I visited the Jurassic Park-like lagoon right by one of the most beautiful beaches – here's how to get there

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AS I kayak on Florida's Indian River Lagoon, I'm lost for words.
With its ancient mangrove forests and prehistoric-looking pelicans dive-bombing the water, this wouldn't be out of place in Jurassic Park.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
8
Sands at the New Smyrna Beach
8
Have fun paddling in a kayak
Credit: © 2023 Peter Frank Edwards
8
The streets on New Smyrna Beach
Credit: Supplied
But then comes the real excitement, as 20-plus dolphins start splashing around just metres away.
And they're having plenty of fun as they jump out of the water and even swim right under me.
This body of water is 156 miles long and the most ecologically diverse estuary in North America.
I'm taking a paddle on an uncharacteristically overcast morning, but it's usually baking hot and packed with even more wildlife, including manatees and all manner of birds.
I'm staying in the city of New Smyrna Beach, on Florida's east coast, which offers something entirely different from what might spring to mind when you first think of the Sunshine State.
It's only about an hour's drive from the theme parks Florida is known for, but presents an entirely different experience.
I'd rented my kayak from the Marine Discovery Center, which offers daily guided tours.
But out of the water, there's plenty more to see in this vibrant beach city, which is popular with surfers and about as laid-back as it gets.
The main boulevard, Flagler Avenue, is peppered with independent shops, bars and restaurants and feels like it's straight out of a Hallmark movie.
I grabbed a spot on the veranda of the Flagler Tavern, where I sipped on a deliciously tall cocktail and explored the menu packed with American seafood specials.
Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport
It was then just a short stroll back to my hotel, Marriott's SpringHill Suites.
Rooms here are huge and feature walk-in wardrobes, but the real selling point is the fabulous view you get over the Atlantic Ocean and New Smyrna's amazing beach.
Next morning, I was up early to get the sand between my toes.
Om Sunshine Yoga runs community classes on weekend mornings, with all the gear provided.
They even offer paddleboard yoga, although I soon found out my balance is bad enough on dry land — let alone the water.
Gopher tortoises
Even before attempting to get into a downward dog, the beach took my breath away — its fine white sand is set against expansive blue skies which have to be seen to be believed.
In fact, because the sand is so compact, you can even drive on it — so that's how I decided to explore the coastline.
Pedego Electric Bikes offers guided tours to see the three miles of coast at speed.
I took in the sights, sounds and sunshine, while feeling the sea breeze in my hair, as I cycled north to the Smyrna Dunes Park.
Here you can see the striking Ponce de Leon lighthouse — the tallest in the state at 175ft — as well as explore the park with its boardwalks and wildlife.
Try to go at sundown for the best chance to spot gopher tortoises.
8
Take a ride on an e-bike on the beach
Credit: Supplied
8
The historic Victoria 1883 guesthouse
Credit: Supplied
8
Take a dip at the pool at Marriott's SpringHill Suites
Credit: Supplied
8
A rocket launch at Cape Canaveral
Credit: Reuters
If you're looking for something more upmarket for dinner, then Riverpark Terrace is a great spot, with a tropical garden and fancy menu.
In fact, it is known as the area's most romantic restaurant.
And love was in the air as I travelled across town and checked into luxury guesthouse Victoria 1883 to continue my stay in New Smyrna Beach — it doubles as a sought-after wedding venue and overlooks the Indian River.
It is also the oldest property in the area and steeped in history but was renovated and opened as a boutique B&B in 2022, with a gorgeous lounge, garden and speakeasy-style bar.
While the urge to relax here was strong, I took a ten-minute stroll to the creative district of Canal Street, where shops sell art, bric-a-brac and homeware, and there is brilliant vinyl at Spinning Records.
At newly refurbished restaurant General Public, I filled up on hearty Southern cuisine then headed to the Sugar Works Distillery for a drink.
This independent bar and distillery has some of the best cocktails I've ever tasted.
They are created using the distillery's spirits, which are largely made from produce within a ten-mile radius.
New Smyrna Beach is a beautiful escape from the bustle of Orlando, so a great way to vary your time during a Florida getaway.
I flew Aer Lingus from Heathrow via Dublin, which gives a sneaky benefit when travelling to the States — you go through pre-clearance US passport control at Dublin airport, meaning you don't have to bother with the faff of security when you touch down on the other side after the long-haul flight.
But it turned out that wouldn't be the only memorable flight on my holiday, as New Smyrna Beach is just 60 miles from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, where rockets are launched into space once or twice every week.
So one of the most unforgettable moments came when, just past midnight, I stood on the beach and watched as a Space X rocket rose through the sky and blasted off into the solar system.
Just like that, this holiday was out of this world.
GO: NEW SMYRNA BEACH
GETTING THERE: Aer Lingus flies six times weekly from Dublin to Orlando, with fares from Heathrow to Orlando via Dublin from £578 return.
See aerlingus.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at Victoria 1883 start from £215 per room including breakfast.
See victoria1883.com.
Rooms at SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Smyrna Beach are from £238 including breakfast.
See marriott.com/dabsh.
OUT & ABOUT: Two-hour guided kayak tour, £40 per adult and £26 per child.
See marinediscoverycenter.org.
Pedego Electric Bikes can be rented for £24.50 an hour.
See pedegonsb.com.
MORE INFO: See visitnsbfl.com.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

an hour ago

• Scottish Sun

Scotland's best day out named as outdoor activity centre in city with quad bikes & water sports

The activity centre has also racked up an impressive number of positive reviews online 'INCREDIBLE' Scotland's best day out named as outdoor activity centre in city with quad bikes & water sports Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR outdoor activity centre with quad bikes and water sports has been named Scotland's best day out after scooping a prestigious award. The centre is located in one of the country's most picturesque locations and offers a little bit of something for all thrill seekers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Action Adventure Activities has a range of watersports like paddleboarding Credit: Alamy 4 Or groups can try their hand at river tubing Credit: Alamy 4 The outdoor activity centre also has activities ike archery Credit: Alamy Action Adventure Activities is located on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. And it won Best Day Out at the prestigious Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025, which recognise and celebrate the best of the industry from around the country. It is an annual event that highlights the very best in hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, and other sectors. This year, the winners were announced at an elegant ceremony that was held at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday. And Action Adventure Activities impressed judges with its incredible experiences for anyone over the age of five. Whether you're looking for a shot on a quad bike or some fun in the water, you're guaranteed to have a great time. If off-road driving is your thing, then talented experts can take you on a journey on a quak bike or a 4x4 on specially created tracks - each one being more challenging than the next. Or if you love a water adventure, then you can choose from a range of options, including adventure gorge walking, river tubing, canyoning, paddleboarding and adventure canyoning, which is slightly harder. There are also a number of other fun activities for families to try if they're not up for something as gruelling. The activity trail takes visitors on a trek to overcome obstacles and find treasure, or the climbing wall is ideal for beginners to want a taste of action. SCOTLAND FROM A JEEP There are also target sports for people to try, including air rifle and pistol shooting, archery, axe throwing and crossbow. Describing the outdoor activity centre on their website, bosses wrote: "Action Adventure Activities offer a wide range of outdoor activity experiences. "We are based at our Outdoor Activity Centre on the edge of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. "We provide activities for both individuals and groups and all our activities are led by an experienced and welcoming team. TOP REVIEWS THE activity centre has also racked up an impressive number of positive reviews online, with many happy customers flocking to TripAdvisor to praise the team. One person said: "Incredible day out with really experienced guides, can't fault it, would give six stars if possible. Highly recommend to anyone thinking about trying it out". Another added: "My friend bought this adventure for my birthday and it was the best experience ever! Climbing through the rivers, jumping off of huge rocks, floating down fast rapids, wow, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Would love to do this again and again. Thanks for this amazing, unique nature experience!" Someone else wrote: "So much fun! My partner and I had a great time at Target Sports. We got to try air pistols, bow and arrow, crossbows and throwing axes. We will definitely be back and we'll be recommending it to our friends." While a fourth chimed in: "We had a great quad biking session that was tailored for the whole family. Some were confident and some were really nervous, but we all got what we needed. A really relaxed and inviting environment while feeling safe and looked after. Plenty of helpful instructions when needed, but lots of time to give our new skills a go. We would definitely recommend using action adventure activities." "We are perfect for a day out in Scotland, as we are within an hour's drive of Glasgow and just over an hour from Edinburgh. "Our extensive range of team building activities and outdoor activities for adults is ideally suited for groups of friends, Stag and Hen groups, corporate development and family days out." Irfan Younis, spokesperson for The 8th Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025, prasied all of the winners at the event this week. They said: 'We're proud to once again get to showcase the remarkable talent and exceptional standards within Scotland's vibrant hospitality industry. "The people shortlisted for these awards have consistently demonstrated excellence, innovation, and dedication in their respective categories, setting the benchmark for quality and service within the Scottish hospitality industry. "We want to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.'

Scottish Sun

3 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

America's beautiful capital is the perfect place to visit as country prepares to celebrate big birthday

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHERE to start a grand tour ahead of USA's 250th birthday? Well, kicking it off in the shadow of the White House was always going to be hard to Trump. 12 The U.S. Capitol dome Credit: Reuters 12 We stopped off outside The White House Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 Summer sunrise over Washington, D.C. Credit: Getty I spent a never-to-be-forgotten seven days touring the famous Capital Region of the United States, just before Uncle Sam celebrates his big birthday in 2026. Washington DC and the surrounding area are dripping with history. It's the political centre of America, after all. Not only is it the home of the President, it also stands as the cornerstone of a modern-day superpower. It wasn't clear whether the Donald was working in the Oval Office when we looked across the White House grounds at the start of our American adventure. But who'd blame him if he wanted to get out and about to explore the history on his own doorstep. The natural beauty and sensational sights of the Capital Region would provide anyone with a trip to remember. First up, was the National Mall, a two-mile stretch of land featuring some of the most historic landmarks in the States. I grew up watching TV series and movies set in the area, and always dreamed of seeing the White House and standing at the bottom of Capitol Hill. So naturally, when the opportunity came around, I jumped at it. And it blew my expectations out of the water. Within an hour of leaving Washington Dulles airport, I found myself in the heart of DC, surrounded by all of those landmarks I had seen so many times on small or big screens. We checked into the Willard InterContinental hotel and took off towards the sights I'd always wanted to glimpse. THE BEST OF USA The Mall was unlike anything I've ever seen before, like a city inside a city - one of the highlights of the trip. Down the centre, an enormous strip of undisturbed greenery, sandwiched by a wall of museums, art galleries, tourist sites, and more. I could see for miles, from the Washington Monument, all the way down to Capitol Hill, with clear blue skies and nothing but fresh air ahead of me, a far cry from my daily commute. DC is famous for moments marked throughout history. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Dr Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech, and of course, as the home of the President - but there is far more to the city than you might think. 12 Within walking distance of several historic monuments, this region of the city is perfect for keen travellers Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 We took a trip around several stunning sights in the city - many of which are steeped in history Credit: EPA 12 The Chicken and waffles at Succotash Prime was delciious One of the staples of the Capital Region is its food. More specifically, its seafood. From oysters and crabs to seaweed and lobster. If it comes from the sea - it won't be hard to find here. I stopped at one of the city's famous restaurants - Succotash Prime, renowned locally for their oysters, and adaptations on several culinary favourites. But the ideal meal for me was a house special - a take on Chicken and waffles. GO: USA GO: CAPITAL REGION USA GETTING THERE: United Airlines flies from Edinburgh to Washington Dulles airport, from £763pp return. See GETTING/STAYING THERE: A nine night trip including three nights at The Willard in Washington DC, three nights at Kent Island Resort in Maryland, one night at the Marriott Tysons Mclean in Tysons, Virginia and two nights at the Hampton Inn and Suites Williamburg, Virginia, is from £2,199pp including flights on dates in September/October and car hire. See or call 08448 044 480. MORE INFO : For more on Capital Region see No doubt much of the finest seafood DC has to offer comes from the famous Chesapeake Bay, the perfect location for a fresh catch. And that's where we headed next. After crossing the DC border into Maryland, I met with fifth-generation angler Tyrone Meredith, who for decades has studied the bay, and found the perfect spots for crabbing, an industry vital to the state's culture and economy. After showing me how to prepare the perfect dish, I then tried my hand at it myself - but I think I'll maybe leave it to the experts in future! But I did master sitting on the docks on the Chesapeake Bay, enjoying a drink in the sun, looking out over the open expanse of water without a wave in sight - it was simply incredible. 12 Sunrise over dock and the Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland. 12 We tried our hand at preparing some of Maryland's famous freshly caught crab Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun After a day out on the bay, touring the marina, and enjoying some of the finest food on offer, we checked into the beautiful Kent Island Resort. It's a remote hotel on the edge of the bay, perfect for both a trip away with the family or equally as a couple's holiday. The resort is perfect for those who enjoy a break from the madness, retreating into the comfort of your own company, without the background noise of a full-blown party in the distance. It made for a lovely night in after a day packed full of activities. Next up on the agenda, was a trip into Virginia. 12 We checked into the gorgeous Kent Island Resort in Queen Anne's County - a stunning hotel in a remote location, perfect for a quiet break from the action Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 Great Falls Park, has stunning views of the Potomac River On arrival, I stopped off at the incredible Great Falls Park, where there are the most incredible views of the famous Potomac River, which runs all the way from West Virginia, through DC and back into Maryland. I was mesmerised by the sheer scale of it all. As a child, my grandparents used to take me out to Rouken Glen Park in Glasgow every week, where a personal favourite was the waterfall by the pond. But compared to what awaited me at Great Falls, that 'waterfall' was nothing but a drop in the ocean. I could hear the falls from a mile away, well before I could see them. Hundreds of yards of crashing waves on the rocks, and water travelling faster than a speeding car - it was simply put one of the more amazing sights. The great part about the site is, you get the freedom to enjoy it however you like. There are several viewing points, information boards, food trucks, and entertainment for the family - it makes for a fabulous day out, and you take as much or as little time as you need. While sharing some similarities with its neighbours, Virginia provided its own unique experiences - one of which was a trip to the home of the first American President, George Washington. His life is celebrated, and preserved with exhibits at his home, Mount Vernon. When I visited, it was a typical Monday but you'd have thought it was a national holiday. 12 Mount Vernon - home to the first U.S. President, George Washington - showcases the history of his life before becoming President Credit: Mark Hannah/The Scottish Sun 12 At the top of the estate, is his home, which thousands of students queued for hours to tour There were hundreds, if not thousands of school pupils touring the site, huddled in groups each with their own historian. It really put into perspective the enormity of the USA and the importance of patriotism in the country. At the site, you can tour Washington's former home, the grounds that surround it, and even stop off at his tomb, where he and his wife are buried. There are plenty of photo opportunities with historians who have an incredible depth of knowledge on the history of Mount Vernon and George Washington. It was a trip I'll never forget and I will most definitely be returning to the region in the very near future. Oh and many happy returns, America.

Wales Online

7 hours ago

• Wales Online

I visited 'most beautiful village' one hour from Wales — one thing put me off instantly

I visited 'most beautiful village' one hour from Wales — one thing put me off instantly It is famously known as 'the most beautiful village in England' with its rows of golden stone cottages and charming rural setting — but there's one major issue I visited 'most beautiful village' one hour from Wales — one thing put me off instantly The poet and artist William Morris declared it "the most beautiful village in England". And as the founder of the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain during the 19th century, I assume he knew what he was talking about when it comes to beauty. And he's not wrong about Bibury, a small yet exquisitely beautiful village nestled in the Cotswolds, north-east of Cirencester. Before my arrival, I had caught glimpses of the village in various photographs and it was so gorgeous I suspected some photography tricks were involved — could it genuinely be that pretty? ‌ It truly is. Try to picture the quintessential British village crossed with Harry Potter, or imagine what an American sees when they think of a rural British village, and you'd be thinking along the right lines - but still probably not getting close to just how pretty it is. ‌ It is charming, cute, fairytale and has a strong claim to be the crown jewel even of an area as beautiful as the Cotswolds. And you can be there in a little over an hour from south-east Wales. The river Coln runs peacefully through the heart of the village, crossed by a couple of low stone bridges. Cows graze on grassland beside the road near the Swan Hotel, which dominates the village centre (and also has what might be the most beautiful beer garden in Britain) and the Bibury Trout Farm breeds fish that are sold and eaten in restaurants all over the Cotswolds (including Jeremy Clarkson's pub, The Farmer's Dog — you can read about my visit here). Arlington Row is one of the most photographed streets in the country (Image: Getty ) Article continues below Arlington Row is a row of weavers' cottages built of local stone next to the River Coln (Image: Getty ) Bibury's real showstopper is Arlington Row, a row of cottages originally built of local stone in 1380 next to the River Coln as a monastic wool store before being converted to weavers' cottages in the 17th century. It is probably the most photographed row of houses in the Cotswolds, possibly even the UK. Life's stresses melt away as you walk the narrow road (also called Awkward Hill) beside the cottages, first crossing a narrow stone bridge over the river, and trying to tread the equally fine line of respecting the fact that these are people's homes while marvelling at how gorgeous they are. ‌ Hopefully, the people lucky enough to live here enjoy the fact that, like Buckingham Palace, thousands of people take pictures of their homes every day. The Swan Hotel is the most imposing building in the centre of Bibury (Image: Getty ) The beer garden of the Swan Hotel, surrounded by the gentle waters of the river Coln (Image: Steffan Rhys ) ‌ And that brings me to the one thing about Bibury that is a bit off-putting: the number of tourists here is way out of proportion to the size of the village and its ability to cope with them. The 600 or so people who live here are sharing these narrow lanes and pretty fields with coaches, tour groups and day-trippers every day — thousands of them, Express reports. One resident, Lynn Edward, who has lived in Bibury for six years, told The Guardian earlier this year: "We have such a beautiful place that we want to share, but the level of tourism and the hordes of people that come has just made it entirely unpleasant, and the infrastructure doesn't really cope with it. "All they want to do is come and take a photograph. They don't stay in the village. They don't linger enough to really ingest the beauty and historic value of the place. It's literally, I think, to take a selfie." ‌ Cars are parked in long lines on the main road through Bibury, beside the river Coln (Image: Steffan Rhys ) And people are very keen to grab a photo of the scene for the memories (and social media channels) (Image: Getty ) I knew in advance that Bibury was a tourist attraction — and obviously I was here as a tourist. But I didn't appreciate just how many people there would be on a random weekday afternoon. ‌ But it was obvious even before I got to the village centre, with groups of tourists strolling in the middle of the road en route, long lines of parked cars beside the river, several different languages from all over the world to be heard and people of all nationalities standing on Bibury's pretty stone bridges to grab a selfie. Some of them were not especially inclined to bother moving when it was clear others wanted to get across, instead taking their time to get that perfect shot for Instagram — and some claim the rocketing number of visitors to Bibury is down to the boom in travel and tourism influencers on social media. There is heavy traffic along the narrow lanes of Bibury, despite how small the village is (Image: Steffan Rhys ) A relentless stream of tourists walks beside the cottages on Arlington Row (Image: Steffan Rhys ) ‌ There's even a large car park on the outskirts of the village, where visitors are charged £5 to park before walking into the heart of the village. There is enough space for 300 cars but villagers say even this is not enough on some days. The narrow lane between the car park and the village is a tight squeeze when trying to cope with two-way traffic as well as all the tourists on foot. While many would assume that such a large number of tourists would also bring a significant economic benefit, people in the village don't seem convinced that's the case. I visited the 'prettiest village in England' and tried to be respectful while enjoying its beauty (Image: Steffan Rhys ) ‌ Victoria Summerley, a journalist and author who has lived there since 2012, says: "[The villagers] would say [the tourists] don't put any money into the village." It is clearly a difficult balance. While tourism can bring benefits and people are often proud to share the beauty of where they live with visitors, it is understandable that villagers who call Bibury home are frustrated by the extent to which it has now become a tourist attraction. It is undoubtedly a staggeringly beautiful place, and lives up to its billing as "the most beautiful village in England", even considering the amount of competition in the Cotswolds alone. So if you do visit, please try and be as respectful as possible of the people who live here. Things to do in Bibury Arlington Row A row of cottages originally built of local stone in 1380, next to the River Coln, is probably the most photographed street in the Cotswolds, possibly even the country. A short circular route runs from the Swan Hotel to the cottages and back along a track to the hotel. Article continues below Bibury Trout Farm Bibury Trout Farm is one of Britain's oldest trout farms. Founded in 1902, you will find its trout on the menu in restaurants around the Cotswolds. It is open to the public while being a working trout farm producing hundreds of thousands of trout (brown, blue and rainbow) a year. It also has an on-site smokery. You can buy the trout on site and in the village shop. Entry to the farm costs £9 for adults. Swan Hotel The beautiful Swan Hotel is perhaps the most prominent building in Bibury, its walls covered in greenery. You can stay here or simply book a table for lunch or dinner. It also has arguably the most beautiful beer garden in Britain, with deckchairs set almost on an island surrounded by the tranquil River Coln. Eleven Bibury With interiors designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Eleven Bibury is a mixture of cafe, restaurant, art space and shared working space just across the main road from the river. Grab a brunch, a slice of cake or coffee and escape the crowds of tourists outside.