Ponce Inlet Travel Guide

  Yes, the pelican is real.
by shohman
 
  • Yes, the pelican is real.
      Yes, the pelican is real.
    by shohman
  • Lighthouse from the ICW
      Lighthouse from the ICW
    by grandmaR
  •   Things to Do
    by shohman
  •   Things to Do
    by shohman
  • Picture of the inlet from museum display
      Picture of the inlet from museum display
    by grandmaR
 

Pro

MA_Bell profile photo

  Picturesque and charming coastal community 


Con

MA_Bell profile photo

  No slack speed/traffic enforcement with heavy fines 


In a nutshell

susiemargare profile photo

  a pleasant way to spend an afternoon 

 

Explore Ponce Inlet

Things to Do  

Visit the lighthouse

Visit the lighthouse, Ponce Inlet

 shohman Says:  the liighthouse was built in 1887 and has been restored over the past decade. You can climb to the top and see for miles. Not as interesting or fun as the lighthouses in New England, but I have to admit, ANY lighthouse is pretty cool if you ask me. 

Go deep sea fishing

Go deep sea fishing, Ponce Inlet

 shohman Says:  There's no shortage of fishing charters here. My favorite is Critterfleet. They run 1/2 and full day charters and the staff is awesome. For about $50, they will take you out, supply rods and bait. They even unhook and clean your fish. If the fish aren't biting, they will... 

marine science center and ponce inlet lighthouse

marine science center and ponce inlet lighthouse, Ponce Inlet

 susiemargare Says:  i have more detailed information about these two places in my "things to do" tips for NEW SMYRNA BEACH, which is only about 30-45 mins away from ponce inlet. 

Mosquito Inlet Light

Mosquito Inlet Light, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  The Ponce de Leon Inlet was called Mosquito Inlet when the lighthouse was built in 1887. Ponce de Leon Light Station was designated a historic landmark in 1998. It is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m in the winter, and can be climbed for an excellent view of the surrounding... 

Shopping  

Gift Shop: Entrance

Gift Shop: Entrance, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  In order to get to the museum, you have to pass through the gift shop. This building was built in 1992 from blueprints drawn in 1883 by the architect of our lighthouse for a keeper's dwelling planned for construction at this light station but never built. The restrooms, and... 

Local Customs  

Oil Storage House

Oil Storage House, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  Last item (#12) on the list of things to see in the lighthouse grounds, I did find this very interesting. It had several ATONS (aids to navigation) displayed inside.These are the specifics: "Built in 1887 with a unique double-wall ventilation system for safety, this was one... 

USLHS Bell

USLHS Bell, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  This is listed at #11 on the lighthouse museum list of things to so. I took this picture from the back, but didn't bother to go around to the front to photograph it with the sign. From the museum website: "This 600-pound bronze bell was cast by the E.A. Williams Bell... 

Generator/Radio Shack Building

Generator/Radio Shack Building, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  This is what the website says about this building, which is #9 on the list."Originally a woodshed and privy for the First Assistant Keeper's family, two electrical generators, like the one still here, were installed in the woodshed room in 1940, when a radio beacon was... 

First Assistant Keeper's Dwelling

First Assistant Keeper's Dwelling, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  #8 is the building which is restored and furnished as it would have been at the turn of the century (1900) It is named for Gladys Meyer Davis, whose father was the last civilian principal lightkeeper. She was born here and is/was a lifelong resident of Ponce Inlet. In the... 

The Pump House

The Pump House, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  This is the #7 building - sort of an anticlimax after the lighthouse. Not much to see here.From the website: "Over a well dug in 1907, this building was constructed to house a water pump which was operated by a windmill built on a tower over the building. Water was pumped... 

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  Finally at #6, we get to the lighthouse. By this time I was too tired to climb it to see the wonderful view which I'm sure there would be from the top. Also it was raining, and I was a little afraid that if there was lightening, we'd be evacuated from the lighthouse.The... 

The Principal Keeper's Dwelling

The Principal Keeper's Dwelling, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  The #5 building is the Principal Keeper's house. The museum calls this building the Museum of the Sea. The exhibits include ship models, navigation instruments, pirates' treasure, marine biology, oceanography, exploration, whaling and deep-sea fishing. There was also a video... 

The Second Assistant Keeper's Dwelling

The Second Assistant Keeper's Dwelling, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  The fourth building on the tour list is the Second Assistant Keeper's House. Quite frankly, I'm not sure if the building pictured is the First Assistant's or the Second Assistant's House - All I can read on the sign is the word "Memorial"The lighthouse webpage says that the... 

The Boatyard

The Boatyard, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  The #3 item on the Lighthouse grounds list is the boatyard. We didn't bother with it. The lighthouse webpage says:"This area is reserved for the display of historic vessels. Currently on display is the 46-foot F.D. Russell tug boat which sailed for many years in this area.... 

Woodshed Video Theater & Privy Exhibit

Woodshed Video Theater & Privy Exhibit, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  After you pass through the gift shop and pay your admission, the second step in the museum is the video theatre. In many lighthouse museums, you can see the video without paying to go into the grounds, but that is not the case here."Wood for the fireplaces and stove of the... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Speeders Beware

Speeders Beware, Ponce Inlet

 MA_Bell Says:  Don't get in a hurry if you go to Ponce Inlet. Their police vigorously check speed on the main 4-lane road into town, especially as it turns from 2-lane to 4-lane just where one might think the speed may be increased. Observe the posted signs, and don't ~assume~ speed limits... 

No Water, No Food, No Backpacks

No Water, No Food, No Backpacks, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  I can understand prohibiting food inside the grounds, but I can't quite see why they prohibit water (and it was raining when we were there) unless they want you to buy the water that they have for sale. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Mosquito Inlet

Mosquito Inlet, Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  This inlet is now called Ponce de Leon Inlet (Ponce for short). It seems Mosquito Inlet does not resonate with developers.It is not a class A inlet, but I've been unable to find out what class inlet it is. The lighthouse publicity says it is 'feared' by mariners.But last... 

Favorites  

Fresnel - Pronounce Freh-NELL (without the S)

Fresnel - Pronounce Freh-NELL (without the S), Ponce Inlet

 grandmaR Says:  Part of the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Museum is in building #10 The Ayres Davies Lens Exhibit Building. The other parts of the museum (other than the gift shop which is under Shopping Tips) are listed under Local Customs.This is a new building, built in 1995, and not one of... 

Watch the Ocean Fishing Charters unload

Watch the Ocean Fishing Charters unload, Ponce Inlet

 V_Minx Says:  If you are someone who does not often see fish caught in the ocean, you might just find that hanging around when a charter boat comes in can be interesting. You never know exactly what has been caught, but seeing the variety and size of fish is interesting. Many fisherman... 

The Place

Plan a Ponce Inlet vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ponce Inlet locals

Experience Ponce Inlet
  •   24 Tips and Reviews
  •  48 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Ponce Inlet
 

The People

 
Our Members Say
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 Even though this is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and is visible from a long ways off on the ICW, you can't see any more than the top of it from the south... 

 

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Top Ponce Inlet Writers

1

Pleasant Ponce Inlet

V_Minx profile photo

 Ponce Inlet is its own town, but I think many people consider it southern Daytona Beach. Located just a few miles south of DB, this city has some sights that are worth taking a look at. You are not... 

2

Ponce Inlet: Lighthouses and deep sea fishing

shohman profile photo

 Ponce Inlet is a very small...well, inlet about 90 minutes from Orlando on the East Coast of Florida. I go here about once a year to go deep sea fishing. There is not much to do in this small town,...... 

3

The Big Red Lighthouse

grandmaR profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Ponce Inlet. I'd love to share with you the 17 tips I've written, the 41 photos uploaded, and 2 travelogues I've created. 

4

susie margaret and ponce inlet, florida, USA

susiemargare profile photo

 i spent a very nice afternoon in ponce inlet and saw the marine science center and the lighthouse, which are just around the corner from each other (see my "things to do" tips for NEW SMYRNA BEACH). 

5

Ponce Inlet-Charming But Don't Rush

MA_Bell profile photo

 Ponce Inlet is a residential community at the south end of Daytona Beach, with a majestic lighthouse [with museum] and marina [with very nice restaurant and a cute little gift shop]. It is... 

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