Inlet Harbor Restaurant Marina & Gift Shop

But, to fully appreciate the restaurant and entertainment complex known as “Inlet Harbor Restaurant Marina & Gift Shop”  you need to take a short step back in time to when the area was the sleepy fishing village of Pons Park. One of East Florida’s most popular fishing destinations, it was later renamed Ponce Inlet. Now back then, fish camps were the popular scene. And the best camps had Captains who knew where the fish were.

Enter Redwood Wharton. At the age of only 26, this self taught fisherman who grew up along the river, opened Inlet Harbor Fish Camp on the land where the complex is located. The year was 1939. He purchased a 30-foot charter boat that would seat six called the Gay Wind and knew how to navigate the treacherous waters around the inlet and offshore. But what was special about this captain, is that he had the uncanny ability to find fish. It’s been said that he was “one with the sea”.  Later he would expand his fishing business to include a seafood market and restaurant.

Through time there have been several owners and a period where the property lay in ruins. Lucky for us, in 1995 local investors rebuilt the complex back to its full glory, honoring the history that started it all.  Captain Wharton died at age 92 but you can go see his vessel because it now rests as an exhibit at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse Museum!

The old and new intertwine beautifully as this complex comes alive everyday with a huge outdoor deck that can hold 400. If you’d prefer to sit inside, the indoor restaurant seats 200. But that’s not all…there are fishing boats that you can watch bring in their catch and book a trip for yourself on the Sea Spirit deep sea fishing boat. If that’s not for you, reserve a seat onboard the Manatee sightseeing vessel for a narrated scenic cruise around the area. All available around the corner, a minute walk just on the south side of the restaurant. The larger than normal 520 feet of floating dock space brings with it another unique aspect of the complex: hungry boaters can arrive by river and tie up on a first come, first serve basis to enjoy the vast food and drink choices.

The menu is the same for indoors and outdoors, and if you are sitting outside and want a full dinner, notes in the menu advise you what items are “restaurant orders” that may take a little longer than the “grille items” traditionally served outside. From seafood to steaks, and from appetizers to sandwiches, the kitchen cooks up a wide variety of traditional and unique dishes for everyone including kids. A large base of local return customers are testimony to the food being delicious.

But don’t be in a hurry here because there is too much to enjoy. If during the day, there are large fans to keep you cool, and at night fire torches add to the atmosphere. If you are lucky enough to be here in time for sunset, it will awaze you since there is nothing but natural undeveloped wetlands across from the complex to give you the perfect full view of the setting sun.

Live music is played nightly on weekdays and on Friday thru Sunday it starts at 1pm. There is a large stage and dance floor and don’t miss a little building located to the left of the stage, it is one of the best Florida gift shops around with many unique items. You can walk around the deck and fishing pier. The kids can play in the Pirate’s playground, which is also great for photos next to the full sized Pirate statue!  To top off the fact that it is a multi-purpose complex, it has 416 wet/dry boat slips and is a full service marina deemed as an eco-friendly “clean marina” by the state of Florida.

There are restaurants and tthen there are special “destination” restaurants. Inlet Harbor is even more. It's an entertainment complex and a definite destination when you are visiting the Daytona Beach area.

~ Edee Dalke

Inlet Harbor Restaurant Marina & Gift Shop

133 Inlet Harbor Road

Ponce Inlet,

386-767-5590