Which beach is best, and where to see the manatees?

[Pookles]

I hope this is the right place to post this. I am planning to try and surprise DH and DS with a stop at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, to see the manatees, on our way to Daytona Beach. The plan is to hit the beach on Sunday January 17th, but we could go up to the Wednesday the 20th.

Looking at pictures now of Daytona Beach I was hoping for something a little more interesting. It's a lovely beach, but I was looking for some rocks to climb, to wade through pools and look at fish or other wildlife, find shells or rocks. But I'm also worried that we're going to the "cold side". Should we head to the gulf instead?

We're totally open, other than it needs to be somewhere we could visit in one day since we will be staying at AofA at Disney then. I picked Blue Spring Park because it seems like they have docks you can walk onto to view the manatees, which sounds neat. If anyone has suggestions I will take them gladly!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

If you want a beach that is more family friendly check out New Smyrna Beach just a short distance south of Daytona. You might be able to find more of what you are looking for there. It's also a short hop there to Blue Springs to see the manatees.

Also, check the racing schedule to make certain there's no races happening at DIS or rooms will normally have length of stay requirements in DB.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I like to look at the manatees at Epcot. I could literally stand there forever.

 

[kayemgi]

Seconded New Smyrna Beach! It's a lovely beach and a cute little town too. My grandparents live in Daytona and I've been there many times, so maybe I'm biased/bored of it, but the beach there is not very nice or interesting, IMO. If you want to go to the gulf coast, Clearwater is pretty family-friendly as well, but it's been many years since I've been there. On that side I've heard good things about Crystal Rivers Manatee Tours, but we've never done it so I don't have any first-hand experience.

 

[ajwolfe]

We did Daytona one time before a Disney trip and was not impressed but it could have just been the area we stayed in. I want to say it was a February trip and it was super cold on the beach. The water was very choppy and waves were strong, so even if it was warmer our kids wouldn't have been able to play in it much. The Gulf side is typically a little bit calmer and for some crazy reason always seems warmer to me.

 

[Pookles]

Thanks all for the helpful info. If we do end up on the east coast I think New Smyrna Beach is looking like a better option. We're going in January, so we're resigned to the fact that it's Winter and the weather may not play nice. I hadn't realized that there were manatees at EPCOT, that's exciting!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Thanks all for the helpful info. If we do end up on the east coast I think New Smyrna Beach is looking like a better option. We're going in January, so we're resigned to the fact that it's Winter and the weather may not play nice. I hadn't realized that there were manatees at EPCOT, that's exciting!

I think you will be really happy with NSB - if you have any questions or need info closer to your trip just message me. I'd be happy to help. If you do make it down - stop into the beachside Publix & say HI to a fellow Disboarder.... All the folks at the front know which cashier to direct you to.... Lol!! Safe travels.

 

[Pookles]

Aww that's sweet...Eeyore was my first and favorite too. I ripped his tail off and put it back on "the right way" and I still have him. (It's not as sick as it sounds, I was 3.)

We were looking to go to Publix actually, I've been reading the fried chicken can't be missed!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We were looking to go to Publix actually, I've been reading the fried chicken can't be missed!

Totally agree - our chicken & subs are amazing. Check out www.publix.com for the weekly ads so you know what you can save $$ on. I love talking to folks going to WDW or back from there & we have a lot of folks. My fellow cashiers just laugh when I get in my Disney mode!! Have fun planning!! Happy Holidays!!

 

[GusGus77]

Jumping in on this thread! We are going in February and just booked a kayaking tour to see manitees through central Florida nature adventures. (The kids are very excited!) We were planning on going to New Smyrna Beach after since it is only 30 minutes from there. We know it may be cold, but we can't go to Florida and NOT go to the beach (we are in Illinois!) If I follow directions to the town will we just happen upon the beach we should go to or do I need to actually know where we are going?

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Jumping in on this thread! We are going in February and just booked a kayaking tour to see manitees through central Florida nature adventures. (The kids are very excited!) We were planning on going to New Smyrna Beach after since it is only 30 minutes from there. We know it may be cold, but we can't go to Florida and NOT go to the beach (we are in Illinois!) If I follow directions to the town will we just happen upon the beach we should go to or do I need to actually know where we are going?

Really depends on which way you plan on heading to NSB. If you come in SR #44 keep heading east. You will eventually go over one large overpass (over US #1 & the road is called Lytle I think) and then over a large bridge (which we call the South Bridge) the road will then become Third Avenue. You will pass a Dunkin Donuts on the right hand side while traveling Third Avenue, you'll pass Chase Bank on the right & a Publix Super Market shopping center.Stay on Third Avenue - this is the easiest & take a slight jaunt to the left at a stop light where you will turn between Paradise Power Sports & a Walgreens. This will head you right straight to a ramp to the beach. Cost to drive on the beach is $10.00. Check out the FB page for the City of NSB or the chamber page. They'll give you a lot of info. If you want to walk the Tourist Area from the ocean to the river, head down to Flagler Avenue. Easy to google. Lots of places to eat & relax.

 

[dprincessmom]

For a different look at the Manatees a short trip up the road to Crystal River and Homasassa Springs State Park is in order.
The state park is great and there is a fishbowl type viewing area so you get a wonderful look at these gentle giants.

 

[BabyHabs]

My parents have a condo on New Smyrna Beach and we just got back from there a couple of weeks ago. It was very nice. We went to Daytona Beach too and found the weather there colder than NSB on the same day. We also had pretty fantastic weather and the kids had no problem swimming in the ocean. This was the beginning of January.

 

[GusGus77]

Is there a place with no driving on the beach there? We have young children and they would like to enjoy the beach. I don't want to worry about them being hit by a car.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Is there a place with no driving on the beach there? We have young children and they would like to enjoy the beach. I don't want to worry about them being hit by a car.

Volusia county beaches all allow driving. I've lived here 60 years & if you supervise your children & follow the beach rules you shouldn't have any issues. There's restricted areas for parking on the beach & for driving. I believe Brevard County beaches don't allow driving.

 

[North of Mouse]

Looking at pictures now of Daytona Beach I was hoping for something a little more interesting. It's a lovely beach, but I was looking for some rocks to climb, to wade through pools and look at fish or other wildlife, find shells or rocks.

Sorry, OP, but being in the deep south, it just struck me funny that you are looking for 'rocks' for your children to climb on the beach in FL! I don't remember ever 'seeing' rocks until I went on vacation when I was older. We've been to the upper coast in Maine, plenty of rocks there.

Also, wading through pools looking at the fish,etc. haven't seen that either except down in the islands. Good luck!! You will probably have to go to some 'man made' swim areas, or some of the Springs.

 

[Pookles]

Thanks for the update. We're here now and hubby reminded me that he actually wanted to go to the Gulf Coast so I'm afraid our plans are changing again.