New Smyrna Beach is a magical place full of fun and beauty, but when you have a boat, a whole new world of recreation is open to you. For instance, the islands that pepper this picturesque boating corner of the world are prime for exploring!

One amazingly enjoyable island to drop anchor is Disappearing Island which can be found just inland off the Ponce Inlet jetties at the intersection of the Halifax River, Ponce Inlet and Indian River North. Just a word to the wise…Plan your day based on the tides because Disappearing Island definitely earned its name honestly. However, slack tide will afford you several hours for sunbathing, grilling and playing beach games to your heart’s content on this pristine and festive hideaway.

Here’s a tip for boaters who like to fish. Chicken Island offers some of the area’s best fishing, and history has it that smugglers were known to frequent the area. If you’d like to explore or fish Chicken Island, set a course for the spot between the North and South Causeways and Daggett and Piddler Islands, which are a little over a mile off Ponce Inlet.

So, yes, those little islands surrounding New Smyrna Beach are definitely great fun to visit and explore and there are plenty of them – over 40 islands off Volusia County alone! 

If you would like to rent or purchase a boat to embark on your own island adventures, check out Gerry’s Marina. Voted “Central Florida’s Best Boat Dealer” by Daytona Beach News Journal readers and located right on the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach, Gerry’s is a full-service marina that has been meeting the needs of Central Florida boaters since 1989.