Ormond Beach FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Ormond Beach, Florida.
1. Ormond Beach
CLEAN AND UNCROWDED PARADISE
Ormond Beach offers visitors clean, well-maintained public beaches with lifeguard staffing that creates a safe environment for beachgoers. The beach features unique coquina-look sand with a mix of dark and light composition, along with short jetties that give the coastline character. Visitors can enjoy rental services for beach chairs and umbrellas while experiencing the peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere that makes it a hidden gem, especially during weekdays.
2. Andy Romano Beachfront Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACH ACCESS
Andy Romano Beachfront Park is a four-acre oceanfront park offering beach access, off-beach parking, and family amenities. The park features child-friendly play areas including a splash pad, playground, and picnic pavilions where visitors can relax after enjoying the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Glorious sunrises await visitors to this popular beach destination, making it an ideal spot for morning beachgoers.
3. Ormond-By-The-Sea
PEACEFUL NO-DRIVE BEACH
Ormond-By-The-Sea offers a peaceful beach experience with no driving allowed a certain distance north of Granada Boulevard, creating a safe environment for walking and jogging. Visitors can observe abundant wildlife including seagulls, sandpipers in the surf, pelicans, ospreys in the air, and Atlantic blue crabs on the sand. The county maintains this hidden gem impeccably, making it especially magical during sunrise when the beach feels like a private paradise on weekdays.
4. Tomoka State Park
NATURE AND WATER RECREATION
Tomoka State Park is a large green space once inhabited by Native Americans that offers bird-watching, boating, and fishing in the Atlantic Ocean among its many activities. This spectacular park features nature trails with breathtaking views where lucky visitors might spot eagles and other wildlife. Boat rentals and fishing opportunities make this park a perfect destination for water enthusiasts seeking both recreation and natural beauty.
5. Birthplace of Speed Park
COASTAL HISTORY AND VIEWS
Birthplace of Speed Park invites visitors to admire stunning seaside views while strolling through its natural coastal setting. The park offers picnic areas where guests can relax while absorbing the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can also explore Ormond Beach's rich racing history through informational displays that commemorate the area's significance in automotive racing.
6. North Peninsula State Park
PRISTINE NATURAL COASTLINE
North Peninsula State Park preserves more than two miles of pristine Atlantic coastline where visitors can enjoy undeveloped beaches and natural dune habitats. The park offers excellent opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and wildlife viewing in a less crowded environment than surrounding beaches. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the park's commitment to conservation while still providing public beach access via several convenient crossovers.
7. Daytona Beach
DRIVE-ON FAMOUS SHORE
Daytona Beach is world-famous for its hard-packed sand that allows vehicles to drive directly on the beach, creating a unique coastal experience just minutes from Ormond Beach. The 23-mile stretch of white sand beach offers visitors opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and people-watching along its vibrant shoreline. With the iconic Daytona Beach Pier and Boardwalk nearby, visitors can enjoy fishing, dining, and amusement rides after a day of beach activities.
8. Ponce Inlet
LIGHTHOUSE AND SURFING
Ponce Inlet offers one of the area's most pristine beaches at the southern tip of the peninsula, featuring excellent swimming, surfing, and fishing opportunities. The beach is anchored by the historic Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, Florida's tallest lighthouse, which visitors can climb for panoramic views of the coastline. With its jetty creating ideal surfing conditions and Marine Science Center nearby, Ponce Inlet combines natural beauty with educational experiences.
9. New Smyrna Beach
SURFER'S PARADISE GETAWAY
New Smyrna Beach is consistently rated as one of Florida's best surf spots, attracting wave riders of all skill levels to its consistent breaks. The charming beach town offers a more laid-back alternative to busier Daytona, with 17 miles of white sand beaches where visitors can drive on certain sections or enjoy vehicle-free areas. Its historic Flagler Avenue beach approach leads to shops, restaurants, and a vibrant beach culture that keeps visitors returning year after year.
10. Blue Spring State Park
CRYSTAL CLEAR SPRINGS
Blue Spring State Park centers around a stunning first magnitude spring that pumps 104 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily into the St. Johns River. During summer months, visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and tubing in the refreshing 73-degree spring water that maintains its temperature year-round. In winter, the park becomes a manatee sanctuary where hundreds of these gentle giants seek warm water refuge, making it a unique inland waterfront destination near Ormond Beach.