Ponce Inlet Surf Report: Live Cam, Conditions & Forecast

Ponce Inlet sits at the southern tip of the Daytona peninsula in Volusia County, where the Halifax River meets the Atlantic beneath the historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. The surf is a beach and jetty break off the inlet’s north jetty, working on all tides and giving up lefts and rights, with the jetty helping organize the sandbars. It is a consistent, popular spot, reached through Lighthouse Point Park at the end of the island.

Best Swell Direction: South to southeast swells wrap in nicely off the jetty, and northeast swells feed the open beach, with tropical and hurricane swells for the standout days.

Best Winds: Southwest winds are offshore here and hold the faces clean.

Best Size: Usually small to moderate, picking up on solid swells and winter fronts.

Best Tide: Often best around high tide.

Break: A sand-bottom beach and jetty break by the inlet. The jetty shapes the banks and gives the spot its consistency, with peaks setting up along the north side.

Crowds: A popular, dependable wave that can get busy when it is working, especially near the jetty. Mind the lineup.

Jetty and Inlet Currents: Respect the jetty rocks and the inlet itself. The inlet moves a lot of water on the tides and can set up strong, pulling currents near the jetty, so know the conditions before paddling out and stay clear of the rocks, which can also snag leashes and boards.

Facilities: The break is reached through Lighthouse Point Park (5000 South Atlantic Avenue), a 52-acre Volusia County park with restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, elevated boardwalks, an observation tower, an 800-foot jetty deck, and a dog-friendly swimming area along the inlet. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest in Florida, is right nearby.

Lifeguards: Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue patrols the Ponce Inlet area, with the heaviest coverage in the warmer months.

Operating Hours (Subject to change): Lighthouse Point Park runs on seasonal hours, generally opening at 6:00 AM and closing between 6:00 and 9:00 PM depending on the time of year. Confirm current hours with Volusia County at https://www.volusia.org/services/public-works/coastal-division/coastal-parks/lighthouse-point-park.stml

Fees: Lighthouse Point Park charges a vehicle entry fee of about $10, with an annual pass around $20, and free entry for handicapped visitors and disabled veterans. The Ponce Inlet beach at the park is traffic-free, so there is no driving on the sand here.