- February 1, 2025
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Volusia County will be opening 14 beach ramps to vehicular access starting Saturday, May 9.
County Council Chair Ed Kelley delivered the announcement during the 2 p.m. briefing on Friday, May 8. This comes after the county announced on Wednesday that beach restrooms and showers will also reopen on Saturday, May 9. Vehicles will be allowed to enter the beach but must park in front of one of the newly-installed blue markers or existing conservation zone poles.
“We’ve taken all these measures to spread out and allow people and vehicles both to be socially distancing," Kelley said. "We know that beach access is most important, and we’re happy to be able to offer safe options for beachgoers.”
The ramps that will be open are:
Beach Safety Director Ray Manchester said limited beach parking is available in clusters near the ramps, and will remain restricted in the rest of the beach.
“It is very important for people to realize the opening of the ramps is for beach parking and not for beach driving," he said.
Annual passholders who purchased their pass before March 20 will be credited a 57-day extension, Kelley said. Only day passes, which cost $20, will be sold until May 11. Manchester said if people intend to buy an annual pass (it cost $25 for Volusia residents and $100 for non-residents), they should keep their day pass receipt to receive a credit, which they can then use to upgrade to an annual pass.
Annual passes are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Beachgoers are still expected to comply with the county's social distancing guidelines of limiting groups to six people or less and staying 10 feet apart from other groups.
“I’m really excited to be able to announce these additional reopening measures," Kelley said. "We’ve been waiting for this. We all had hope that we could’ve done this weeks ago. Thank you very much for your patience.”