Things to Do in Daytona Beach: 2026 Guide

1. Take a Boat Tour on the Intracoastal Waterway

One of the best ways to experience Daytona Beach is from the water. A guided boat tour offers stunning views, dolphin sightings, and a relaxing escape from the crowds. Florida Boat Vacations provides a luxury, small-group experience perfect for couples and families — with tours ranging from 90 minutes to 3 hours, departing from Loggerhead Marina on the Halifax River.

2. Enjoy a Sunset Cruise

A sunset cruise in Daytona Beach is a must-do experience. Watch the sky light up with color while enjoying champagne and calm waters. The Champagne Sunset Cruise is consistently one of the highest-rated activities in the entire Daytona Beach area — and it's easy to see why once you're out on the water as the sun goes down.

3. Visit the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the most photographed landmarks in the state. You can climb to the top for panoramic views of the coast, or simply admire it from the water on a southbound boat tour. The surrounding inlet area is also excellent for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

4. Visit the Daytona Beach Oceanwalk

The Oceanwalk is full of entertainment, restaurants, and classic beachside fun. It's a great spot for an evening stroll, a casual dinner, or people-watching with an ocean view. Pair it with a sunset cruise earlier in the evening for the perfect Daytona Beach day.

5. Explore Local Wildlife

From dolphins to seabirds, Daytona Beach is rich with wildlife — especially when viewed from the water. The Halifax River is a designated Manatee Sanctuary, and bottlenose dolphins are year-round residents of the intracoastal. A guided boat tour is by far the best way to encounter these animals in their natural habitat.

6. Relax on the Beach

Of course, no trip is complete without spending time on the sand. Daytona Beach's famous wide, hard-packed beach is one of the few in Florida where you can actually drive on the sand — a quirky local tradition that's been going on for over a century.

7. Catch a Sunrise Over the Atlantic

Daytona Beach faces east, which means the sunrises here are spectacular. For the most dramatic version of this experience, join a Sunrise Cruise that takes you out to the open Atlantic to watch the sun come up over the ocean — mimosas in hand, dolphins optional but likely.

Looking for the ultimate Daytona Beach experience? Book a boat tour with Florida Boat Vacations today!