Best Beaches Near Daytona Beach 

What are the best beaches near Daytona Beach, FL? Visit these ten beautiful beaches near Daytona Beach! 

Florida is full of gorgeous beaches up and down its coastline, and Daytona Beach is no exception. Situated on the Atlantic Coast in east-central Florida, Daytona Beach is a sought-after destination for NASCAR racing and spring break. Home to hard-packed white sand, a lively boardwalk, and beautiful blue water, spending the day at the beach is a must-do for visitors and a popular activity for locals.

Offering miles of pristine beaches, Daytona Beach is the ideal destination for ocean lovers with its variety of waterfront homes, easy beach accesses, and beach parks in and around the area. Whether you are searching for a quiet and laid-back beach to spend time with family or a crowded and lively beach near oceanside restaurants and shops to occupy your time, there is no shortage of beaches to discover when in Daytona. 

Since figuring out which beach to discover first can seem challenging, our team has compiled this guide to the best beaches near Daytona Beach. Whether you are moving to Daytona Beach or planning your next summer vacation, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn more. 

Check out these best beaches near Daytona Beach 

Daytona Beach  

Amenities: 

• Miles of Atlantic shoreline 
• Handicap accessible 
• Beach ramps 
• Lifeguard towers 

Parking: Convenient off-beach parking and on-beach parking in dedicated zones

Referred to as the "World's Most Famous Beach," Daytona Beach is a beautiful, fun-filled vacation destination perfect for spring breakers and families. Daytona Beach is undoubtedly a must-visit on Florida's Atlantic Coast, full of beautiful resorts, waterfront restaurants, free summer concerts, and a boardwalk full of rides and an arcade. 

Best known for its miles of clean, hard-packed white sand, Daytona Beach is perfect for walking along the shore, sunbathing, swimming, shelling, surfing, and other watersport activities. Featuring lifeguard towers and beach ramps, Daytona Beach is a safe place for all ages to spend a day in the warm sunshine. 

Daytona Beach Shores 

Location: 2990 South Atlantic Avenue 

Amenities:

• Picnic shelters
• Grilling areas  
• Picturesque views 

Parking: Parking is available in marked areas. Driving and parking on the beach are open from sunrise to sunset between November 1st through April 30th and 8 AM to 7 PM between May 1st and October 31st. 

Daytona Beach Shores is a charming Volusia County community located on the barrier Island south of Daytona Beach and North of Ponce Inlet. Known to have a smaller population and fewer hotels, Daytona Beach Shores is the perfect place to visit for a quiet and relaxing beach day. 

Though it might be confused for Daytona Beach, which is larger and frequently visited by tourists, Daytona Beach Shores is the beach to visit if you are looking for less crowds. Featuring breathtaking views, picnic shelters, grilling areas, and a large number of condominiums, Daytona Beach Shores is a great place to swim and hang out by the water with the whole family. 

New Smyrna Beach 

Amenities:

• White sandy beaches
• Walking trails 
• Biking trails 
• Horseback riding trails
• Boardwalk 
• Pet-friendly 

Parking: $20 parking day passes are available that can be purchased from a kiosk at the lot. Annual parking passes can be purchased through the City of New Smyrna Beach. 

New Smyrna Beach is situated south of Daytona Beach and is a charming beach town best known for its 17 miles of pristine white sandy beaches. A popular destination for surfing, many locals and visitors love to spend time in New Smyrna Beach for its warm water and great waves. 

Home to top-rated hotels, historical sites, delicious restaurants, and many fun things to do on the coast, New Smyrna Beach is a popular destination for sunbathing, shelling, and relaxing. Recognized as an ideal Florida destination, New Smyrna Beach hosts many family-friendly events and activities throughout the year, including a wine walk and the annual New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival. 

Ormond Beach 

Amenities:

• Easy beach access
• Walking trails 
• Picnic areas 
• Playground 
• Restroom facilities
• Charcoal grills 
• Shaded pavilion 

Parking: Free off-beach parking is available 

Ormond Beach is situated North of Daytona Beach in Volusia County, a beautiful area along the Atlantic Coast with fine white sand and clear blue water. Providing a resort experience for visitors alongside a small-town atmosphere, Ormond Beach offers premier access to the ocean, family-friendly parks, pavillions, restroom facilities, walking trails, and off-beach parking. 

Ormond Beach is a fantastic place to enjoy life by the water and is excellent for swimming, sunning, and surf fishing. Surrounded by many oceanfront restaurants, local shops, museums, and fun things to do for all ages, Ormond Beach is the perfect blend of beauty and adventure. Considered less crowded and quieter than the lively Daytona Beach, this beloved hotspot is undoubtedly a must-visit for beach lovers. 

Sun Splash Park 

Location: 611 S Atlantic Ave 

Amenities:

• 3,500 square foot splash pad
• Beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean
• Picnic areas 
• Playground
• Restroom facilities 
• Outdoor showers
• Beach access ramps

Parking: Free off-beach parking is available 

Sun Splash Park in Daytona Beach is a four-acre park that is free and open to the public. Not only does this local favorite park provide direct walkways to the Atlantic Ocean, but it is well-known for its 3,500 square-foot interactive splash pad open seasonally. 

A great place to bring young children, the splash pad at this park overlooks the ocean and features 42 water jets that shoot up to six feet in the air. Open every day from 8 AM to sunset between March 1st and November 30th, many families can hang out and cool off at this park. Sun Splash Park is the place to be for a great time, providing a small playground for kids, picnic areas, shaded sections, and beach access ramps. 

Smyrna Dunes Park 

Location: 2995 N Peninsula Ave 

Amenities:

• Pet-friendly 
• Beach access walkways
• Handicap-accessible boardwalk
• Scenic overlooks
• Fishing pier 
• Restroom facilities
• Picnic pavilions

Parking: $10 parking fee per vehicle and $20 for an annual pass 

Found along the southern shoreline of Ponce de Leon Inlet, the beautiful beach of Smyrna Dunes Park is a 184-acre inlet park in Volusia County. Smyrna Dunes Park is always the perfect spot for adventure, featuring beautiful scenic overlooks of the Atlantic Ocean, hiking trails, picnic pavilions, restrooms, and handicap-accessible boardwalk and fishing areas. 

Often referred to as the hidden gem of New Smyrna Beach, this park is clean, family-friendly, and dog friendly, as long as your furry friends stay on a six-foot leash. A dog washing station is available where your pets can wash off after a fun day splashing around in the ocean and rolling in the sand. 

Ponce Inlet 

Amenities:

• Lighthouse
• Marine science center with interactive exhibits
• Scenic overlooks
• Walking trails
• Marinas 

Parking: $20 a day to drive on the beach

Ponce Inlet is located south of Daytona Beach and is a beautiful ocean-front town at the tip of a barrier Island. Best known for its seaside charm and calm way of life, Ponce Inlet is a must-visit town when in Volusia County and Daytona Beach. Best known for its prime surf conditions, abundant wildlife, laid-back atmosphere, spectacular sunsets, and multiple fishing and swimming opportunities, it is no wonder that Ponce Inlet is an award-winning beach. 

Home to the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, which is the tallest lighthouse in Florida, many people love to visit this National Historic Landmark and world-famous lighthouse, which offers 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Featuring white sand and warm water, spending the day at the beach is always full of fun, whether you love to participate in water sports or sunbathe. Not only does Ponce Inlet offer plenty of outdoor activities on the beach, but it is surrounded by excellent dining options, cultural activities, and attractions to take advantage of. 

Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park 

Location: 6656 S Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 

Amenities: 

• Restroom facilities
• Showers 
• Large picnic pavilions
• Beachfront sidewalk
• Fishing pier 
• Playground
• Tennis courts
• Pickleball courts
• Basketball courts
• Volleyball courts
• Wildlife viewing areas 

Parking: Free parking and admission. Parking is not allowed from 11 PM to 5 AM. 

If you are looking for a great park to bring the whole family, look no further than Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park. Located south of New Smyrna Beach and North of the Apollo Beach entrance of the Canaveral National Seashore Park, this beloved beach park offers plenty of amenities and fun things to do. 

Providing excellent viewing locations for manatees and dolphins, there is no better place to spend the day and connect with nature than Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park. Featuring a playground, a fishing pier, restroom facilities, and courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and volleyball, there is always something to do for all ages. 

Romano Beachfront Park

Location: 839 S Atlantic Ave, Ormond Beach, FL 32176

Amenities:

• Beach access
• Splash pad
• Playground
• Restroom facilities
• Concessions 
• Recreational facilities
• Outdoor showers
• Lifegaurd and beach patrol 

Parking: Free off-beach parking 

Found in Ormond Beach, Romano Beachfront Park is best known for its laid-back atmosphere along the beach. Spanning four acres, this beachfront park is always clean and well-maintained, with easy off-beach parking and open seating options. Providing restroom facilities, a splash pad, a playground, a gazebo, recreational facilities, and direct access to the beach, this is the perfect spot to hang out near the ocean. 

Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park 

Location: 1800 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32176 

Amenities:

• Oceanfront beach access
• Riverfront boardwalk
• Dog park 
• Campsites
• Picnic areas 
• Playground
• Fishing dock 
• Restroom facilities 
• Canoe and kayak launch
• Basketball court 
• Baseball field
• Football field
• Soccer field
• Tennis court 
• Raquetball court 

Parking: Free admission and plenty of free parking 

Micheal Crotty Bicentennial Park is a beachside park in Ormond-By-the-Sea that stretches from the Halifax River to the Atlantic Ocean. Open from sunrise to sunset; this public park is a great place to spend the day with friends and family. Full of sought-after amenities, this 40-acre park features a dog park, campsites, nature trails, boardwalks, and plenty of opportunities for fishing. 

FAQ: Best Beaches Near Daytona Beach 

Here are some common questions about the best beaches near Daytona Beach. 

Does Daytona have good beaches? 

Known as the "World's Most Famous Beach," Daytona Beach offers a beautiful stretch of coastline with hard-packed sands, warm weather, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. A popular destination for spring break, many people visit Daytona just for its beaches. 

What is the least crowded beach in Daytona Beach? 

Ormond Beach is the least crowded beach, five miles North of Daytona Beach. As a more residential area, Ormond Beach offers beautiful views, blue waters, and a quieter, laid-back atmosphere. 

What beach has the best shells in Daytona? 

Daytona Beach offers plenty of opportunities for beachcombing. Offering miles of beautiful beaches to explore, there is no shortage of shells, sea glass, and even shark teeth to find. New Smyrna Beach, in particular, is home to thousands of different shells. 

Is Daytona Beach water clear? 

Though the water in Daytona Beach is known to be beautiful and aquamarine in color, it is generally unclear. If you enjoy swimming, staying close to the shore is a good idea since Dayton Beach can have strong currents. 

Best Beaches Near Daytona Beach, FL - Final Thoughts  

Considered one of the best places to live in Florida, Daytona Beach is a great place to live, with fantastic beaches and exciting things to do. If you are moving to Florida and are ready to call Daytona Beach home, whether for its beaches or prime real estate, our team at UpHomes is prepared to assist you in your home search. Contact us today to be connected with one of our friendly and experienced Real Estate Specialists. We are always ready to help and answer questions.