Daytona Beach Is Now Home To A Shipwreck Dating Back To The 1800s

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See The Shipwreck Before It Disappears Again

Where To Stay Nearby The Daytona Shipwreck

Where To Get Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner

Beachcombers strolling along the Atlantic coastline in Daytona Beach Shores hit the jackpot in early December 2022 when a mysterious object poking out of the sand was found to be the wooden remains of an old ship that apparently wrecked along the Florida coast. The shipwreck had been a topic of speculation for locals and visitors who happened upon the scene in the beach community, located about 90 miles south of Jacksonville.

A group of archeologists examined what's left of the wreck and concluded it was likely a ship that went down in the 1800s and had been buried under the sand ever since. With the ongoing shifting of sand along coastlines, it is likely, they said, that the wreck will disappear once again, making the timeframe for research a limited one.

The coast of Florida has seen plenty of shipwrecks over the years. According to the National Park Service, the San Pedro, a wooden-hulled Dutch-built sailing ship, sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1733. In 1900, a 19th-century steel-hulled schooner-rigged steamship, the SS Copenhagen, sank off Lauderdale by the Sea during a voyage between Philadelphia and Cuba. And in 1898, the waters off Boynton Beach became the watery grave of the Lofthus, an iron-hulled ship, to name a few.

See The Shipwreck Before It Disappears Again

Visitors to the Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores area can view the wooden hull of the newly discovered shipwreck while archaeologists work to learn more about the vessel. In addition to the partially covered wreck, individual pieces of wreckage had washed up on the beach in pieces after Hurricane Ian on September 23, 2022, and Hurricane Nicole on November 7, 2022.

According to the team of archaeologists at the site, the remaining structure is about 80 feet long and made of wood. The site is just south of Frank Rendon Park, a popular recreation area located at 2705 South Atlantic Avenue.

“This is definitely a ship,” said Chuck Meide, director of the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, told news media outlets that the structure “is definitely a ship.” After examining the construction style, he said, “You can see these timbers sticking up, those are massive, and the way they’re arranged, that’s how you build a ship.”

According to Meide, the ship was probably a cargo-carrying vessel from the 1800s that would have sailed within sight of the coast and likely was big enough to travel transatlantic.

No one can say how long the new attraction at Daytona Beach Shores will be visible, but tourists in the area who enjoy beachcombing can check out what's left of the ship while enjoying other activities in the beach community.

There are plenty of things to do in Daytona. Notable attractions in the area include Pirate's Island Adventure Golf, a mini-golf course at 3420 South Atlantic Avenue based on real-life pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, and has waterfalls, streams, and bridges. Adults who want to play golf can visit the Oceans West Golf Club at 2 Oceans West Boulevard. The 13-hole course is a not-for-profit golf course that's open to the public.

Where To Stay Nearby The Daytona Shipwreck

Daytona Beach Shores is a small community four miles south of its bigger neighbor, Daytona Beach, known as one of Florida's top party beaches, and has a limited number of hotels. Here are a few choices at various price points, including a few in Daytona Beach.

Castaways Resort Studios

Cost: $
Address: 2043 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores
Amenities: Pool, free WiFi, free parking, fitness center

Perry's Ocean Edge Resort

Cost: $$
Address: 2209 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores
Amenities: Two outdoor pools, restaurant, free parking, kitchenettes, children stay free

The Shores Resort & Spa

Cost: $$
Address: 2637 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores
Amenities: Pool, gym, spa, pet friendly, free WiFi

Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort

Cost: $$
Address: 422 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach
Amenities: Outdoor pool, restaurant/bar, fitness center, beachfront

Residence Inn by Marriott Daytona Beach

Cost: $$$
Address: 1725 Richard Petty Boulevard, Daytona Beach
Amenities: Pool, spa tubs, free airport shuttle, pet friendly, kitchens

Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach

Cost: $$$
Address: 918 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach
Amenities: Beachfront, restaurant, bars, outdoor pool, children's pool, room service, pet friendly

Where To Get Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner

Daytona Beach Shores has several restaurants, with most of them serving breakfast and lunch. A few dinner options are available. Here are some well-regarded eateries visitors can consider.

Breakfast and lunch

Daytona Diner