Shore Perfection: Beaches & Waterways

The First Coast is home to more than 22 miles of beautiful beaches and waterways perfect for beachgoers wanting to relax in the sun, surf, look for shells or even play beach volleyball!

Beaches Duval County

Atlantic Beach

Visitors to Atlantic Beach can enjoy a quiet beach with saltwater activities like surfing, fishing, kayaking or paddleboarding.

Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach (Jax Beach) is nestled between Neptune and Ponte Vedra beaches and spans 60 blocks along the Atlantic Ocean. Jax Beach offers public access in multiple locations and is the perfect place for surfing. The Jax Beach pier was recently reopened after a rebuild and is the perfect place for anglers to catch some fish including sheepshead, kingfish and red drum.

Mayport

Known for its shrimping industry, the historic fishing village of Mayport is located north of Atlantic Beach at the mouth of the St. Johns River. Visitors can visit Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park for camping, fishing and surfing.

Neptune Beach

Neptune Beach is located north of Jax Beach. At about a mile long, the beach gives residents and visitors a chance to bike, bask in the sun and surf.

Nassau County

Fernandina Beach

As the First Coast’s northernmost beach, Fernandina Beach is the perfect place for seashell hunting and is known for its horseback riding tours that give visitors and residents a chance to experience the beach from a whole new perspective of the gorgeous white dunes.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY

Crescent Beach

Located south of St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, Crescent Beach is named from the crescent shape of its coastline. The beach’s hardpacked sand is perfect for bike riding, horseback riding or beach volleyball.

North Beach

North Beach is a serene spot just north of Vilano Beach on A1A Beach. A full range of facilities are available including boat ramps, showers and public parking.

Ponte Vedra Beach

Ponte Vedra Beach is perfect for those looking for a less crowded and quieter beach. It is located just south of Jacksonville Beach and has many access points for beachgoers and is the perfect place to hunt for seashells and shark teeth. Mickler’s Landing is tucked into the southern part of Ponte Vedra Beach and is known as a popular destination for surfers and families.

St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach has everything a beachgoer could want, including a fishing pier, pavilion, splash park and beach volleyball courts.

Vilano Beach

Vilano Beach is located on the north side of the Matanzas Inlet and has a dune walkover and access for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Its location on the coast gives it a stronger current, making it popular for surfing, paddleboarding and skim boarding.

Waterways

The Intracoastal

Dividing Jacksonville’s southside region from the beach, the Intracoastal Waterway runs about 40 miles through the First Coast. It has a variety of saltwater inlets, sounds and man-made canals, which are open to recreational vessels.

St. Johns River

The St. Johns River is one of the few rivers in the nation that flows northward and spans 310 miles from Mayport to Indian River County. The portion of the St. Johns River that runs throughout the First Coast is part saltwater which allows for various species to be spotted in the

water like sharks, manatees and

dolphins.

Other First Coast Rivers

Other First Coast rivers provide for fishing, boating and other outdoor activities throughout the year. In St. Johns County, the Guana and Tolomato rivers surround the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuary Research Reserve. On the Amelia River, boaters can take in the historic sites of Fort Clinch State Park. In St. Augustine, take a ride on the Matanzas Bay and Matanzas River to see the Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Castillo de San Marcos.

Baker County

allows for camping, biking and hiking, as well as boat tours.