Are reservations required for large groups to travel by boat to the fort?Education may make reservations by calling Fort Matanzas National Monument at (904) 471-0116. What times are available for group tours?Times vary, please call (904) 471-0116. All group tours must arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to their scheduled tour. What if I am late?If the group is so late that they cannot be taken to the fort and have the boat back in time for the next public tour, then the group may not be able to visit the fort unless there is an opening for the next group tour. How many people may I bring?Due to the U.S. Coast Guard certified capacity of the boat, group size is limited to no more than 35 people. That includes students and adults. If you have more people than that, please book additional time slots. How far in advance may I make reservations?We can accept reservations 10 months to 24 hours in advance, if there is an opening. Is there a fee?Not at this time, but donations are accepted and are used for boat operations and interpretive programming. How long is the tour?Each group will have a ranger for about 50 minutes and will spend about 30-40 minutes on their tour to the fort, including the boat trip. The group may also want to explore the half-mile nature trail or enjoy a picnic in the picnic area on their own time. Are there any dates when groups may not visit?Inclement weather may force us to cancel boat operations. May I guide myself?Yes, in addition to or in place of traveling to the fort, groups can explore other areas of the park under their teachers' direction. From the main Visitor Center entrance, teachers may guide groups on the half-mile nature trail boardwalk through the woods, hike the marsh trail, and/or use the picnic area set among the old, spreading live oak trees. There are also other entrances and parking lots to enter the beach areas along the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean. To learn more, use the Map, download the App, or experience the Virtual Tour. Do you present programs on nature, too, or just on history?Yes, we present programs on both natural and cultural history. We have a ranger with an educational background on staff, and with enough advance notice we may be able to put together a program on a particular topic or focus for adults or for children. Can we schedule field trips to Fort Matanzas and the Castillo de San Marcos on the same day?Yes, but it does depend on available reservation times. There is a different process for scheduling a group visits to the Castillo. To find out more about Castillo's reservation process, please click here.
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Last updated: March 24, 2024