The
Ponce de Leon Inlet is a natural opening in the
barrier islands in central
Florida that connects the north end of the
Mosquito Lagoon and the south end of the
Halifax River to the
Atlantic Ocean. The inlet originally was named
Mosquito Inlet. In 1926 the Florida Legislature changed the name from Mosquito Inlet to Ponce de Leon Inlet. There was precedent for the change. Mosquito County had long before become
Orange County, and the Mosquito River had become the Halifax River. Only the Mosquito Lagoon has kept its old name. It is the site of the town of
Ponce Inlet, Florida and the
Ponce de Leon Inlet Light. The inlet is maintained by the Ponce de Leon Inlet & Port District, a Division of the
Volusia County, Florida government.