Historical Ponce Inlet & Lighthouse in Daytona Beach, FL
Just south of Daytona Beach, historic Ponce Inlet is a small town named for Florida’s favorite explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon. The inlet is well known for its excellent fishing opportunities and boasts about 3,000 residents who enjoy the unspoiled beaches and quiet ambiance of the area.
Ponce Inlet’s claim to fame, aside from its pristine
beaches, is its lighthouse, which is the tallest in Florida. Completed in
1887, it has long been the crowing glory of the place once known as Mosquito
Inlet. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, it’s one of the
premiere tourist attractions in the area, welcoming more than 100,000
visitors per year. It is considered to be one of the best preserved and most
complete lighthouses in the country. Situated at the spot
where the Halifax and Indian Rivers flow into the
Atlantic Ocean, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse stands 175 feet tall and guests
must climb 203 steps to get to the top to enjoy the view of Daytona Beach
and other area sites.
The Lighthouse Association, a
group of dedicated volunteers that see to the upkeep of this historic
structure, also runs a lighthouse museum on the property. The museum
occupies what was once the keeper’s dwellings and other surrounding small
buildings. Visitors to the Lighthouse Museum will be treated to exhibits on
life as a lighthouse keeper including information on keepers and their
families, Daytona Beach and state history, area shipwrecks, and specifics
about the restoration of the lighthouse and the historic original Fresnel
lens. Individual tours are self-guided, but the association does offer
guided group tours led by docents who can provide historic and educational
information about Ponce Inlet and the lighthouse.
Lighthouse Point Park, just a
short jaunt from the lighthouse, is home to 52 acres of natural land and
plenty of wildlife. Those who wish to visit can enjoy nature trails,
swimming, fishing, picnic areas, and an observation deck and tower.
Guests visiting Ponce Inlet can also head to the Timucuan Oaks Botanical Garden, an 8-acre site where visitors can explore different kinds of natural communities common to coastal Florida including shell mound, maritime hammock, salt marsh and mangrove swamp. It’s also a good place to explore and photograph native plants and trees. The park is planning on adding some nature trails with educational signage as well as a viewing tower and a boardwalk that will accommodate a canoe launch. A small picnic area is available for visitors as well.
Also located in Ponce Inlet is the Marine Science Center, a fun facility that’s suitable for all ages. It includes a large exhibit gallery that profiles the marine environment and ecology of Volusia County and also boasts sea turtle and sea bird rehabilitation areas where injured animals are cared for by staff and volunteers. The Marine Science Center offers guided tours as well as special programs for all ages and summer camp opportunities for children.
Because of its prime location
on the water, Ponce Inlet is home to several marinas. Most of them include
not only wet and dry storage for boats but also provide opportunities to
fish off their piers or charter a deep sea fishing excursion. The marinas
also have gift shops and restaurants and are often the site of private
banquets.
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