sailboat tours daytona beach

Sailing Daytona Beach

Enjoy the natural beauty of one of Florida’s most magnificent inlets, as well as sightings of dolphins and wildlife. Cruise around the waterways of Daytona Beach and Ponce Inlet, FL.

Help with trimming sails or sit back and relax as you take in the scenic views and tranquil breezes along the calm river waterways.

Cruises include complimentary 

• soft drinks

Our partner company, Fun Cat Sailing will help you get your sailing trip scheduled and answer any questions you might have.  Click the Booking Button.

Call them at (386) 871-7778 for reservations or more information.

We also offer many other options like Dolphin & Manatee Tours .

Don't just take our word for it

Come have some fun with us.

60 Minutes (under 3 free)

Dolphin & Manatee Tour

Dolphins & Manatee's Up Close

4 Hours Starting at

Singles, Doubles and Juniors Kayaks

Get In Touch Today!

Questions? Simply fill out our form below

Ponce Inlet Watersports is your place for water sports adventures in the Daytona Beach area. We offer many different attractions: Dolphin and Manatee boat tours, Deep Sea Fishing Charters, Tubing, Wake-boarding, Speed Boat Rentals, Sunset Sail Boat rides, Paddleboarding, Kayaks, Parasailing and Burial at Sea.

Email: [email protected]

Address:  4958 S Peninsula Drive Suite 1, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

Get Started

• Manatee & Dolphin Tour
• Sunset Cruise
• Private Boat Charter
• Stand Up paddleboarding
• Parasailing
• Fun Cat Sailing
• Burial at Sea
• Book Online

(386) 405-3445

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Howling Owl Sailing

Boat tours daytona beach, dockside behind caribbean jack's,  (386) 631- 4004, boat trips and tour reservations.

Our Cruises and Tours specialize in a personal sailboat ride experience. Visit our page for  Special Occasion Boat Trips to plan your big day with us! We provide public and private boat ride tours leaving from Daytona Beach. We depart from behind Caribbean Jack's. 

  Tours Departing Daily!

Click one of the "Book" buttons below to view departure times.  No booking is required to view!

Please call for bookings with less than 2 hours notice, or custom departure times!

         PUBLIC TRIPS         

PUBLIC CRUISE

1 1/2 Hr. BOAT TOUR & DOLPHIN WATCH  $69pp

Child (under 12) $49

         PRIVATE TRIPS         

PRIVATE RIDES

1 1/2 Hr. BOAT TOUR & DOLPHIN WATCH

(You get the whole boat!!!)

(up to 6 guests)

2 Hr. BOAT RIDE &

DOLPHIN WATCH

PRIVATE TOUR

SUNSET CRUISE 1 1/2 HOURS

(Departs approx. 1 1/2 hrs. before sunset!)

$475   (up to 6 guests)

(Extend any private sail for $125 per half hour)

"All" charters include complimentary Bottled Water  and Soft Drinks. BYOB / Pack a Picnic!!!

The Howling Owl of Daytona Beach is available for:

Boat Rentals

Dolphin Tours

River Cruises

Sunset Cruises

Pontoon Boat Rentals

Private and Public Boat Rides

Daytona Bike Week 2022                                                 

Floating Time Charters

Daytona Beach, Florida

Fun Fishing Trips in Daytona Beach with Captain John!

Scenic Boat Tours

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse on our tour of the Halifax River

Enjoy a private boat tour on the beautiful Halifax River with Captain John Dolphins ~ Manatees ~ Exotic Waterbirds ~ Fabulous Waterfront Homes ~ Florida’s Tallest Lighthouse

Scenic Boat Tour Rates

Scenic Boat Tours 2 hour $250 Price is for up to 6 passengers

Longer charters are available. Please call for rates.

These are Private Boat Charters

The whole family will enjoy a relaxing scenic boat ride on Florida’s Halifax River! 

Your private boat charter and tour begins just minutes from downtown Daytona Beach! Your scenic tour begins at the Dunlawton Bridge Boat Launch just 6 miles down river from downtown Daytona Beach.

We begin our tour by cruising up the Halifax River to see the magnificent waterfront homes of Daytona Beach. Here you will see the ultimate in Florida living with the homes of Daytona Beach’s “rich and famous”. From there we head down river towards the beautiful blue waters of Ponce Inlet, where the Halifax River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the way, we’ll keep our eyes out for Florida bottle-nosed dolphins that are commonly seen swimming and feeding along the Halifax River. We’ll pass through the pristine, semi-tropical lower Halifax River basin. This lush, undeveloped portion of the Halifax River is the “Real Florida”, exactly as Ponce de Leon saw it 500 years ago when he first discovered “La Florida”. Keep your eye out for all sorts of exotic waterbirds as well as birds of prey like bald eagles and ospreys.

At Ponce Inlet, you’ll see Florida’s tallest lighthouse. This 175 foot lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in America and a National Historic Landmark.

On the way back, we’ll hit some of the slow moving, mangrove-lined creeks to look for Florida manatees in their natural habitat. On your scenic boat tour, we’ll also pass some of the most popular waterfront restaurants in the entire Daytona Beach area such as ‘Inlet Harbor’ , ‘Down the Hatch’ and ‘The Grill at Riverview’ where you can stop for drinks!

Captain John Can Customize a Tour for You and Your Family!

This is YOUR private boat tour! Whether you want to make the focus of your private boat charter an Eco-Tour, a Dolphin Tour, a Manatee Tour, a Waterfront Homes Tour or just a see-it-all Scenic Cruise, Captain John is flexible with whatever you would like to do!

See the Real Florida!  Everyone is familiar with the beautiful, wide, hard-packed sand beaches of Daytona Beach, the Daytona International Speedway, home of NASCAR, and of course the wild and crazy Daytona Bike Fest. In addition to these familiar tourist attractions, some of the most beautiful unspoiled natural scenery found anywhere in Florida is just minutes from downtown Daytona Beach. There are hundreds of species of birds, fish, reptiles and of course dolphins and manatees that live along Daytona Beach’s Halifax River.

The Halifax River is home to Florida’s Bottle Nosed Dolphins

You are very likely to see dolphins on your Daytona Beach scenic boat tour with Captain John. Dolphins are very common all around Daytona Beach from the offshore coastal waters along the beaches to the inshore waters of the Halifax River. Dolphins are common enough around Daytona Beach that our scenic eco-tours could just as well be called Daytona Beach Dolphin Tours. But dolphin watching is just part of the fun when you’re on a boat tour around Daytona Beach with Captain John!

There are actually three species of dolphins at home in Florida waters.   The warm waters and mild winters of Florida and the Daytona Beach area as well as the abundant food source makes Florida particularly well suited for dolphins. The most common of these is the Florida bottle-nosed dolphin. The Hollywood animal celebrity “Flipper” was a Florida bottle-nosed dolphin. They are the dolphins most often seen around Daytona Beach. Bottle-nosed dolphins are easily recognized by their blue-gray coloring and lighter shading along their sides and bellies.

The other two dolphin species found in Florida waters are the “common” dolphin and the Atlantic spotted dolphin. The “common” dolphin has a shorter nose than the “bottle-nosed” dolphin and more pronounced two-tone coloring. The Atlantic spotted dolphin has light colored small spots or speckles all over its body. Of the three species, it’s the bottle-nosed dolphins that are most associated with interacting with humans. That’s because “common” dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins usually stay further offshore than their bottle-nosed cousins. The “common” dolphin is very common along the Florida coast. The Atlantic spotted dolphin tends to stay much further out to sea and is more often seen as far offshore as the Gulfstream, which is about 50 miles from the Daytona Beach shoreline.

The Florida bottle-nosed dolphins, the “Flippers”, are as much at home in the inshore waters around Daytona Beach as they are offshore. They have no problem spending the majority of their lives in the brackish inshore waters around Daytona Beach. Bottle-nosed dolphins are a common sight along Daytona Beach’s Halifax River, the Intracoastal Waterway and especially at Ponce Inlet where the fishing is especially good.

Dolphins are very social creatures and can be found in groups or pods of three to fifteen individuals. You may even get lucky enough on your Daytona Beach eco-tour to see a mother dolphin nudging her newborn baby dolphin up for air as he learns to swim in his first hours of life.

Dolphins are highly intelligent and curious mammals and they are not shy around humans. It is against federal law to feed, harass or swim with wild dolphins. Close interaction with wild dolphins can be harmful to wild dolphins. Like any other wild animal that gets fed by humans, wild dolphins can get habituated to getting free food from humans and will associate humans with food. That could mean approaching fishing boats and risk getting cut by propellers or entangled in fishing lines. Swimming with wild dolphins can also be dangerous to humans if they believe the humans are a threat to their young or interfering with their fishing for food.

Dolphin Watching!  When dolphins are spotted on your Daytona Beach scenic charter, Captain John will get you close enough to enjoy the thrills of dolphin watching but at a safe distance so as not to interfere with the dolphins activities. After all, we don’t want to harm the dolphins or scare them away so they’ll still be there the next time you charter a boat for a scenic tour in Daytona Beach! 

There are so many manatees in the Halifax River basin that the river is designated as a Manatee Sanctuary.

Several of the major tributaries of the Halifax River, the beautiful Tomoka River, Strickland Creek, Thomson Creek and Dodson Creek are also all designated as part of a Manatee Sanctuary.

As popular as dolphins are in Florida, the manatee is Florida’s official state marine mammal. The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. (The other subspecies is the Caribbean manatee) There are also two other separate species of manatees, the Amazonian manatee in South America and the African manatee. As an underwater, grazing herbivore that feeds on the lush underwater grass beds found in Florida, the manatee is also known as a “sea cow”.

The Florida manatee is officially listed as “endangered”. This does not mean they are about to go extinct. Quite the contrary, there are many healthy populations of manatees in Florida, including the Daytona Beach area. But it does mean the Florida manatee is strictly protected. The manatee’s fragile habitat is what is really endangered specifically from overdevelopment along the shores of its grassy seabed feeding grounds. There are about 5,000 manatees in Florida.

Where are Manatees Found near Daytona Beach? Since manatees are herbivores that graze on underwater grassbeds, they can be found wherever these grassbeds thrive in Florida’s coastal bays and wetlands. This includes shallow, slow moving rivers like Daytona Beach’s Halifax River and the slow moving creeks near Daytona Beach such as Spruce Creek and Smyrna Creek. Manatees can live in fresh, brackish or salt water as long as there are underwater grassbeds for them to graze. They are most often found in shallow water, about 3 – 8 feet deep, which is the depth of the grassbeds they feed upon.

Volusia County, which includes Daytona Beach, is home to a healthy population of manatees. There are manatee protection zones along the Halifax River which require slow speeds to protect the slow moving creatures from injury from boat propellers. In addition to these ‘go slow’ zones there are several federal manatee refuges along the Halifax River. North of Daytona Beach, where the Halifax River begins, there are manatee refuges on Halifax Creek, the Tomoka River and the Tomoka River Basin. South of Daytona Beach there are manatee refuges around Ponce Inlet. The citizens of Daytona Beach and all of Volusia County have made a long term commitment with the state of Florida and the federal government to protect the local manatee population.

A Scenic Boat Tour in Daytona Beach is a fun adventure for the entire family! When you’re ready to have fun on the water in Daytona Beach, contact Captain John of Floating Time Charters.

For Fishing Pictures from Floating Time Charters with Captain John Schmidt visit our Photo Gallery

The Manatee Scenic Tour Boat has suspended operations and is not accepting or taking reservations at this time. Effective Immediately. Please contact World Famous Boat Tours at  386-331-3483  or  https://worldfamousboattours.com/

SUNDECK & RESTROOM

FOOD AND DRINK

Our Tours - Enjoy a 2 Hour Scenic Cruise Aboard The Manatee

Driving directions.

ADULTS: $32.00

CHILDREN 3YRS – 12: $22.00

SENIOR CITIZENS: $28.00

Boarding at “Down The Hatch” Seafood Restaurant

All Major Credit Cards Accepted

SUMMER SUNSET CRUISE

2 Hour Seasonal Cruise June & July departing daily at 6:30pm and returning at 8:30pm

Reservations Required

ADULTS: $34.00

CHILDREN 3YRS – 12: $24.00

SENIOR CITIZENS: $30.00

*Not recommended for children under 2 yrs

Advance Booking Required For CHARTER CRUISE

Charter Fee: $1500 + Tax 2 Hours | $750 + Tax For Every Additional Hr. Private Charters Are Subject To A Standard 20% Gratuity.

Passenger Capacity: 50

Private Charter Includes the Following: * Private Indian River Cruise * All Safety Equipment * Fuel * Insurance * * Experienced, Knowledgeable, US Coast Guard Licensed Captains *

BOARDING AT

Reservations on Hold

(386) 761-2027 [email protected]

CALL TODAY FOR March 10% OFF MILITARY, FIRST RESPONDERS, TEACHERS, & SENIORS!

DOLPHINS & MANATEE TOURS

World famous boat tours.

HAPPILY SERVING THE GREATER 

DAYTONA BEACH AREA WHILE CRUISING ALONG THE HALIFAX RIVER & TOMOKA BASIN.

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Wildlife Tours

Private excursions.

A 75-minute+ narrated boat tour offers sightseeing of the local wildlife in and out of the water such as dolphins, manatees, turtles, exotic birds, and much more. We'll tell you the best places to eat and things to do only a local would know along with some interesting local lore. The Halifax River in Daytona Beach is a beautiful way to see the Dolphins and other wildlife in their natural habitat while also learning interesting information & facts. 

Over a decade of experience making memories on the water, Let us help you customize your private trip with up to 21 people. We can supply your food and drinks, or bring your own, (excluding alcohol, you must bring your own alcohol aboard).

Call to customize your private event.

Pick up and Drop off at various locations or restaurants is also available. Call us today!!

Sunset River Tour

Come Aboard The Cajun Jack II in a relaxed evening setting to view the waterway during its beautiful dusk hours just before and after sunset. Views of our Iconic Bridges and Harbors spanning throughout the Halifax River Area. The lights at night are an amazing view. The waterway also includes historical waterfront properties, natural habitat, and wildlife including dolphins, manatees, turtles, and countless species of birds.

Spotlight Tours

Custom Themed Boat Tours & Events. Keep checking in with us to see what's coming up and when so you don't miss out on the fun!

Drop us a line!

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Better yet, see us in person!

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World Famous Boat Tours

[email protected]

450 Basin St Daytona Beach, FL 32114

386-331-3483

Copyright © 2024 World Famous Boat Tours - All Rights Reserved.

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125 Basin St. Suite 140

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

(386) 402-1353

DINE AND CRUISE

Come enjoy a delicious meal surrounded

by the beauty of the intracoastal

waterway on the Halifax River! ​

  $25.95  

Enjoy dinner, dessert, unlimited soft drinks, music, sightseeing info, free parking and free prizes on a scenic

  1  1/2 hour cruise ​

plus tip, tax and port fee 

PLUS... full Bar on board with

discounted drinks ! 

We have Heat and A/C.

Dinner & River Cruise

All-Inclusive  1 1/2 HOUR CRUISE INCLUDES DINNER , DESSERT, UNLIMITED SOFT DRINKS, MUSIC, SIGHTSEEING INFO, FREE PARKING, AND FREE RAFFLED PRIZES.  WE ALSO HAVE A FULL BAR ON BOARD!

plus  tip, tax and $5.00 port fee.

How it Works

THE BEST DEAL IN AMERICA!

Your Ticket includes  your 1 1/2 hour cruise, dinner, dessert, Unlimited soft drinks, music, sightseeing, free parking and free raffled prizes. All this while enjoying your scenic cruise on the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway. Plus, we have a full bar on board with discounted drinks!  

No, we are not kidding... You get all this for JUST $38.89 Total for an adult ticket  (includes  18% tip. 6.5% Tax and $5 port fee    

 We even have kid prices  and meals ...   GROUPS WELCOME!!

Imagine....you are leisurely feasting on a mouth-watering dinner while on board the Lady Dolphin of Daytona for your delicious sightseeing Cruise on the Halifax River.

Leave your cares behind as you relax and enjoy the warm gentle breezes and breath-taking Halifax River

scenery on your Daytona River Cruise with dolphins playfully swimming around you on this incredibly beautiful scenic river cruise.

Celebrate 

Dine and Cruise is a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or group events!

Perfect activity for out of town guests, group events, a great casual getaway or just join us for a delicious dinner!  Dress is casual and comfortable.  

JUST PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW TO RESERVE THEM.    Read our  cancellation policy here. 

also makes a great gift!

Delicious Menu

Choose your dinner when you arrive for your cruise.  Choices include:

Shrimp Scampi

Garlic Shrimp

Turkey, stuffing & gravy

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Unlimited free Soft drinks come with meal.

Kids meals, Vegetarian and Vegan options also available! ​

Bar drinks are separate.  

Bottled Beer and Wine $4

Mixed Drinks $8 and Up

Full Bar on Board

We have a full Bar with $4 per bottle for beer or wine and mixed drinks are $8 and Up.  You may run a tab for a large group. (Unlimited Soft drinks are included with dinner.)  

Sailing Schedule

Sailing daily click below to see our sailing schedule, why spend money to go out to eat and just stare at 4 walls    ... while you could be surrounded by beautiful scenery while enjoying your delicious meal and it even costs less.

Come experience the #1 sandbar in the World!!!

Enjoy Daytona Beach's hidden gem like a local. Escape the crowded beaches, enjoy the white sand and crystal clear waters. Cruise with us, we will drop anchor alongside other boaters and sun enthusiasts.

Grab a paddleboard and move around the sandbar for a great workout, relax on our custom floating lily mat, spend the day sunning or in the shade!! Boat like a local, worry free! 

All of our Tours are intimate and designed for Family and Friends to Escape (6 people),  our goal is to make every trip the highlight of your vacation! 

We offer a wide range of packages! If you Dream it, we make it happen. 

All-Inclusive Sandbar Trips, Sunset Cruising, Eco / Dolphin Tours, Waterfront Restaurant Dinner Cruises, Marriage Proposals, and Birthday Parties!   

We also offer the fun of Fishing Trips, Pontoon Rentals and the ability to have Burials at Sea Service. Call us for more details on both of these. 

There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn all there is to know about us. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line. Call us at (386) 492-9756.

* Denotes required field.

Port Orange, FL 32118 US (386) 383-1362

THE 5 BEST Daytona Beach Boat Tours

Boat tours in daytona beach.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Gear Rentals
• Boat Rentals
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Daytona Water Sports Rentals
• Paddle Pub Daytona Beach
• Halifax River
• Yellow Dawg Paddle Co
• Howling Owl Sailing Boat Tours
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Small-Group Sailing Tour in Daytona Beach

2. WaterBike Rentals

3. Kayak Rentals

4. Paddle Pub Daytona Beach

5. Kayak/paddle board rentals and guide services

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

St. Johns River Nature Cruise at Blue Spring State Park

Take a Scenic Boat Ride in St. Augustine

Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain

Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Manatee Adventure

New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour

Manatee Adventure, Airboat, Lunch, Wildlife Park with Transport

Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine

Dolphin, Manatee and Sea Turtle Adventure Tour of St. Augustine

Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure of St. Augustine

Silver Springs Glass Bottom Kayak Tour!

Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine

Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine

Manatee Swim and Wildlife Park with Upgrade Options from Orlando

Sunset Cruise - #1 Party Boat in St. Augustine, FL

St Augustine Boat and Golf Cart Tour

Deluxe Dolphin Kayak Tour

Silver Springs Manatee Kayak Tour

Central Florida Everglades Airboat Tour from Orlando

Bay to City Nights of Lights Tour by Boat and Cart

Get Up And Go Kayaking - New Smyrna Beach

Guided Two Hour Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon

2 Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon

Adventure Boat Tours - One Hour Dolphin/Eco/History/Sightseeing Boat Tour

Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings

Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Merritt Island

What travelers are saying.

• Small-Group Sailing Tour in Daytona Beach
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• Kayak/paddle board rentals and guide services
• Dine and Cruise
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Mexico under caution warning from U.S. for spring break. 5 Florida beach towns to go to instead

Fort lauderdale, panama city and daytona beach not the only florida spring break destinations.

College students and families planning a spring break in Mexico may want to reconsider, according to an advisory issued by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico.

The advisory , posted Monday, says that while many thousands of people travel through Mexico safely, Mexico-bound visitors should be aware of high levels of crime (particularly in the downtown areas of popular spring break destinations Cancún. , Playa Del Carmen and Tulum), sexual assault, counterfeit or ineffective prescription drugs, unregulated alcohol, high-priced hospitals and strict laws against drunk and disorderly behavior, possession of drugs, guns or ammunition, along with natural dangers such as dangerous beaches without lifeguards or warnings.

Well, if you're looking for a new spring break vacation location, the party did start in Florida.

Ever since a New York university swim coach took his team down to Florida one spring for some early training in the 1930s, the idea of spending a week or two in the warm has been a powerful motivator, building up to hundreds of thousands of bathing-suit-clad students bringing their volleyballs and fake IDs to Fort Lauderdale, Panama City Beach and Daytona Beach in the 1980s. Crackdowns on public behavior and stricter alcohol laws calmed the parties down a bit, and famed party town Miami Beach is pushing back hard against spring break this year.

But Florida still remains a top destination for people wanting a break from the cold, with March temps projected in the 70s.

If you're avoiding Mexico this year and don't want to bother with a passport, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach are still top places to relax, unwind and enjoy yourself. But the Sunshine State has other locations to consider besides those annual favorites.

‘You are going to pay the price:’ DeSantis sends more cops to Florida spring break hot spots. Here’s where

1. TripAdvisor names Siesta Beach one of the best in the world

If you want the best, head to the west. Siesta Beach in Siesta Key, west of Sarasota on the state's west coast, regularly makes TripAdvisor's list of best beaches based on user reviews. Currently listed at No. 2 in the United States and No. 9 worldwide , the site praises the snow-white sand and small-town feel.

"Whether you want to relax or fill your day with activities, Siesta Beach delivers," Tripadvisor said on its website.

"Kick back on the white sand, go swimming in the clear water, play some outdoor sports, or simply admire the sunset — it's up to you. The family-friendly beach is easy to get to via public transportation, offers wheelchair access, and has plenty of parking, restrooms, and a small concession stand. There are a variety of shops and lively restaurants nearby, too."

Siesta Key, on the brilliant green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is close to lots of restaurants and bars, a thriving arts community, and one of the largest state parks in Florida, Myakka River State Park.

Take that, Hawaii! : This Florida beach tops Dr. Beach's Top 10 list for 2023

2. Delray Beach a small-town spot with plenty of attraction

Delray Beach , a 15-square-mile city in Palm Beach County, was awarded the prestigious international Blue Flag designation last year, one of only two in the entire U.S., after meeting 33 stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria. 

But what visitors will probably be interested in is the vibrant downtown area, huge number of unique restaurants, and, of course, the 7,000 feet of beach with a mile of it blessedly free from looming high-rise condos. Surf, sail, or just hit the water at the beach that "Travel Holiday" magazine named the best public beach in the Southeast for swimming. Or, for some less crowded sand time, head to nearby Atlantic Dunes Park, which features 450 feet of guarded beach.

When the sun goes down or you've just had enough for one day, Delray's Atlantic Avenue is a 20-minute walk from the shore with a staggering assortment of restaurants, bars, art galleries, clothing boutiques and antique stores. A few miles away, Delray Marketplace offers even more. Delray is also convenient to several other excellent beaches and attractions.

3. New Smyrna Beach is Daytona without the crowds, mostly

Daytona Beach is famed for its 26 miles of hard-packed beach and its worldwide tradition of unbridled spring break madness, but if you want a somewhat calmer version just head a bit south to New Smyrna Beach.

Students (and their families) congregate at the beach and hit the charming shops and restaurants on Flagler Avenue for a relaxing week of sand and surf, within easy driving distance of Daytona Beach, Orlando and Cocoa Beach.

However, keep in mind that the city imposed a youth curfew last year to cut down on disruptions, trash and drunk driving so it's likely there'll be one again this year.

4. Key West is still a party town

There's an amazing laid-back party scene year-round in Key West, so why not have your spring break there? The southernmost tip of the continental U.S. is just four miles long by one mile wide so once you get there transportation isn't a problem and live music and great food is never very far away.

Plus Key West may have the most activities to do when you're not actually lying on the beach. Swim, dive down to the coral reefs, fish, take one of the many boat tours or sunset sails, jetski, visit some astounding art galleries, watch the performers at the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, visit Ernest Hemingway's house and pet the descendants of his six-toed cats, eat at some fantastic restaurants, or just cruise Duval Street for colorful nightlife.

If Key West gets too crowded there are wonderful beaches and places to visit on the other Keys, and Key Largo is the diving capital of Florida.

5. Naples is a great family Florida spring break vacation place

Naples in Southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast doesn't get the spring break crowds that nearby Fort Myers does, which may make it more attractive to visitors seeking a more peaceful destination. TripAdvisor calls it a "polished, culture-packed city fringed by blue bays and sugar-sand beaches."

Packed with upscale shopping, parks, art festivals and museums, Naples also boasts nine miles of pristine beaches where you can enjoy the sun, watch for dolphins from Naples Pier (which shoots out 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico) and get extremely fresh seafood at one of the many beachside restaurants .

But really, there are dozens of Florida beachside cities and towns that make great spring break destinations.

Check out the place named best beach town in the nation , or this one Reader's Digest included in their " 15 Best Beaches in Florida Locals Want to Keep Secret " list, or the other beaches TripAdvisor named the best , or the places Florida students go , or the Florida shores that Dr. Beach recommends , or the list of "hottest" spring break beaches .

Florida has 825 miles of sandy beaches. If you want a beach holiday, it's hard to miss here.

Bahama, Jamaica also under travel advisories

The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Mexico last year, with various levels of travel warnings including a   Level 2 advisory for Cancún for violent crime. Travel advisories have been issued for the Bahamas and Jamaica as well.

The State Dept. has listed 20 locations around the world under Level 3 advisories, meaning visitors should avoid them and reconsider, and 21 Level 4 places they say Americans should not go to at all.

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Boating & Sailing in Daytona Beach

In Daytona Beach, you'll find boat and kayak rentals that make it easy to get out on the water. You'll also find boat charters, air boat rides and more.

2 kids wander off as parents are found passed out on beach and surrounded by alcohol, sheriff’s office says

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WFTV) - A family’s Florida vacation ended with the parents arrested and their two young children found wandering at Daytona Beach.

“Where are my kids going to go?” A woman, identified by police as Alyssia Langley, is heard saying on police body camera.

“To the family resource center, we’re going to take care of them, they’ll feed them, they’ll clothe them,” a deputy is heard responding.

Body camera footage caught the moment a Georgia couple was arrested after Volusia County deputies found them passed out on the beach, surrounded by open cans of alcohol.

Their children were nowhere in sight.

“Time to wake up guys, hey ... The sheriff’s office! Wake up!” Deputies are heard saying.

According to the sheriff’s office, someone called them Saturday afternoon after watching the couple drink too much and leave the two little kids to wander off along the popular beach.

“You can’t have alcohol on the beach,” a deputy is heard saying in the video.

“I only had like two beers,” the man, identified as Timothy Stephens, replied.

The Daytona Beach Shores city ordinance states it’s unlawful for anyone to drink any alcoholic beverage on the beach.

Those found in violation are subjected to a fine of up to $500 or jail for up to 60 days or both.

“Show me where your kids are,” a deputy is heard saying.

The body-worn camera shows the moment a disheveled Stephens realized both children, ages 5 and 7, were nowhere in sight.

The children were not even at the beach at the time.

Deputies found them at a nearby hotel in the swimming pool, unsupervised.

Stephens and Alyssia Langley were handcuffed before being taken to the county jail, but not before deputies say Stephens tried to make a run for it, knocking himself unconscious on the hard-packed sand.

The Department of Children and Families cared for the two children until their grandfather arrived from Georgia to take custody of the kids.

Both parents were released from jail the next day.

Copyright 2024 WFTV via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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