FL Inlet Caution: Ponce De Leon (New Smyrna)

Date Reported: Jun 2, 2022
Reporter: Jani Parker
Source: Waterway Guide Staff
Description:
Sea Buoy: Red buoy 2 is located at N 29 04.700'/W 80 53.700'

Overview: Used extensively by locals and sport fishermen and convenient point to enter or leave the ICW between Daytona and Cape Canaveral. Sometimes referred to as New Smyrna Inlet. This is a fair weather inlet only.
Navigation: Coming from the offshore waypoint, the jetty on the north side of the inlet provides protection from north and northeast swells. Hold close to the jetty until inside the inlet, as there is a shoal building north and east from green buoy 7. The USCG station is located on the south channel of the inlet and will respond to calls for inlet conditions, and the local TowBoat US is up to date on local conditions. Both can be hailed on VHF Channel 16.
Webcam: For a live view of the port, visit volusia.com/explore-a-city/ponce-inlet.
Cautions & Hazards: Seemingly constant reclamation, dredging and seawall construction, yet shoaling has been reported in the approaches both north and south of the inlet coming from the ICW. Inlet markers are continually moved by the USCG to reflect deep water. Expect substantial traffic at all hours. This is a fair weather inlet only, particularly for weather out of the south and east, which creates large swells into the inlet. Local knowledge is strongly advised before using this inlet.
ICW Connection: The inlet is 2.5 miles from ICW Mile 840 with one channel leading north, another south. The north channel is not as well marked as the south channel until well inside and shows charted depths of just 7 feet MLW.
Lat / Lon: N 29° 04.588' / W 080° 54.713'

1 Boater Comment

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Comment by: Rick Swanson on Apr 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 4.5'

R 2 and 4, G 3 on the outside of the channel are all a mile or more off station south of the inlet post hurricane Ian. G,5 is accurate and held

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FL Inlet Caution: Ponce De Leon (New Smyrna)

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