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Between mangroves & Tides

Paddle, kayak, birdwatch and explore Florida’s blueways like never before.

Experience Florida’s most bio-diverse lagoon system

View Itineraries

Our coastal waterways offer experiences for every type of adventurer. Explore hidden coves, launch into winding creeks, or set out on guided wildlife tours led by local experts who know the lagoon’s rhythms like their own backyard.

Choose from paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, scenic boat cruises, or charter captains who can take you to the region’s best fishing holes. Whether you’re chasing a sunrise on calm waters or watching the sky glow at sunset, New Smyrna Beach’s blueways create unforgettable moments—each one uniquely tied to the magic of the lagoon.

Blueway Adventures Await

Explore Waterways, Tours & Rentals, Fishing Holes & More

Bird Rookery Paddle Trail Loop

Ideal for novices, this peaceful 2.9-mile trail, which launches behind the Marine Discovery  Center, passes under the North Causeway and through the New Smyrna Beach City Marina, through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Salt Marsh Restoration Project, and along a seawall built by Scottish colonists in the mid-1700s. The highlight, however, is six species of birds that nest on a pair of mangrove islands, which were protected by the Presidential order in 1908 thanks to avian enthusiast Theodore Roosevelt. To keep the area thriving, pack binoculars or a camera with a strong zoom lens, as visitors should never step onto these sites. April through September is the best period to see nesting birds.

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Explore The
Mosquito Lagoon

This shallow 2.12-mile trail, laid out by a local Eagle Scout, is well-suited for first-time paddlers. A series of spoil islands (formed decades ago when the Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Intracoastal Waterway) shelters a maze of tidal creeks from the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the larger Indian River Lagoonwidely considered North America’s most biodiverse estuaryMosquito Lagoon teems with more than 4,000 animal and plant species, including roseate spoonbills, dolphins, and sea turtles. Visiting in the summer? Bring bug repellent; the trail lives up to its namesake.

View of the Mosquito Lagoon from River Breeze Park (16) (1)

Deep-Water
Brown's Bay

Take caution on this 2.6-mile trail, which includes a large sandbar (at low tide), a deep-water channel, and powerboat traffic. Launch from Menard-May Park, then go paddling across the Intracoastal Waterway to Firecracker Island. Keep right to safely enter Brown’s Bay, home to many oyster beds, mangroves, fish, and birds. As you explore deeper into the bay, you’ll experience one of the Indian River Lagoon’s most peaceful pockets. A natural sanctuary where wildlife thrives and the water settles into a quiet stillness. Clear, shallow areas make it easy to spot rays, mullet, and wading birds as you glide past protected mangrove shorelines.

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Bird Rookery Paddle Trail Loop
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We are Home to Florida’s Most Bio-Diverse Ecosystem

Home to America's Most Biodiverse Estuary: Indian River Lagoon

Paddle the incredible Indian River Lagoon — North America’s most biodiverse estuary — where dolphins glide beside your kayak, manatees surface for air, and egrets tiptoe through mangrove and shorelines. This extraordinary ecosystem invites you to slow down and absorb the natural beauty that surrounds our coastal area. Kayak, fish, or simply drift along peaceful waterways lined with mangrove tunnels, salt marshes, and endless blue horizons.
Get Inspired
The NSB Blueway Trail Itinerary

Explore The NSB Blueway Trail Itinerary

Plan your perfect day on the water with our Digital Blueway Itinerary. This easy, interactive guide is your first step to exploring the Indian River Lagoon and New Smyrna Beach’s most scenic waterways. Discover recommended routes, launch points, wildlife-viewing spots, and local tips tailored to your paddling style. Whether you’re kayaking, paddleboarding, or boating, this digital itinerary helps you navigate safely and experience the coastal beauty of our blueways with confidence.
Open Itinerary

Tours & Guides
Viking Ecotours

Manatees, bioluminescence, dolphins, and mangroves: all things you could see on a hands-free kayak tour through Canaveral National Seashore with Viking Ecotours. Guests pedal through the lagoon with their hands free to take pictures, drink water, or point out the wildlife. Expert guides create safe, comfortable, and unique experiences while guaranteeing an environmentally friendly excursion that will be fun for the whole family! Viking Ecotours offers the closest kayak tours to Orlando, Daytona, and Canaveral National Seashore with tours including bioluminescence, rocket launches, sunrise, sunset, and wildlife tours where you could see manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, eagles and more.

Oak Hill
Eco Tours & Rentals Viking Ecotours

Tours & Guides
Marine Discovery Center

Travel the IRL in the comfort of our 36-seat all-weather pontoon boat. Your tour guide on the 2-hour journey will be one of our knowledgeable narrators – certified Florida Master Naturalists – who enjoy sharing their extensive knowledge of the abundant marine life that lives in and on the Indian River Lagoon.  You will experience first-hand the solitude and natural beauty of this Florida treasure while learning about our efforts to preserve its uniqueness for generations to come. Or paddle the Indian River Lagoon with a Florida Master Naturalist and learn about the importance of caring for this “cradle of the ocean”.

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Tours & Guides
Cracker Creek Canoe

Cracker Creek offers a variety of boat tours and outings aboard our 40ft pontoon boat with a fixed canopy covering, comfortable bench seating, and a center console ideal for educational displays or buffet food and drink service. Available for both our regularly scheduled eco-tours or by reservation for group gatherings, private parties, or special events – truly a unique and memorable way to experience scenic Spruce Creek!

Port Orange
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Tours & Guides
Turtle Mound Tours

Turtle Mound River Tours offer fun private charter, and daily scheduled tours aboard their comfortable vessel at New Smyrna Beach. They travel south along Canaveral Seashore and view wildlife in and near the water, including manatees and dolphins. The boat meanders through quiet islands and across to the mainland, cutting back through pristine waters full of fish and many wading bird species.

New Smyrna Beach
Turtle Mound River Tours

Tours & Guides
Get Up and Go Kayaking

Explore the untouched beauty of Spruce Creek in their clear kayaks! Meeting at Divito Park, the two-hour paddle through Spruce Creek is the perfect combination of serenity and thrilling with views of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Their clear kayaks create such a unique way to connect outdoors, making it a once in a lifetime adventure! Consider their clear kayak tours as your front row seat to the most beautiful views! Spruce Creek’s natural twists through the mangroves make it feel like you’re discovering something new every time. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned paddler, their immersive eco tour is great for all skill levels. With only 10 guests per tour, you’ll enjoy an intimate, relaxed experience that’s perfect for families, couples, and solo adventurers.

New Smyrna Beach
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Tours & Guides
RiverWitch Kayak Rentals & Tours

Discover the quiet beauty of the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding waterways with RiverWitch Kayak Rentals & Tours. Offering guided adventures and easy, flexible rentals, RiverWitch makes it simple to experience New Smyrna Beach’s natural side at your own pace. Glide through calm mangrove tunnels, watch for dolphins and manatees, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of paddling along untouched shoreline. Their knowledgeable guides share local insights and help guests of all experience levels feel safe and confident on the water. Whether you join a guided eco tour or set out on a self-guided paddle, RiverWitch delivers a relaxed, scenic escape into the heart of Florida’s coastal wilderness.

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RiverWitch
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