10 Best Beaches in St. Augustine

The most popular beach in St. Augustine is undoubtedly St. Augustine Beach. This sunny shoreline is consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the United States by Southern Living – and for good reason.

This peaceful shoreline has everything you could ever want for a quiet day at the beach. You can stroll along the pristine white sand, go for a swim in the turquoise waters, or even do a little fishing off the pier. And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of beach-loving animals, including sandpipers, sand crabs, and seagulls.

With its pink-hued sands and loads of shark teeth, it’s no wonder that Ponte Vedra Beach is one of the best beaches in St. Augustine. And when you add the rosy glow of sunrise or sunset to the mix, it’s next-level beautiful.

That said, searching for shark teeth and shells isn’t as easy as it seems. Your best bet is to check the strand line, the highest line of debris left by the waves at high tide. And if that doesn’t pan out, wading a couple of feet into the water – a.k.a. the road less travelled – may work out in your favour.

As one of the only dog-friendly beaches in St. Augustine, North Beach Park is the perfect place to bring your canine pals. There, they (and you) can run, swim, and suntan for hours on end. As you play, you’ll want to keep an eye out for gorgeous sea treasures, like seashells and starfish.

To add to North Beach Park’s appeal, it’s located in the cutest little area known as Vilano Beach. There, you can get homely food at local restaurants, pop into a few cute boutiques, or visit the Vilano Beach Pier.

While there are loads of incredible beaches near St. Augustine, the Matanzas Inlet Beach is a special one. Located where the Matanzas River meets the Atlantic Ocean, this St. Augustine beach is surrounded by stunning blue water on 3 sides.

Plus, this beach isn’t just great to look at. This one-of-a-kind location also makes it a fantastic destination for all sorts of watersports, including fishing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, and bodyboarding. In other words, it’s the perfect spot for a day at the beach.

Situated in a town of the same name, Vilano Beach has made a name for itself as one of the best beaches in St. Augustine to watch the sunrise and sunset. In both the early morning and the late evening, the sky is painted in a breathtaking array of colours that you won’t want to miss.

Local tip: For the absolute best sunset views around, head about a mile west to the other side of the town of Vilano Beach. There, you’ll find the beloved Vilano Beach Pier and pastel-pink evening skies.

Anastasia State Park is a gem of a destination. Located on a peninsula between the Matanzas River, the Salt Run, and the Atlantic Ocean, this state park is filled with thriving plant life and exceptional water views.

And that’s not even all Anastasia State Park has to offer! Suntan on the sparkling sand, take a dip in the refreshing water, pull out your binoculars to spot all sorts of birds or hike along the Ancient Dunes Trail. There’s even a small amphitheatre for the occasional concert!

As soon as you drive up to Flagler Beach, the bright orange sand will catch your eye. And once it’s grabbed your attention, you’ll want to stick around for the epic waves, cute boardwalks, and picture-perfect sunsets.

After enjoying the sunny shoreline of Flagler Beach, why not explore the adorable town of the same name? Munch on a meal from a local seafood spot, pop by the Flagler Beach Farmers’ Market, or stop by an ice cream shop for a scoop to cool down.

Not far from Vilano Beach, you’ll find Mussallem Beachfront Park. While this beach has a lot going for it, including sunny skies and bright blue water, it’s really the hatching sea turtles that make this spot one of the best beaches in St. Augustine.

From May to October, green, loggerhead, and leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs on these sunny shores. Soon after that, the hatchlings crack open their shells and scuttle their way into the water. But this journey can be treacherous for the baby turtles, so be sure to help them out by turning off lights at night and keeping the beach clean.

If you’re planning a family beach day, Surfside Park Beach is a great spot to check out. With free parking, showers, and bathrooms, it has all of the basic necessities. And that’s just the start – this St. Augustine beach has a bunch of fun features too!

Spend your beach day at Surfside Park Beach searching for shells, suntanning on the golden sand, or watching the small waves. And you’ll want to stick around for a picturesque Florida sunset too while you’re at it.

Officially known Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, this beautiful botanical garden isn’t primarily a beach – but the beach is a cool part of it! With tidepool-filled coquina rocks dotting the golden shoreline, you can easily spend an hour or 2 searching for small sea creatures.

That said, Washington Oaks Gardens is primarily known for its garden section. Its thriving rose garden is filled with blooms in all shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. Plus, there are frog-filled ponds, towering trees, and stunning views of the Matanzas River (with the occasional dolphin!) for you to explore as well.