Daytona Beach presents miles of breathtaking beauty and hours of endless fun. Whether your idea of the perfect day at the beach is relaxing with a book, casting a line, building a sandcastle, sunbathing against the white sand, seeking out seashells, or plunging into the refreshing surf, the beaches are ready to entertain you.

If planning a trip to the Daytona Beach area, you will definitely want to consider visiting during sea turtle season! From May 15 through October 31, the area beaches host a very unique marine visitor – the sea turtle. These enchanting 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 (hatchlings) emanate from each of these nests and clamber into the ocean. This incredible cycle of Mother Nature is thousands of years old. The best time to view nesting females or hatchlings emerging is late at night. Turtle tracks – wide indents in the sand similar to a single tire track – may lead you to a nesting site, though females will stop and dig several times before settling on the perfect location. Baby sea turtles or hatchlings, are not only cute, but are also enthralling. They measure about one finger’s length long. There is really nothing more magical then seeing thousands of sea turtles dart to the sea after digging from their mother’s nests with tenacity and eagerness.

Now once you’ve decided when you are planning a trip to the area, all that’s left is deciding what to do once you get there! Whether you are seeking exciting nightlife, hours of great family fun, or days of indulgence and pampering- Daytona Beach aims to please and never misses!

You will definitely want to check out North Peninsula State Park. The park offers over two miles of gorgeous, unspoiled beaches, glittering waters, great swimming opportunities, and more. The beach also provides guests with a look at rare wildlife such as the Florida scrub-jays, indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises!

Make sure to pay a visit to A Day Away Kayak Tours. Daily kayak tours at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Manatee encounters, home of the original Florida Bioluminescent kayak tour, kayak instruction, nature and birding tours, school field trips, corporate and club outings for up to 80. Guided fishing trips now available! A Day Away Kayak Tours offers tours seven days a week at various sites across Central Florida. A Day Away offers one of t he most diverse estuaries in the United States. While on the Kayak encounters guests are likely to meet dolphins, alligators, exotic birds, wild pigs, and turkeys. And while discovering the grass flats, visitors can often dig for clams, find sea horses, take a look at pipefish, search for various shells. touch a stingray, see horse shoe crabs, and spot numerous other forms of aquatic life.

Don’t miss the Air boat and Gator Charters. Offering private air boat rides along many of Central Florida’s glittering lakes and rivers, a view of the American Alligator in its natural habitat, a look at deer, wild hogs, eagles, manatees, and a variety of birds- this is a great tour to get a real look at the best of Florida’s natural beauty. The tour also offers stunning sunsets, gorgeous full moons, and remarkable rainbows.

While in the area you won’t want to miss the Blue Heron River Tour. The Blue Heron River Tour is a front row ticket into the world of nature. Their custom built vessel, “Great Blue,” was specifically designed to cruise the calm and shallow backwater areas where wildlife viewing is at its very best. The interactive narrative supplied by the Coast Guard licensed captains offers a comprehensive insight into the incredible beauty of the St Johns River and the Hontoon Dead River in Florida. The two hour Blue Heron River Tour will take you south on the St. Johns River past the manatee refuge at Blue Spring State Park. Continuing south you will pass through a logging canal into the Hontoon Dead River, arguably one of the most beautiful rivers in the St. Johns River valley. Along the way your captain will provide numerous stops for wildlife viewing and photography, discussions of river history and human environmental impact and a full two-hour immersion in the enchanting splendor of the St. Johns River watershed.

Want to surf, but have never tried it before? No worries! The Daytona Beach Surfing School is here to help you achieve your surfing dreams! The school offers a summer surf camp Monday through Friday. Private and group lessons are also available. Surfboards and wetsuits are provided. Surfing is a very unique sport because it contains a combination balance, timing, coordination, stamina, and the ability to understand the ocean and what is going on around you all at the same time. You will consistently have changing tides, winds, and swells that will affect the waves in their own unique fashion- The Daytona Beach Surfing School will help you to navigate these challenges and become the very best surfer you can be.

And last but certainly not least, don’t forget to take a trip to Daytona Lagoon.This thrilling water park offers fun for all ages! Daytona Lagoon features twelve water rides, a giant wave pool and tubing river – as well as Kraken’s Conquest, a brand-new, fast-paced 4-lane racer slide. The family entertainment center includes Grand Prix go-kart racing, miniature golf, laser tag, carousel, arcade and The Phoenix – a high-intensity Xtreme swing that propels you at 50 mph though it’s arc offering an amazing view of the Daytona Beach skyline. Gilligan’s Sport Pub, birthday parties and group events round out the offerings. The family entertainment center is open year round and the water park is open March – September. The park is located across the street from the Ocean Walk Shoppes, so be sure to drop by!