Last updated on July 16th, 2026 at 06:45 am
Travel and Leisure magazine calls New Smyrna Beach “Florida’s most underrated seaside city.” It’s hard to disagree. But we would kick it up a notch as one of Florida’s best little beach towns.
New Smyrna Beach is a mix of Old Florida surfer’s haven, family vacation destination, funky beachfront bars, homes on stilts, low-rise condos, ice cream parlors and quaint art galleries with a 13-mile-long beach joined at the hip to Canaveral National Seashore, adding another 24 miles of beach.
There’s more.
Boating and fishing in Mosquito Lagoon, camping on spoil islands in the Halifax River, paddle Spruce Creek, hike the boardwalk across rolling dunes in Smyrna Dunes Park, and when your timing is right, a front row seat to rocket launches at the Kennedy Space Center.
The beach is walkable, drivable, great for surfing and surf fishing, family friendly, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Drive to your spot on the beach, pop up the umbrellas, break out the beach chairs and coolers.
Today is your day in the sun in “Florida’s most underrated seaside city.”
Flagler Avenue
New Smyrna’s beach town vibe oozes from the Flagler Avenue district with its galleries, surf shops, boutiques, souvenir stands, ice cream kiosks, restaurants and bars, almost all housed in Old Florida cottages and historic Victorian homes.
Architecturally, not much has changed on Flagler in the 40 years I’ve been visiting this town, even as businesses come and go.
The beaches of New Smyrna
Surfers congregate at the north end of the beach near the jetty at Ponce Inlet, a long walk from Flagler Avenue but you can drive there on the beach.
With the exception of extremely high tides, the hard-packed beach sand is suitable for most cars and bicycles. Above the tide line, though, the sand is soft, so park carefully.
Along most of the beach, there are posts to mark the beginning of softer sand. When you get to the jetty, though, it’s easy to bog down in the sand when you turn around.
This section of beach is usually crowded with surfers and gawkers, and there is often a contingent of Good Samaritans standing by to assist. (Some even bring shovels!)
Shark Bite Capital of the World
This inlet beach is also where New Smyrna gets its reputation as the “Shark Bite Capital of the World.”
Surfers are drawn to this section of beach by the excellent surf break, but it pays to be mindful that the inlet is a major transit point for baitfish being flushed into the surf zone from the Indian and Halifax rivers, both of which are prolific breeding grounds and nurseries..
Hundreds of sharks may be lingering in the surf, waiting for their next meal. While they really have no interest in humans, they can be attracted to tailing surfboards or unexpected splashing by swimmers. An average of 5 to 10 shark bites are reported each year. Most are minor.
Personally, I’m perfectly comfortable swimming anywhere in New Smyrna Beach — except around the surfers near the jetty.
The main beach
The main beach — from Flagler Avenue south to 27th Avenue — is the busiest stretch, dense with cars, food trucks and beach rental trailers feature umbrellas, chairs, boogie boards, canopies, beach-wheel bicycles and even all-terrain motor vehicles for cruising the surf line.
Lifeguards stations are positioned in some of the busiest areas, and rescue teams patrol the rest of the beach in Jeeps and ATVs.
It’s in this stretch that you’ll also find the beachfront dive bars (The Breakers, Toni and Joe’s Patio, the Sea Vista Tiki Bar and Chase’s).
Beach parking is $30 without annual resident pass
The beach is open to vehicles from 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. or sundown, whichever is earlier, from May 1 through October 31, and sunrise to sunset from November 1 to April 30, tides permitting.
Vehicles pay a $30 access fee per day to drive and park on the beach unless the driver possesses a permit issued to Volusia County residents. The non-resident vehicle pass includes one re-entry.
Volusia County residents can obtain their free permit here.
Besides Flagler Avenue, there are four vehicle access ramps to the beach:
- Beachway Avenue — Northernmost ramp
- Crawford Road — North of Flagler
- 3rd Avenue — Just off A1A, behind the Walgreens at the big curve
- 27th Avenue — Southernmost beach ramp. Beyond this point (south), the beach is vehicle free.
Off beach parking is $20 without a resident permit
- Smyrna Dunes — Access to dog beach and the dunes boardwalk. The parking lot is at the north end of Peninsula Avenue.
- Flagler Avenue — Main parking lot
- 27th Avenue — Vehicle-free beach north of 27th Avenue
- Matthews Avenue — Vehicle-free beach
- Bethune Beach Park — Vehicle-free beach
Bonfires are permitted on the beach
Bring your own fire ring, or reserve the permanent fire ring at Hiles Beach, 700 Hiles Blvd., New Smyrna Beach.
Reservations are only accepted from October 28 until April 26. Fires are banned from May until November because of turtle-nesting season.
You can bring your own fire rings without a permit and place it anywhere on the beach other than the conservation zone or the emergency traffic lane — subject to the ban during turtle-nesting season.
Bonfires on the beach: Go here for fire ring reservations.
Grilling on the beach
Beachgoers are permitted to grill on the beach. If using charcoal, beachgoers must remove the spent charcoal and dispose of it off beach. Do not dispose charcoal in the beach trash/recycle containers, and it may not be buried in the sand.
Smyrna Dunes Park
Smyrna Dunes Park is a 184-acre park occupying the pristine dunes south of Ponce de Leon Inlet, and it is accessible from a parking lot at the end of North Peninsula Avenue, next to the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
The park has a dog-friendly beach and more than two miles of handicapped accessible boardwalk. Multiple scenic overlooks offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River and Ponce de Leon Inlet.
Bethune Beach
Bethune Beach is a residential enclave of single-family homes with a hanful of condos on the southern border of New Smyrna Beach. The community serves as north gateway to Canaveral National Seashore and Apollo Beach.
Historically, Bethune Beach was a Black community and site of the only beach in Volusia County where Blacks could swim in the early 20th Century. The town is named after African-American educator Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College.
Beach parking here is no longer free and now costs $20 per day, making it more attractive to drive an extra mile or two south to the beaches of Canaveral National Seashore.
Canaveral National Seashore
Just south of Bethune Beach, State Road A1A comes to an end and Canaveral National Seashore begins.
The entry fee is $25 for cars, $20 for motorcycles and $15 for bicycles and walkups. The pass is valid for seven days. Annual passes are available at the gate. Admission is free for seniors holding America the Beautiful Senior Pass.
Just inside the entrance gate is a boat ramp and paved parking lot offering boaters access to Mosquito Lagoon. This is an excellent launch for kayakers to explore the islands and backwater channels in the lagoon.
Rambler tip: There is a bait and tackle shop in Bethune Beach, an essential stop for live or frozen bait if you plan to fish in Canaveral National Seashore.
Lots of wildlife to be found here, and no shortage of fish in and around the oyster bars and clam beds. Shellfish leaseholds are marked with stakes, so avoid harvesting shellfish from those areas.
There’s another kayak launch — and kayak rentals — at the Visitor Center, a short distance from the park entrance.
There are five beach parking lots along the 8 miles of park road. The first parking lot is close to the entrance with 89 spots. The remaining lots have 25 spaces each.
Lot No. 1 is the preferred beach for surf fishing because it has a basin and runout that attracts anglers, especially in the early morning on an outgoing tide.
You should be aware that the last parking area, No. 5, provides access to a clothing-optional beach.
Nude sunbathers once trekked a few hundred yards south of the boardwalk to get out of view of gawkers. But that was not the case on my most recent visit in June 2026. Be prepared for nudity to be in your face.
Rambler Note: Canaveral National Seashore acts as a buffer around the Kennedy Space Center. During launches, the park will likely be closed.
Historic Eldora
The Eldora Loop Road is a spur off the main park road, taking you back through subtropical tree hammocks to Eldora, a ghost town on the Indian River Lagoon where orange groves once thrived.
Only two of the town’s original buildings remain, including a home known as the “State House” that has been restored to serve as a museum showcasing the history of the area.
The museum is only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s worth a visit.
Backcountry camping
There are several islands in the Mosquito Lagoon portion of Canaveral Seashore, and the park has developed 14 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. They are only accessible by boat from either the boat ramps in the park or on the mainland in Edgewater or Oak Hill.
To camp on these islands, you must obtain a backcountry permit online from Recreation.gov. The permit fee is $25 per night. You can also obtain a permit if you go to the Visitor Center.
It’s worth noting, though, that there are dozens of spoil islands north of the Canaveral Seashore boundaries where camping is free. These are undeveloped sites, not managed and very primitive.
Historic Downtown New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna’s downtown area on the mainland is starting to get its legs.
Among the current attractions is the Arts on Douglas gallery, waffiliated with the Atlantic Center for the Arts, a longtime cultural center promoting the arts in South Volusia County.
Originally, the 1920’s era building was an automobile showroom that now houses a 3,500 square foot exhibit space, presenting 18 exhibitions per year. At night, the gallery is a strong visual presence at 123 Douglas Street, downtown, a block east of Riverside Park.
Another gallery worth visiting is the Ring Gallery at the Funky Flamingo Gift Shop, 217 Canal Street. Mike Ring chronicles life in New Smyrna Beach through photography with a particular focus on coastal landscapes.
Along Canal Street, you’ll find a number of small boutiques, gift shops and curiosity shops in historic buildings, as well as restaurants and bars, including the New Smyrna Beach Brewing Company at 143 Canal Street.
A short walk from Canal Street on the riverfront is the River Deck Tiki Bar and Restaurant at 107 North Riverside. This dockside restaurant has changed hands a few times over the years, and it has long been popular with locals. I recommend it.
Things to do nearby
East Central Regional Rail Trail
With 52 miles of smooth, 12-foot wide paved trail, the East Central Regional Rail Trail has something for every kind of rider. It has sections for performance riders who want to keep a fast pace and encounter few intersections. It has sections for folks who want to see the scenery and make a few stops.
The trail has three legs (shaped like a Y), connecting East Volusia County (New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater) to Titusville in Brevard County and Green Spring Park in West Volusia County, where it connects with the Spring to Spring Trail, continuing 8 miles to Gemini Springs Park and Lake Monroe Park.
Related stories:
- The East Central Regional Rail Trail
- Unsung heritage corridor: Springs, history, scenic byway in Central Florida
- Daytona Beach Planner: Campground options
Callalisa Creek Paddle
Spruce Creek Paddle
Ponce Inlet
Places to Eat & Drink
Restaurants
The Garlic, 556 E 3rd Ave on the South Causeway. Long one of our favorites for Italian cuisine, we were a little disappointed on our most recent visit (Spring 2022). Our dinners were just not up to par. One thing that never disappoints, though, is the romantic garden atmosphere with mood lighting. Reservations are not accepted, and you may have to wait on their outdoor patio before being seated.
Norwood’s Restaurant and Treehouse Bar, 400 E 2nd Ave. on the South Causeway. Norwood’s never disappoints, at least it hasn’t in the 40-plus years I’ve been visiting this town. Norwood’s specialty is seafood, and they do it right. Wine pairings are a specialty. The recently added Treehouse Bar is really in a big old oak tree, a nice touch for cocktails and entertainment.
Limoncello South, 737 E 3rd Ave, Indian River Village, back in the corner next to Beall’s. Italian cuisiine. We haven’t tried Limoncello South yet, but locals give it rave reviews and the restaurant previously at this location (Spanish River Grille) was fabulous. Tell us what you think.
Crabby’s Bar & Grill, 203 South Atlantic Ave., but facing the other way for the beach view. We gathered family and old friends at Crabby’s upstairs bar and dining area. The food was moderately priced and prepared well. Everyone in our party of eight was satisfied.
Touch of Italy, 4198 South Atlantic Ave. An old standby with consistently good Italian food at reasonable prices. Not always my first choice but always a reliable one when I do choose it. Nothing out of the ordinary, just your standard Italian pizza and pasta menu served with garlic rolls and salad, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. TripAdvisor
J.B.’s Fish Camp, State Road A1A, Bethune Beach. An iconic dive bar and rustic seafood eatery with a deck overlooking Mosquito Lagoon, near the entrance to Canaveral National Seashore. Freshly harvested clams, oysters, rock shrimp and J.B.’s Famous crab cakes. The rap on J.B.’s these days are the crowds. We stopped here on our most recent visit to NSB, and we were not disappointed.
Rambler Tip: For a tasty, yet affordable meal after a day at the beach, check out Mi Mexico at 4600 South Atlantic Blvd, next to the Hiles Beach parking lot.
Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch
C’s Waffles Beachside, 4166 South Atlantic. Small, family-owned. Great waffles!
The Bakers Table, 4154 South Atlantic. He’s the chef, she’s the baker. Sunday Brunch; Wednesday-Sunday dinner.
The Beacon, 416 Flagler Avenue. American diner food and a frequest breakfast stop for my family. The food is reliably OK.
Beach bars
Toni & Joe’s, 309 Buenos Aires Street. Breakfast or lunch on the patio. Legendary beach bar since 1958. Our favorite despite lousy parking. (Park on the beach out front.) Entertainment on weekends.
The Breakers, on Flagler Avenue at the beach. The Breakers’ porch overlooks the beach at the busy Flagler Beach ramp. Long known for its hamburgers and cocktails, it’s worth trying.
Flagler Tavern, 414 Flagler Ave. A gentlemanly hangout where guests sit on the front porch and people watch. Less frantic pace, not on the beach. Busy on festival weekends.
Chase’s on the Beach, 3401 South Atlantic Ave. Chase’s has a swimming pool and two bars facing the beach. Not my first choice, but great for cocktails. Popular during events. Mixed reviews TripAdvisor.
Sea Vista Tiki Bar, 1701 S Atlantic Ave. If you didn’t know it was there, you wouldn’t know it was there. Hidden behind its namesake motel, the Sea Vista Tiki Bar is a classic beach bar with an ocean view.
Places to Stay
Riverview Hotel and Spa, 103 Flagler Ave. The grand dame of New Smyrna Beach, the Riverview Hotel and Spa overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway at the North Causeway bridge. A few years ago, my cousin stayed here and wrote this review for Florida Rambler.
Hampton Inn, 214 Flagler Ave. A recent addition to the Flagler Avenue scene, this smart-looking Hilton-managed hotel has been scoring some good reviews on TripAdvisor. Great location and looks good from the street. Walk to the beach, restaurants and bars.
Black Dolphin Inn, 916 South Riverside Drive, on the mainland below the South Causeway. Named after the black dolphin often seen from its dock, this B&B is in a class all of its own. I’ve never stayed here, but I have toured it from top to bottom.
Vacation Home Rentals are big in New Smyrna Beach, from beachfront condos and apartments to small single-family homes near the beach. A recent glance showed 300+ properties on VRBO.
Campgrounds
New Smyrna Beach RV Park and Campground, 1300 Old Mission Road, New Smyrna Beach. Stay tuned. We’ll camp here in our RV the next time we visit the area to ride the East Central Regional Rail Trail, which is a short distance south. $69 and up per night.
Sugar Mill Ruins Travel Park, 1050 Old Mission Road, New Smyrna Beach. Short-term campers destined to be docked in extremely cramped sites. Friendly staff. Full hookups. If possible, we’ll avoid on our next visit. $45 and up per night.
Rose Bay RV Campground, 5200 South Nova Road, Port Orange. Nothing fancy but sites are plentiful and roomy. There’s a dock on Rose Bay where you can launch a boat. Full hookups. Although we’ve never camped there in our recreational vehicle, we have used their dump station many times while staying with friends in the area.
Lake Ashby County Park (Tents only), 4150 Boy Scout Camp Rd, New Smyrna Beach. 18 miles west of the beach but a beautiful, shady park on a lake. Former scout camp. Tents only. Lake is popular for sea planes doing touch and go’s on the lake.
Read more: Best campgrounds near Daytona — plus some awesome secrets
Ruth’s Kozy Kitchen on west Canal for breakfast or lunch. Delicious!
Having grown in up in Volusia county, for me beach = New Smyrna Beach. Loved the Garlic in years fast, but haven’t eaten there since finding out the owners are loudly supportive of the party/caucus in Florida that is decidedly anti-environment. Last I ate at Limoncello two years ago, it was fantastic. J.B.’s is definitely crowded, though you can order pickup (just triple check your order before you leave) if you aren’t in the mood for the atmosphere. I just did this last week.
Two places I’d recommend as a part-time local (i live in another state but spend significant amounts of time back in Volusia) are the Mon Delice bakery (3rd Ave.) and the restaurant AA Garden Fuson (Flagler Ave.).
Be kind, take it slow, and protect the sea turtles.
And if you want to try to see a launch from the Canaveral Sea Shore, arrive early for a parking spot at one of the beach areas in the park. Also, per an unofficial discussion with a park official, my plea as someone who is owned by a horse in the South, please do not take your horses to environments that they are unfamiliar with (like beachside national parks) because they will have a harder time in the heat and sand than the humans and if they aren’t used to it, well, the heat can be fatal,
We, who live here, don’t appreciate the publicity. Our small, quiet town is being destroyed by these travel posts. Everything people love about the town is being destroyed by an influx of people who read these posts. People are moving here and the crime rates are increasing. We’re developing all of the problems of the bigger cities. Makes me sick.
NSB lost it’s soul about 20 years ago .