Beaches & Waterways

Photo by Stephanie Marty

From Shore to Sea:

Beaches & Waterways

With more than 22 miles of beaches stretching down the coast, Jacksonville has more shoreline than any city in the United States. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day in the sun or a fun-filled day adventuring along the shoreline searching for shells, building sandcastles or tackling the waves on a surfboard, the First Coast is the perfect place to spend the day on the water.

BEACHES DUVAL COUNTY Atlantic Beach

Whether you are looking to paddleboard, kayak, fish or surf, Atlantic Beach gives numerous options for the saltwater enthusiasts. Finish your beach day with a trip over to Atlantic Beach’s bars, upscale restaurants and unique boutiques.

Jacksonville Beach

Situated between Neptune Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, also known as Jax Beach, is one of the most popular beaches for vacationers, surfers and families. With public beach access and easily accessible parking, the area also boasts restaurants and bars. More than four miles long and covering 60 blocks along the Atlantic Ocean, Jax Beach is lined by small soft dunes and is a popular place for sea turtle nesting.

Mayport

The quaint fishing town of Mayport is north of Atlantic Beach at the mouth of the St. Johns River. The area is well known for its shrimping industry. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is the main beachfront where visitors can camp, fish and surf some of the best waves in Northeast Florida.

Neptune Beach

The charming beachside community of Neptune Beach is just a quick jaunt north of Jax Beach. While the beach is only about a mile long, visitors can enjoy surfing, relaxing on the white sand and taking quiet bike rides or

Jacksonville has more shoreline than any other city in the nation with more than 1,100 miles of navigable water!

runs along the hard-packed sand. The Towncenter area of Neptune Beach is full of exceptional restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques.

NASSAU COUNTY Fernandina Beach

Located on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is the northernmost beach on the First Coast. Known for its horseback riding along the beach and gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, the beach is perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. The area is also full of up-scale resorts and spas and boasts a quaint collection of bed and breakfasts.

Photo courtesy of AmeliaIsland.com

ST. JOHNS COUNTY Crescent Beach

South of St. Augustine on A1A, Crescent Beach is located on Anastasia Island. The area is named for the coastline’s natural crescent shape. With many waterways scattered around the beach, the area is perfect for boating and fishing. The beach’s hard-packed sand is ideal for bike rides, runs and horseback riding.

North Beach

North Beach, located on A1A north of the Vilano Bridge, offers a highway walkover and a full range of facilities including boat ramps and parking. This beach is the perfect place for basking in the sun and enjoying the serenity of nature.

Ponte Vedra Beach

Ponte Vedra Beach is a quick drive down the coast from Jacksonville. The beach is known for gorgeous sand dunes, which are more than 40 feet tall and some of the highest in Florida. The area is the perfect place for the outdoor enthusiast to hunt for shark’s teeth and shells. The dog-friendly county beachside park, Mickler’s Landing Beach, is a popular destination for beachgoers with easy access to fun in the sun.

St. Augustine Beach

If you’re looking for a fun day of sand and surf, head to St. Augustine Beach, which has a beachfront park, fishing pier, splash park, pavilion, oceanfront restaurants, beach volleyball courts and more.

Vilano Beach

Located on the north side of the Matanzas Inlet, Vilano Beach has a dune walkover, showers, covered picnic tables, a pier and more. It is a great surfing, paddle boarding and skimboarding spot with a heavier surf and strong current found in the inlet. The beach does offer vehicle beach access but is restricted to four-wheel-drive vehicles and is available depending on conditions of the sand.

WATERWAYS The Intracoastal

The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway runs 40 miles throughout the First Coast. It splits the southside region of Jacksonville from the beach communities with its saltwater inlets, man-made canals and sounds. Opportunities to explore the area’s natural beauty can be done with recreational vessels where various wildlife, shorebirds and flora can be found. It is common to see residents enjoying activities like kayaking, fishing, boating, paddle boarding, tubing and jet skiing.

St. Johns River

The longest river in Florida runs right through our First Coast and is one of the few in the U.S. that flows north. The St. Johns River spans 310 miles from Mayport to Indian River County where residents can enjoy activities on the river such as kayaking, boating and fishing. The Riverwalk in downtown Jacksonville allows residents to stroll along the beautiful river. Keep your eyes peeled on the water because you may get a glimpse of some manatees or dolphins, which frequent the river.

Other First Coast Rivers

Many bodies of water throughout the First Coast provide a multitude of outdoor fun like fishing and boating. The Tolomato and Guana rivers surround Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuary Research Reserve in St. Johns County, while in St. Augustine the Matanzas Bay and Matanzas River give sight to landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Bridge of Lions. On the Amelia River you can enjoy historic sites such as Fort Clinch State Park with radiant riverbanks and salt marshes.

Photos courtesy of Visit Jacksonville

Sea Express Statue, photo by Stephanie Marty