The 5 Best Diving and Snorkeling Spots in Daytona Beach
Get ready to dive and snorkel to your heart’s content during your visit to Daytona Beach, Florida. With the beautiful Atlantic Ocean on one side and picture-perfect springs on the other, there are so many wonderful destinations to explore below the water.
Explore Florida’s Freshwater Springs
When wondering where to snorkel in Daytona Beach, many people assume that the famed beach is the ideal spot. But in reality, the visibility is low, the currents are strong, and the sea floor is sandy rather than reef-filled. So instead of heading to the beach to snorkel, head inland to the shimmering freshwater springs Florida is known for.
Blue Spring State Park
About halfway between Daytona Beach and Orlando lies the beautiful Blue Spring State Park. This crystal clear spring arguably has the best snorkeling in the Daytona Beach area. For certified divers, this state park is also great for its underwater caverns. Filled with fish, turtles, and even the occasional alligator, it’s certainly a fun spring to see wildlife up close.
When planning your snorkeling or diving trip to Blue Springs State Park, it’s important to note that water entry is not allowed when manatees are present. But, you can enjoy these calming creatures from the shore!
Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
Located about an hour from Daytona Beach, Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is worth the trek. Warm, clear waters are home to plenty of creatures under the sea, including mullet, sunfish, and countless striped bass. But the most beloved animal at Silver Glen Springs is the manatee. Unlike most other places in Florida, you can actually swim and snorkel with these majestic marine mammals.
Kelly Park - Rock Springs
Another fun day trip for snorkeling, located an hour from Daytona, is Kelly Park. Here, visitors will find more gorgeous springs surrounded by lush and tropical greenery. The warm waters of Rock Springs are filled with plants, fish, and interesting rock formations, so don’t forget to bring along your snorkeling gear. With rentals available on-site, these natural springs near Daytona Beach are also great for a leisurely tubing or kayaking trip along eight miles of crystal clear currents.
Head to the World’s Most Famous Beach
While the beaches near Daytona Beach aren’t great for snorkeling, there are still some epic diving opportunities. If you’ve ever wanted to search for hidden treasure and explore the remains of a sunken ship, diving is a must-do watersport in Daytona Beach.
USS Mindanao Dive Site
One of the most popular diving spots in Daytona Beach is the USS Mindanao Dive Site. Located 11 miles off the coast near New Smyrna Beach, this 446-foot ship sank in 1962. Since then, it has become a hub for marine life, including coral, sponges, and all types of fish. To reach the USS Mindanao Dive Site, take a tour with Florida Dive Company.
Rio Yuna Ship Dive Site
But the USS Mindanao isn’t the only sunken ship off the coast of Daytona Beach. There’s also the Rio Yuna Ship Dive Site. At 217-feet-long, it’s about half the size of the USS Mindanao. That said, there are still loads of marine life that flock to this spectacular dive site. Those who regularly dive at this site say that it’s always crowded with fish! To reach the Rio Yuna Ship Dive Site, take a tour with Sea Dogs Dive Center.
Ready to explore pristine waters and uncover amazing wildlife? Check out Hilton Daytona’s vacation packages for your next Florida diving trip!