Take a break and head out to revive your spirit in the warm ocean breeze. Along the sun-kissed coast of northeast Florida, you will marvel and appreciate the sight of blue water, multi colored shells, soft sandy shores, and an endless horizon.
The wide sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see and children find joy in building creative sandcastles. Start your expansive and diverse seashell collection and enjoy the natural landscapes of our coastal beaches.
Beyond sand and seashells, visitors can spot various shorebirds while others will enjoy simply viewing the natural sights and sounds of the crashing surf. Fresh ocean breezes refresh the senses. All of it gives you a sense of gratitude, perspective and rejuvenation.
Exploring the beaches of Florida provides thoughtful ways to interact with natural beauty through quiet study and appreciation of small wonders often overlooked. The shoreline is a place for mindfulness in nature’s calm.
Find Peace and Joy at Florida’s Seaside
Listen and hear nature’s rhyme in each wave’s movement. This is a place to fill your soul with simple joys. Let the natural magic of shifting sands and shells soothe your spirit. Nature’s charm awaits – will you accept its call to the vast seashore’s endless balm?
Shark Tooth Hunting in Florida State Parks
Few activities let one feel closer to prehistory than hunting for fossilized shark teeth along Florida’s shores. Several state parks offer prime locations for this thrilling treasure hunt.
Fort Clinch State Park
Situated along the Amelia River near Fernandina Beach, this park has become well-known among shark tooth hunters. Daily dredging of a nearby shipping channel brings teeth from long-dead creatures onto newly discovered Florida beaches. Patience and a keen eye may uncover rare megalodon teeth among more common findings.
Vilano Beach
Stretching from Ponte Vedra to St Augustine, Vilano Beach is a beach off the beaten path. Seasoned hunters gather following storms when fresh waves stir shallow sandbars. Specimens often include sand shark and tiger shark teeth that are perfect for exhibiting predatory details.
St Augustine Beach
When visiting the oldest city in North America, be sure to also stroll along the beaches and comb for shark teeth and treasures. St. Augustine is a popular summer destination with bustling beaches and a vibrant downtown. Happy (shark tooth) hunting!
The best times to find shark teeth are following wet weather, storms, hurricanes, or autumn temperature drops.
Join Amelia Island’s Famous Sandcastle Contest
If your ideal beach vacation involves family-friendly fun, plan your visit to Amelia Island in late April for their famous Sandcastle Contest.
Now in its 45th year, this event draws sculptors of all ages to compete along the shores of Jacksonville Beach. Using only damp sand and water, participants craft imaginative castles, creatures, and more before a panel of judges.
So come test your sand sculpting skills while the kids enjoy roaming the beaches to admire the entries. You’ll enjoy spending the sunny spring afternoon with lively music and fellowship.
Whether you enter the sandcastle contest yourself or just come to cheer on the talented builders, this annual celebration is a can’t-miss event for anyone who would love to be a part of Amelia Island’s fun.
We hope to see you at the contest next April!
Explore History and Nature at Fort Clinch State Park
Along Amelia Island’s coast is another intriguing Fort Clinch State Park. As you drive along live oak-lined lanes to the park’s edge, you can think about Union soldiers patrolling these very grounds over 150 years ago.
At this state park, you enter a region shaped by battlefield strategy. Wander 19th century Fort Clinch’s labyrinth of rooms to imagine how defenses against the nearby South were mounted. This weekend, reenactors bring the Fort dramatically alive through canon fire demonstrations.
Beyond, 1,400 coastal acres shelter wildlife like gopher tortoises and birds among towering vegetation.
Find your pace – hike pathways spotting indigenous plants. Come summer, families appreciate bouncing between camping, fishing and shelling along 7 miles of clear shoreline.
Year-round, the park also rewards eager shark tooth seekers; be one of them! Discover why this unique protected space continues welcoming visitors with open arms.
Unwind at Scenic Mickler’s Landing Beach
Wish to call Florida coastline your own for the day? Make your way to Mickler’s Landing Beach located within Ponte Vedra. Here, sand paths lead to a world apart amid towering dune woodlands. This is an extremely popular beach, so during the summer months, you’ll want to arrive early!
Greet wide ribbons of pink sand before you. They are occasionally speckled by historic seashell fragments. A wheel-chair accessible boardwalk eases your passage to its edge. There is even a terrain untouched for wandering at will – the perfect escape.
Throughout, you will chance upon wildlife flitting amongst marram grasses. With restrooms and outdoor showers, you can relax knowing the place is well-suited for a stay. Extend your fun by searching incoming tides for sharks’ teeth too, at this Jacksonville beach!
Once you are ready to explore further, discover fascinating nearby attractions like the GTM Research Reserve. Be happy knowing a few crowds will interrupt your bliss. Experience the simple serenity of Mickler’s coastline beauty!
Explore the Natural Charms of Vilano Beach
Just north of buzzing St. Augustine are the calm shores of Vilano Beach. For over two centuries, locals have valued this place of unspoiled nature along Florida’s coastline. You can further soothe yourself in the majestic oak forests.
Enjoy the scenic A1A drive to reach the untouched sands or rent a vacation home directly on the ocean’s edge. Toward afternoon, watch the sea and sky from the Pier’s vantage. Throughout, meet resident ospreys and tortoises amongst dune grasses. End your day with one of the many waterfront eateries for fresh catches.
When you are tired, try out lodging in both resort-style and cozy B&Bs nearby. Throughout the year, there are fun traditions, art festivals, and booming festivals around this special corner of Florida’s coastline.
Discover Beautiful Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island
From Amelia Island’s luxurious oceanfront resorts to the charming downtown of Fernandina, this area is sure to be an absolute delight. The northern most city on Floria’s east coast, this region has it all: beaches, restaurants, private charters, waterfront dining and numerous annual events and festivals.
This is one of our absolute places to visit and stay for a few nights. We also enjoy taking our boat from Jacksonville up to the Fernandina marina and indulging in fresh seafood on the waterfront. One event you won’t want to miss is the annual Shrimp Festival! Plan your stay around this annual event, drawing in people from all around to enjoy music, fresh shrimp and seafood, art vendors and so much more.
And of course, the beaches. We love Amelia Island State Park, a drive-on beach (for 4-wheel drive only) and its remoteness. This is a popular place to fish, kayak and paddleboard. You can even book a horseback riding trip right along the shore! So, load up your trucks and jeeps and head over to this hidden gem.
Conclusion
Plan on relaxing among these lush coastal settings yourself. Inhale fresh sea breezes and wander barrier islands. Find personal relics within the vast seashores’ stories. Sample varied local flavors and the delicious fresh catches of Jacksonville Florida.
This northeast Florida coast promises rejuvenation through encounters with nature, history and communities. Return again to experience changing beauties within familiar places.
