Ponce Inlet Park — Attraction in Ponce Inlet

Ponce Inlet Park, Ponce Inlet, Florida. March 12, 2022

This park has access to the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Ponce Inlet to the south. Within the Park is Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the Marine Science Center, at least 10 pavilions, a nature trail west of the dunes, a walkover boardwalk through the protected dunes with observation towers, a fishing and observation pier on the jetties, a dog park along the inlet beach. The Park is also known as the Lighthouse Point Park. There is a lot to see here!

The views are spectacular of the Atlantic Ocean, the Ponce Inlet, dunes and mangroves. The Inlet feeds into Halifax River to the north toward Daytona Beach, and the Indian River to the south toward New Smyrna Beach. Smyrna Dunes is on the other beachside of the Inlet.

The dog park along the inlet beach, with pristine white sand and mangroves scattered throughout. CAUTION: there are a few areas with hazardous oyster beds along the water’s edge. Stay clear of them for ecological reasons and because they are very sharp and will cut the feet of humans and dogs. The inlet beach also has a sandy trail along the inlet to the jetties, the lighthouse as well as to the nature trail.

The walkway over the jetties provides a place to fish, enjoy the scenery or a strong breeze. The Atlantic beach is available from the pier area and seems to be a favorite of surfers. This is a beautiful area of the beach that normally sees less travel than the beaches of Daytona.

The small parking lot does have some spaces that overlook the inlet. There are restrooms and showers, picnic pavilions, as well as an informative educational center regarding the Inlet history and ecology. Small exhibits also outline the marine and native wildlife of the area. There is a lot of history here dating back to the Timucua Indians, the explorer Ponce de Leon, and the inhabitants of the Turnbull Colony of New Smyrna Beach, as well as the establishment of a lighthouse.

I’m looking forward to going back. A MUST DO AGAIN!

ALSO SEE my review and pictures of Smyrna Dunes Park, which is on the other side of...

12/2024:

Lighthouse Point Park is a Volusia County park at the south end of Ponce Inlet. There is an admission fee. A day pass is $10 with same day re-entry option. An annual pass $20 is available on the internet or can be purchased at Volusia County offices.

The park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Ponce Inlet. There are white sand beaches on each side.

Dogs are not permitted on the Atlantic beach, but are allowed on the Inlet side.

The jetty walkway is still closed from hurricane damage. A lot of sand is gone exposing the large jetty stones.

On the Inlet beach, there are a few covered picnic tables. No restrooms near there.

By the paved parking lot, there are a few picnic tables. The restrooms are located there and are surprisingly clean for a beach. Parking is very limited.

A lifeguard tower is situated on the jetty. Surfers seem to like it here. There is some vehicle traffic on the Atlantic Beach. Again, no dogs permitted on this side! The waves smashing into the jetty can be impressive.

My favorite part is watching for dolphins in the Inlet, but just listening to the surf and spending the day in the fresh air is perfection.

Bring your beach chairs, and if visiting in the winter, bring warm clothing.

Also, note that the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is not located in this park,...

"The Ponce Inlet Jetty: this 1,000′ jetty is an incredibly popular spot among anglers. You’ll hook into Black Drum, Flounder, and Bluefish, here."

The upcoming project will include relocating some of the remaining original stones on the jetty, and the placement of around 2,000 more specially quarried new stones. The sizes of the rocks will range from a toaster oven to the size of an average living room. There are noticeable cracks and a major dip toward the end of the jetty walkway.

The damage the jetty has suffered over the years has made the navigation more difficult, more dangerous, so repairing the jetty will help to control the erosion. The Army Corp of engineers repair will help control those cross currents and help decrease the shoaling.

Shoaling, a natural movement of massive amounts of sand from somewhere else in the sea into an inlet, has been a problem for years. The sand piles at the inlet floor, making the inlet narrower and more shallow, creating potentially perilous situations for mariners.

There is a $10 fee to enter the park but it is worth it. It is an easy walk down the boardwalk to the beach. The boardwalk does require shoes or sandals due to the weathering of the boards. If you walk out on the jetty you can watch the surfers. Entire jetty length is...