Best Beaches
With 42 miles of beaches, you can discover your perfect day on Florida’ s Historic Coast no matter what your pleasure. Maybe that’ s why users on Tripadvisor consistently select St. Augustine Beach as a Top 10 Beach in the United States.
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
Vilano Beach
PONTE VEDRA BEACH
Elegant resorts, along with challenging golf courses, line the shore of this serene beach. Mickler’ s Landing( pronounced mike-lers) is a popular access point for visitors. Just south, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve invites exploration with a mix of natural beauty and cultural history. Visitors can discover a life-sized statue of Ponce de León, a historical marker and a scenic dune overlook with interpretive panels detailing his 1513 landing. Beyond the history, the Reserve offers miles of nature trails, secluded beaches and paddling experiences through pristine estuaries.
VILANO BEACH
This beach has remained a popular destination for locals and tourists alike ever since Henry Flagler’ s millionaire friends of the late 1800s declared their love for it. Tucked away in this charming little beach town, you’ ll find shopping, fun eateries and beach cottages to rent. Coquina sands, along with a near-shore break, make it popular with skimboarders, surfers and kiteboarders. It’ s also home of the annual Florida Skimboarding Pro / Am Tournament at the end of August.
ANASTASIA STATE PARK
One of Florida’ s most popular parks, the northern three miles are favored by beach walkers, and most signs of civilization are hidden away beyond the dunes. Anastasia State Park Beach was recently named a Top 10 Florida Beach in the USA Today“ 10 BEST Readers’ Choice Awards”— recognizing its natural beauty, serenity and appeal to outdoor-loving visitors.
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH
Everything is here for the ideal beach vacation— sunny accommodations, tropical seaside restaurants and a beachfront park with an impressive fishing pier, a pavilion, a splash park and sand volleyball, plus a decidedly laid-back attitude. Southern Living recently named St. Augustine Beach one of the Top 10 Best Beach Towns in the South, selected by readers for its welcoming charm and family appeal.
St. Augustine Beach
BUTLER BEACH
Once one of the few designated African American beaches in Florida, the end of segregation opened it to everyone. Today, the area is a mixture of private homes and condos, but many public-access points make it easily reachable. Showers and restrooms are available.
CRESCENT BEACH
Located on Anastasia Island, this beach is so named because the shoreline has a natural crescent moon shape. Miles of broad, white sand are an irresistible appeal among beachgoers. This particular stretch of beach is one of the most scenic and unspoiled in the area, perfect for eco-tourists and beachcombers.
Photo: Glenn Hastings
MATANZAS INLET
One of the many beautiful coastal areas in the destination, Matanzas Inlet features pristine beaches and gentle waterways. It’ s a fisherman’ s favorite, and a perfect spot for paddlers, shell seekers and beach lovers. Take a ferry ride across the river to Fort Matanzas National Monument.
READ MORE
FloridasHistoricCoast. com 13