Similar to its neighbor Daytona Beach, the strong currents and lack of coral reefs make snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach below par and unless you plan to head far south to Vero Beach, or Fort Pierce, just stick around and enjoy the beach.
Just down the coast from Daytona Beach, also known as World’s Most Famous Beach, there is a small, unassuming coastal haven that is recognized as one of the best surfing towns in the country. New Smyrna Beach on Florida’s Fun Coast has received accolades for its surf town essence and is infamous for numerous shark interactions around, earning the nickname “Shark Bite Capital of the World”. The surrounding area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, including fishing, sailing, kitesurfing, motorboating, golfing, and hiking.
As one of the most visited regions in the Sunshine State, Florida’s Fun Coast has everything that one wishes for during a vacation. The gorgeous, sandy beaches to relax on and strong swells in the ocean to go surfing or parasailing, there is always a crowd on the beach and in the water. But with the lack of corals in the area, and with strong currents, snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach is not recommended. For those seeking an underwater excursion, the best options are much more south in Sebastian or Vero Beach.
New Smyrna Beach Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Okay to Below Average. Water gets murkier as you head north up the Florida Atlantic Coast as the blackwater streams from the north flows down here.
- Current Strength: Above Average. This is one of prime surfing spots in Florida and the currents can be strong at times.
- Coral Presence: None. Corals in Florida do not come up this far, so you need to go south to see these marine invertebraes.
- Marine Life: The marine life can be diverse up and down Florida’s Atlantic Coast, but the poor underwater conditions should deter you from snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach.
- Crowd: It can get pretty busy on the Fun Coast, especially during in the spring. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Getting There:
Closest Airport: Daytona Beach International Airport (20 miles, 25 minutes away)
- Daytona Beach International Airport, which is right next to the Speedway, is only a short drive away from the beach. But there are limited flights out of this airport: Charlotte via American, Atlanta via Delta, and couple flights by low-cost carrier Avelo. If you are a resident of those cities, or don’t mind a quick layover, that is your best option to fly into the Daytona Beach area.
Closest Major Metro: Daytona Beach
- Daytona Beach is the largest city in the Daytona Beach-Deltona-Ormond Beach metropolitan area, or Florida’s Fun Coast, and located about an hour and half south of Jacksonville. Home to NASCAR, the city is one of the most popular resort destinations in Florida and best known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant festivals such as Daytona 500 and Halifax Art Festival, and its burgeoning arts district.
Best Transportation Method to Destination: Fly into Daytona Beach International Airport – Rent a car
Introduction
New Smyrna Beach, located fifteen miles south of Daytona Beach, is one of the main cities of Florida’s Fun Coast. For years, it has been recognized as one of the top surfing towns in the country, from various reputable publications such as Surfer and National Geographic. With over 10+ miles of beach and 300+ days with great conditions for surfing, this laid-back town has a cool vibe and is very welcoming, famous for its consistent breaks. They offer perfect ramps for aspiring East Coast professionals and hot local talent to do all manner of trickery.
Just north of this surfer town is Daytona Beach, famous for its drivable beaches and the home of the Daytona International Speedway. Motorsports enthusiasts can embark on guided tours of the speedway, explore the Motorsports Hall of Fame, and even experience the thrill of high-speed laps on the famous track. The Daytona 500, known as the “Great American Race,” draws racing fans from around the world to witness NASCAR’s premier event.
Where to Go Snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach
There are over 10+ miles of shoreline so plenty of areas for one to go snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach. However, poor underlying conditions, which includes below average water clarity, no coral reefs, and strong currents, means it won’t be the best use of time. The corals which extend up and down South Florida just off the shore end around Sebastian Inlet, so the bottoms up here are sandy. Without a sufficient marine ecosystem, it makes for an inferior underwater experience overall.
Sebastian Inlet, about an hour and thirty south of New Smyrna Beach, would be the closest option for snorkeling. Despite its reputation for snorkeling, Sebastian Inlet has some strong currents so it is highly recommended to head a bit further down south to Vero Beach. Anchored by the shipwreck S. S. Breconshire, Vero Beach provides a fantastic environment filled with diverse marine life, coral reefs, and rock coves which should tickle any snorkeler’s fancy.
Final Word:
New Smyrna Beach is an ideal destination for those seeking to enjoy the thrills of surfing as well as miles of stunning coastline. Its laid back attitude and fantastic swells confirm its reputation as one of the best surfing towns in the country. However, the conditions to go snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach are not ideal, and not to mention that the numerous shark attacks in the area make it an area one should try to steer clear of. Enjoy your time in New Smyrna Beach as a surfing town, rather than a place to go underwater.
Snorkeling in New Smyrna Beach Rating: 1/5 Snorkels – Go South!
