User Panel
Posted: 2/28/2024 10:40:35 AM EDT
I'm heading to Cape Coral early April for a wedding. This will be 5th year down there.
My step dad snowbirds in Highland Beach Florida. I want to drive on a beach, is there anywhere to do that on the gulf side or Atlantic side? What's the longest time or distance, you've driven on the beach? |
|
|
|
|
|
Are you talking POV or ATV? I live here and I have never had a desire to drive my POV on the beach. I have driven Air Force ATVs ~12 miles on the beach on Eglin AFB as part of Jackson Guard (Eglin natural resources office).
|
|
Soldier for Life
|
I know GTS right?
Looks like Daytona and New Smyrna only - anyone done it? |
|
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: I know GTS right? Looks like Daytona and New Smyrna only - anyone done it? View Quote I live in New Smyrna and drive on the beach all the time. Check the tides before you go to make sure the ramps are open. Volusia Beaches has a free app that shows which are open. It's $20/day for a pass for non-residents to drive on. You can also drive on parts of Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and Ponce Inlet. Truck don't surf: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/man-arrest-driving-on-new-smyrna-beach-florida |
|
|
My co worker takes his Jeep to Daytona all the time. You better have a vehicle for beach duty or you will be getting pulled off the beach & look like a tool.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By fuzzy03cls: My co worker takes his Jeep to Daytona all the time. You better have a vehicle for beach duty or you will be getting pulled off the beach & look like a tool. View Quote I'll be driving my pavement princess F150 and it should work just fine. I will have my air down tool and air compressor along for the trip. Attached File Attached File |
|
|
Originally Posted By brianb860: I live in New Smyrna and drive on the beach all the time. Check the tides before you go to make sure the ramps are open. Volusia Beaches has a free app that shows which are open. It's $20/day for a pass for non-residents to drive on. You can also drive on parts of Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and Ponce Inlet. Truck don't surf: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/man-arrest-driving-on-new-smyrna-beach-florida View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By brianb860: Originally Posted By drobs: I know GTS right? Looks like Daytona and New Smyrna only - anyone done it? I live in New Smyrna and drive on the beach all the time. Check the tides before you go to make sure the ramps are open. Volusia Beaches has a free app that shows which are open. It's $20/day for a pass for non-residents to drive on. You can also drive on parts of Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and Ponce Inlet. Truck don't surf: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/man-arrest-driving-on-new-smyrna-beach-florida Lots of New Yorkers down there. I flew down, back in 2019 and rented a car, it had NY license plates on it. That'll blend right in. Thanks I'll check that out app. |
|
|
drobs, you need to at least swim with a croc to fit in.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By Iamhere: drobs, you need to at least swim with a croc to fit in. View Quote Lol! I visited my Step Dad down there in my early 20s and he noticed that I was about to go for a swim in the ocean with my watch on. He said to me some words I won't forget. "I'd take that watch off. Fish like shiny things." A couple years ago we cut the corner taking 41 from the gulf side to Miami and drove down the Loop Road Scenic Drive. There were Alligators in every pool / culvert next to the road. We saw more there than we saw on an Alligator Air Boat tour. Attached File Attached File |
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: Lots of New Yorkers down there. I flew down, back in 2019 and rented a car, it had NY license plates on it. That'll blend right in. Thanks I'll check that out app. View Quote Not many New Yorkers here compared to South Flaridah. You should be fine without airing your tires down too. Most of the people that get stuck are in rear wheel drive cars that are very low to the ground. Mustangs, etc. There are some areas that are very powdery that have "4x4 only" signs. Your truck should be fine in those too. Have fun. |
|
|
Wow, you brought back some good memories.
I moved to Daytona Beach in 1976. I had a big Ford F100 4x4. If I remember correctly you could drive from a spot north of SR40 in Ormond beach, to the inlet in New Smyrna Beach. Good old days. You could drive at night and due some surf fishing and sit on your tailgate. Drink a few bears. all legal and free. I spent a lot of time on the beach. Not any more. No night driving, no beer. Sections of the beach blocked so that you can not drive very far uninterrupted. Still plenty of beach driving but it is not the same freedom to enjoy the beach like the old days. Sorry for sounding like an "old" guy. |
|
|
Originally Posted By brianb860: Not many New Yorkers here compared to South Flaridah. You should be fine without airing your tires down too. Most of the people that get stuck are in rear wheel drive cars that are very low to the ground. Mustangs, etc. There are some areas that are very powdery that have "4x4 only" signs. Your truck should be fine in those too. Have fun. View Quote Are there designated 4x4 areas or is that just based on the sand condition? Any must hit places / restaurants on the beach? |
|
|
Originally Posted By TitleII: Wow, you brought back some good memories. I moved to Daytona Beach in 1976. I had a big Ford F100 4x4. If I remember correctly you could drive from a spot north of SR40 in Ormond beach, to the inlet in New Smyrna Beach. Good old days. You could drive at night and due some surf fishing and sit on your tailgate. Drink a few bears. all legal and free. I spent a lot of time on the beach. Not any more. No night driving, no beer. Sections of the beach blocked so that you can not drive very far uninterrupted. Still plenty of beach driving but it is not the same freedom to enjoy the beach like the old days. Sorry for sounding like an "old" guy. View Quote All good you can drink and drive up here in Missouri in the National Forests. It's not illegal till you get in an accident... Playing on the rocks with my Jeep Attached File |
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: Are there designated 4x4 areas or is that just based on the sand condition? Any must hit places / restaurants on the beach? View Quote It's really based on the sand conditions and the tides. it can change day to day. The app will usually note if any of the ramps are 4x4 only. I do most of my beach driving in New Smyrna. As you drive North towards the inlet and Dunes Park, that's where you'll see the "4x4 only" signs most often. If you park close to the Flagler Ave ramp - there are a lot of restaurants, bars, and shops on that strip. Almost everything is locally owned. No chains except for the 2 big hotels and a Starbucks in one of the hotels. I haven't driven on Daytona in a while now, but I remember the area near Sunglow Pier having very soft sand. A1A in Ponce Inlet ends at Lighthouse Park which is right across the inlet from the Dunes Park in New Smyrna. You can't drive from Ponce Inlet to New Smyrna without driving back inland and going over the bridges. But you can drive from Ormond to Daytona to Ponce Inlet without leaving "beachside". Even though you can see Lighthouse Park right across the water from the Dunes Park, it's a 30-40 minute drive to get from one to the other. Also just want to set expectations so you know what you're getting into - it's not a wild 4x4 off-road adventure where you can climb dunes and do donuts. It's mostly just people driving to find a parking spot. 10mph max and they have designated traffic lanes. Just didn't want you be disappointed when you got there if that's what you were hoping for. Check the Space-X schedule while you're in the area too. The beaches are a good place to watch a launch from. |
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: I'll be driving my pavement princess F150 and it should work just fine. I will have my air down tool and air compressor along for the trip. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/1000001042_jpg-3144732.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/1000000540_jpg-3144733.JPG View Quote Difference between sand and sugar sand. OP, are you crippled er wat? |
|
|
Originally Posted By brianb860: It's really based on the sand conditions and the tides. it can change day to day. The app will usually note if any of the ramps are 4x4 only. I do most of my beach driving in New Smyrna. As you drive North towards the inlet and Dunes Park, that's where you'll see the "4x4 only" signs most often. If you park close to the Flagler Ave ramp - there are a lot of restaurants, bars, and shops on that strip. Almost everything is locally owned. No chains except for the 2 big hotels and a Starbucks in one of the hotels. I haven't driven on Daytona in a while now, but I remember the area near Sunglow Pier having very soft sand. A1A in Ponce Inlet ends at Lighthouse Park which is right across the inlet from the Dunes Park in New Smyrna. You can't drive from Ponce Inlet to New Smyrna without driving back inland and going over the bridges. But you can drive from Ormond to Daytona to Ponce Inlet without leaving "beachside". Even though you can see Lighthouse Park right across the water from the Dunes Park, it's a 30-40 minute drive to get from one to the other. Also just want to set expectations so you know what you're getting into - it's not a wild 4x4 off-road adventure where you can climb dunes and do donuts. It's mostly just people driving to find a parking spot. 10mph max and they have designated traffic lanes. Just didn't want you be disappointed when you got there if that's what you were hoping for. Check the Space-X schedule while you're in the area too. The beaches are a good place to watch a launch from. View Quote I always keep my expectations low... Florida is one of the few states (17 states per google) where you can drive on the beach. The tentative plan is to do Daytona 1 day and Smyrna the next or neither depending on the tide. Either way we got a Holiday Inn on the Beach in Daytona. I'll have fun no mater what. |
|
|
|
Originally Posted By TitleII: Wow, you brought back some good memories. I moved to Daytona Beach in 1976. I had a big Ford F100 4x4. If I remember correctly you could drive from a spot north of SR40 in Ormond beach, to the inlet in New Smyrna Beach. Good old days. You could drive at night and due some surf fishing and sit on your tailgate. Drink a few bears. all legal and free. I spent a lot of time on the beach. Not any more. No night driving, no beer. Sections of the beach blocked so that you can not drive very far uninterrupted. Still plenty of beach driving but it is not the same freedom to enjoy the beach like the old days. Sorry for sounding like an "old" guy. View Quote I am with the old guy. Went to New Smyrna in 1979 for senior skip day and may have exceeded the beach speed limit by a bit. Early mornings the beaches were empty. |
|
RIP Jeff Reed. Tennessee Squire, Ga. Carry member, NRA,Non-puking 72 ounce drinker 2 of 6 Norcal call sign, Forgotten.
|
Originally Posted By whiskerz: I am with the old guy. Went to New Smyrna in 1979 for senior skip day and may have exceeded the beach speed limit by a bit. Early mornings the beaches were empty. View Quote It was definitely a lot easier to do in the past. Especially if the beaches were empty during the slower season or early mornings. But now that there have been a few crashes, they monitor it a lot more. The beach patrol also falls under the county sheriffs office now. |
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: I know GTS right? Looks like Daytona and New Smyrna only - anyone done it? View Quote You can also drive on St Johns (St Augustine) beaches but alot of it was "4x4 only" or "4x4 recommended" last time I was there. https://www.sjcfl.us/beach-services/beach-passes/ |
|
In military affairs there are five essential points. If able to attack, you must attack. If not able to attack, you must defend. If not able to defend, you must flee. The remaining two points entail only surrender or death. -- Sima Yi
|
Anastasia Island (St Augustine Beach).
|
|
|
I learned how to drive a truck and how to ride an ATV on New Smyrna Beach back in the early 80's.
Fun Times and Great Memories spent with my Dad. |
|
"Geronimo. For God and Country. Geronimo."
|
Originally Posted By Procyon: Anastasia Island (St Augustine Beach). View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By sjm1582002: You can also drive on St Johns (St Augustine) beaches but alot of it was "4x4 only" or "4x4 recommended" last time I was there. https://www.sjcfl.us/beach-services/beach-passes/ Cool, we're planning to head up to Jacksonville, catch Hwy 10 on the way home, and wanted to stop in St. Augustine. |
|
|
Doing a little planning....
Daytona: https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/daytonabeach/Beach_Driving_Map_North_7e35a31d-6c9f-4e10-ad61-b231a84ada1e.pdf Enter at Emilia Avenue go north and exit at International Speedway Blvd. Which is about 6 miles and some change. A1A becomes a 1 way road going south at Intl Speedway area. Attached File New Smyrna https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/daytonabeach/Beach_Driving_Map_South_945ca2c7-abf3-4706-aa78-8c5ec006a084.pdf Looks like I should enter on the south side at 27th Avenue Beach Front Park, go north and exit somewhere around Beachway Avenue. Attached File Question what's the Northern most vehicle beach access for New Symrna? |
|
|
One last thought...
Be carful if you leave your vehicle parked on the beach to enjoy a meal. If the tide is coming in, you might return to find you truck in the ocean. |
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: Cool, we're planning to head up to Jacksonville, catch Hwy 10 on the way home, and wanted to stop in St. Augustine. View Quote Huguenot Park (N of Jax) also has a rather small stretch of beach driving. Very cool area on the N side of the entrance to the St John's river across from the Mayport naval base. https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/huguenot-memorial-park.aspx |
|
In military affairs there are five essential points. If able to attack, you must attack. If not able to attack, you must defend. If not able to defend, you must flee. The remaining two points entail only surrender or death. -- Sima Yi
|
Originally Posted By drobs: Doing a little planning.... Daytona: https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/daytonabeach/Beach_Driving_Map_North_7e35a31d-6c9f-4e10-ad61-b231a84ada1e.pdf Enter at Emilia Avenue go north and exit at International Speedway Blvd. Which is about 6 miles and some change. A1A becomes a 1 way road going south at Intl Speedway area. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/Emilia_north_to_Intl_Speedway_6_miles_JP-3146716.JPG New Smyrna https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/daytonabeach/Beach_Driving_Map_South_945ca2c7-abf3-4706-aa78-8c5ec006a084.pdf Looks like I should enter on the south side at 27th Avenue Beach Front Park, go north and exit somewhere around Beachway Avenue. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/27th_Avenue_Beachfront_Park_enter_and_go-3146745.JPG Question what's the Northern most vehicle beach access for New Symrna? View Quote Beachway is the access ramp that is furthest north in NSB. You can still drive north when you get on there, but you’d have to turn around to get back off. |
|
|
Op, we have crocs big enough to eat trucks.
|
|
|
|
Originally Posted By sjm1582002: Huguenot Park (N of Jax) also has a rather small stretch of beach driving. Very cool area on the N side of the entrance to the St John's river across from the Mayport naval base. https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/huguenot-memorial-park.aspx View Quote Looks like you can drive way out on that peninsula. That does look cool. Attached File Attached File |
|
|
Looks like St. Augustine Beach might have the longest section (12 miles) of 4wd only beach area.
Planning: Enter on A Street go north to near the Pier. Turn around and head south to the Fort Mantanzas Exit. Exit there or head back north. Attached File I'd want to have my kinetic rope, traction boards, 4 tire air inflator / deflator, and air compressor. Plus air down to 15psi or less. My phone / Facebook must be listening to me. FB recommended this Stuck on St. Augustine Beach group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/2147875101978460/ It's full of mostly clueless shit posters. Iamhere would fit right in. |
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: Looks like St. Augustine Beach might have the longest section (12 miles) of 4wd only beach area. Planning: Enter on A Street go north to near the Pier. Turn around and head south to the Fort Mantanzas Exit. Exit there or head back north. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/1000002515_jpg-3147837.JPG I'd want to have my kinetic rope, traction boards, 4 tire air inflator / deflator, and air compressor. Plus air down to 15psi or less. My phone / Facebook must be listening to me. FB recommended this Stuck on St. Augustine Beach group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/2147875101978460/ It's full of mostly clueless shit posters. Iamhere would fit right in. View Quote The white sand is not bad. Watch out for any red/pink sand, which is actually coquina shell fragments, and is a real bitch especially if wet. Patches of it are mostly N of Daytona in Ormond. Don't forget a folding shovel if you're going to play in that stuff. |
|
In military affairs there are five essential points. If able to attack, you must attack. If not able to attack, you must defend. If not able to defend, you must flee. The remaining two points entail only surrender or death. -- Sima Yi
|
Originally Posted By sjm1582002: The white sand is not bad. Watch out for any red/pink sand, which is actually coquina shell fragments, and is a real bitch especially if wet. Patches of it are mostly N of Daytona in Ormond. Don't forget a folding shovel if you're going to play in that stuff. https://ap.rdcpix.com/836e8c2ab6159a6073235aa6bf2e2c57l-m1610454594od-w480_h360_x2.jpg View Quote Good point will bring a GI folding shovel. I had one in my Toyota that the Ford replaced but need to find it somewhere in my garage. Side note, I doubt I'll get stuck and will have gear to get unstuck if I do. That being said, there are a couple volunteer off road recovery groups that serve both Florida and nationwide that I'm a member of. You might keep these in mind or share them with your friends and family members. Nationwide: https://offroadportal.org This group has a phone number for texting your location to. They might ask for gas money but don't charge a fee for recovery. They have members in almost every state. To include Alaska and Hawaii. Florida 4x4 Rescue - is facebook volunteer group that doesn't charge anything for off road recoveries. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2423021054693559/ I'm a member / Admin of the Missouri 4x4 Rescue group and have led / participated in about 6 or more off road recoveries. I just winched a kid in a Chevy out of the mud yesterday. If you guys are off road vehicle enthusiasts and have a winch &/or recovery gear, consider volunteering with these groups. |
|
|
|
|
Let us never forget, government has no resources of its own. Government can only give to us what it has previously taken from us.
|
|
|
The last time I drove on NSB, there was a Lamborghini out on the sand. It was nothing like I remembered as a high schooler pulling out cute girls in my neighbor's FJ40.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By drobs: Looks like St. Augustine Beach might have the longest section (12 miles) of 4wd only beach area. Planning: Enter on A Street go north to near the Pier. Turn around and head south to the Fort Mantanzas Exit. Exit there or head back north. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/1000002515_jpg-3147837.JPG I'd want to have my kinetic rope, traction boards, 4 tire air inflator / deflator, and air compressor. Plus air down to 15psi or less. My phone / Facebook must be listening to me. FB recommended this Stuck on St. Augustine Beach group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/2147875101978460/ It's full of mostly clueless shit posters. Iamhere would fit right in. View Quote When you drive on at A Street, you can only go south. Back in the day you could go north all the way to St. Augustine Inlet... until some asshole backed over 2 teenage girls laying in the sun. After that they shut that section down for good. Not too many years ago you could drive under the bridge at Matanzas Inlet to the ICW side. That was pretty much a locals only spot. I've been driving St. Augustine Beach for many years, and never once had to air down my tires. The people that get stuck just don't know how to drive. |
|
|
Good to know thanks!
I'll probably drop my tire air pressure down to 30ish psi at the hotel b4 hitting the beach. |
|
|
Grew up in edgewater/nsb 80s/90s
Never had a 4x4. Same in daytona. Only upside to driving is not carrying your shit. Air down if your worried. Since I dislike people etc when I'm trying to enjoy nature. I just normally hit the walk on access points north of Ormond..with my fish cart and fish with out dealing with traffic and waves of tourists. At the prices for day use and how it is segmented now...not worth it to me. |
|
i dont want my final jig in the belly of a squid.
|
Originally Posted By protus: Grew up in edgewater/nsb 80s/90s Never had a 4x4. Same in daytona. Only upside to driving is not carrying your shit. Air down if your worried. Since I dislike people etc when I'm trying to enjoy nature. I just normally hit the walk on access points north of Ormond..with my fish cart and fish with out dealing with traffic and waves of tourists. At the prices for day use and how it is segmented now...not worth it to me. View Quote Varn Park, and Jungle Hut Road parks in Flagler county are really nice without all the tourist crowd. |
|
|
Originally Posted By wood714: When you drive on at A Street, you can only go south. Back in the day you could go north all the way to St. Augustine Inlet... until some asshole backed over 2 teenage girls laying in the sun. After that they shut that section down for good. Not too many years ago you could drive under the bridge at Matanzas Inlet to the ICW side. That was pretty much a locals only spot. I've been driving St. Augustine Beach for many years, and never once had to air down my tires. The people that get stuck just don't know how to drive. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By wood714: Originally Posted By drobs: Looks like St. Augustine Beach might have the longest section (12 miles) of 4wd only beach area. Planning: Enter on A Street go north to near the Pier. Turn around and head south to the Fort Mantanzas Exit. Exit there or head back north. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41568/1000002515_jpg-3147837.JPG I'd want to have my kinetic rope, traction boards, 4 tire air inflator / deflator, and air compressor. Plus air down to 15psi or less. My phone / Facebook must be listening to me. FB recommended this Stuck on St. Augustine Beach group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/2147875101978460/ It's full of mostly clueless shit posters. Iamhere would fit right in. When you drive on at A Street, you can only go south. Back in the day you could go north all the way to St. Augustine Inlet... until some asshole backed over 2 teenage girls laying in the sun. After that they shut that section down for good. Not too many years ago you could drive under the bridge at Matanzas Inlet to the ICW side. That was pretty much a locals only spot. I've been driving St. Augustine Beach for many years, and never once had to air down my tires. The people that get stuck just don't know how to drive. I used to drive that stretch all the time. I once found a 8' black tip shark washed up at the bridge. That was a big black tip. |
|
Why is the sky blue? Because God loves the Infantry!
|
|
It was weird not being able to drive on the beach when I moved here. Almost the entire gulf coast over in Texas you can drive on it, both near cities and away like on PINS.
|
|
|
I live a couple blocks from the holiday inn beachside in Daytona. You will be fine with the F150.
Enjoy the downstairs part of the ocean deck! |
|
|
Originally Posted By JLENG: I live a couple blocks from the holiday inn beachside in Daytona. You will be fine with the F150. Enjoy the downstairs part of the ocean deck! View Quote Thanks I'm looking forward to it. If I see one of those Volusia County On Patrol Live police officers around, I'm going to get a picture with them. |
|
|
|
Let us never forget, government has no resources of its own. Government can only give to us what it has previously taken from us.
|
I believe Fernandina Beach requires you to be a county resident now.
|
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.