CHOOSE THE BEST BEACH FOR YOU
New Smyrna Beach is a coastal town at heart with an enduring seaside spirit along 17 miles of coastline. Whether you're a beach bum, an avid surfer or a sandy explorer, we have a stretch of sand with its own personality waiting for you.
North Beach
Local, Famous, Accessible
If you would rather be in the water than laying on the sand, head north from Flagler Avenue toward Ponce de Leon Inlet (known to locals as Smyrna Inlet) and here you'll find an enclave of surfers ready to "get up, stand up." Known worldwide for its consistent and performance-friendly break, you may see some East coast surf stars while you're out catching your next wave. Also watching the water and steering clear of swimmers are several anglers trying their hand at surf fishing in the Atlantic. Toes in the sand and rod in hand, they're catching Pompano, whiting, flounder, redfish, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and more. Convenient for transporting your surfboard or fishing gear, visitors may drive on this section of beach with access from Crawford Road and Beachway Avenue. Off-beach parking is also available at North Beach Park and Esther Street Park where the kids can enjoy an oceanfront playground and beach volleyball court.
Smyrna Dunes Park
Quiet, Dog-Friendly
Located at the Inlet, Smyrna Dunes Park is a favorite with #puppiesofinstagram stars like @hankthetank_frenchie and @elote.the.dachshund who enjoy the hard-packed sand on their daily walks while taking in the incredible view of Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. The quiet beach along the Intracoastal Waterway stretches around the tip of the barrier island and is just steps from the sand where the 73-acre park opens to pristine land surrounded by water on three sides. Wildlife is plentiful with daily sightings of birds, turtles, dolphins and more. And outdoor explorers can enjoy two miles of boardwalk and a new 350-foot fishing pier.
Central Beach: Flagler Avenue to 27th Avenue
Playful, Family-Friendly, Fun, Accessible
Popular with families, this section of beach begins at Flagler Avenue where the main lifeguard tower is located, along with convenient off-beach parking and public restrooms. Heading south for roughly two-and-a-half miles, vehicles are welcome to drive on the beach obeying a strict 10 mph speed limit. Visitors can pull up and park in the sand having access to their beach gear just steps from the water. Nearly 500 feet wide at low tide, this stretch of sand can accommodate vehicles and pedestrians with plenty of space for running, tossing the football or frisbee, or building sandcastles. For those who prefer to walk down to the beach, off-beach parking is available at Marianne Clancy Park, and the Flagler Avenue, Third Avenue and 27th Avenue beach approaches.
Traffic-Free Beach: 27th Avenue South to Bethune Beach
Family-Friendly, Wide, Remote, Historic
With this stretch completely traffic-free, it is equally popular with families and visitors of all ages. Wide stretches of sand allow beach bums to stare out to sea with a good book in hand, swim in the surf or be buried in the sand. The convenience of off-beach parking is available at 27th Avenue and further south in Bethune Beach at Mary McLeod Bethune Park. Bethune Beach stands out in the area's history as it was the only beach in the first half of the twentieth century that African Americans were permitted to use. It is named after Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, educator and founder of Bethune-Cookman College in nearby Daytona Beach.
Canaveral National Seashore
Hidden Gem, Pristine, Uncrowded
Canaveral National Seashore begins where A1A ends in New Smyrna Beach. A 24-mile stretch of pristine shoreline welcoming visitors to enjoy an unspoiled paradise. This beach is a sanctuary to visitors and refuge to native wildlife including nesting sea turtles. It is a place to discover and find tranquility like that of its early settlers.
Bonfires on the Beach
The Tradition Continues
There is just something about a fire on the sand and the smell of the salt air that creates memories that will last a lifetime. New Smyrna Beach offers five bonfire locations November through April that span a good stretch of shoreline. Visitors must provide their own wood, but use of the fire rings are free of charge and reserving a spot is simple - just register online.
