Daytona Beach Activities: Outdoor Adventures for Your Family Vacation

Daytona Beach draws millions of vacationers a year to its international speedway. However, this Florida beach destination offers way more than NASCAR races. Daytona Beach features over 230 days of sunshine per year and access to both Halifax River and Atlantic Ocean, providing visitors with easy access to outdoor adventures. Get ready for fun in the sun and check out these top Daytona Beach activities for your family vacation.

Daytona Beach Activities: Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Start at the World’s Most Famous Beach

When visiting Daytona, the beach is usually the first stop. With more than 23 miles of sandy shores and water miles, it’s easy to see why. While on the beach, families splash, swim, body-board, play volleyball and watch the waves crash. In addition, visitors are welcome to drive on the sand and people-watch.

Daytona Beach also houses a spacious pier and boardwalk full of amusement rides, restaurants and friendly faces. Daytona Boardwalk area houses the famous bandshell, which hosts concerts and events throughout the year. For added fun, don’t forget to ride the go-kart track and tilt-a-whirl.

Go on a Dolphin Tour

Those vacationing in Daytona have several water recreation options including sailing, sightseeing and dinner cruises. One favorite is a dolphin and manatee eco-tour. Ponce Inlet Watersports offers a 90-minute tour for groups up to 20 on their shaded flat-bottom boat. Groups will head down Intercoastal Waterway searching for dolphins, sting rays, manatees and sea turtles.

Another option for dolphin sightings is the raved-about Three Brothers Boards, which offers tours on standup paddleboards and in two or three-person kayaks. This option provides the opportunity to see dolphins and manatees for a different adventure.

Escape at the Beachfront Parks

Play at one of Daytona Beach’s 10 beachfront parks, most with ocean views, picnic areas, splash features and playgrounds. One spot to spend the day is Lighthouse Point Park in nearby Ponce Inlet. The park measures 52 acres and features a lighthouse perfect for photo ops, nature trails, and opportunities to see marine and wild life.

Many of Daytona Beach’s parks also have opportunities for boating, kayaking and canoeing, providing a relaxing escape from the beach scene. In addition, the area has seven dog parks located inside parks, so pets can enjoy the outdoors.

Fish for Big Catches

With its location along the Atlantic Ocean, fishing ranks among the best Daytona Beach activities for all ages. Dozens of charters host fishing trips, but the top-rated include Sea Spirit Fishing, Sudden Strike Offshore Adventure and Charters with Captain Brad. Each offers a selection of inshore and offshore fishing, ranging from half-day trips to eight hours on the water. Those fishing may catch barracuda, mahi-mahi, grouper and snapper.

Play a Round

Play like a pro at Legends at LPGA International in Daytona Beach. This award-winning course offers a game for all skill levels and two distinct courses. The first, Hills Course, is a par 72 measuring 6,984 yards. Players find a more natural setting with a layout that includes wetlands, narrow pines and water hazards. Jones Course – a Rees Jones golf course – is a traditional links course complete with sand bunkers, lakes and marches.

Visitors looking for a public golf course in Daytona should check out Oceans Golf Club. This privately owned course operates as a non-profit and has a 13-hole, par 3 layout. Although the course is somewhat smaller than others, it features plenty of trees and rolling hills that challenge golfers. Find other top Daytona Beach golf courses.

Ride Waves

Want to try surfing? Pure Life Surf School ranks as one of Daytona Beach’s top companies for surf lessons and standup paddleboarding (SUP) lessons. Each participant pairs with a certified instructor who teaches everything from ocean safety to catching waves.

The school offers a range of lessons and pricing options, and those with three or more people can book a one-hour or two-hour lesson. Families taking an extended vacation may also enroll kids in the summer camp suited for children ages 7 to 16. Camps range from one-day adventures to a full week of surfing fun.

Hike and Bike Trails

Although Daytona offers an abundance of water recreation, the area’s hiking and biking trails shouldn’t be overlooked. Daytona Beach houses over 33 trails, including multipurpose, enhanced for cyclers and more remote spots.

The Spring-to-Spring trail, one of the most popular options, offers hikes ranging from 1.3 miles to over 5 miles. Once complete, Spring-to-Spring will measure 26 miles from Gemini Springs Park to DeLeon Springs State Park. This trail is ideal for jogging, inline skating, walking, bicycling and caters to those with physical limitations.

Need more things to do? Check out these free things to do in Daytona Beach.

Once picking some Daytona Beach activities, get great rates on vacation home in Daytona Beach.