[2] The Tomoka rises in the forests of Volusia County between Port Orange and Daytona Beach at an elevation of 23 feet (7.0 m).

It also runs next to the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport and Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park.

The river and several of its tributaries (Strickland, Thompson and Dodson Creek) are designated as a manatee sanctuary.

Other threatened species that inhabit the river basin include the wood stork and Atlantic salt marsh snake.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recommends this paddling trail for beginners.