5 Reasons Lighthouse Point Park Is the Ultimate Ponce Inlet Beach Photographer Location
If you’re visiting the Daytona Beach area and searching for a Ponce Inlet beach photographer, let me save you a lot of time and stress — skip Daytona Beach itself and head straight to Ponce Inlet. Specifically, Lighthouse Point Park. It is hands down one of the most beautiful and underrated photography locations on Florida’s entire east coast, and it’s where I bring families who want something truly special.
I’m Michelle, a Central Florida family photographer who shoots all along Florida’s coast. I’ve worked as a Ponce Inlet beach photographer at a lot of locations, but Lighthouse Point Park is the one that genuinely makes me excited every single time I pull into that parking lot. Here’s why.
What Makes Lighthouse Point Park So Special
Lighthouse Point Park is a 52-acre protected coastal sanctuary sitting right at the southern tip of the barrier island in Ponce Inlet. It’s managed by Volusia County and surrounded on multiple sides by water — the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the Ponce de Leon Inlet on another, and the Halifax River beyond that. The result is a park that feels like its own little world, completely removed from the busy, crowded stretch of Daytona Beach just a few miles north.
There are no high-rise condos here. No hotels crowding the skyline. Just 52 acres of untouched Florida coastline, natural dunes, boardwalks, wildlife, and that incredible coastal light. As a Ponce Inlet beach photographer, this is exactly the kind of location that makes my job feel less like work and more like an adventure.
And the best part? You get two completely different looks within the same park — the ocean side and the inlet side — without ever moving your car.
1. The Ocean Side Is Classic Florida Beach at Its Best
The Atlantic side of Lighthouse Point Park is everything you’d picture when you imagine a perfect Florida beach session. Wide, natural sandy beach. Tall sand dunes. A rock jetty stretching out into the water. And because the park is protected, the beach here is completely free of the development that clutters most of the Volusia County coastline.
This is where we get your classic beach moments — kids running at the waves, bare feet in the sand, the whole family with that big open Atlantic sky behind them. The dunes add incredible texture and depth to photos, and the jetty in the background gives images a really unique, dramatic feel that you just don’t get at a regular flat beach.
Sunrise on the ocean side is absolutely stunning. The east-facing beach catches that first golden light coming right off the Atlantic, and the beach is virtually empty at that hour. Some of my favorite photos as a Ponce Inlet beach photographer have been shot right here at sunrise.
Best for: Classic family beach portraits, kids who love the waves, dramatic dune and jetty backdrops.
2. The Inlet Side Gives You Something Completely Different
This is where Lighthouse Point Park really sets itself apart from every other beach in the area. The inlet side — where the park meets the Ponce de Leon Inlet and the Halifax River — has a completely different energy and visual feel from the ocean side.
The water here is calm and glassy. The light bounces off the inlet in a way that’s incredibly warm and flattering. You’ve got beautiful views of the iconic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse — the tallest lighthouse in Florida at 175 feet — standing in the background of your photos. It’s a backdrop you simply cannot get anywhere else.
Sunset on the inlet side is truly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever photographed as a Ponce Inlet beach photographer. The sun drops behind the mainland and paints the entire inlet in shades of gold and orange that feel almost unreal. Families are always blown away when they see those images in their gallery.
The shallow, calm waters along the inlet are also fantastic for little ones. Kids can wade and splash without getting knocked over by ocean waves, which means happy toddlers, relaxed parents, and natural smiles all around.
Best for: Golden hour portraits, families with young kids, anyone who wants that iconic lighthouse backdrop.
3. You Get Two Completely Different Looks in One Session
One of my absolute favorite things about Lighthouse Point Park as a Ponce Inlet beach photographer is that we never have to move the car. We can start on the ocean side for those wide open beach shots — kids in the waves, big dunes, dramatic sky — and then walk over to the inlet side for something more intimate and golden as the light shifts.
The result is a gallery that feels incredibly varied. You get the classic Florida beach portraits AND something more editorial and unique, all within the same 60-minute session. Families are always surprised at how different the two sets of images look considering we barely moved at all.
If you want a gallery that doesn’t look like every other Florida beach session — this is exactly how we make that happen.
4. The Park Itself Adds Incredible Visual Interest
Beyond the beach and inlet sides, Lighthouse Point Park itself is full of photogenic details that add variety to your session. There are raised boardwalks winding through natural coastal scrub. An observation deck with sweeping views. Sea oats and native grasses swaying in the breeze. Wildlife everywhere — gopher tortoises, shore birds, dolphins swimming in the inlet.
All of these elements give your photos a sense of place that feels uniquely Florida. These aren’t generic beach portraits that could have been taken anywhere — they’re images that are unmistakably Ponce Inlet, and that specificity is something families treasure for years.
The park is also a short walk from the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, which makes for an amazing addition to any session if you want to incorporate that iconic landmark.
5. It’s the Best-Kept Secret Near Daytona Beach
If I’m being completely honest — this is what I love most about Lighthouse Point Park as a Ponce Inlet beach photographer. Most families staying in the Daytona Beach area don’t even know it exists. They’re thinking about the main Daytona strip, the crowded hotel beaches, the busy boardwalk area.
But drive just 30 minutes south of downtown Daytona and you’re in a completely different world. A protected, uncrowded, gorgeous coastal park with two entirely different landscapes to shoot in. No strangers photobombing your family portraits. No noise. Just your family, the beach, the inlet, and some of the most beautiful light on Florida’s east coast.
That’s the secret. And now you know it. 😊
When to Schedule Your Ponce Inlet Session
Sunrise or sunset on the ocean side is my top recommendation, especially from May through October. The east-facing Atlantic beach catches the most incredible morning light, the park is quiet, and kids are usually at their most cooperative first thing in the morning.
Sunrise or Sunset on the inlet side is equally spectacular year-round. Plan to arrive at the park about 15 minutes prior to sunrise or an hour before sunset so we have time to work both sides of the park as the light shifts and changes.
Avoid midday — Florida’s midday sun is harsh and creates unflattering shadows regardless of how beautiful the location is.
Summer afternoons in Florida bring daily thunderstorms, typically rolling in between 2–4 PM from June through September. Morning sessions sidestep this entirely. Evening sessions usually start after the storms have cleared.
Note: There is a $10 per vehicle entrance fee to Lighthouse Point Park. Volusia County residents and annual pass holders get in free. Plan for this when you’re booking your session!
What to Wear at Lighthouse Point Park
The natural, untouched landscape here pairs beautifully with soft, earthy tones. Here’s what photographs best as your Ponce Inlet beach photographer:
Colors that work: Warm neutrals, sandy tans, creamy whites, dusty blues, sage green, and soft terracotta. These tones complement both the ocean backdrop and the warm golden tones of the inlet at sunset.
Colors to avoid: Bright neons, large busy patterns, and everyone in the exact same color. Coordinate, don’t match — it always looks more natural.
Fabrics: Lightweight and breathable. Linen and cotton are perfect. Flowy fabrics move beautifully in the coastal breeze and photograph really well.
Shoes: Most of the session will be barefoot. If we’re spending time on the boardwalks, comfortable sandals work great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Lighthouse Point Park? It’s located at 5000 S Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 — about 10 minutes south of Daytona Beach Shores and 30 minutes south of downtown Daytona Beach. Easy to find, with multiple parking areas inside the park.
Is there an entrance fee? Yes — $10 per vehicle. It’s absolutely worth it. Volusia County residents with a valid ID and annual pass holders get in free. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Is it good for little kids? It’s one of my favorite spots for young families as a Ponce Inlet beach photographer. The inlet side has shallow, calm water perfect for toddlers, and the ocean side has enough open space for kids to run freely without getting too close to rough surf.
Do you travel from Orlando or Central Florida? Yes! I’m based in Central Florida and regularly travel to Ponce Inlet and the Volusia County area for sessions. Reach out here for full details on travel and booking.
How long is a typical session? Most family sessions at Lighthouse Point Park run 45–60 minutes. If we’re working both the ocean and inlet sides, I recommend 60 minutes so we have plenty of time without feeling rushed.
Ready to Book?
If you’re visiting the Daytona Beach area and want photos that look nothing like the typical tourist beach snapshots — let’s shoot at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet together.
As your Ponce Inlet beach photographer, I’ll show you exactly why this is one of my favorite spots on the entire Florida coast.
Love beach sessions? Check out my guides to Matanzas Inlet in St. Augustine, New Smyrna Beach family photos, and Cocoa Beach sunrise sessions.
Michelle Coombs Photography is a Central Florida family photography team serving Orlando, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Tampa, Clearwater, and surrounding areas.
