Ponce Inlet

Ponce de Leon Inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Halifax River and is located approximately 12 miles south of Daytona Beach. You can fish from the jetty, walk along the beach and even drive up to the jetty from the beach.

You'll find many types of terrain here like ocean dunes, palmetto patches, maritime hammock and the wetlands connected to the Halifax River. Included in these terrains you'll find native plants like Florida lantana, southern red cedar, cabbage palms, Simpson's stoppers and oak trees one Live Oak there is said to be over 350 years old. Located on the west side of Peninsula Drive are the parking lot, restrooms and direct access to the nature trails through out the park.


Ponce Inlet has a boardwalk and two places to launch canoes or kayaks, the marsh there takes you directly out to the Halifax River. There are three covered gazebos where you can relax and enjoy the view.

Lighthouse Point Park consists of 52 acres of pristine land on the north side of Ponce de Leon Inlet in the Town of Ponce Inlet. The 52-acre park features fishing, nature trails, an observation deck and tower, swimming and picnicking.

The Ponce Preserve has approximately 41 acres it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Halifax River. It is home to a variety of wildlife including raccoons, possums, skunks, armadillos, shore birds and birds of prey. It features fishing, nature trails, swimming and picnicking.

Smyrna Dunes Park

Smyrna Dunes Park has water on three sides so visitors can arrive by land or sea. It has a wide beach that you can drive on, if you’ve never experienced driving on a beach I highly recommend it. The water from the Halifax River flows through Ponce Inlet into the Atlantic Ocean here and there’s a great view of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. The jetty extends out into the water and is a favorite local place to fish. The waves here are higher here than any other place in Volusia County, surfers love this beach so do swimmers and snorkelers. The park is home to a variety of animals, birds, marine life and vegetation. They have three miles of beautiful, elevated wooden walks that protect the fragile dunes from foot traffic. They also have picnic areas and an observation tower. The park is open from sunrise to sunset and there is small admission fee. You can't get to Smyrna Dunes Park from the north side of Ponce Inlet as there is no bridge, you have to enter through New Smyrna Beach.