Daytona Beach Tours: Top 5 Sightseeing & Cruise Picks

Thinking about heading down to Daytona Beach and wondering how to see the sights? Well, that can be fun. There is a good choice of tours that give you different ways to soak it all in, whether that is by land or by sea. Instead of just sticking to the beach, these tours, like guided exploration options, open up so much more. From easygoing cruises where you can maybe spot dolphins to seeing the historical spots around town, there is possibly something for everyone. Here’s my quick rundown of five good tour choices that could just make your trip to Daytona Beach a bit more memorable.

1. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Tour

Okay, so you could visit Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, it’s really the tallest lighthouse in Florida, but that’s perhaps just the start. It stands very proudly at the southern end of Daytona Beach, it almost shares stories of the past. When you start to head up those 203 steps, just like historical sites journey, that sounds exhausting, yet as you look out from the top, it makes it worth it. You are able to see all of the Atlantic Ocean and the inland waterways, so maybe have a camera ready. In fact, it might be nice to find out how the lighthouse was restored; the museum near the base has really great exhibits. These possibly tell of the lighthouse keepers who kept the light going way back when. If you’re there with the family, there is a cool kids’ area where kids can play and get to know the history a bit better. Expect it could be two or three hours there. That tends to give you plenty of time to check out pretty much everything without having to rush.

2. Daytona Beach Segway Tour

Have you given a Segway a go? They can seem tricky, yet once you get the hang of it, well it can be quite something. There’s a Daytona Beach Segway Tour, so it sounds fun for doing some sightseeing a bit differently. First off, you are shown to stay upright. That sounds key! The tour starts off with practicing so you can learn the controls. They could then take you cruising down the boardwalk and the beach, just like innovative guided Segway, with guides pointing out local hotspots and maybe some places to stop for an ice cream. As I was saying, you probably would see a lot more than if you’re walking, and it feels more exciting than driving around in the car. A lot of people say that the guides are pretty helpful and fun, as well. It might not be the most relaxing way to see Daytona Beach, yet it’s potentially one of the more exciting and memorable ways. Tours typically run for a few hours.

3. Dolphin and Manatee Boat Tour

Who doesn’t care about dolphins and manatees? So, imagine taking a boat tour where you can get to see these very creatures in the wild. Several outfits in Daytona Beach provide these types of tours. Typically, you jump on a small boat, almost designed to sneak into the shallower waters where dolphins like to play. Experienced guides that seem to have the skills for spotting the wildlife will normally join you. As I was saying, they could let you know everything about the animals and their surroundings, like aquatic encounters nature. The boat trips usually meander along the Intracoastal Waterway, and the guides always know the popular spots where these animals hang out. The good news is, you often get close to them; so just be sure to respect their space. This could be one for the kids for sure; and the adults too! Don’t forget sunscreen, because you’ll be out on the water for a few hours, and the Florida sun can be really strong.

4. Daytona International Speedway Tour

Alright, so Daytona Beach is famous for its beach, however, for racing fans, Daytona International Speedway is arguably a landmark location. There are tours of the speedway so you can see it. You might actually feel something very special for auto racing, so maybe go behind the scenes at the stadium and explore where some motorsport legends have ran. A tour is normally a quick trip to the grandstands, the pit roads, and maybe even Victory Lane, just like thrilling sports-focused experience. If you’re keen on fast cars and history, it’s actually interesting to see what it’s like in this place during a race. The tour guides can share fascinating details about the Daytona 500 and famous moments in racing history. To make the most of the tour, perhaps wear comfortable shoes, and sometimes check ahead if there is some type of event that day, due to the fact that certain spots are normally off-limits during race events. In general, these tours last an hour or two.

5. Airboat Ride on the St. Johns River

Okay, so for something a little bit different and away from the beach crowds, you might experience an airboat ride on the St. Johns River. Although the river is probably not directly in Daytona Beach, various tours give you the opportunity to drive up to the river, and well glide on the flat-bottom boat around the waterway. They’re fast and pretty noisy, which just makes it more fun in some respects! Because the St. Johns River kind of winds through marshlands and swamplands, you are likely to witness wildlife in the natural environment such as alligators, different bird species, and possibly turtles, like swamp cruise getaway. Guides know so much about the region. So, if you want some real excitement, this may well do the job for the memory book.