Ormond-by-the-Sea Homes for Sale — Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond-by-the-Sea is the laid-back beachside strip just north of Ormond Beach — a quiet, unincorporated community on the barrier island where the buildings stay low, the pace stays slow, and the Atlantic is right at the end of the street. For buyers who want to live at the beach without high-rise crowds or Daytona prices, it's one of the best-kept secrets on this coast. Here's a local Realtor's take.
| Location | Barrier island north of Ormond Beach, coastal Volusia County (unincorporated) |
|---|---|
| Community type | Quiet, low-rise beachside community — cottages, single-family homes & smaller condos |
| The beach | Direct Atlantic access with no high-rises; some of the calmest, least-crowded beach in the area |
| Water | Between the Atlantic and the Halifax River / Intracoastal — riverfront & canal homes with boat access on the west side |
| Homes | Older beach cottages to updated coastal homes & low-rise condos; generally more attainable than Daytona beachside |
| Nearby | Minutes to Ormond Beach shopping & the Granada corridor; Tomoka State Park & the Ormond Loop just north |
About the community
Ormond-by-the-Sea has kept its old-Florida beach-town feel where a lot of the coast has built up. It's an unincorporated stretch of the barrier island, mostly one- and two-story homes and smaller condo buildings, so you get open sky and an easygoing, neighborly vibe. The beach here is famously calm and uncrowded — a favorite with walkers, shell-hunters, and anyone who wants the ocean without the bustle.
You're never far from the water on either side: the Atlantic to the east, the Halifax River (Intracoastal) to the west, with canal and riverfront homes offering boat access.
Homes & prices
This is one of the more attainable ways to own at the beach in Volusia County. Inventory ranges from vintage beach cottages and updated coastal homes to low-rise condos, and prices generally run below the high-rise beachside markets to the south. It's popular with retirees, snowbirds, and second-home buyers. Because listings right in Ormond-by-the-Sea can be limited, I keep an eye on the whole Ormond Beach coastal market — tell me what you're after and I'll flag the right ones as they hit.
Lifestyle & location
Life here is beach-first: morning walks on the sand, fishing, and sunrise over the Atlantic. Head a few minutes south for Ormond Beach's shopping and restaurants along Granada, or north to Tomoka State Park and the scenic Ormond Loop — one of the prettiest drives in Florida. Daytona Beach and I-95 are a short hop away when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ormond-by-the-Sea a good place to buy a beach home on a budget?
It's one of the best values for beachside living in Volusia County. Because it's a low-rise, unincorporated community rather than a high-rise resort strip, prices generally run below the Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores oceanfront markets, while still putting you steps from the Atlantic.
Are there high-rises in Ormond-by-the-Sea?
No — that's a big part of the appeal. Ormond-by-the-Sea is a low-rise community of cottages, single-family homes, and smaller condo buildings, which keeps the beach open and uncrowded.
Can you get a boat in the water in Ormond-by-the-Sea?
Yes — the community sits between the Atlantic and the Halifax River (the Intracoastal), so homes on the west side can have canal or riverfront access with dockage. I can focus your search on water-access homes if that's the goal.
Where is Ormond-by-the-Sea?
On the barrier island just north of Ormond Beach in coastal Volusia County — minutes from Ormond's shopping, close to Tomoka State Park and the Ormond Loop, and a short drive to Daytona Beach and I-95.