Where is the closest beach to TV?

[janeg]

We will be looking for a beach that has some facilities like rest rooms, lifeguards, some places to eat or have a drink. Any suggestions are appreciated. We will finally be spending 3 months in our little home in Fernandina and are sooooooooooooo happy!

[buggyone]

I like the Clearwater Beach area on the Gulf side. Wide beaches and gradual sloping of the shore into the water. The water is usually calmer than on the Atlantic side.

However, on the Atlantic side, Cocoa Beach is extremely nice.

Both are just about 2 hours from The Villages.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Daytona and New Smyrna beach are a bit closer. That's where we usually go.

[Bill32]

We like New Smyrna best. Nice honky tonk on the beach, park on beach, showers etc. and good for shark watching.. saw a nice 8 footer in the swell of the wave behind the one I was getting ready to ride....

[Happinow]

We usually go to Daytona or New Smyrna because they are closest and you can get to them via the "back roads". We really want to get to the golf side and explore. We hear the beaches are beautiful there.

[DougB]

East, west? You really can't go wrong. Both coasts have beautiful beaches.

[PammyJ]

Just spent some time on the west coast, beautiful!!! But one really important aspect of going to the beach is the therapeutic sound of the surf...not there on the gulf. East coast produces the most beautiful sounds. Take in a huge breath, of salt air and exhale listening to the waves, nothing like it!

[LatDoc]

One big difference.....the Gulf is 90 degrees in the summer at times....the Atlantic about 72 at best...if you have never been to the Gulf side, try it.
Clearwater is two hours away and is very nice...many others to choose from but try both sides over time.....both have things to like.

[kittygilchrist]

East, west? You really can't go wrong. Both coasts have beautiful beaches.

agree with that Pammy. considerations about swimming: it can be rough on the atlantic. vs you can't boogie board in the gulf.
heck, I meant to quote Pammy about the benefits of the atlantic. not to get all scientific, but crashing water makes negative ions and they make
people feel good.

[janeg]

I'm a fan of crashing waves!

[LvmyPug2]

We love the St. Pete's Beach area on the gulf side. More of an "old Florida" feel. Wonderful sandy beaches and warm waters.

[Bill32]

On the Gulf Honeymoon Island, Calidesie Island

[gocubsgo]

We take our dog to Flagler Beach not far from Daytona. Quiet, secluded and there's even a bar/restaurant not 50 yards from the water!

[CFrance]

We take our dog to Flagler Beach not far from Daytona. Quiet, secluded and there's even a bar/restaurant not 50 yards from the water!

How much can you "get away with" with your dog at Flagler? If they have to be on a leash, can it be a line long enough to allow them to go swimming?

Our golden retriever has put in a request that we find him a beach for swimming since we dragged him kicking and screaming away from Lake Michigan.

DougB (I think it was he) recommended Cocoa Beach to us; more specifically, the Best Western right next to the pier. We're going there over Christmas with our son and d-i-l. I'm an Atlantic-side fan. I prefer the wave action and the noise. We spent three months on Anna Maria Island one year and were disappointed in the Gulf. Beautiful, but too calm and quiet for my taste.

[Bogie Shooter]

Previous thread.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/gulfcoast-beaches-79098/

[Joanned]

After searching both coasts, we bought in Daytona beach shores. Clean, beautiful water and great fun for adults and kids. Love the gentle breezes most of the time However, whichever you choose, you're only 2 hours away

[Bogie Shooter]

After searching both coasts, we bought in Daytona beach shores. Clean, beautiful water and great fun for adults and kids. Love the gentle breezes most of the time However, whichever you choose, you're only 2 hours away

What did you buy?

[PammyJ]

One big difference.....the Gulf is 90 degrees in the summer at times....the Atlantic about 72 at best...if you have never been to the Gulf side, try it.
Clearwater is two hours away and is very nice...many others to choose from but try both sides over time.....both have things to like.

Actually, right now the water on the east coast of Florida is in the 80 degree range right now. When it gets cold in the winter it stays around 72. Both coasts are awesome! The water color and beaches look differen on the east and west coast.

[Sable99]

How much can you "get away with" with your dog at Flagler? If they have to be on a leash, can it be a line long enough to allow them to go swimming?

Our golden retriever has put in a request that we find him a beach for swimming since we dragged him kicking and screaming away from Lake Michigan.

DougB (I think it was he) recommended Cocoa Beach to us; more specifically, the Best Western right next to the pier. We're going there over Christmas with our son and d-i-l. I'm an Atlantic-side fan. I prefer the wave action and the noise. We spent three months on Anna Maria Island one year and were disappointed in the Gulf. Beautiful, but too calm and quiet for my taste.


Mom and I own a condo on St. Augustine Beach. We rent our condo so we haven't stayed there for a while as we tend to go to The Villages now. In the past, there has always been dogs on the beach or swimming in the ocean. I haven't heard that has changed.

The good news is we have a contract on our condo and are supposed to close on August 5th. The bad news is we have a contract on our condo! I love hearing the roar of the ocean from our condo and taking long walks on the beach. But, I discovered The Villages and figured I can always take a trip to the beach!

[Virtual Geezer]

Actually, right now the water on the east coast of Florida is in the 80 degree range right now. When it gets cold in the winter it stays around 72. Both coasts are awesome! The water color and beaches look differen on the east and west coast.

Water temp at NSB during December is in the low to mid 60's. Every now and then you get current flow that pulls the jet stream closer to shore but the water is still cold for most people. The surfers are almost all wearing wet suits.

One thing to be on the lookout for is red tide. If you have never experienced it, all I can say it its bad. Had only one experience at NSB in over 25 years of going there it was hard to breath. Taking a deep breath was like breathing in hydrochloric acid. If you drove onto the mainland it was as if nothing was wrong.

The local radio stations and newspaper keep up on this but something to consider and it can happen on either coast.

VG

[DougB]

Water temp at NSB during December is in the low to mid 60's. Every now and then you get current flow that pulls the jet stream closer to shore but the water is still cold for most people. The surfers are almost all wearing wet suits......
VG

Cocoa Beach Pier sea water temperatures peak in the range of 82 to 86�F towards the end of July and are at their coldest on about the second week of February, in the range 68 to 73�F. Year round warm sea water temperatures at Cocoa Beach Pier climb to their maximum in the fourth week of July. Even then a rash vest and board shorts should be fine for surfing at any time of year. Cocoa Beach Pier sea water temperatures are coldest in early to mid February. Surfers should use a 2mm long sleeve shorty or a 3/2mm spring wetsuit if the wind is up.

[Virtual Geezer]

Up the coast at the Ponce Inlet the surfers wear full wet suits but I am not sure of the thickness. Very seldom do you see anyone with a suit in December unless they are from way up north. Also on the manned life guard stands they post the current conditions and the temp is always in the low to mid 60's in December. Summer is a whole different story.

VG

[CFrance]

Up the coast at the Ponce Inlet the surfers wear full wet suits but I am not sure of the thickness. Very seldom do you see anyone with a suit in December unless they are from way up north. Also on the manned life guard stands they post the current conditions and the temp is always in the low to mid 60's in December. Summer is a whole different story.

VG

That is considered swimming temp for Lake Michigan. You are right, VG, it's where you're from and what you're used to. I just need it warm enough to be able to wade into the water and retrieve errant tennis balls (dropped by Junior Retriever) without having my heart stop.

[Schaumburger]

That is considered swimming temp for Lake Michigan. You are right, VG, it's where you're from and what you're used to. I just need it warm enough to be able to wade into the water and retrieve errant tennis balls (dropped by Junior Retriever) without having my heart stop.

CFrance, You are made of heartier stuff than me; I am an A number 1 wimp. I have rented houses with family along Lake Michigan in August, which is usually when the Lake is at its warmest temp, and the Lake was way too cold for me even in August. I slightly prefer the Gulf of Mexico beaches, but the Atlantic beaches in the summer months are also good.

[CFrance]

CFrance, You are made of heartier stuff than me; I am an A number 1 wimp. I have rented houses with family along Lake Michigan in August, which is usually when the Lake is at its warmest temp, and the Lake was way too cold for me even in August. I slightly prefer the Gulf of Mexico beaches, but the Atlantic beaches in the summer months are also good.

I hear ya! Hated getting slapped by that 60-degree rogue wave.:cold: