Ponce Inlet (as it is know to all the locals) intersects the AICW north of SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, New Smyrna Beach Marina, near Statute Mile 839.5, with a second, southerly intersection near St. M. 843. I have sounded this passage for years, and I would personally vote for Captain Jay’s comment about this not being “the most friendly inlet,” but, as you will see, others have a different opinion.
This string was copied from the Cruisers’ Forum.

Is Ponce Inlet good? We’re heading north. We could duck in at Canaveral and up the ICW and back out at Ponce Inlet. Looks too far to daysail out of Canaveral and back in at Ponce. We draw 5′ 6″.
Thnx

Ponce isn’t the most friendly inlet. Current can run 4-plus knots. I’d only chance it at high tide, with fair weather and with local knowledge.
Dennis Jay

Well I live in New Smyrna and go out of Ponce all the time. Its a safe inlet although will get rough on an outgoing tide with E to SE winds but not normally unsafe. Hug the jettys on the north side of the inlet and follow the channel markers in/out and you will be fine.
C Skip R

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Ponce De Leon Inlet