Blog Articles

Labor Day – the first Monday every September – was a creation of the labor movement and it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions that laborers have made to the strength and prosperity of our country. For many, Labor Day symbolizes the final holiday of summer and the induction of a fresh fall season. With this year’s Labor Day coming up so soon, it is time to make your celebration plans! Continue reading to learn how to best take advantage of the holiday in Ponce Inlet.

Ponce Inlet offers incredible fishing opportunities due to its unique location on a barrier island, with both inland and Atlantic fishing available in the Halifax River, Indian River, and ocean. This diversity makes the inlet a prime spot to reel in incredible seasonal fish, even rivaling the fishing available in neighboring Daytona Beach. Whether it is charter fishing or casting a line right from the 1,000-foot Ponce Inlet jetty, there is no shortage of ways to snag the fish that are in season this fall. Continue reading to learn which species of fish are biting in the coming months.

Ponce de León is believed by many to be the first European to land in Florida, which is where our beautiful inlet gets its name. However, Florida was hardly the first stop on the Spaniard’s famous expeditions. He garnered much of his fame and reputation by settling what would become modern-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as finding gold in nearby Puerto Rio before being encouraged by the Spanish crown to search for more land elsewhere. Hearing tales of a magical fountain of youth, Ponce de León set out for a fabled island known by natives as Bimini in search of the fountain, as well as more land and gold for the Spanish empire. What followed was the finding and settling of Florida as we know it today.

In addition to the lighthouse, our town of Ponce Inlet offers a wealth of fun-filled activities for everyone. With plenty of amenities ranging from natural beauty and history, exquisite local restaurants, and relaxing beachside atmosphere, there are plenty of ways to load up a day full of excitement. Now more than ever, it may be especially appealing to spend some intimate outdoors time in any of the inlet’s many beautiful parks while still staying safe, which is why we’ve put together this quick guide on our area’s parks so that you can get out and reinvigorate!

Summer is underway and as circumstances have forced many of us to stay inside, it may be harder to enjoy the things we like to normally do this time of year. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse gift shop not only offers an opportunity to indulge in our incredible selection of nautical and lighthouse-themed merchandise, it also affords you the chance to fill your house with mementos of summer and all of your favorite summertime activities, like spending a day at the beach or climbing the famous stairs of our well-manicured lighthouse. Additionally, a significant portion of our operating funds are generated through the gift shop which means all your purchases help us keep the lighthouse perfectly preserved! Continue reading for 5 perfect gift ideas to fill your home with eternal summer and the warm glow of sunshine.

Interested in enjoying the great outdoors after visiting the lighthouse and museum? Give fishing a try. It’s a great way to take in the natural beauty of Ponce Inlet and catch dinner at the same time. The roots of fishing run deep in Ponce Inlet. The Timucuan Indians established villages along the banks of what is now the Halifax River to take advantage of its abundance of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. 16th and 17th-century Spanish explorers reported on the region’s excellent fishing opportunities and early Florida settlers relied heavily on the river’s bounty for their survival. The community of Pons Park was founded by commercial fishermen, guides, and local entrepeneurs who catered to anglers from far and wide. Continue reading to learn more about the role that fishing has played in the development of the Daytona area and the historical significance specifically to Ponce Inlet.