt E./Trip Advisor
Wabasso Beach Park Hour and a half from Orlando Although parking is limited at this smaller establishment, the relaxing vibe and lifeguard on duty make up for the lack of space. Privacy is evident here and a store at the entrance offers food and beverage with outdoor seating. Photo via Jim B./Trip Advisor
Fort De Soto Park Two and a half hours from Orlando Natural beauty is evident at this park with a diversity of sea life, plant life and wildlife, being home to over 328 species of birds. The park is also home to the historic remains of a fort used to guard the coast during the Spanish-American War with tons of cool artifacts. Photo via IslandGirlTraveler/Trip Advisor
Playalinda Beach Hour and a half from Orlando The 13 Playalinda Beaches provide unique activities for all types of people including the swimmers and sunbathers, surfers, fishers, and even those who prefer clothing to be optional. Each beach has its own individual parking lot, but bathrooms and food items are sparse directly near the beach. This location is definitely perfect if you are looking for something new and unique. Photo via Kevin W./Trip Advisor
Juan Ponce de Leon Landing Hour and a half from Orlando The pool thought to be the fountain of youth is one of the many captivating activities that this explorer’s landing offers. Stacks of pancakes are a must-try at the rustic restaurant, and nature trails and the river boat tour are also available. Photo via Bernardo F./Trip Advisor
Boca Grande Three hours from Orlando This location is perfect for collecting shark teeth and seashells in the shallow waters, but guests must be careful of the strong currents that can be unpredictable. Due to the dangers of the water, this beach is rarely crowded. Photo via He E./Trip Advisor
Ponte Vedra Two and a half hours from Orlando Sands comprising Appalachian quartz and ancient coquina are the distinct characteristic of this beach. Although this location may not have the typical “beach” look due to the water hazard close by, these sands come from some of the largest and most glistening dunes. Photo via FLfunsunnybunny/Trip Advisor
Blowing Rocks Preserve Two and a half hours from Orlando If you are looking for something a little off the beaten path, look no further than Blowing Rocks. Large rocks stand proud against the sea foam that are beautiful but quite difficult to get a footing on. Bring your own snacks and beverages; the hike down to the beach is hot and far. This location is a popular spot for many photographers. Photo via Jim P./Trip Advisor
Cayo Costa State Park Two and a half hours from Orlando Cayo Costa State Park is a tropical star among the Boca Grande beaches with an abundance of wildlife including manatees, alligators, dolphins, sea urchins, sand dollars and more. Make sure to fill coolers with drinks and snacks as local store and restaurants are hard to come by on this isolated inlet. Photo via KateDonovan/Trip Advisor
Peanut Island Two and a half hours from Orlando Peanut Island is a classic go-to for anyone looking for a little bit of everything. From a ferry ride out to the island to a snorkeling lagoon full of manatees and fish, campgrounds, fire rings, observation decks and more, the island seems to provide an endless source of entertainment for all ages. Photo via Bugnoreply/Trip Advisor