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From Surf to Springs: Outdoor Fun Around Daytona Beach
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items If you're heading to Daytona Beach and wondering what you can do for fun or ways to enjoy Florida's nature, I've got you! I love taking my paddle board out, enjoying the beach or a good nature walk! Here are some things to do that are fun and
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Tours and activities to consider in and around Daytona Beach!
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A list of the best day trips from Daytona Beach, from springs to zip lining to the oldest city, there are plenty of things to choose from!
A Floridian’s Guide to the Best Day Trips from Daytona Beach - SALTY SARAH
Advice for what to pack if you're heading to Florida
Things to Pack for Florida | Local Advice by Season and Region - SALTY SARAH
Looking for a Daytona Beach Itinerary, this is a good place to start!
Your Ultimate Daytona Beach Itinerary: Things to Do, See, and Experience - SALTY SARAH
Where to stay in Daytona Beach
Where to Stay in Daytona Beach | A Local's Advice - SALTY SARAH
Tours and activities to consider in and around Daytona Beach!
I did a Segway tour around Madrid and loved it! If you choose to do this in the summer, pick a morning tour! It gets brutally hot by 11:30AM.
Segway Beach Ride in Daytona Beach
There are other well rated surf schools in Daytona area, but I'm highlighting this one because I like south Daytona better. Either way, there are others to choose from if this location doesn't work for you.
Dahlia Surf School
I love paddle boarding on the intracoastal, though I don't usually do so in Daytona. There is always a chance to see manatees or dolphins in the intracoastal, but it's not guaranteed. This tour has great reviews if you don't want to stay in Daytona.
Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach
If you don't want to book a tour, this place is at JB's Fish Camp Restaurant. You can rent from here and explore the intracoastal on your own. Morning is usually best as it tends to be calmer. Though I've had a nice sunset paddle around here as well.
Tip: There are usually manatees in the cove by Bethune Park. The water is dark so it's hard to see them, but there are usually a few there!
Tip: There are usually manatees in the cove by Bethune Park. The water is dark so it's hard to see them, but there are usually a few there!
JB's Lagoon Adventures Inc
When it comes to the intracoastal, New Smyrna has so many great spots where you can paddle through the mangroves. Going on a tour is helpful though, so you can relax and enjoy it rather than trying to make sure you know the way back. I've paddled nea...
New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour
For those who don't want to paddle, but do want to see the beauty of the intracoastal waterway, this is the tour for you! I like this one because it ventures into or near the Canaveral National Seashore park, which is protected.
Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain
The Canaveral National Seashore is a beautiful and quiet park. The New Smyrna side, which is closer to Daytona, is even quieter. Enjoy the beach, walk on the trails (mosquitoes can be brutal for some areas), or take a kayak or paddle board to explore...
*Worth noting whether you want to go or avoid, there are clothing optional beaches that are at the end of the park.
*Worth noting whether you want to go or avoid, there are clothing optional beaches that are at the end of the park.
Canaveral National Seashore
I can only speak to the location (not the tour), but for the last 3 years, I've gone to beacon 42 and two of those years it was 10/10! Last year wasn't great. I'm not sure if it was too much rain, but the water did not glow at all.
It's best when it has been hot and not too much rain. I usually go late July and August with my own paddle board. When it's great, it's absolutely magical!
It's best when it has been hot and not too much rain. I usually go late July and August with my own paddle board. When it's great, it's absolutely magical!
Florida Bioluminescence Clear Kayak tour/ Beacon 42 (Titusville)
The tour has great reviews and I know the area they tour! It's essentially Blue Springs area on the St. John's River and it's beautiful! Depending on the time of year, there are different rules. For instance, in the colder months they don't allow swi...
If you don't want to do a tour, you can visit Blue Springs State Park on your own and rent a kayak or canoe. Weekends it can reach capacity and close, so be sure to get there early or just avoid the weekends.
If you don't want to do a tour, you can visit Blue Springs State Park on your own and rent a kayak or canoe. Weekends it can reach capacity and close, so be sure to get there early or just avoid the weekends.
Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour near Orlando
This tour states they leave from inside Blue Springs State Park. It's perfect for touring the river without having to paddle or being closer to the wildlife than you might feel comfortable.
St. Johns River Cruise - Blue Spring State Park
One of the most visited State Parks is Blue Springs and it's an easy day trip from Daytona Beach!
In the winter, you cannot swim as they protect the area for the manatees that come in by the hundreds. In the summer, you can swim in the beautiful springs, but remember Florida springs are about 72 degrees year round (so it's cold to me)!
If you go on the weekend, the park will close early due to being at capacity so go super early or avoid the weekend!
In the winter, you cannot swim as they protect the area for the manatees that come in by the hundreds. In the summer, you can swim in the beautiful springs, but remember Florida springs are about 72 degrees year round (so it's cold to me)!
If you go on the weekend, the park will close early due to being at capacity so go super early or avoid the weekend!
Blue Spring State Park
The other close springs to Daytona Beach is DeLeon Springs. It's a very different vibe to Blue Springs. The swimming area is like a giant pool and is open year round. The springs flow into the river, which you can explore on a rented kayak. They also...
De León Springs State Park
If you're willing to drive a bit further, Silver Springs is a beautiful park! They are famous for their glass bottom boat tours, but you can also rent a kayak or paddle board to explore. There is no swimming at this springs, but there are springs lik...
For kayak rentals you can do the circular trail or the downstream five mile paddle. I enjoyed both but loved the downstream paddle. The price you pay will include pickup at the end.
There are gators along this river so if you don't want to be close, choose the glass bottom tour. There are also wild monkeys which I've thankfully never encountered. Apparently they are mean because people feed them!
For kayak rentals you can do the circular trail or the downstream five mile paddle. I enjoyed both but loved the downstream paddle. The price you pay will include pickup at the end.
There are gators along this river so if you don't want to be close, choose the glass bottom tour. There are also wild monkeys which I've thankfully never encountered. Apparently they are mean because people feed them!
Silver Springs State Park
This tour is great if you do want to be close to nature in a kayak, but don't want to navigate Silver Springs by yourself.
Glass Bottom Kayak Tours of Silver Springs
One of the top day trips from Daytona Beach is Kennedy Space Center.
Check to see if there will be any lauches. You can head down to see it take off from up close or go outside in Daytona because you can see it in the sky!
Check to see if there will be any lauches. You can head down to see it take off from up close or go outside in Daytona because you can see it in the sky!
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The oldest city is definitely worth a day trip from Daytona Beach! You can hit the sites on your own, or book this hop on hop off trolley tour!
St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
Highly rated food tour for St. Augustine! Perfect if you've already seen the main sights and want to experience the food scene.
If you're looking for a good meal at a cool place, I recommend Ice Plant Bar.
If you're looking for a good meal at a cool place, I recommend Ice Plant Bar.
Corks & Forks Tour (St. Augustine)
King's Landing has become social media famous and I can confirm it really looks like that! It's a privately park and you can rent kayaks or paddle boards or bring your own. Check their website for the fees.
Try and avoid the weekends and holidays as it gets very busy.
Try and avoid the weekends and holidays as it gets very busy.
Kings Landing Park
Rock Springs is one of the more fun springs in the area and it's the same spring as King's Landing, so you could visit both in the same day.
At Rock Springs, rent a tube and enjoy the lazy river. It's long enough to be fun and relaxing but short enough not to be boring.
At Rock Springs, rent a tube and enjoy the lazy river. It's long enough to be fun and relaxing but short enough not to be boring.
Kelly Park/Rock Springs
I did this a very long time ago, but enjoyed it! While some people do the theme parks and Orlando first and then go to Daytona to enjoy the beach, I'm recommending this to people who skip Orlando. Daytona is close enough to enjoy the Orlando attracti...
Discovery Cove
I haven't done this, but I wanted to highlight it because it looks like a fun offering in Mount Dora.
There are basic boat tours on a pontoon boat if you prefer or you can simply walk and explore the historical town of Mount Dora.
There are basic boat tours on a pontoon boat if you prefer or you can simply walk and explore the historical town of Mount Dora.
CatBoat Adventure Tours
This state park offers the usual options from swimmig to renting kayaks or canoes. It's beautiful and worth considering as a springs to explore.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
I did this zip line a couple years ago and really enjoyed it! The long one over the lake was great! It's very beautiful set among the trees and over lakes. Add a glass bottom boat tour at Silver Springs to make this a whole day in Ocala.
The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park
DeLand is a cute, historical town just west of Daytona Beach. You can walk the cute downtown or beautiful Stetson campus. Go skydiving (yes, DeLand is legendary for skydiving) or enjoy a nature walk at Lake Woodruff.
My Top DeLand Recs
The tallest lighthouse in the state! It offers a beautiful view after the long climb up the stairs!
Head to the jetty before or after to enjoy the views, watch the surfers, or go for a swim.
Head to the jetty before or after to enjoy the views, watch the surfers, or go for a swim.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
A few important things to note about this tour so please read my explanation.
There is only one county in Florida you are legally allowed to swim with Manatees. I did this earlier this year and it was amazing, but…
Florida Springs are 72F year round and the manatees seek the springs when we're in a cold spell. So this swim is a cold one even with a wetsuit! You can read about my experience here: https://saltysarah.com/how-to-swim-with-manatees-in-florida/
The best time to swim with manatees is when we are experiencing a cold front! I went when the high for the day was 55F and my friend and I did it as a day trip. It's about 2.5 hours one way, but you can choose the country road instead of the major hi...
So remember, you want it to be cold outside and it's a lot of driving from Daytona Beach, but still doable as a day trip. If it's the cooler months but no cold front, you'd want the morning tours which isn't as convenient for a day trip from Daytona.
There is only one county in Florida you are legally allowed to swim with Manatees. I did this earlier this year and it was amazing, but…
Florida Springs are 72F year round and the manatees seek the springs when we're in a cold spell. So this swim is a cold one even with a wetsuit! You can read about my experience here: https://saltysarah.com/how-to-swim-with-manatees-in-florida/
The best time to swim with manatees is when we are experiencing a cold front! I went when the high for the day was 55F and my friend and I did it as a day trip. It's about 2.5 hours one way, but you can choose the country road instead of the major hi...
So remember, you want it to be cold outside and it's a lot of driving from Daytona Beach, but still doable as a day trip. If it's the cooler months but no cold front, you'd want the morning tours which isn't as convenient for a day trip from Daytona.
The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer