Gator Beach and Sports

As someone who has spent her whole life in the central Florida area, I’ve had my fair share of interaction with Gator lovers. Although Gainesville is home to the popular reptile themed sports team, the coastal waterways of Daytona Beach also have their own way of showing Gator pride. Gator Beach and Sports, located on A1A across from the Ocean Walk Village, offers a unique shopping experience for sports fans and beach goers alike.

As I walked into the store, I was immediately impressed by the large variety of items the store carried. The front of the store is set up like a typical surf shop. Beach towels, Daytona Beach hoodies, sunglasses, and flip flops lined the pastel painted walls. As I made my way past the beach ware, the store turned into a scene straight out of Gator nation. The second half of the store is filled with Gator jerseys, t -shirts, hats, and even blue and orange exercise clothes. Just like the beach ware, the Gator clothing is also available in sizes for the whole family.

Gator Beach and Sports definitely lives up to its name by combining Gator sports gear with beach ware, offering one of the most unique shopping experiences I have encountered in the Daytona Beach area. If you are looking for beach clothes or souvenirs you will definitely find them at Gator’s. You will also find plenty of sports gear, a rare find in the middle of a beach town. The store also offers unique items that combine the beach and gator themes. Gator bathing suits, beach towels, flip flops, and beach bags are all over the store offering a great opportunity to take your Gator pride to the beach with you.

In addition to the clothing, Gator Beach and Sports also has a fun activity for the adventurous gator lovers. The store has two in-house live alligators on display for customers to get up close and personal with. The alligators are babies, making them small enough for visitors to hold if they are especially daring. After some pushing from one of the employees, I held one of the alligators just long enough to snap a picture. The alligator was actually surprisingly calm and wasn’t as scary as I thought he would be. The alligators, named Albert and Alberta, are on loan from GatorLand in Orlando. They are replaced every few months so that the store will always have a couple of smaller alligators on site. Anyone can hold the alligators if they come by the store on Tuesdays or Fridays from 4-5 p.m. The experience was a great extra treat and something that you would not normally expect to find in a clothing store.

Gator Beach and Sports is a definite “must see” in Daytona Beach. The location is great, the staff is friendly, and the shopping experience is very unique. Whether you are a sports fanatic or simply a beach lover, anyone would have a good time at Gator Beach and Sports.

~Amanda Michael

Gator Beach and Sports

221 N Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118

386-253-1913