St. Augustine is home to more than 42 miles of beautiful beaches. From Vilano Beach in the north to Crescent Beach in the south, these beaches are accessible through numerous public access points.
If you are touring St. Augustine, and you are into horseback riding, sunbathing, or water sports like stand-up paddle boarding and diving, you’ll definitely get a spot of your liking.
Remember, while enjoying these natural wonders, respect these beach rules to keep the natural habitats safe;
- No alcohol or glass is allowed on any of the beaches.
- Always keep your pets on a leash.
- If you have a personal watercraft vehicle, launch it from area boat ramps and not directly from the beach.
Here are some of the best beaches in St. Augustine:
1. Vilano Beach
If you love sunsets and the beach, then here’s your no.1 spot. Vilano Beach holds a special place in my heart, and I think anyone who visits will feel the same way.
Getting there is the onset of the experience; you take the coastal A1A, an All-American Road that winds along the coast, offering glimpses of wildlife and the ocean.
Dining options around the beach are endless, and the food is always fresh. Almost all restaurants offer outdoor seating with beautiful waterfront views.
If you’re into fishing, Vilano Beach has plenty to offer. You can fish right from the shore, off the pier, or even take your boat out.
And speaking of boats, the various tours available, like the Red Boat Tours or Florida Water Tours, offer fantastic ways to see St. Augustine and its surroundings from the water.
And yes, your furry friends are welcome too, as long as they’re on a leash.
2. Butler Beach
Butler Beach, located two miles south of Saint Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island, is a beautiful oceanfront spot with a rich African American history.
In 1927, Frank B. Butler, a businessman and civic leader, purchased oceanfront property on Anastasia Island in response to the “whites-only” beach policies. This became the first beach between Daytona and Jacksonville where African Americans could freely enjoy the surf, sun, and sand.
The beach offers free public parking, restrooms, barbecue grills, and pavilions. Butler Beach, just eight miles south of St. Augustine’s historic district, has wide stretches of white sand perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Amenities at Butler Beach include restrooms, showers, barbecue grills, and picnic pavilions. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally, and leashed dogs are welcome.
The smooth, hard-packed sand near the water is great for walking or biking. The dunes are home to the endangered Anastasia Island Beach Mouse and the gopher tortoise.
The Atlantic waves here vary, making it a popular spot for surfers, fishermen, and beachgoers.
Activities you might want to try at Butler Beach include swimming, surfing, skimboarding, surf fishing, and biking.
There are no food concessions, so bring your own refreshments.
3. Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is a wide-open stretch of beautiful shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean in St. Augustine, Florida.
This beach is perfect for bike riding, walking, beach volleyball, frisbee, bocce ball, boogie boarding, swimming, and surfing.
The public access points on A1A make it easy for boating, and with a special permit, you can go horseback riding.
The fact that Crescent Beach is a local community beach with minimal commercialization, makes it a go-to, peaceful beach. Amenities including restrooms, showers, a pavilion, picnic tables, and seasonal lifeguards, added to the plenty of space to relax making it a family-friendly spot.
What makes me visit this beach occasionally is the beachfront park, picnic pavilions, dune crossovers, restrooms, and convenient parking.
4. St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach is one of the best beaches in St. Augustine.
It offers a buffet for an ideal beach vacation: sunny accommodations, tropical seaside restaurants, a beachfront park with an impressive fishing pier, pavilion, splash park, and sand volleyball courts. The presence of Barney’s Beach Service allows for convenient beach gear rentals if you don’t want to bring your own.
The beach community is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and A1A on the west. Popular places to stay include Guy Harvey Resort and La Fiesta Inn, along with numerous vacation rentals.
In addition to two miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean, active visitors can enjoy Fiesta Falls Mini-Golf, the Ocean and Racquet Resort, and the St. Johns County Fishing Pier.
The pier hosts an open-air market on Wednesday mornings and Music by the Sea concerts on Wednesday evenings during the summer.
You are allowed to drive on St. Augustine Beach within designated areas, depending on tides and weather conditions. Seasonal fees apply for driving on the beach.
Leashed dogs are allowed on St. Augustine Beach as long as you remember to clean up after your pet, and bring an umbrella or shade structure along with plenty of drinking water to keep your dog cool.
5. Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach is located in the northeast corner of St. Johns County.
This beach stretches along the A1A Scenic Highway and Historic Coastal Byway. When you visit, you can either go boating, fishing, or do waterfront dining.
Ponte Vedra Beach’s connection to the PGA Tour, particularly the renowned TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship is of great interest to golfers.
Here’s a secret…. If you are keen enough, you’ll find shark teeth along the shoreline.
Parking near Ponte Vedra Beach is available at the GTM Research Reserve’s North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach access lots along A1A. Additional parking can be found at Mickler’s Beach on the south end of Ponte Vedra Beach and near the GTM Education Center.
And yes, dogs are allowed on Ponte Vedra Beach as long as they are on a leash. Be sure to clean up after your pet and follow all posted rules.
6. Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida, is a favorite if you love beaches.
With over 1,600 acres, the park features unspoiled beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hammocks, and ancient dunes.
The beach at Anastasia State Park is perfect for those who enjoy natural settings.
You can:
- Walk or bike along the four miles of pristine shoreline,
- Surf,
- Swim,
- Birdwatch,
- Canoe or kayak along Salt Run,
- Hike through shaded hammocks and ancient dunes,
- Camp,
- Fish,
- Collect shells, especially during low tide,
- Picnic,
Whether you’re into swimming, surfing, fishing, or just relaxing on the beach, Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine has it all. It’s a fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida’s coastline.
7. Matanzas Inlet Beach
Matanzas Inlet Beach is part of the Fort Matanzas National Monument and Park, which covers 300 acres and includes coastal scrub, maritime forest, and the estuary of the Matanzas River.
Amenities at Matanzas Inlet Beach include:
- Boardwalk
- Guided nature walks
- Beachcombing
The beach is accessible from parking lots at the southern tip of Anastasia Island. It’s a drive-on beach with a speed limit of 10 mph.
However, driving on the beach is prohibited between 7:30 pm and 8:00 am to protect nesting sea turtles. The beach is wheelchair accessible from the parking lot at the end of the Fort Matanzas Beach Ramp Road.
Matanzas Inlet Beach is an hour’s drive from Jacksonville, 90 minutes from Orlando, and 100 minutes from Ocala.
Nearby beaches include Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park Beach, Varn Park Beach, and Vilano Beach.
Matanzas Inlet Beach offers a variety of activities and sights, making it a great destination.
8. Surfside Park Beach
Surfside Park is a popular beach destination located just north of the Vilano Bridge in St. Augustine.
It offers a sunny stretch of shoreline that is inviting for both locals and visitors.
Facilities and Amenities:
- Parking,
- Restrooms,
- Picnic Areas,
- Showers and Dune Walkover.
Beach Activities that you can do in Surfside Park include:
- Beachcombing: The beach is a great spot for collecting souvenir shells, sea glass, and even the occasional shark’s tooth.
- Fishing: A popular activity at Surfside Park.
- Sunbathing and Swimming: Visitors can enjoy sunbathing on the wide beach and swimming in the clean water.
To get there, head north on A1A, stay on the highway when the bridge crosses the Tolomato River, and continue when the road bends north.
Surfside Park is a beautiful, quiet beach offering a relaxing environment with ample amenities, making it a perfect spot to spend the day.
9. North Beach Park
North Beach Park is located just north of Vilano Beach and is perfect for a full day of activities and relaxation.
Here’s what you can expect when you visit:
- Parking: Ample parking is available right in front of the park.
- Walkover (Lock Bridge): A decorated highway walkover with locks left by visitors, known as the “love bridge.”
- Playground Area: A playground for children to enjoy.
- Picnic Pavilion: Available to rent for birthdays, reunions, and various gatherings. For more details, call (904) 209-0331.
- Grills: BBQ grills for public use.
- Showers and Restrooms: Convenient facilities for rinsing off and freshening up.
- Leashed Dogs: Pets are welcome, provided they are on a leash.
You will get easy access to the beach for sunbathing, surfing, and fishing. There is also plenty of space and facilities for picnics, including a pavilion and grills.
Admission is Free and they are open from dawn to dusk.
North Beach Park is ideal for families and groups looking for a fun and relaxing day by the ocean, with plenty of amenities to make your visit comfortable and enjoyable.
Those are the top 9 beach destinations in St. Augustine. When you visit, we also have plans for you in our beer and distillery tours from St. Augustine Brewery Tours. In it, you will be able to appreciate the history and art of brewing in our old city.
Now, here are tips to make the best out of your St. Augustine beaches tours:
Tips for Visiting St. Augustine Beaches
Whether it’s your first time at St. Augustine or you’re a frequent visitor, here are some tips for a great day at the beach!
- Parking can be tricky during the busy season, so it’s good to know your options.
- Apply sunscreen before heading out and reapply often, especially after swimming.
- Use umbrellas, hats, or protective clothing to shield yourself from the sun.
- Avoid the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Swim near lifeguards for added safety.
- If a lifeguard tells you to leave the water, listen to them.
- If you need help while swimming, yell and wave to get a lifeguard’s attention.
- Pay attention to beach warning flags to stay informed about water conditions:
- Purple: Dangerous marine life.
- Green: Low hazard – calm conditions
- Double red: Water closed to the public.
- Red: High hazard – strong currents and high surf.
- Yellow: Medium hazard – moderate surf and currents.
- Never swim alone.
- If caught in a rip current, stay calm, don’t fight the current, and swim parallel to the shore. If you can’t escape, float or tread water and signal for help.
- If you hear thunder or see lightning, get out of the water. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going back in.
- Keep your dog on a leash and clean up after them:
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- Keep them hydrated with fresh, cool water.
- Make sure they can swim before letting them in the water.
- Provide a towel or blanket for them to rest on, as the sand can get very hot.
- Bring an umbrella for shade.
- Be cautious around other dogs.
- Protect your dog from sunburn with pet sunscreen or a t-shirt.
Conclusion
St. Augustine is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse beaches in Florida.
Each beach offers unique amenities and activities, from fishing and surfing to picnicking and exploring nature.
Always remember to follow the beach rules to protect these natural habitats. Staying safe is also key—use sunscreen, swim near lifeguards, and be aware of weather conditions.
St. Augustine’s beaches promise a memorable experience for all. So pack your essentials, respect the environment, and make the most of your beach day in this beautiful coastal city.
Enjoy your visit!