Hidden Spots to Soak up the Sun without the Crowds
We love St. Augustine Beach. We live here, we work here, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. But, sometimes, we just want to escape the crowds and find our own little secluded speck of sand.
The only thing we love more than St. Augustine is sharing the city’s wonders with locals and visitors alike. That’s why we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing with you the seven best secret or underrated beaches in St. Augustine. From the serene beauty of Crescent Beach to the historic allure of Matanzas Inlet, each of these beaches offers something unique.
So, pack your beach bag, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to discover your new favorite beach!
1. Vilano Beach
Tucked away just north of St. Augustine, Vilano Beach offers a unique blend of natural beauty and local charm. Its off-the-beaten-path vibe is accentuated by a lack of commercialization, making it a perfect spot for those seeking tranquility. The beach is known for its coquina sand and is an excellent spot for fishing, surfing, and watching dolphins at play.
Here’s our pro tip: most tourists (and even some locals) will plug in “Vilano Beach” or “North Beach Park” to their GPS. While those are great spots for a beach day, the true treasure is Vilano Point. On the southern tip of Vilano Beach, 4×4 vehicles are welcome to drive on the sand, so there’s no need to lug all of your gear over sand dunes. Setting up your beach chair here will also supply you with one of the best and most unique views of St. Augustine, looking back across the harbor.
2. Crescent Beach
One of the A1A highlights, Crescent Beach is a prime example of just how sweet northeast Florida living can really be. This beach is less crowded than its counterparts, offering a more relaxed atmosphere for sunbathing, picnics, and beach combing. The wide beachfront is also ideal for long, reflective walks at sunrise or sunset.
There are several access points around Crescent Beach Park. Try to pick one of the smaller ones nearby in order to avoid the crowds.
3. Anastasia State Park
While not entirely secret, Anastasia State Park is often overlooked by those heading straight for the more famous St. Augustine Beach and Pier. This state park features four miles of untouched beaches, alongside marshes, dunes, and maritime forests. It’s a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and a great place for kayaking, paddle boarding, and bird watching.
At 8 bucks per vehicle, it’s not free, unlike the other beaches on our list, but it’s a small price to pay for a day in heaven.
Ready for the real insider tip? Oh, lucky you for clicking on this article…head down A1A Beach Boulevard and keep your eyes peeled for the Pope Road access point just north of the Embassy Suites. The parking lot is small, but this part of the beach actually connects to Anastasia State Park!
4. Matanzas Inlet
Matanzas Inlet is a secluded spot known for its dramatic landscapes and historical significance. The inlet, which is part of the Fort Matanzas National Monument, offers unspoiled beaches ideal for fishing, shell hunting, and observing the local birdlife.
Builty by the Spanish in 1742, Fort Matanzas is made out of coquina, like its better known sibling, the Castillo de San Marcos in historic downtown St. Augustine. Fortunately for us, there is no longer naval warfare at this point on the shore and, unlike the Castillo de San Marcos, there are no rifle or cannon demonstrations to disturb your relaxing beach day.
Only accessible by car, Matanzas Inlet is worth the extra effort for the silky white sand that feels practically like the Caribbean.
5. Butler Beach
Named for political activist Frank B. Butler, Butler Beach has been welcoming families for almost one hundred years. In the 1930’s, Butler Beach was the only beach access for African Americans between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Now, everyone is welcome on all of St. Augustine’s gorgeous beaches and Butler Beach continues to shine as one of the best locations in the area for families to build sandcastles, play beach volleyball or just relax with a book.
The beach is wide, clean, and perhaps most importantly, features a large, free parking lot.
6. Marineland
Originally the location of the first underwater movie studio in the United States and shooting location of Creature from the Black Lagoon, Marineland has seen its ups and downs in popularity over the years. What was once a massive tourist attraction has slowed down a bit, but now us locals can take full advantage of the smooth sand and pristine waters of Marineland.
Forgot to pack lunch? That’s no problem here thanks to a semi-permanent encampment of food trucks that includes Flipperz Food Truck and Ragga Surf Cafe located on the bluff overlooking the water.
7. Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve)
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve—try saying that five times fast. Known to locals as simply “Guana”, you’ll find this gem halfway between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach. Guana takes up the small spit of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Guana and Tolomato Rivers, which feed into the Matanzas River.
Accessed by driving along historic A1A, there are great hiking and mountain biking trails in the wildlife reserve on the west side of the road. But our focus today is on the ocean side where soft sand, exciting surf, and plenty of open space make this beach special. Pop in 2690 S Ponte Vedra Blvd into your GPS, but keep in mind that cell service is not the strongest around these parts—all part of the charm!
Note: Some of the parking lots are on the opposite side of A1A from the ocean beach access. There are pedestrian crossings marked by signage and lights, but you should remain aware of your surroundings at all times as cars travel at high speeds down this road.
Welcome Home to St. Augustine
Whether you’ve just started thinking about life in St. Augustine, or if you’ve lived in the Ancient City your entire life, there is always something more to discover. Browse our up-to-date real estate listings or give us a call at (904) 599-5633.