PONCE INLET,  FLORIDA

Ponce Inlet is south of Daytona Beach on the peninsula bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Ponce de Leon Inlet and the Halifax River. 

In historic times, the inlet was known as Mosquito Inlet.

Vintage Postcard Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse Before Name Change

It's most famous feature is the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station, built in 1887.

It has been lovingly restored by a lighthouse preservation society, and is one of best lighthouses to visit in the entire United States.

More than 80,000 people visit the lighthouse every year.  The lighthouse is flanked by several brick buildings, including one that houses a museum and gift shop.

The lighthouse is the tallest in Florida and is the third tallest in the United States after only Cape Hatteras Light in North Carolina and Cape Charles Light in Virginia.

The lighthouse is open to the public year around and you can climb to the top for a magnificent view of the Florida coast from Daytona Beach to New Smyrna Beach.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

The modern settlement of the area began in 1842 when Bartola Pacetti built a driftwood house on 50 acres north of the inlet. 

Mr. Pacetti was a descendant of one of the immigrants that Dr. Turnbull brought to Florida to settle his New Smyrna colony.

The government bought some land from the Pacetti family and built the lighthouse in 1887. 

The population of Ponce Inlet is about 3,000, and the homes range from oceanfront condominiums to modern new homes on heavily landscaped lots. 

Several of the local streets are unpaved, but easy to negotiate.  There are many beautiful tree canopies over most of the streets in town.

It is easy to tell that the town has some strict land use and landscaping regulations. 

They have paid off in one of the most beautiful residential communities in Florida.

Typical Ponce Inlet Home

What little remains of old historic Ponce Inlet has been lovingly preserved not only by the lighthouse preservation society, but by the Town of Ponce Inlet and many volunteers over the years.

There is a great little museum on Beach Street that tells the history of Ponce Inlet.  The museum is owned and operated by the Town of Ponce Inlet.

A very well informed employee of the museum, Monica Drake, made my visit most interesting.

Museum on Beach Street

Fishing has always been a way of life for Ponce Inlet, and the town has several working marinas and boatyards. 

There are boats to rent and day sails available at several locations along the waterfront.

THINGS TO DO IN PONCE INLET, FLORIDA

• Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
  4931 South Peninsula Dr, Ponce Inlet, Fl 32127 (386) 761-1821
  
  Climb to the top of this historic lighthouse for a fantastic view of the ocean, with Daytona Beach to the north and New Smyrna Beach to the south.
  
  
• Marine Science Center
  100 Lighthouse Dr, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 | (386) 304-5545
  
  This is next to the lighthouse and offers information and exhibits on bird and sea turtle rehabilitation.  There are nature trails and an observation tower.
  
  
• Ponce Inlet Jetty.  These jetties protect Ponce de Leon Inlet, once known in pre-chamber of commerce days as Mosquito Inlet.
  
  
• Timucuan Oaks Botanical Garden. 
  4550 S. Peninsula, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 | (386) 236-2150
  
  This new park is a couple of miles north of the lighthouse and has nature trails meandering through the 8 acre garden. It also has a little picnic area.
  
  
• Ponce Inlet Historical Museum  
  143 Beach St, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 | (386) 761-2408
  
  A small place housed in a restored Florida Cracker duplex.  A little pioneer cemetery across the shady canopied street.  Great source of local history.
  
  
• Marinas For Browsing Or Chartering

       Adventure Yacht Harbor
       Inlet Harbor Marina
       Sea Love Marina

North Turn of the Original Daytona Stockcar Races
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse on the Horizon

Recommended Ponce Inlet Restaurant

HIDDEN TREASURE
RUM BAR AND GRILL

4940 S. Peninsula Drive
Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127
Tel:  386-761-9271

Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill is on a bayou right off Ponce Inlet and in the shadow of the nearby Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.

Entrance to Hidden Treasure

It is a rustic setting that will make you feel right at home in Old Florida. 

This is a great place to sit outside; if you don't feel like eating, they also have a nice tiki bar with a full service drink menu.

Read More About Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill