Daytona, as in Daytona Beach, FL.
There is the Halifax River, aka the IC Waterway. Plenty of restaurants and marinas. I wouldn’t put in further north than Halifax Marina if you plan on cruising south (no wake zones due to bridges). I’ve never been further North than the Marina on the water, but the I/C does continue North towards St. Augustine
Just South of Daytona is Ponce Inlet, and then New Symrna Beach (NSB), has quite a lengthy No Wake from the Inlet until you make it past the South Causeway. The I/C here continues south to Mosquito Lagoon (known for Redfish), and over to the Cape Canaveral area (I haven’t explored this area yet).
About 35 mins from Daytona if you head W on I-4, there is Sanford Florida’s & Lake Monroe/St. Jonn’s River. You can cruise N on the River and find Blue Springs and then Hontoon Island (nice state park for walking and picnics), but you will encounter some No Wake zones due to Manatee protection areas. (There are also an abundance of gators on the river and the surrounding lakes).
Alternatively, you could put in further North (Deland) at Ed Stone Park, and have a shorter trip South to Hontoon, or take the river North up to Lake George and the Silver Glen Springs area.
Also in Orlando there is the Conway Chain of Lakes, and then the Butler Chain of Lakes (the later is where Shaq’s current 30,000 sq ft home is).
Save travels!
