Pamela RobertsI’m a summer baby through and through. Not only because I rolled into the world mid-June or because I’m mad about tan lines, but because I’m in Jacksonville. Hard not to be a beach bum here.
Once you lay your eyes on our 22 miles of white-hot coastline—the same one where locals surf, swim, paddleboard, and sunbathe—you’ll get why. Sunny days and waves just hit differently in Duval.
But hey, you must see and experience it for yourself. I put this guide together, so there’s no need to ask a local in Speedos for the finest spots for a dip.
Jacksonville Beach
From _jen_lynn76
Address: 2 Oceanfront N
Contact Details: (904) 247-6236
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Time
Website
If you’re talking about Jax and don’t mention Jacksonville Beach, we can’t be friends. This 3.7-mile-long beauty is one of Florida’s hottest shorelines, and we’re not simply talking about the temperature.
Most days, you’ll catch us riding the waves here with surfboards or boogie boards. Come late summer, we’re on the pier casting lines for grouper, whiting, or whatever scaly thing bites.
The beach also turns into party central during the hotter months. Tons of live jazz events, music festivals, and pubs amp up the energy, with cocktails and beer sweetening the nights, of course.
Tips:
Learn what the colored flags mean (there are 5). If you want a more detailed guide, reach out to the lifeguards by dialing 904-270-1685.
You can tie the knot at the beach. Just call 904-247-6157 to learn how.
Neptune Beach
From wvogt12
Address: Strand St
Contact Details: (904) 270-2400
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Website
Neptune Beach is the city’s way of exhaling. Just a mile long, it’s a sweet spot for a Sunday breather, best experienced with a yoga mat or a cold one.
That said, it’s not all mellow energy. The surf hits right, and thanks to that hard-packed sand, cyclists get to zoom through smooth trails.
And when you need some go-fuel, there’s a plethora of seafood, Italian, and American joints to hit—both of the upscale and wallet-friendly varieties. A staple is North Beach Fish Camp.
Tips:
There are no restrooms here. Consider that when planning.
Since the coast isn’t free of rip currents, make sure you know how to swim sideways and stay 100 feet from jetties or piers.
Fernandina Beach
From cariannelindsey
Address: Fernandina Beach
Contact Details: 904-277-7300
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Website
History and nature are two beautiful things Fernandina Beach runs on. You’ll get that the second you stop by Fort Clinch Skate Park, where a Civil War fort, rows of cannons, and live oaks meet the Atlantic Ocean.
Beachcombers and wildlife buffs get some action, too. The shore has shark teeth and gopher tortoises, so there’s always a fascinating thing to look for.
Beyond that, there are volleyball courts and picnic shelters galore. A couple of mini golf courses (miniature golf Jacksonville) also line along the stretch, with Gregor MacGregor’s Mini Links & Drinks as our favorite.
Tip:
Swing by on Sunday to score goods from the farmers market.
Atlantic Beach
From tom.in.abf
Address: Atlantic Beach
Contact Details: (904) 247-5804
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Website
The pedestrian-friendly Atlantic Beach has been pulling crowds since people were still wearing wool swimsuits. Honestly, not much has changed since it burst into fame in the early 1900s.
As a massive stretch, it packs folks of the outdoorsy type. Think surfers, kayakers, swimmers, cyclists, and your good old sunbathers.
It also features attractions like the Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, which hikers should pin on their Google maps. There are 20 miles of reason why.
Tips:
Bring your pup. The beach allows leashed dogs.
If you’re looking to stay longer, book a stay at One Ocean Resort or Hotel Palms, two of the area’s highest-rated accommodations.
Little Talbot Island State Park
From igersjax
Address: 12157 Heckscher Dr
Contact Details: 904-251-2320
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Website
Both our full-send and zen types rock with Little Talbot Island State Park. That’s not earth-shattering, as over its 5 miles, anybody can catch waves, hit up bike trails, or take a stroll along Myrtle Creek’s bluffs.
Comfort isn’t an afterthought either, despite the beach’s “natural state.” We’re talking restrooms, pup-friendly zones, RV hookups, and ADA-accessible walkboards, all winding through Insta-ready dunes.
Lastly, it’s a jackpot for birdwatchers. Gulls and terns are the common finds, but if you break the code by visiting in winter, you might just spot the elusive snowy owl, which looks as majestic as it sounds.
Tips:
If you’re planning to swim or surf, never go alone. There are no lifeguards.
The park is big, so download the park map.
Black Rock Beach
From 904happyhour
Address: Black Rock Beach
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that the sandy and surfer-loved Black Rock Beach is a mere 20-minute jaunt from Downtown Jax.
Geologically speaking, the stretch looks otherworldly and Hawaii-ish. Spodosol formations and tree skeletons make up the scenery, giving it a scenery that’s a cross between a beach and a volcanic spot.
Amble during low tide, and you’ll also find stretches of rock pools. They’re rarely empty, with tiny prawns and crabs to check out.
Tip:
Never go here without checking the tide times. This beach can get dangerous during those spring tides.
Mickler’s Landing
From visitflorida
Address: Mickler’s Landing Beach Park, Ponte Vedra Beach
Contact Details: 904-370-3704
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Mickler’s Landing (pronounced mike-lers) has two things I’ll never get tired of—shark teeth and blush-pink sand. Both are abundant there, with the latter even flaunting coquina-like qualities.
Even better, the beach is convenient. Parking is rarely a fight, restrooms are right there, and plenty of showers are primed for rinsing off the salt and sand.
And best believe you’ll be salty and sandy. Mickler’s Landing’s vast shore is meant for swimming and tanning, though you can always pump up the adrenaline by kayaking, scuba diving, or boating.
Tip:
The place is wheelchair-friendly, thanks to the wooden walkway.
Boneyard Beach
From explorejacksonville
Address: Boneyard Beach
Contact Details: (904) 251-2320
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to dusk
Tide Times
Not pulling your leg—Boneyard Beach is probably the most surreal beach on Jacksonville’s coastline. Sitting quietly along the Nassau Sound, this 3-mile stretch looks like a sculpture exhibit, one that Mother Nature absolutely crushed.
Fallen driftwood scatters and stretches along the shore of this well-kept secret, lending the area an “elephant’s graveyard” look that’s more postcard-worthy than dreary. Being uncrowded further boosts its appeal.
Unironically, none can top the beach’s “driftwood giant,” which almost everybody takes snaps of. You can climb or lounge on it while waiting for plovers, black skimmers, ospreys, and terns—the threatened least terns included.
Tips:
Pack food and water. The beach is far from stores or restaurants.
Bring cash. You have to pay $3 to park.
Huguenot Memorial Park
From druckerjr
Address: 10980 Heckscher Dr
Contact Details: +1 904-255-4255
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Website
I love my kids—which is exactly why I let them loose on Huguenot Memorial Park, just a quick 30-minute cruise from the Jacksonville CBD. There, they go wild on the wide-open beach and playground.
Most of the time, though, they do mini laps on the calm and shallow bay. We adults, on the flip side, go easy on our bods by strolling—but if our muscles decide to run the clock back, we either kayak or surf (kitesurfing is too much).
As a bonus, the beach is open for 4WDs as long as you don’t veer too close to the birds’ nesting zones. And yeah, there’s a $5 fee, though that’s honestly a steal, especially if you encounter avians like skimmers and red knots while driving or camping.
Tips:
Dial the digits above if you want to reserve a pavilion.
Early morning is the best time to spot the park’s birds.
American Beach
From doeboilady
Address: American Beach
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Tide Times
Surf breaks and killer views aren’t the only reason we go to American Beach. You see, Black millionaire Abraham Lincoln Lewis built this spot as a safe, resort-level escape for African Americans during the Jim Crow era, way back in 1935.
These days, it still wears its history proudly, being part of Florida’s Black Heritage Trail. The crown attraction is undoubtedly the NaNa Dune, which, at 8.5 acres, is the biggest dune on the East Coast.
Tip:
Hop on a Coast One Tours excursion to learn more about the African American experience on American Beach and the other beaches of Amelia Island.
