The Beach

Sea oats at the beach

Where Walkway #2 reaches the beach, you can turn right and follow the inlet around to the edge of the park – a beach walk of nearly two miles – back to Walkway #8, or head 0.3 mile south along the river to Walkway #1. Erosion of the dunes along the inlet exposes the bright pink roots of sea purslane, a succulent with a high salt content in its thick leaves. From the end of the peninsula, across the inlet, the tall brick form of the Ponce Inlet lighthouse towers over the landscape. Built in 1883, this lighthouse remained in service until the 1970s; it is now a museum. Beach walking is best between the picnic area and Walkway #2, along the tip of the peninsula.