Day Cruising in Daytona Beach Shores

[MarkDeMartini]

I posted this in the florida east coast cruising guide, but thought it might be good to post here as well.

I will be trailering my 18' Bowrider plus wife & 2 kids down to Daytona Beach Shores to my inlaws house (from N.J.) over X-mas week. I am looking for some general advice, possible launch ramps for the boat, as well as some daytime cruising spots. I am familiar with the landlubber stuff to go & see but the waterways are totally different. In general was thinking about:
- Ponce Inlet things to do...
- ICW (whats around)
- Down Under, Lighthouse and other restaurants...

I have a Garmin GPS also which can assist in finding spots of interest if someone points them out. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks! Mark

 

[boatbum]

Mark while we have traveled through Daytona a couple of times we have not found much along the ICW that would seem interesting.

I would explore the tributaries to the ICW nearby where you are staying, as well as some anchorages nearby the inlets. But in that area, the ICW seems to be a means to get somewhere as opposed to a pleasant boating experience in a bowrider.

We thought Rockhouse Creek looked like a good anchorage but that was for Freedom, not your day boat So when are you bringing the big 'un down?

 

[MarkDeMartini]

Yo Dan! No big boat for me. Too much gas and too little time. I have a job as you know... unlike your leisurly life!! Actually, Ponce Inlet (further south) seems awesome. I have heard about some "disappearing island" and grassy point near firecracker island.... all day boat stuff. luckily i can pull up my drive if I need to. something your big beastie cant do. The local watering holes are good too (from experience)and the grouper sangwiches are to die for! I was looking for local knowledge to keep me out of trouble and get some sightseeing in.... this is Marks version of what you are doin' Just on the cheap! LOL. You miss Kingston btw?

 

[boatbum]

Mark not much. We miss the people, but not Kingston. I'm sure every area has it's draw backs but it seems the politics in NY is getting quite anal. On top of this Kingston's infrastructure is falling apart. Sewer lines are collapsing, large hotel projects get approval and die due to lack of funds, dumb ass fixes to water lines, it's pathetic. Driving around Florida while waiting to cross the GS I could not believe how much better it looks down here.
Want to buy a condo? You can be closer to the boat that way!