Ecotour opportunities abound!
With its easy and abundant access to water, Daytona Beach is like one big aquatic playground.While the Atlantic Ocean is an obvious draw, visitors to the area can also easily explore the rivers, swamps and marshes that Florida is famous for — and come face to face with native wildlife while doing it. Discover Daytona Beach’s most naturally magnificent attractions as you get up close and personal with dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, birds and more — limitless ecotour opportunities await.
What exactly are eco-adventures?
Ecotourism, or eco-adventures, allow you to experience Florida’s unspoiled beauty in a truly hands-on manner. Most often, ecotours allow people to explore undeveloped or relatively undisturbed wilderness by paddleboard, boat, kayak or on foot. It affords visitors the chance to enjoy and learn about the area in a responsible, sustainable way — a win-win for everyone!
Ecotouring in Daytona Beach
There are several wonderful tour companies, personal watercraft shops and guided trips available in Daytona Beach — you can check out the full list here. Below is just a sampling of well-regarded businesses to consider when planning your next visit to Daytona Beach.
Ponce Inlet Watersports
Whether you are traveling with a small family or a large group, Ponce Inlet Watersports is an excellent choice. You can cruise the waterways in a 20-passenger, fully canvas-shaded, flat-bottom boat searching for sea critters — all for only $25 per person!
There is also a “Row-Row Private Charter Boat” available. Visitors can customize their experience with fishing, tubing, island hopping, going on a private dolphin and manatee ecotour and more — all for an incredibly reasonable price with up to 20 people at a time. It’s a great idea for family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette weekends or just time spent away from the hustle of everyday life. Plan your trip today!
On the Hook Charters
Captain Corey Simmons will take you to see the wild and natural side of Florida with On the Hook Charters — just minutes from downtown Daytona Beach. Cruising down the Halifax River by boat, you’ll most likely encounter bald eagles, ospreys, dolphins and other marine wildlife. If you’re lucky, you could even catch a glimpse of a manatee! In the past, the captain and his ecotourists have even witnessed mother dolphins tossing fish to their newborns! No matter what you find, it’s sure to be an excursion that stays with you forever.
These guided private ecotours on the Halifax River begin at $100 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. Check out the full list of rates here.
St. Johns River Eco Tours
The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida, and its history runs deep. Experience stories, bird-watching, photography and a range of wildlife on an eco-friendly, 35-foot hybrid gas/electric pontoon boat. Throughout every season of the year, the river has something unique and beautiful to offer visitors, from turtles and gators to migratory birds and manatees. It’s a scenic ride, and it starts at only $30 for adults, $27 for veterans and senior citizens and $17 for children aged 3–12. The tour is free for those under 3. Excursion packages are also available, ideal for larger groups or special occasions!
Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour
Sometimes, it’s nice to feel like you’re going a little off the grid on vacation. Get the perfect balance of exercise and sightseeing with Three Brothers Boards’ Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour. Enjoy a guided tour on a stand-up paddleboard or a one-, two- or three-person kayak, and get right up close with dolphins and manatees! This is a favorite and unique adventure offered for only $55 per person. Book your guided trip today!
Whether cruising down St. Johns River or paddling the inlet, Daytona Beach offers so much beauty to explorers at heart. Get to know the real Florida — add an ecotour to your getaway using our Trip Builder today!
