7 Best Beaches in St Augustine FL (Beaches Near St Augustine)

St Augustine is America’s oldest city, with many historical, cultural, and natural tourist attractions. This America’s first city has many exciting and unique things to do with many beaches. You will find some exotic beaches in St Augustine; therefore, if you are a beach person, this article will be read for you. Let’s read about the Best Beaches in St Augustine FL. 

• Read Complete Guide on Best Things To Do In St Augustine Fl this weekend Itinerary
• Best Things To Do In St Augustine With Kids (Activities + Tours)

List Of Best Beaches in St Augustine FL (Beaches Near St Augustine)

St. Augustine Beach 

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 5 Miles

St Augustine Beach is perfect for an ideal beach vacation with laidback vibes, a fishing pier, a sunny beach, white sands, exotic seaside restaurants, and a beachfront park. It stretches approximately 2 miles with a white-sand beach and clear water.

It is one of the best beaches in St Augustine and one of the best family beaches on the east coast USA.

• Entrance – Free and for cars/vehicles, metered paid parking
• Beach Activities – bicycle rides, skimboarders, boogie boarders, surfers, paddle boarders, and kiteboarders.
• Hotel Stay – Click here to Book a hotel on St Augustine Beach.
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet Friendly – Yes

Ponte Vedra Beach 

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 27 Miles

Ponte Vedra is known for plush seaside resorts, world-renowned golf courses, beautiful private beaches, and relaxing spas. It has a wide dock and boardwalk leading to a gazebo overlooking the ‘bird island.

Ponte Vedra Beach is a paradise for golfers with the lovely seaside and 40-foot dunes, among the highest in Florida. 

Now you know some of the best beaches in St Augustine Florida. 

According to CNN, It is One Of The Top 22 Can’t-Miss Beaches in The U.S. Therefore, it is the best beach in St Augustine Fl. 

• Hotel Stay – Click here to book the hotel on Ponte Vedra Beach.
• Entrance – Free and for cars/vehicles, metered paid parking
• Beach Activities – Collect fossilized sharks teeth, Hiking, Kayaking, Fishing, Biking, and Birding, Golfing
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet Friendly – Yes

Vilano Beach 

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 4.3 Miles

Vilano Beach has been famous among locals for two centuries and is a hot spot north of St. Augustine. It is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, serene ambiance, and peaceful natural surroundings.

The location of the Vilano Beach Pier on the river side of the Matanzas inlet makes it the best vantage point to watch the sunset over downtown St. Augustine. 

• Entrance – Free entrance 
• Beach Activities – water sports, shell hunting, restaurants, all-night fishing, surfing, spectacular sunset watching, oceanside dining, boat tours to view the St Augustine skyline.
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet Friendly – Yes

Matanzas Inlet Beach 

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 14.33 Miles

Matanzas Inlet is a channel in Florida between two barrier islands and the mainland, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the south end of the Matanzas River. It is part of the National monument park, which comprises four ecosystems. 

• Entrance – Free.
• Beach Activities – Go Boating, fishing, surfing, spot turtles basking in the sun, and shelling. You can also book kayaks and jet skis for an aquatic adventure on the Matanzas River.
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet Friendly – Yes

Butler Beach 

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 8.5 Miles

Butler Beach is one of the dream destinations if you are on a Florida vacation due to its clear white sandy beaches. This beach is 2 miles south of St Augustine Beach and lies between Daytona and Saint Augustine. This beach is more relaxed and peaceful due to lesser crowds. 

This beach has historical significance, too, as it played a significant role in the civil rights movement. 

It is also significant for balancing the ecosystem as it homes a vulnerable dune ecosystem that houses the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse and the gopher tortoise. 

• Home Stay – Book villa-style home stay on Butler Beach.
• Entrance – Free. Park your car for free at unpaved Gloria Avenue. Park your vehicle at Public Car parking for beach access at $10 per car.
• Beach Activities – Go for swimming, horseback riding, and beachside leisure. 
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet Friendly – Yes

Crescent Beach 

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 10 Miles

It lies on Anastasia Island, and due to its natural crescent moon shape, this beach got its name Crescent Beach. Enjoy the Miles of broad white sand on scenic curvature beach, which is genuinely picturesque and unspoiled in this area. It is perfect for eco-tourists, honeymooners, and beachcombers.

• Entrance – Free. But it is paid if you drive on the beach by 4 x 4 vehicles. 
• Beach Activities – Go for freshwater fishing, Horseback riding, Boating, boogie boarding, kayaking, beach bike rides, walks, frisbee, and volleyball.  
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet friendly – Dogs are not allowed at Crescent Beach from May 15 to September 15 due to overcrowding of dogs. 

GTM Beach

Distance from St Augustine’s historic Downtown – 10.5 Miles

The Guana Tolomato Research Reserve is 73,000 acres of preserved wetlands and estuaries on the northeast Florida coast stretching from Ponte Vedra to Palm Coast, including some beautiful pristine landscapes.

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research’s beaches house a life-size statue of Ponce de Leon and informative panels to commemorate Ponce’s 1513 journey and first landfall here.  GTM is one of the best beaches in St Augustine Florida. 

• Entrance – Free
• Beach Activities – Collect seashells, Bicycling, Birding, Canoeing, Boat Ramp, Fly Fishing, hike, bike, horseback ride, kayak, beachcombing, search for shark teeth, and learn about coastal wildlife., 
• Swimming – Allowed 
• Pet-Friendly – Yes on designated areas

General Tips – Best beaches in St Augustine

• Most beaches have free entrance. You have to park your car in the public car park. 
• Some beaches have hard-packed sand, and driving is allowed on it. For this drive, you need a 4×4 vehicle. 
• Many beaches are surrounded by exotic ecosystems and wildlife. So respect nature and do not litter around. 
• Most of the beaches are dog-friendly but have to be leashed.

Take St Augustine Historic Video Tour

More reads on USA Travel Guide

• EAST COAST (US) ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
• Best Florida Keys Itinerary 7 Days (8 Days + Map)
• Ultimate Florida Itinerary 10 days – Best Of Florida Road trip (with Map + Key West)
• Stunning California Road Trip Itinerary 21 – 25 days
• Best Things to do in Chicago City Tour – Chicago Travel Guide
• Things to do in New York City

All content and photos belong to travelwithme247blog(dot)com and use of content/photos without permission would result in legal action.

DISCLAIMER – The blog’s content is solely my views of a place or a thing. This does not offend any class, religion, ethnicity, or nation. My views can change from time to time. This blog may contain some advertisements or links to commercial products, so this site is not responsible after you click those advertisements.  

We are the independent owner of this site, and the views expressed in this are our own. All photographs are owned by me.  There can be slight differences in distances, locations, or some details for which I (owner) am not responsible.  This post may contain some affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you.  I will earn if you will click through affiliates and make a purchase.