New Smyrna Beach FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
1. New Smyrna Town Beach
WHITE SAND PARADISE
New Smyrna Town Beach offers 17 miles of pristine white sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy excellent surfing conditions, making it a haven for both novice and experienced surfers looking to catch some waves. The beach features convenient public access points and parking options, allowing beachgoers to quickly get their toes in the sand.
2. Flagler Avenue Beach
VIBRANT BEACHFRONT HUB
Flagler Avenue Beach is one of the most popular beach access points in New Smyrna Beach, connecting the lively Flagler Avenue shopping district directly to the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere with nearby boutiques, restaurants, and ice cream shops just steps away from the sand. The beach offers a perfect blend of convenience and natural beauty, making it ideal for families and those who want amenities close to their beach day.
3. Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park
HISTORIC COASTAL RETREAT
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park offers a beautiful stretch of coastline with historical significance as one of the first beaches in the area open to African Americans. The park features picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and fishing docks along with swimming areas, providing a comprehensive recreational experience. Its unique location where the Indian River meets the Atlantic Ocean creates diverse opportunities for both ocean swimming and calmer lagoon activities.
4. Smyrna Dunes Park
ECOLOGICAL BEACH WONDERLAND
Smyrna Dunes Park encompasses 73 acres of pristine natural habitat with five distinct ecosystems and over two miles of elevated boardwalks. Visitors can explore the park's ocean, river, and inlet beaches, offering spectacular views and wildlife watching opportunities. The pet-friendly beach areas make it an ideal destination for those who want to bring their four-legged companions along for a day by the water.
5. Apollo Beach
UNSPOILED NATURAL SHORE
Apollo Beach, located within Canaveral National Seashore, offers one of the most pristine and undeveloped beach experiences in Florida. The protected shoreline extends for miles with no commercial development, providing a tranquil escape for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, and wildlife viewing in a serene environment that showcases Florida's coastal landscape as it once was.
6. Mosquito Lagoon
FISHING AND PADDLING PARADISE
Mosquito Lagoon, known as the "Redfish Capital of the World," offers an exceptional fishing experience in the diverse ecosystem between New Smyrna Beach and the mainland. The shallow, protected waters provide ideal conditions for kayaking, paddleboarding, and eco-tours where visitors can spot dolphins, manatees, and various bird species. This tidal estuary showcases Florida's natural beauty with its mangroves, marshes, and abundant marine life, including juvenile sharks that spend their early years in these nutrient-rich waters.
7. Marianne Clancy Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACH ACCESS
Marianne Clancy Park provides convenient beach access with ample parking and facilities for visitors looking to enjoy New Smyrna's famous coastline. The park features amenities including showers, restrooms, and picnic areas, making it perfect for families planning a full day at the beach. Its location away from the busier beach access points offers a more relaxed atmosphere while still providing the full New Smyrna Beach experience.
8. Indian River Lagoon
DIVERSE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
The Indian River Lagoon is a biodiverse estuary system offering calm waters perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and wildlife observation. Visitors can explore tidal marshes and mangrove forests while potentially spotting various species of sharks, manatees, and hundreds of bird species that call this ecosystem home. The lagoon's unique position between New Smyrna Beach and the mainland creates opportunities for sunset tours, fishing excursions, and eco-tourism adventures.
9. Ponce Inlet
HISTORIC MARITIME GATEWAY
Ponce Inlet, just north of New Smyrna Beach, features beautiful beaches near Florida's tallest lighthouse, offering a blend of history and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating in the calm waters where the Halifax River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The area provides excellent opportunities to observe marine life and birds in their natural habitat while taking in views of the iconic Ponce de Leon Lighthouse.
10. Hunter Creek
SECLUDED WATERWAY ESCAPE
Hunter Creek offers a more secluded waterfront experience away from the ocean beaches with its winding waterways perfect for kayaking and canoeing adventures. The creek's calm waters wind through natural Florida landscapes, providing opportunities to observe wildlife in a peaceful setting. Visitors can enjoy fishing, birdwatching, and the tranquil atmosphere of this less crowded waterway that showcases a different side of New Smyrna Beach's aquatic attractions.