New Smyrna Beach

You’ll find the pearl-white sands of New Smyrna Beach just 15 miles south of the better known Daytona Beach, on Florida’s East Coast.

The 17-mile strip of sand is a big hit with surfers, thanks to its plentiful wave breaks, with both amateurs and experts taking to the waters here.

In fact, it’s been named as one of the top 20 surf towns anywhere in the word by National Geographic. A word of warning though - it’s also been unofficially called the shark bite capital of the world due to the high number of shark attacks that have occurred over the years, the good news is these attacks are rarely more serious than a nibble and never fatal.

When it comes to dining, there’s a handful of restaurants dotted along the front, where fresh seafood’s a regular feature on most menus. And if you head just a couple of minutes’ inland, you’ll find a lot more places to eat, along with a healthy helping of shops.

But perhaps the standout feature of New Smyrna Beach that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere is its dog beach at Smyrna Dunes Park. Our four-legged friends have 73 acres of waterfront to run along, but they’ll need to be kept on the lead at all times. And thanks to NSB’s reputation as a dog-friendly town, you’ll find plenty of hotels and restaurants which are happy to accommodate pooches.