New Smyrna Beach Is Florida’s Best-Kept Secret

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Sandwiched between Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach on Florida’s East Coast, New Smyrna Beach is a coastal gem adjacent to the serene Cape Canaveral Seashore. Without a signature attraction or familiar landmark, it’s often overlooked by travelers heading south on I-95, but it’s an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and beachgoers seeking a more relaxed experience.

Make the Boardwalk at Smyrna Dunes Park Your First Stop

Of all the places on the East Coast to view dunes along the beach, this is arguably the best. Make tracks and pay the per car admission fee of $10 to experience this network of boardwalks and trails at the northern tip of New Smyrna Beach across the Ponce Inlet from the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse.

With a sturdy, winding boardwalk above and amidst the dunes, the 84-acre Smyrna Dunes Park is a popular place for residents and visitors to power walk two miles while occasionally stopping for panoramic views of the ocean, the inlet, and the Indian River Lagoon. Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially gopher tortoises which are often in plain view peeking out or digging around their burrows.

Hook a Redfish at the Fishing Pier in New Smyrna Beach

For those looking to cast a line, fishing on the pier at Smyrna Dunes Park is a must. The pier extends into the Indian River Lagoon, providing excellent opportunities to catch snook, trout, redfish, and flounder while enjoying the gentle breeze from the nearby ocean. Head out early or wait until dusk for best results. The $10-a-car admission fee is also required for use of the pier.

Take an Eco Tour on the Indian River Lagoon

Although you might see a dolphin from the ocean beach, the real opportunity to see dolphins, manatees, and wildlife is by embarking on a boat ride through the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America. This unique ecosystem is home to an array of wildlife that enjoy swimming around and flying over mangroves and marshes.

For a tour of the northern end of the waterway toward Daytona, try NSB River Tours. On the opposite side of the town, Turtle Mound River Tours and Viking Tours offer a variety of pontoon boat and kayak tours including an evening bioluminescent tour along the Canaveral National Seashore. Or have a Florida master naturalist guide from the Marine Discover Center guide you on a kayak tour or aboard a pontoon boat.

Party along Historic Flagler Avenue Steps from New Smyrna Beach’s Oceanfront

After a day of exploration, head to Historic Flagler Avenue for dining and shopping. Named after Henry Flagler, the railroad magnate who led the way for Florida’s tourist development, this lively street is where the partygoers head for a drink at open-air bars or to shop among the eclectic shops. Unlike most of the rest of New Smyrna Beach, there is an old Florida charm with many of the buildings and nearby one-story cottages dating back to the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Drive or Bike Right on New Smyrna Beach

For a unique experience, consider driving and parking on New Smyrna Beach itself. The hard-packed sand allows vehicles to cruise along the shoreline, offering stunning views of the ocean and easy access to beachside activities.

The daily fee for non-residents is $30, and there are limited entrances along the beach. For free, bike riders can enjoy a leisurely ride along this picturesque stretch of coast. Check out the tide chart or ask the attendant about high tide to avoid getting your car stuck in the sand.

Catch Fish or Dine at JB’s Fish Camp near Cape Canaveral Seashore

Near the entrance to Cape Canaveral Seashore south of New Smyrna Beach is the popular JB’s Fish Camp, where you enjoy Southern-style fresh seafood with river views. This casual eatery is perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure. You can also rent kayaks or paddleboards here to explore the Indian River Lagoon at your own pace.

Discover History at Cape Canaveral National Seashore

It’s well worth the jaunt and $25 vehicle admission to visit Cape Canaveral National Seashore, which adjoins the Cape Canaveral Space Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Inside the park, stop at the Turtle Mound Archaeological Site which offers insight into Native American history in Florida.

This ancient shell mound provides panoramic views of the surrounding area and serves as an important cultural landmark. Nearby is the Eldora State Statehouse, built around 1912 as a community center for the winter resort village of Eldora. After the town was abandoned, the Friends of Canaveral worked to renovate the house and re-open it as a museum showcasing the area’s history.

Take Your Clothes Off on Apollo Beach at Cape Canaveral Seashore

For those seeking a more liberating experience, plant your towel at Apollo Beach, one of the few clothing-optional beaches on the East Coast. This secluded spot allows visitors to unwind in a natural setting while enjoying sunbathing or swimming in privacy.

To reach the beach, drive through New Smyrna Beach and Bethune Beach, pay to enter Cape Canaveral Seashore and drive until the road ends. Signs will alert you when you are close. There is another clothing-option beach, Playalinda Beach, also in Cape Canaveral Seashore, but it can only be accessed from the southern entrance of the park near Titusville.

Take a Tour at the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach

A visit to the Marine Discovery Center is both educational and enjoyable. This center focuses on marine conservation and offers interactive exhibits about local marine life. Participate in guided tours or workshops to learn more about the importance of preserving Florida’s coastal ecosystems. In addition to the boat and kayak tours mentioned above, the Discover Center offers guided bird walks, beach strolls, and campus tours on a golf cart.

Find the Hidden Sugar Mill Ruins on the Mainland of New Smyrna Beach

The county officials describe the Sugar Mill Ruins as a “hidden gem.” They are nearly impossible to find along Mission Drive with barely a sign for the turn-off. History enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to ruminate and read about early 19th-century efforts to establish the sugar industry in Florida. Explore the site’s ruins while learning about its historical significance and the efforts of Seminole Indians to thwart this enterprise.

Stop Downtown at the Canal Street Historic District in New Smyrna Beach

Though not as popular for the party crowd as Flagler Street on the beachside, the Canal Street Historic District is a charming couple of blocks near the Indian River on the mainland. Stroll through this quaint area to find souvenirs and handmade crafts or dine at restaurants along the tree-lined streets.

Drive Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Refuge

About 45 minutes south of downtown New Smyrna Beach, conclude your day with the incredible 7-mile, one-way Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island National Refuge. Especially in the winter when “snow birds” flock there, the managed habitat of mangrove marshes, mud flats, and shallow waters can attract hundreds of birds at any one moment.

For bird watchers and nature lovers, this is one of Florida’s most outstanding places to see a wide variety of waterfowl, wading birds, osprey, river otters, and alligators. Be prepared to spend almost an hour on the drive, which has a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit.

Getting to New Smyrna Beach

Just a half hour south of Daytona International Speedway along I-95 is the one and only exit for New Smyrna Beach. Heading east on State Road 44 for four miles, drivers will arrive downtown. It’s another mile east to the beach.

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Author Bio: For more than 40 years, R.C. Staab has been a tourism and culture expert who has been quoted by and had photos published in numerous publications including the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times and CNN. He wrote 100 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore Before You Die, now in its second printing, and is a frequent contributor to New Jersey Monthly magazine. His latest book, New York City Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for New York City’s Hidden Treasures, explores Manhattan from Battery Park to Washington Heights. Click here to buy his Jersey Shore book and his NYC book. He lives in New York his wife, Valari, and dog, Skye.

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