Is New Smyrna Beachside safe?
Daytona Beach, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates New Smyrna Beachside as “Go”.
Gogo's take on New Smyrna Beachside
“Go. New Smyrna Beachside is an exceptionally safe and welcoming barrier island community characterized by low violent crime, high property values, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Visitors need only practice basic precautions regarding unattended beach gear or bicycles and exercise care around Flagler Avenue's weekend evening crowds.”
Recent municipal attention has centered on monitoring seasonal visitor volume, beach driving ramp traffic, and maintaining short-term vacation rental standards.
About the area
New Smyrna Beachside occupies the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River North, centered around the bustling boutique and restaurant corridor of Flagler Avenue. It offers expansive white sand beaches, waterfront dining, and affluent residential neighborhoods with a distinct historic surf and resort culture.
- Beach Town
- Family-Friendly
- Walkable Dining Hub
- Laid-Back Coastal
Walking and biking in New Smyrna Beachside
Walk score: 62/100 · Bike score: 74/100
Biking is extremely popular, utilizing bike lanes on South Atlantic Avenue and wide multi-use pathways, alongside the ability to ride fat-tire bikes directly on the hard-packed beach sand.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both mainland Volusia County and national benchmarks
- Affluent economic profile with strong median household income and high homeownership values
- High pedestrian activity and frequent police presence along main commercial and beach corridors
Cons
- Opportunistic property crimes such as bicycle theft and unattended beach item thefts occur during peak tourist seasons
- Severe traffic congestion and limited parking availability on holiday weekends and during surf events
- High proportion of seasonal vacation rentals creates varying neighborhood consistency
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is negligible on the beachside strip, as commercial regulations are actively maintained and social services are located primarily on the mainland.
What New Smyrna Beachside is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and peaceful, with early-morning joggers, cyclists, and surfers filling the beach and avenue cafes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling, vibrant, and safe with high numbers of beachgoers, shoppers, and families.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Warm and active around restaurants and outdoor patios with plenty of foot traffic and good lighting.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm across residential streets, though standard late-night vigilance is advised near closing bars along Flagler Avenue.
Transit, parking and getting around
Votran provides local bus coverage via Route 44 connecting the beachside area to mainland transfer hubs, though service frequency is limited and personal vehicles or golf carts are the primary transit mode.
Paid municipal parking lots and street spaces are available along Flagler Avenue and near beach ramps (typically $20 daily or hourly pay-by-app), which fill up rapidly on weekends.
Things to do in New Smyrna Beachside
- Stroll, shop, and sample local dining along the historic Flagler Avenue district
- Explore the elevated boardwalks and 360-degree coastal views at Smyrna Dunes Park
- Spend a relaxing day swimming or cruising on the hard-packed drivable sand beach
Local favorites
- The Garlic · Italian Restaurant · 4.6★ (6850)Popular, lushly landscaped eatery serving wood-fired Italian classics and garlic-forward specialties.
- Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar · Cafe & Wine Bar · 4.6★ (2150)Charming garden cafe offering specialty coffees, craft pizzas, and global coastal cuisine.
- Flagler Tavern · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.4★ (4600)Multi-level beachside staple featuring seafood, live music, and open-air deck seating.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.