Daytona Beach

Visit The Marine Science Center

Witness seabird and sea turtle rehabilitation up close, get hands-on in a teaching lab and explore exhibit galleries at the Marine Science Center. The centre hosts environmental education programmes so that visitors can learn about the region’s marine ecosystems and how to conserve them. Guests can also see the process for releasing birds and turtles back into the wild at the on-site hospital.

Join an eco-tour

An abundance of eco-friendly activities await off the coast of Daytona’s white sand beach. Climb aboard the Ponce Inlet Watersports eco tour boat for a 90-minute dolphin and manatee tour. Cruising the intracoastal waterways between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, there’s also a chance to spot sting rays, shore birds, and sea turtles. Kayaking and paddle boarding eco tours are led by experienced guides.

Fly through the trees

Embrace the adrenalin rush as you zip from tree to tree at Daytona Beach Zipline

Adventure. The courses are woven into the treetops of Tuscawilla Park, fully integrated with the environment. Visitors will also navigate their way across dancing logs, tight wires, swinging bridges and wobbly steps. Watch out for flora and fauna not found on the ground and views of the park’s well-known disc golf course.

Hiking and biking

Over 70 miles of hiking and biking trails are begging to be conquered. Ecoenthusiasts will find that the Daytona Beach area is rich in natural treasures, with lush botanical and tropical diversity. Cycling along the beach is a must-do experience, with the hardpacked sand allowing cyclists to take in a scenic ride of the 23-mile coastline and its wildlife. Renting a bike for the day- or week- is simple.

Go bird spotting

Daytona Beach is a hotspot for bird watching, Join environmental specialists on Mondays and Fridays at the Lyonia Environmental Center for a ‘Guided Scrub Stroll’ through Lyonia Preserve. Frank Rendon Park is famous for its variety of shorebirds, while Lake Woodruff is a migratory bird refuge, home to 215 species. Other top spots include Boardman Pond along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail.

Take a dip at a natural spring

Year-round temperatures of 72 degrees make these natural springs a must for wellness. At De Leon Springs, wade the shallows or venture to a depth of up to 30 feet at the ‘spring boil’. Keen swimmers can attempt nine laps to boast they’ve swum a mile. There’s also The Fountain of Youth Eco/ Heritage tour, departing four times daily. The 50-minute trip includes a history lesson told by a local guide.