Chris aboard SV Pelican offers very good advice concerning obtaining and using local knowledge as well as the location of a last resort anchorage inside Ponce Inlet, just as the Inlet turns south.

In June of 2009 we were chased into Ponce De Leon Inlet due to a nasty storm. After hearing all of the warnings about it being so dangerous we called Sea Tow for some local knowledge recommendations. The storm hit us with 45kts of wind, driving rain and continuous lightning when we were still 1/4 mile away. Fortunately we had already talked to the Sea Tow people before entering so they were able to give us the lay of the land. One tip ‘“ if you duck in here and go south, there is water inside the area between 7A and 9, just past the inlet entrance. It’s marked 8 feet on the charts, but we were told it’s over 10, and didn’t see less than 12.
There are two issues with anchoring here. First, when it rains the current goes crazy. We thought we were grounded since, even with 45kts of wind, we were beam to the wind. It turns out the current was even stronger, and we were nose to it until a little while after the rain stopped. Second, as soon as the storm blew by we were passed fairly closely by numerous large sportfishers running on a full plane. I wouldn’t overnight here. BUT ‘“ in a pinch ‘“ call Sea Tow for local knowledge on shoaling in the inlet and then park your butt close to the beach between these two marks.

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