Beaches

Across A1A from the park entrance is the road to the beach ramp parking lot. This ramp is Exit Only from the beach.

Quick Facts

Amenities

3 listed

Beach/Water Access, Parking, Scenic View/Photo Spot

The beaches of our National Monument are some of the most beautiful and popular in St. Augustine. One visit and you will see why!

The park-protected beach stretches from the beach ramp all the way to the ferry docks. If you are at the park entrance, you will see a parking area directly across A1A. The beach ramp is open during the summer months and is operated by the county as an exit only ramp. If you wish to drive on the beach, head north on A1A to access the beach from another ramp; you will drive south and exit at our ramp. The beach south of the ramp is NPS property and is closed to motorized vehicles.

If you drive south on A1A, you will find two parking areas before the bridge over the Matanzas Inlet. On the northbound side is a boardwalk over the dunes to the beach, an area that is favored by surfers and fishermen. The lot on the southbound side provides access to the river with a short, accessible boardwalk. The river side often has shallow areas ideal for swimming. Remember that the currents near the inlet are extremely strong as the tides go in and out. Use caution when swimming and supervise children closely.

A popular fishing area is on the southern end of Rattlesnake Island. There is a small parking area accessible by a dirt road in the Summer Island neighborhood. Access to the fort itself is only permitted by the NPS ferry boat. Visitors on foot or in personal watercraft may not access the fort.

Wherever you choose to enjoy our beaches, be safe and help us to preserve and protect our resources.