Ormond By The Sea, a community surrounded by water
In Ormond By The Sea, the aroma of wet sand and salt hangs in the air as the sun rises and sets over the Atlantic Ocean. The community extends over 7 miles across a barrier island, which is separated from the mainland by the Halifax River. The area is known for its waterfront parks, public fishing spots and relaxed atmosphere that attracts families and retirees. "I moved to Ormond By The Sea to be closer to my daughter and her family," says resident Dave O'Hara. "Now I drive my granddaughter to school every day and spend my late afternoons relaxing on the beach."
Because the community is an unincorporated part of Ormond Beach, residents rely on septic systems and wells instead of city utilities. But that isn’t stopping the area’s growth. "You're going to see a lot of construction in the area. There are chunks of land that developers are putting in small neighborhoods," says TJ Jarosik, a Realtor with Watson Realty with 20 years of experience.
Ormond Beach and the winding Halifax River
Ormond By The Sea has over 10 public green spaces along the river and coastline. Residents relax on the sandy shores, which have smaller crowds than Daytona Beach. "There's a lot of surfing going on in this community; there are great waves to take advantage of," says Lancelot Lenard, a Realtor with Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage who has sold in the area for almost 10 years. "Neither the ocean nor river have much motor restriction, and most people will boat down to Ponce Inlet to launch into the ocean."
There are five public fishing spots on the Halifax River, including the docks along John Anderson Drive and Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park. Here, hikers wander through trails while fishing and kayaking take place in the river. The Birthplace of Speed Park contains a monument to the first speed tournaments in the nation. Andy Romano Beachfront Park has playgrounds, a splash pad and picnic tables. "Oceanside Country Club is right on the beach; it's a big gathering area for people in the community. There's a section inside the golf course where you can walk right onto the shore," Lenard says.
Condos, bungalows and beachfront mansions
Homes offer a variety of front porch views, from riverside and beachfront properties to inland residential streets. Common architectural designs include ranch-styles, bungalows and larger Mediterranean-inspired homes. Most houses stand close together and have front yards with driveways. To the west are residences with private docks reaching into the river. Some of the community's most recent homes are near A1A, including attached units inside Cupola at Oceanside and new houses in the Beachview Cove subdivision.
Low-rise and mid-rise condos line the western side of A1A away from the coastline. "In the northern section of Ormond by the Sea, there are dunes on the beach, so you can't build on it," Jarosik says. "Those 'oceanfront homes' are actually on the other side of A1A, where it's more suitable to build." Three-bedroom condos and townhouses typically range from $575,000 to $850,000, while smaller units cost between $200,000 and $500,000. Ranch-style houses and bungalows generally range from $350,000 to $625,000. Luxury homes along the water can cost between $1 million and $4 million.
Shopping at Publix and dinner at Alfie's
A1A is lined with commercial pockets with strip malls and oceanside diners. The Ormond Beach Mall includes a Publix Super Market, Bealls Outlet, Dollar Tree and takeout restaurants. Farther down the road is a mix of old and new eateries. Alfie's Restaurant, a nautical-themed diner, has been a local favorite for over 30 years. "Lagerhead Bar and Grill is also really popular; they have a parking lot out back that fills up quickly," Jarosik says. Just over the bridge awaits live music events, attractions and more restaurants in the Ormond Beach Main Street District.
Volusia County Schools provides school choice
Beachside Elementary, which has a B-minus from Niche, opened in 2023. The campus contains three buildings and serves around 750 students. Children can move on to Ormond Beach Middle, which earns a B. The B-plus-rated Seabreeze High provides CTE pathways in agritechnology, digital media and culinary arts. The middle and high schools are considered among the top public schools in Volusia County, according to Niche. Students may enroll in any public county school if space is available. However, families must provide their own transportation to schools outside their attendance zone.
Year-round events by the sea
Rockefeller Garden and Fortunato Park host events such as the Celtic Festival and Riverfest Seafood Festival. These public spaces are also the site of the Ormond Beach Original Music and Arts Festival and Movies on the Halifax every month.
An 11-mile commute to Daytona
In addition to being close to A1A--renamed Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway in 2024 to honor the late music legend—residents can also access the mainland via the Granada Bridge, which leads directly to downtown Ormond Beach. The Votran bus provides service to downtown Daytona Beach. The local urgent care facility is AdventHealth Centra Care Ormond Beach and AdventHealth Daytona Beach, the nearest major hospital, is 10 miles inland. The Ormond Beach Municipal Airport is about a 10-mile drive from the community, while Orlando Sanford International Airport is 55 miles away.
Ormond By The Sea is susceptible to severe weather threats
The community is highly susceptible to severe weather. In 2024, Hurricane Milton caused flooding, property damage and power outages throughout the region. The Florida Department of Transportation is constructing an underground seawall on A1A in hopes of being able to decrease future storm damage. The seawall is estimated to be completed by late 2025.
