New Smyrna Beach Visitors Bureau

The star attraction in New Smyrna Beach is its 13 miles stretch of white sandy beaches. Sunbathing, swimming, bicycling, strolling or doing nothing at all is the choice of most visitors. But the beach is also well known to surfers, offering some of the finest wave action on the Eastern Seaboard, treasure hunters in search of rare coins and jewelry and anglers who say surf fishing is the only way to go.

Here are some tips to you having a wonderful beach day. Drive carefully and watch for pedestrians, especially children. Observe the 10mph speed limit. Limit cruising on the beach, find a parking spot and enjoy your day. Conservation zones are marked with aqua-painted poles. Traffic lanes are marked with traffic lane signs. Park your vehicle between the conversation zone and the traffic lanes. Remember, double parking is not permitted.

Unless there are unusual high tides, driving is permitted on the beach from 8am - 7pm from May 1 through October 31. From sunrise to sunset from November 1 through April 30.

We also offer traffic-free zones. If you are visiting with children, you may want to choose a traffic-free zone. They are located North of the jetty of Smyrna Dunes Park and 27th Avenue South to the Volusia County line. In addition there are off-beach parking areas near traffic-free zones. The are located at Smyrna Dunes Park (2995 N. Peninsula Ave), 27th Avenue Park at 3701 South Atlantic Avenue, Matthews Blvd, Hiles Blvd, Mary McLeod Bethune Park located at 6656 South Atlantic Avenue.

Sea Turtle nesting season is May 1 through October 31. Sea turtles generally emerge from the surf at night to lay their eggs in the dry sand. After covering their nests, they return to the sea. Two months later, nearly 100 hatchlings emerge and crawl to the ocean. Nests are marked clearly and should not be disturbed. Lighting from beachfront property is restricted during sea turtle nesting season.

To protect sea turtles and sand dunes, Volusia County has established a conservation zone that is off limits to vehicles. The 30-foot-wide conservation zone stretches from the aqua-painted posts to the dunes or sea wall. Park your vehicle east (seaward) of the conservation zone. Please stay off the dunes and do not remove sea oats or other plants. Dune vegetation is protected by law.

Beware of rip currents! Rip currents are channels of fast moving water that can pull swimmers from shore. If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm and do not fight the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim to shore.

Jellyfish are common in the Atlantic waters and sometimes do wash ashore. Jellyfish stings are rarely serious, but they may require first aid treatment. If you are stung by a jellyfish, go to the nearest lifeguard for assistance.

Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from where it's raining. As soon as you hear thunder, leave the beach and take shelter in an enclosed vehicle or building. Stay off the beach for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

Pets on leashes are permitted on the inlet side of the beach at Lighthouse Point Park, Ponce Inlet and Smyrna Dunes Park.

Finally, keep Volusia beaches beautiful. Please place trash in blue trash receptacles. Please place bottles and cans in yellow recycling containers. Please do not leave chairs, umbrellas or other items behind with you leave the beach. It's great fun to dig holes in the sand, but please fill them up when you leave. Beach equipment and holes are safety hazards for people and wildlife.

New Smyrna Beach, voted Florida's Best Beach 4 years in a row!