Deltona FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Deltona, Florida.
1. Smyrna Dunes Park
DOG-FRIENDLY INLET PARADISE
Smyrna Dunes Park is a 184-acre inlet park located along the southern shoreline of Ponce de Leon Inlet with over 2 miles of elevated, handicapped-accessible boardwalk offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River, and Ponce de Leon Inlet. The park features a 300-foot handicapped accessible fishing pier and dog-friendly swimming beach areas located along the park river shore. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of this coastal gem while taking advantage of amenities like restrooms and picnic pavilions throughout the popular park.
2. New Smyrna Beach
SURFER'S PARADISE COASTLINE
New Smyrna Beach offers 17 miles of white sandy beaches along Florida's central Atlantic coast, just 30 minutes from Deltona. Known for its excellent surfing conditions, this beach destination allows vehicles on designated sections of hard-packed sand for convenient beach access. Beyond swimming and sunbathing, visitors can enjoy fishing, paddleboarding, and exploring the charming beachside community with shops and restaurants.
3. Daytona Beach
FAMOUS DRIVE-ON BEACH
Daytona Beach features 23 miles of hard-packed sand where vehicles are permitted to drive along designated areas of this world-famous shoreline. Beyond its automotive heritage, the beach offers excellent swimming conditions, water sports, and a vibrant boardwalk with rides, games, and restaurants. Visitors from Deltona can easily make the approximately 30-minute drive to enjoy this iconic Florida beach destination known for its energetic atmosphere and family-friendly activities.
4. Blue Spring State Park
MANATEE VIEWING PARADISE
Blue Spring State Park is home to a first-magnitude spring that creates a stunning crystal-clear swimming area and serves as a winter refuge for manatees. During warmer months, visitors can swim, snorkel, tube, and kayak in the refreshing 73-degree spring water that flows into the St. Johns River. The park's boardwalk offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities while hiking trails allow guests to explore the lush surrounding landscape just minutes from Deltona.
5. Lake Monroe
SCENIC RIVERSIDE RECREATION
Lake Monroe is a large freshwater lake formed by the St. Johns River offering boating, fishing, and waterfront recreation just north of Deltona. The lake's shoreline features several parks with boat ramps, picnic areas, and swimming access points for public use. Visitors can enjoy bass fishing, wildlife watching, and spectacular sunsets across this scenic 9,400-acre waterway bordered by cypress trees and natural Florida landscapes.
6. DeLeon Springs State Park
HISTORIC SWIMMING SPRING
DeLeon Springs State Park centers around a natural spring where visitors can swim in the clear, consistently 72-degree waters once believed by Spanish explorers to be the legendary Fountain of Youth. The park features a historic sugar mill that now serves as a popular restaurant where guests can make their own pancakes at their tables. Beyond swimming, visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and hiking trails through the surrounding wilderness area.
7. Flagler Avenue Beach
VIBRANT BEACHSIDE DISTRICT
Flagler Avenue Beach provides convenient beach access at the end of a charming street lined with shops, restaurants, and galleries in New Smyrna Beach. Visitors can drive onto the beach at this access point or use the adjacent Flagler Avenue Oceanfront Park for parking and amenities. The area offers the perfect combination of beach recreation and beachside culture, making it a favorite destination for Deltona residents seeking a day at the shore.
8. Gemini Springs Park
SERENE NATURAL SPRINGS
Gemini Springs Park features two natural springs that produce millions of gallons of fresh water daily, creating a peaceful waterfront setting just minutes from Deltona. The park offers fishing docks, canoe/kayak launch sites, and scenic walking trails around spring-fed ponds and along the adjacent Lake Monroe shoreline. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, wildlife viewing, and the tranquil atmosphere of this 210-acre natural area, though swimming in the springs is no longer permitted.
9. Ponce Inlet
HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSE BEACH
Ponce Inlet offers pristine beaches near Florida's tallest lighthouse in a less crowded setting than neighboring Daytona Beach. Visitors can enjoy excellent surfing conditions, fishing opportunities, and beach activities along with nearby attractions like the Marine Science Center and Lighthouse Point Park. The area provides both Atlantic Ocean beaches and calmer inlet waters perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking within a 40-minute drive from Deltona.
10. Lake Beresford Park
TRANQUIL LAKESIDE ESCAPE
Lake Beresford Park provides access to a scenic 840-acre lake surrounded by cypress trees and natural Florida landscape just west of Deltona. The park features a boat ramp, fishing pier, and waterfront picnic areas perfect for enjoying the peaceful lake setting. Visitors can enjoy paddling along the lake's shoreline or connecting to the St. Johns River system through Beresford Run, making it an ideal destination for water-based recreation in a natural setting.