Ponce Inlet
Discover Ponce Inlet
It is said that in 1513, Juan Ponce De Leon was exploring the land and waters around the inlet that today bears his name. In 1886-87, a 175 foot high lighthouse was built and named after Ponce de Leon. Ponce Inlet was named after Antonio Ponce, who was granted land here during the Spanish occupation of Florida.
Taste of Ponce Inlet...
There are no hotels or motels in Ponce Inlet. However, there are a lot of condominiums and private homes that you may be able to rent. Other lodgings can be found in the nearby City of Daytona Beach Shores. Seven-digit dialing is in effect for local calls in Ponce Inlet. The local area code is 386. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time. It is common for many of the larger hotels and lodgings in the area to offer free internet access for their guests. Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. The area is known for a high number of shark attacks, so be careful when surfing. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. The 911 number for fire and police emergencies is in effect in Ponce Inlet.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Ponce Inlet into what it is today.
It is said that in 1513, Juan Ponce De Leon was exploring the land and waters around the inlet that today bears his name. In 1886-87, a 175 foot high lighthouse was built and named after Ponce de Leon. Ponce Inlet was named after Antonio Ponce, who was granted land here during the Spanish occupation of Florida. In 1963, the Town of Ponce Inlet was incorporated; the first town council was sworn in at the lighthouse office. The lighthouse still dominates this small, sleepy town of fishing boats, natural parks, and growing condominiums. Ponce Inlet offers a humid, subtropical climate that is typical throughout Florida. Winters are dry and mild, marked by a constant series of cold fronts and warm-ups. Temperatures dip into the low 40s and upper 30s (°F) on occasion, although freezes are rare. Snowfall is very rare. Temperatures in spring are famously pleasant with warm afternoons, cool evenings, and far less humidity. The summers are long, hot and humid, with temperatures frequently in the upper 90s F in July. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer afternoons. Dangers include hurricanes from June until November. Ponce Inlet has no local airport. If you need to fly here, you will need to find a commercial flight arriving to either Daytona Beach International Airport (the closest), Orlando International Airport, or Jacksonville International Airport....
Climate
Ponce Inlet offers a humid, subtropical climate that is typical throughout Florida. Winters are dry and mild, marked by a constant series of cold fronts and warm-ups. Temperatures dip into the low 40s and upper 30s (°F) on occasion, although freezes are rare. Snowfall is very rare. Temperatures in spring are famously pleasant with warm afternoons, cool evenings, and far less humidity. The summers are long, hot and humid, with temperatures frequently in the upper 90s F in July. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer afternoons. Dangers include hurricanes from June until November. Ponce Inlet has no local airport. If you need to fly here, you will need to find a commercial flight arriving to either Daytona Beach International Airport (the closest), Orlando International Airport, or Jacksonville International Airport. Amtrak offers the Amtrak Auto Train service with its southern Terminus located in Sanford (Florida), about 35 miles (57 km) west of Ponce Inlet.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsPonce Inlet has no local airport. If you need to fly here, you will need to find a commercial flight arriving to either Daytona Beach International Airport (the closest), Orlando International Airport, or Jacksonville International Airport. Amtrak offers the Amtrak Auto Train service with its southern Terminus located in Sanford (Florida), about 35 miles (57 km) west of Ponce Inlet. The Amtrak Auto Train carries passengers and automobiles between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Florida to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. You can easily drive your car into Ponce Inlet after departing from the Auto Train. Amtrak offers regular passenger service with the closest stop being near the city of DeLand. This stop is rather remote and is not recommended as an option. From Interstate 95, take Exit 256 to SR-421, east toward Port Orange. Use the Taylor Road ramp toward Port Orange/Daytona Beach Shores. Merge onto FL-421 East....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
VOTRAN route 17A has limited bus service that goes North and South on Atlantic Avenue, but you really need a car to get around in Ponce Inlet. Buses run M-Sa 6AM-7:15PM. There is no bus service on Sunday. The bus does stop at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and the Marine Science Center. There are no hotels or motels in Ponce Inlet. However, there are a lot of condominiums and private homes that you may be able to rent. Other lodgings can be found in the nearby City of Daytona Beach Shores. Seven-digit dialing is in effect for local calls in Ponce Inlet. The local area code is 386. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time. It is common for many of the larger hotels and lodgings in the area to offer free internet access for their guests.
Where to Stay
There are no hotels or motels in Ponce Inlet. However, there are a lot of condominiums and private homes that you may be able to rent. Other lodgings can be found in the nearby City of Daytona Beach Shores. Seven-digit dialing is in effect for local calls in Ponce Inlet. The local area code is 386. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time. It is common for many of the larger hotels and lodgings in the area to offer free internet access for their guests. Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. The area is known for a high number of shark attacks, so be careful when surfing.
Money & Budget
There are no hotels or motels in Ponce Inlet. However, there are a lot of condominiums and private homes that you may be able to rent. Other lodgings can be found in the nearby City of Daytona Beach Shores. Seven-digit dialing is in effect for local calls in Ponce Inlet. The local area code is 386. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time. It is common for many of the larger hotels and lodgings in the area to offer free internet access for their guests. Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. The area is known for a high number of shark attacks, so be careful when surfing. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. The 911 number for fire and police emergencies is in effect in Ponce Inlet.