Tag: New Smyrna Beach

A Sunday Drive On The Beach

My youngest son was here visiting and wanted to go to the beach. Unfortunately the only day we could go was on a weekend. Late morning Sunday we packed the truck and headed to New Smyrna Beach.

It should have taken about 10 minutes to get onto the beach, but took more like 45. Some of the ramps were closed, because the beach was so busy, so we headed further north and got in line.

My older son, who was driving, needed a new year-long beach pass, so we had to get that. Instead of holding up the traffic while buying the pass, we were given a sign under the windshield wipers and told to go to the right where we could get the pass. Good idea!

beach traffic
Sitting in traffic to get onto the beach
beach dunes at ramp
Heading onto the beach

Once we had the pass put on, we headed north to find a spot to park. We ended up close to the inlet before there was a space!

New Smyrna Beach Florida
New Smyrna Beach
low tide at New Smyrna Beach
Beach condos

The weather was hot, but very cloudy and super windy! The water was in the 70’s and a very rough surf. This was great for surfers but there weren’t a lot of people swimming.

low tide at New Smyrna Beach
Low tide
low tide at New Smyrna Beach
Toward the jetty

We didn’t stay long, but it was enough time to enjoy time with my visiting son. We drove back down to the ramp at Flagler Ave. and I got a photo of Breakers Restaurant.

Breakers pink building
Breakers at Flagler Ave.

On Flagler, there was still a line of traffic waiting to get onto the beach. This is why we never go anywhere (to the beach or boating) on the weekend!

driving the beach
On the beach traffic
traffic on Flagler Ave.
Flagler Ave. traffic

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Sunset Photos at New Smyrna Beach

Flagler Ave on the east coast of Florida as the sun sets. Photo taken from the beach.

Just before Hurricane Nicole showed up to ruin the local beaches, my daughter came to visit from New Hampshire. She definitely chose the right week! While she was here we had sunshine and warmth. A few days later the beaches were pummeled by the storm.

She arrived on a Tuesday, and we had to go to the beach that evening. These are a few of the photos I took from New Smyrna Beach at the end of Flagler Ave. where Breakers restaurant is located. We walked a little just so she could enjoy having her toes in the sand!

Flagler Ave and Breakers at night from the beach.

New Smyrna Beach Florida at night
Looking south down the beach at low tide
life guard tower at night Flagler Ave.
The lifeguard tower

The lights on the second floor of Crabby’s Restaurant were shining in the darkness.

Crabby’s restaurant lit up at night
Crabby’s
Flagler Ave, New Smyrna beach at night

A few days later we went back to this part of the beach to walk and swim. A storm moved up from the south and we all hid under the pavilion to stay somewhat dry.

At this point I didn’t even know about Nicole and the damage the storm would do to this area. My son and I visited this same area the day the storm arrived (overnight) to get some pre-storm photos. You can see here how low tide should look, and the difference when the storm was approaching.

New Smyrna Beach at Flagler Ave.
New Smyrna Beach at Flagler Ave.

While my daughter visited, we went to the beach three times, went boating once, and visited the boat ramp park to swim. She was able to get her fill of saltwater and sunshine!

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Beach Waves as Hurricane Nicole Heads to New Smyrna Beach

Views of New Smyrna Beach before Hurricane Nicole arrives and the waves and high water levels.

It is November 9th and Hurricane Nicole is headed toward Florida. We rarely get an East coast hit by a strong storm, so my son and I took a ride to see the waves at the beach.

Usually I stay home and do nothing when a storm is approaching, but this one is taking forever to arrive. We’ve had wind and occasional rain since yesterday afternoon.

I checked the tides on my phone on the way to Flagler Ave., and found that it was about 1 1/2 hours from LOW tide.

This water is very high for low tide.

  • Hurricane Nicole beach waves
  • beach waves

I did not get photos, but as we drove along Riverside Drive, the water was higher than I’ve ever seen it – even at high tide in the river. The boat ramp and small park were both roped off along the river so we couldn’t stop and get photos. Because this was nearing low tide, I’m guessing the place will be flooded once high tide arrives.

Breakers

I really don’t know how Breakers Restaurant manages to remain throughout all the storms it’s seen. (Someone on Instagram mentioned that the owners at one time invested a lot of money into a sea wall for Breakers.) We visited Breakers and had food and drinks after Hurricane Charley came through. Frances and Jeanne came right after and eventually I think Breakers had to close due to damage.

Breakers restaurant
Breakers already has water near foundation
beach waves hurricane Nicole
Beach Ramp

The bottom corner of the pink building has some noticeable damage. I don’t know if it was from Hurricane Ian, but a lot of the coastal buildings have not recovered fully from Ian. That hurricane just passed through a little over a month ago.

Beach ramp at Flagler Ave closed for Hurricane Nicole
Access to the beach closed

It is almost 5PM as I type this and Nicole is hitting land around midnight as far as I know. She is bringing 70mph winds and along with high tides along the beach, there will be lots of damage. My house is as ready as it will be. I hope I can sleep through the wind, but I really hope the power stays on.

Stay safe Floridians.

Update: Power stayed on for us. Haven’t seen the beaches, but I know they took a pounding.