3-Hour Coastal Cruise from Daytona Beach to Ponce Inlet
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; must be able to step onto a dock and stand or sit for the cruise duration.
Overview
A three-hour sightseeing cruise from Daytona Beach that moves from the Intracoastal to the Atlantic. Expect lighthouse views, sandbar drama at Disappearing Island, and chances to spot dolphins, manatees and huge seabird rookeries.
3-Hour Coastal Cruise from Daytona Beach to Ponce Inlet
Select participants and date
The boat eases away from Caribbean Jack’s and the Intracoastal squeezes itself between palms and seawalls, the water hissing as it presses past the hull. In three hours you’ll move from the sheltered intracoastal into the raw horizon of the Atlantic, watching river channels narrow and then open again—each bend revealing waterfront mansions, mangrove edges and the occasional arc of a dolphin breaking the surface like punctuation.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Boarding location
Meet at Caribbean Jack’s near the three-story yellow building and follow the exterior path toward the docks; boarding starts on time.
Seating choice
For smoother motion, choose a mid-ship seat; bow seats give better photos but feel windier and bumpier.
Wildlife etiquette
Do not attempt to feed or touch dolphins or manatees; keep movement minimal if animals approach the boat.
Sun protection
Bring SPF sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a hat—the sun reflects strongly off the water even on overcast days.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- West Indian manatee
History
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, built in the 1880s, is one of Florida’s oldest working lighthouses and marks a historic shipping passage into the Halifax River and Atlantic approaches.
Conservation
Avoid approaching wildlife and follow crew guidance; Bird Island supports seasonal rookeries, so stay clear of nesting areas and minimize noise to reduce disturbance.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Daytona Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Protects skin from strong reflected sunlight on the water.
summer specific
Binoculars
Helps spot distant dolphins, manatees and nesting birds at Bird Island.
Motion-sickness medication or wristbands
Useful if you’re sensitive to chop when the boat enters the inlet or open ocean.
Light windbreaker
Blocks the cooling ocean breeze when the boat is underway.
spring specific