Discover and learn about Volusia County’s rich marine life – its inhabitants and the ecosystems that make this area unique – at the Marine Science Center. Through innovative learning experiences, visitors can view seabird and sea turtle rehabilitation, get hands-on in a teaching lab, and explore exhibit galleries and a nature trail that illustrate the story of marine life in Volusia County. 

Since opening in 2002, the Marine Science Center has been a committed leader in local conservation efforts. Their environmental education programmes and exhibits provides visitors with hands-on opportunities to learn about and appreciate the fragile marine ecosystems of the area. The rehabilitation hospitals serve as a sanctuary for sick or injured wildlife and thousands of animals native to the area have been successfully treated and returned to the wild. Employees and volunteers are involved with many other conservation and research projects that expand the scientific understanding of nature and address issues that impact environments in the area and beyond.

From May 1 through October 31, the area beaches are host to sea turtles. 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 (hatchlings) emerge from each of these nests and crawl into the ocean. You can learn more about these majestic sea creatures with a visit to the Marine Science Center.

While at the Marine Science Center, view the medical facilities where seabirds and sea turtles are treated for their injuries and illnesses. Learn about the ways they rehabilitate them so they can be released back into the wild. Discover ways you can conserve and protect the marine environment and resources around us. The Marine Science Center seeks to conserve the environment through education, research and stewardship.  

Climb aboard the Ponce Inlet Watersports eco tour or a 50-foot catamaran aboard Arabella and enjoy the natural beauty of the area on a scenic excursion where you’re likely to see dolphins, turtles, native birds and even manatees. Enjoy a 90-minute dolphin and manatee tour aboard a shaded 32-passenger flat-bottom boat.

Cruise the intracoastal waterways between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, searching for dolphins, sting rays, shore birds, sea turtles and manatees taking in scenic views on one of Florida’s most beautiful outlets.

On every trip, they set anchor and guests get off the boat to explore spoil Islands along the Intracoastal waterways and collect shells.

The area’s Hiking and Biking trails are waiting to be explored and eco-adventurers will find the Daytona Beach area rich in natural treasures along the 70 miles of trails and growing. You can explore the lush botanical and tropical diversity each trail offers or even cycle on the beach. 

Just some of the trails include:

 – The Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve offers a variety of trail experiences including equestrian

 – Lyonia Preserve, known for its ultra-friendly jay population and trails from hilly .4 to 2.4 miles of trails

 – And the new River-to-Sea Loop, an exciting network with completion in 2025 that will provide a 260 mile off-road paved route through five counties in Central Florida

 – When complete the Spring to Spring Trail will stretch 26 miles from Gemini Springs Park to De Leon Springs State Park with five trailheads including Blue Spring State Park

 – De Leon Springs is also home to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill where visitors can make their own pancakes – one of my favourite places. The spring water keeps a year-round temperature of 70 degrees and is where manatees come to keep warm in the winter months

 – Blue Spring State Park on the St John’s River is also a great place to see Manatees during the winter

 – Cycling along the hard-packed sand is a wonderful way to explore the beautiful 23-mile coastline and take in the area’s wonderful bird and wildlife along the way – it’s easy to rent a ride for the day in Daytona Beach.

With 23 miles of pristine white sand beach, there is an abundance of activities to participate in along Daytona Beach’s beautiful coast.  With activities including surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking and parasailing, the Daytona Beach area offers multiple fun-filled water adventures. There are a number of companies that hire out surfboards, stand-up paddle boards and other equipment as well as offering surf and paddle boarding lessons.

The Daytona Beach area also offers a number of kayaking and paddle boarding eco-tours along the area’s rivers and ocean shoreline to explore the area’s natural beauty and wildlife. The tours are led by experienced guides. 

Enjoy a treetop adventure at Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure, up in the trees of Tuscawilla Park! The aerial adventure courses are deftly woven into the forest of this easily accessible City of Daytona Beach park. The design of the courses is integrated with the natural environment, inspired by the trees and the flow of the terrain and flora.

Go arboreal, as you swing, climb, balance, and zip from tree to tree. Get a bird’s-eye view of the land below as you travel in the trees over dancing logs and tight wires, across swinging bridges and wobbly steps…and of course zip lines! Feel the adrenaline pump as you conquer abundant treetop challenges, including exhilarating rides on the zip lines. Meanwhile, the perches in the trees offer an opportunity to see flora and fauna not found on the ground, and a brand-new perspective on the park’s well-known disc golf course.

Eco-adventurers will find the Daytona Beach area abundant in bird life. Ponce Preserve has been added to the Eastern section of the Great Florida Birding Trail and is an excellent site for bird watching. Other popular birding spots include Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, Hontoon Island State Park, Tomoka State Park and Boardman Pond along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail. Frank Rendon Park is famous for a variety of shorebirds during peak migratory season, whilst Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is a migratory bird refuge, home to 215 bird species.

Visitors can also join environmental specialists at the Lyonia Environmental Center every Monday and Friday at 9 a.m. for a “Guided Scrub Stroll” through Lyonia Preserve.

Here’s a helpful PDF of the area’s bird spotting hotspots:  Greater Daytona Beach Area Birding Hot Spots. 

Natural springs can be found within the interior areas of the county. These springs remain at a temperature of 72 degrees year-round. Two of these springs, Blue and De Leon, are part of the Florida State Parks system. 

At De Leon Springs swim in the refreshing 72-degree spring water where depths range from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring boil.

Wade in the shallow spots or submerge into the turquoise waters where the sunlight penetrates the crystal-clear water, beaming down to the opening of the spring boil. For those seeking to get their heart rate pumping, the swimming area is approximately 500 feet in circumference; swimming nine laps around the pool would be about a mile.

The Fountain of Youth Eco/Heritage tour aboard the M/V Acuera, departing four times daily, is a 50-minute trip through De Leon Springs State Park and Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. The Acuera eases away from the dock to begin telling the tale of these “healing waters,” named by the Mayaca Indians. Much of the story will unfold before your eyes as osprey swoop down to pluck a fish for a meal and alligators warm themselves in the sun. As you explore nature, the guide will also talk about the area’s 6,000 years of history and some local myths. 

Whilst at De Leon Springs also visit The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, a one-of-a-kind restaurant located inside De Leon Springs State Park. Opened in 1961, each of the restaurants’ tables is equipped with a griddle. Servers bring pitchers of homemade pancake batters (both a stone-ground mixture of five different flours and an unbleached white flour). You pour them on and flip them over right at your table! Order blueberries, bananas, peanut butter, pecans, chocolate chips, apples or apple sauce to create whatever sort of pancakes you choose. 

Blue Spring State Park is much more than a scenic area for canoeing and swimming; it’s a place that plays a vital role in the survival of one of Florida’s most beleaguered residents – the manatee. An observation platform provides a view of the endangered mammals that gather at the spring during the cooler months of the year. From November through March, the manatees leave the colder waters of the St. Johns River for the safety and comfort of the 72-degree spring. 

Encounter a gopher tortoise in its natural environment. Hear the call of the Florida Scrub Jay. Tour historic sugar plantation ruins and experience living history demonstrations by park staff. Kayak and canoe along some of Florida’s best paddling trails. Check birds off your life list. Charter a boat for the inside scoop on the best places to fish. Experience the pristine green spaces of the greater Daytona Beach area at these five Florida State Parks. 

All the area’s state parks are easily accessible from Daytona Beach, many just a few minutes drive away.