Planning your visit to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Opening Times

• The Ponce Inlet Light Station is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m from the day after Labor Day through the day before Memorial Day.
• The Light Station is open from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m Memorial Day through Labor Day..
• Because it takes at least one hour for a thorough tour of the lighthouse and museum, the last admission to the Ponce Inlet Light Station is one hour before closing.
• The tower is closed when lightning is in the area for the safety of our visitors. Staff will endeavor to reopen the tower as soon as possible following the storm. .

Climb with the Keeper Tour

Have you ever imagined living the life of a lighthouse keeper, climbing the tower to care for a magnificent Fresnel lens? This experience is now available at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse through a new program called "Climb with the Keepers."

Our volunteer historic reenactors, dressed in 1930s white uniforms, will meet you and escort you to the very top of the tower. During the climb, they will share the secrets of the tower's construction and history, and give you behind the scenes look at the duties of a lighthouse keeper. You and your guides will enter the historic lantern room to observe the details of lens construction and maintenance. The Third Order Fresnel Lens will be opened, and you will observe first-hand the inner workings of our 1933 beacon.

This unique tour and performance is limited to a maximum of eight people in order to give everyone the chance to interact with the keepers and learn as much as possible about the beacon. Climb dates are flexible and may be made on a date that is most convenient for you with two weeks notice. The cost is $50 per person ($45 is tax-deductible). Full payment must be made by credit card at the time of the reservation. Full refunds are available up to two days prior to your scheduled tour. Please contatct Programs Manager Bob Callister at bobcallister@ponceinlet.org or by phone at (386) 761-1821 ext. 18 to schedule a a "Climb with the Keepers Tour" or for more information regarding this and other programs.

Admission Rates and Discounts

• Admission to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is $5 for adults, $1.50 for children 11 and under.
• Members of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse Preservation Association are admitted free.
• Tour groups, school classes, and other special groups can be accomodated, but advance reservation is required. Admission discounts may apply.
• For making reservations and for further information, please call our Programs Manager Bob Callister at (386) 761-1821.
• Print out the coupon below for a 10 percent discount on your admission to the Lighthouse museum.

Online Visitor Guide Map Brochure

Want to see what the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum has to offer? Follow the link below for a digital copy of our visitor Guide Map Brochure.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Guide Map

Directions to the lighthouse

The Light Station is located at the southern end of Ponce Inlet, Florida, just south of Daytona Beach. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is less than two hours from the Orlando area attractions, historic St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center, making it an ideal destination for an entertaining and educational family outing.

From Atlantic Avenue (A1A) in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, or Daytona Beach Shores:

Drive south on Atlantic Avenue to Dunlawton Avenue. Continue south another six miles to the stop sign at Beach Street in Ponce Inlet. Turn right (west) on Beach Street. At the next stop sign turn left (south) on Peninsula Drive. In two blocks you will see the entrance of the Lighthouse on your left.

From U.S. 1:

Take U.S. 1 to Port Orange, turn east on Dunlawton Avenue and drive over the high-rise bridge crossing the Halifax River. You will see the Atlantic Ocean ahead. At the second beachside traffic light turn right (south) on Atlantic Avenue and continue south for approximately six miles to the stop sign at Beach Street in Ponce Inlet. Turn right (west) on Beach Street. At the next stop sign turn left (south) on Peninsula Drive. In two blocks you will see the entrance of the Lighthouse on your left.

From I-95:

Take the Port Orange exit off of I-95 (exit 256, old exit 85; which is State Route 421.), and travel east on S.R. 421 about four miles to the Dunlawton Bridge. Cross the Halifax River on the Dunlawton Bridge; you will see the Atlantic Ocean ahead. At the second beachside traffic light turn right (south) on Atlantic Avenue and continue south for approximately six miles to the stop sign at Beach Street in Ponce Inlet. Turn right (west) on Beach Street. At the next stop sign turn left (south) on Peninsula Drive. In two blocks you will see the entrance of the Lighthouse on your left.

From I-4:

Take I-4 to I-95 south towards Miami. From I-95 take the Port Orange exit off of I-95 (exit 256, old exit 85; which is State Route 421.) ,and travel east on S.R. 421 about four miles to the Dunlawton Bridge. Cross the Halifax River on the Dunlawton Bridge; you will see the Atlantic Ocean ahead. At the second beachside traffic light turn right (south) on Atlantic Avenue and continue south for approximately six miles to the stop sign at Beach Street in Ponce Inlet. Turn right (west) on Beach Street. At the next stop sign turn left (south) on Peninsula Drive. In two blocks you will see the entrance of the Lighthouse on your left.