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New Smyrna Beach Vacation Rental Homes

New Smyrna Beach Attractions and Activities

History

New Smyrna Beach occupies a notable place in history as the site of the largest single attempt at colonial settlement in what is now the United States. Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a Scottish physician and entrepreneur, obtained a grant of land from the British Crown. In 1768 he established a colony of 1,225 immigrants on the coastal plantations at New Smyrna, with a view toward the commercial production of such crops as corn, indigo, rice, hemp, and cotton. The land that the Turnbull colonists settled is located along the west bank of the Indian River, opposite one of coastal east Florida's relatively few inlets.

For some 10,000 years before the arrival of the Europeans, Native Americans inhabited the area, initially on a nomadic basis and later in more sedentary camps and villages. Until the early twentieth century, the coastline was strewn with mounds of ancient refuse that testified to the presence of the Indians. Most of the mounds were destroyed, the shell used for roads and building construction material. However, much evidence of prehistoric habitation remains hidden under ground and water within the corporate limits of New Smyrna Beach and beyond

New Smyrna Beach Weather

New Smyrna Beach Weather is typical for the east central coast of Florida. It has a warm subtropical climate with summertime temperatures reaching the high 80s and low 90s, but sea breezes help keep things comfortable. There is some humidity in summer and thundershowers are common, but they are usually scattered and rarely interfere with outdoor plans. Winters in New Smyrna Beach are perfect for those who love warm weather – the temperatures are generally in the 70s with lows in the 40s or 50s at night. There are occasions on record when the temperature dipped lower in winter, but that is a rare occurrence. The wettest months are June through September – with September being the wettest month on record. If you like playing golf or tennis – or any outdoor sport – you will love New Smyrna Beach’s climate.

Attractions

Canaveral National Seashore Canaveral National Seashore is on a barrier island which includes ocean, beach, dune, hammock, lagoon, salt marsh, and pine flatland habitats. The barrier island and adjacent waterways offer a blend of plant and animal life. Records show that 1,045 species of plants and 310 species of birds can be found in the park. Endangered species include, but are not limited to, loggerhead, green and leatherback sea turtles, West Indian Manatee, Southern bald eagle, wood stork, peregrine falcon, eastern indigo snake, and Florida scrub jay. The park has two districts and the Seminole Rest Site. The North District is in Volusia County, near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Seminole Rest is also located in Volusia County in Oak Hill, Florida. The South District, in Brevard County is near Titusville, Florida. Visitors may enjoy walking the nature and historical trails during the cool winter months. Throughout the year opportunity for recreational activities include; lagoon and surf fishing, boating, canoeing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding and backcountry camping.

The Marine Discovery Center The Marine Discovery Center is a world-class marine research and educational facility that features a bird rescue and rehabilitation center plus offers educational programs. The Marine Discovery Center offers ECHO boat tours on the Indian River Lagoon. You can observe close views of dolphins, manatees, ospreys and an abundance of wildlife while being led by a marine biologist. Two hour tours of the estuary filled with marine plants and animals on a 40 passenger pontoon boat are also available. You’ll be enlightened with local history of Indians and early explorers.

Visitors to Smyrna Dunes Park Visitors to Smyrna Dunes Park may arrive by land or by sea. Perched on 250 acres of pristine land at the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula, the area is surrounded by water on three sides. Waters from the Indian River flow through Ponce Inlet and into the Atlantic Ocean providing a variety of fishing or swimming venues for park goers. The park also provides a unique opportunity for naturalists, ecologists, students and the general public to see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat. Consisting of five ecosystems, the predominant habitat is sand dunes. To protect the natural habitat, more than two miles of elevated boardwalks, picnic areas, pavilions and an observation tower have been erected on the 255 acres. The park consists of five ecosystems (ocean, river, dunes, scrub zone, saltwater marsh). The principal system is vast sand dunes. To protect the sensitive sand dunes from foot traffic, two miles of elevated walkways, picnic areas, pavilions and an observation tower were built, allowing visitors to travel through the park in a natural environment. Smyrna Dunes provides a unique opportunity for naturalists, ecologists, students and the general public to see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat. The surrounding waters provide excellent fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. Smyrna Dunes Park is one of a few County parks where man’s best friend may enjoy the amenities. However, pets must be leashed at all times. Guided nature walks and educational programs are available. Admission is $3.50 for vehicles of eight passengers or less. Yearly passes are available.

Spruce Creek Spruce Creek is a unique, natural blackwater stream that courses through the Spruce Creek Basin. There are few examples of this type of river left undisturbed in Florida. The term "blackwater" refers to the tannic acid staining caused by the swampy vegetation in the low-lying upper reaches of the creek.. The navigable portion of the river itself begins as a shallow cypress swamp some 10 miles upstream from its’ confluence with the Halifax river. This swamp gives way to a narrow stream that very gradually broadens downstream into Strickland Bay. As the river courses towards the coast, the associated aquatic habitats gradually change from typical freshwater hardwood swamp to freshwater marsh to saltwater marsh and mangrove swamp in a classic estaurine ecosystem. Spruce Creek enjoys a Class III water quality rating, and Outstanding Florida Waters designation due to its relatively undisturbed condition, and is also designated as an official State Canoe trail.

The Turnbull Ruins The Turnbull Ruins, a coquina block foundation overlooking the Intracoastal, represents the colonization by Andrew Turnbull from 1766-1777. It's believed that he attempted to build his personal mansion on these coquina remains. A foundation of sea coquina block was set, but work was never completed. The true origination of the ruins is unknown, some theorized that they may be the remnants of a pre-colonial fort or a colonial church. Located at a main intersection on the river downtown. Old Fort and Riverside Park, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168.

Turtle Mound Turtle Mound, created by Timucuan Native Americans, is a 50-foot high ancient hillock of shells containing 33,000-cubic yards of oyster shells covering 2 acres. Visible seven miles out at sea, early sailors used Turtle Mound as a navigational device. Archaeologists theorize that the Indians may have used the area as high-ground refuge during hurricanes. A popular activity near the Turtle Mound is catching blue crabs. Turtle Mound is located seven miles south of New Smyrna Beach on A1A. Turtle Mound and the southern end of A1A is part of the Canaveral National Seashore Park.

Beaches

Beach Environment Volusia County's world famous beaches attract millions of visitors each year. The sparkling, white sands of Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach offer a variety of safe, clean, environmentally-friendly recreational experiences. The beaches also are home to hundreds of fascinating plant and animal species. Some animals, such as the loggerhead sea turtle and the piping plover, are threatened with extinction. As a result, they are protected by state and federal laws. To preserve this beautiful natural resource for future generations of beachgoers, all of us must work together to care for and protect this fragile beach ecosystem.
From May 1 through October 31, Volusia beaches host an unusual marine visitor -- the sea turtle. These magnificent animals emerge from the surf at night to lay their eggs in nests dug into the dry sand, then return to the sea. Two months later, about a hundred baby turtles or hatchlings emerge from each of these nests and crawl to the ocean. This amazing cycle of Mother Nature is thousands of years old. Volusia County has taken several steps to protect these gentle creatures. Beach driving and parking is regulated. Vehicles are not allowed west (landward) of the dune conservation zone where sea turtle nests are most common. Night driving and lighting from beachfront properties is restricted because the mother turtles and tiny hatchlings are confused by bright lights.

Beach Driving/Hours This hurricane season has dramatically reduced driving on Volusia County's beaches. Cars that once traveled 16 of the county's 49 miles of beach are now only allowed on 6 miles of packed sand -- and only when tide permits. Huge volumes of sand have been wiped off the beach which has had a dramatic vertical elevation change. This hurricane season wiped the beaches flat. Driving on the beaches of New Smyrna Beach is a Volusia County tradition dating back to the early days of the automobile. For years, beachgoers have enjoyed a leisurely drive on the wide, hard-packed sands. The beach (about 1/3 since July) is open to vehicles, tide permitting, from sunrise to sunset Nov. 1 through April 30 and from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., May 1 through Oct. 31. There is a $5 per day per vehicle user fee to drive on the beach February 1 through November 30. Season beach passes are $20 for Volusia County residents and $40 for non-residents. The beach is always open and free to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Volusia's beaches are divided into three Experience Zones -- Natural, Transitional and Urban. Natural beach zones exist from 27th Avenue in New Smyrna Beach to Canaveral National Seashore in Bethune Beach. The Natural zones generally correspond to the areas where off-beach development is less intense. The dune habitats within this area largely are intact. These areas also have the highest concentration of turtle nests on Volusia beaches. Public driving and parking is not allowed in the Natural beach areas. The Transitional zones are those areas which have a mixture of natural dunes and some beach seawalls. The concentration of people in these areas generally is less intense most of the year. Sea turtle nesting in these areas is moderate. Public driving and parking is allowed in the Transitional zone 30 feet seaward of the dunes or seawall. The Urban zones are those areas where off-beach development includes hotels, high-rise condominiums and seawalls. The concentration of people is the most intense most of the year. Sea turtle nesting in these areas is minimal. Public driving and parking is allowed in the Urban beach areas 15 feet seaward of the dunes or seawall.

Beach Parking Beach parking includes approximately 1,000 public parking spaces that exist at several locations adjacent to the beaches throughout Volusia County. Beachside parking facilities include Smyrna Dunes, Flagler Avenue and 27th Avenue parks in New Smyrna Beach and Bethune Beach Park in the unincorporated area south of New Smyrna Beach. Parking also is available in New Smyrna Beach on the west side of State Road AIA (Atlantic Avenue) at Matthews Avenue.

New Smyrna Beach Vacation Rentals, Homes, Condos, Villas and Beach Rentals

New Smyrna Beach is northeast of Orlando between Daytona Beach and Titusville near the Atlantic seacoast. New Smyrna Beach vacation condos can be found along the 20-mile-long beach, more than half of which is in the Canaveral National Seashore. New Smyrna Beach vacations are popular because the area is the closest beach to all the central Florida attractions. A New Smyrna Beach Florida vacation house is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy Florida beautiful beaches, as well as exciting cities and attractions! The beachside of town is unusually isolated and protected. And so its suitable that travelers would be interested in New Smyrna Beach vacation condos, which are a lot more private than hotels. It’s the only town in the state of Florida to share a barrier island with a National Seashore and to have an unbridged inlet to both the north and the south. Only two bridges from the mainland New Smyrna provide access to this unpretentious beach town. The warm tropical climate allows for year-round swimming, sunbathing, surfing, wind surfing, beachcombing and jet skiing. If you stay in one of the lovely New Smyrna Beach vacation rentals found here, you can also look forward to fishing boat charters. The hard sand beach is great for walking and cars are allowed on parts of the beach during the day. At night, the beach is a romantic place for a walk to watch the stars. A New Smyrna Beach vacation house will make it easy to enjoy the several fine restaurants, taverns, galleries and boutiques of the area. New Smyrna Beach is also home to the Atlantic Center for the Arts, an isolated retreat nestled in 69 acres of waterfront jungle. The center attracts some of the world’s most famous artists who come here to work at the center. New Smyrma Beach offers an abundance of lodging choices such as beach cottages, condos with ocean views, hotels and inns. So start searching though these beautiful New Smyrna Beach vacation rentals today!

Surrounding areas:

Adventure in New Smyrna Beach At first glance, the New Smyrna Beach Resort Area may not appear to be suited for those with an adventurous spirit. Granted, there are no mountains to climb, no raging rivers to raft or ski slopes to careen down, but there are other activities that will get you just as high. Ask the surfers, windsurfers, jet skiers, water skiers and hydro-sliders who catch air as they tear up the waters of New Smyrna Beach.

The New Smyrna Beach Resort Area, located on the central east coast of Florida, is surrounded by bodies of water; the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and Mosquito Lagoon in between the two. New Smyrna prides itself on being a laid-back coastal town, free of the crowds, pollution and noise that plague other Florida beaches. It is the ideal location to go wild with water sports.

It's a little known fact that the strip of ocean off the coast of New Smyrna is one of the best surfing spots in Florida. Rock ledges 4-5 miles off shore cause excellent wave breaks and protect swimmers from dangerous undertoes. Not only can accomplished surfers rip up New Smyrna's waves, but beginners can learn the sport in safe waters. No matter your level of expertise, surfing gives you a rush like no other.

Every summer, the American Professional Surfing Association holds one of its premier contests in New Smyrna. Rookies and veterans from all over the country compete for the titles being given in several categories. A number of locals have gone on to make names for themselves in the surfing world.

Going sailing for a day on the ocean in a catamaran is sure to challenge the most avid thrill seeker. There is almost always a brisk wind off the water to get you cruising along the waves at a fair speed. You are the "cruise director," so to speak, depending on how you adjust the sails. Be prepared for salt water spray, windblown hair, bands of porpoises and other sea life. You'll love every minute of it.

The Intracoastal Waterway (Indian River), which is approximately a mile west of the ocean, is frequented by wind surfers. The calmer waters and closer borders of the river are ideal for novices, but jumping the wakes of passing power boats could prove to be tricky and a lot of fun. With the inlet leading to the ocean close by, don't be surprised to see porpoises in the river too.

Only experienced wind surfers should attempt to sail the rougher waters of the ocean, which is an exhilarating ride. With only a sailboard and sail separating you from the depths of the ocean, sailors must rely on their prowess to keep them from being lost at sea.

If you need a motor to get you "revved" up, jet skiing is the thing for you. Let your wild side loose by jumping waves or boat wakes, doing spins and pushing the throttle to the max. Several vendors along the beach and by the river rent the powered machines on an hourly or daily basis.

What about a day cruising along the river, water skiing and hyrdo-sliding? It's wide enough and usually calm enough to spend the day practicing your tricky maneuvers. Don't worry about packing a lunch, just dock at one of the several riverside seafood restaurants. But if you do bring a picnic, anchor off one of the many little islands in the river and eat there.

Dozens of towns in Florida offer these same activities, but it's the lifestyle of New Smyrna Beach that makes it more appealing than those other towns. Athletes, especially water sports enthusiasts, choose their sport because of the feelings they get from them. In New Smyrna, where the pace is casual and laid-back, those feelings are heightened. You won't be disturbed by crowds, frantic activity or pollution. On New Smyrna Beach, and on the Intracoastal, the dominating sounds are those of waves crashing on shore, seagulls, the occasional roar of a boat or jet ski motor and laughter.

The laughter will be yours and your friends' as you recount the day's activities in a quaint fresh seafood restaurant or in one of the casual seaside bars. The relaxed, easy-going atmosphere of the entire town will prepare you for another day of New Smyrna Beach adventure.

Events & Festivals

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