VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County beaches are bracing for big crowds this Fourth of July weekend, and officials are urging families to plan ahead before hitting the sand.
The county’s top recommendation for families with young children: skip the driving beaches altogether and head to one of several non-driving beach locations with off-beach parking lots nearby. Two factors are driving that advice — massive crowds and unusually narrow beaches caused by super mid-day high tides and in some areas, sand berms left from a recent beach renourishment project.
The warning carries extra weight following a tragedy during Memorial Day weekend, when a 22-month-old girl was killed in New Smyrna Beach after darting into a traffic lane on the driving beach.
For those who choose to use the driving beaches, Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs offered specific guidance.
“Your tents, your coolers, everything you’re going to need for the day - set it up on the water-side of the traffic lane. That limits the children from wanting to travel back and forth across that traffic lane and if you do bring a small child to the beach make sure you’re always holding their hand whenever they even come close to the traffic lane or are crossing the traffic lane,” Malphurs said.
Officials also note that high mid-day tides will push beachgoers back from the water’s edge regardless, making the driving beach setup even more challenging. There is also a soft sand issue currently on the beach — four-wheel drive is required for any vehicle accessing the driving beach this weekend.
Beachgoers can download the county’s Volusia Beaches app to check beach ramp status, tide information and locate the nearest off-beach parking lots.
Fireworks are banned on all Volusia County beaches, and law enforcement will be out actively enforcing the rule this weekend. Anyone caught setting off fireworks on the beach faces a minimum $100 fine and possible arrest. Officials say the ban exists not only for public safety, but also to protect what is shaping up to be a record-breaking sea turtle nesting season.
There are currently 1,100 sea turtle nests along Volusia County beaches — and fireworks can disorient nesting turtles and hatchlings.
“When you come down to the beach, no matter where you are on the beach, you’re probably going to see a turtle nest. Please stay far away from those turtle nests, they are marked very clearly so you will know where they are. Please keep your children and everyone away from those turtle nests,” Malphurs said.
The only fireworks permitted on Volusia beaches are professionally produced, permitted shows. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies will be on the beach enforcing the ban throughout the holiday weekend.