Very little of Jacksonville actually borders the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a half-hour drive to the coast from downtown Jacksonville -- longer if traffic does not cooperate -- and many of the beaches east of the city are incorporated within the small beach towns of the coast. If you head to the northeast toward the Georgia border, however, there are many attractive beaches on Florida’s northernmost barrier islands that lie within the limits or slightly north of Jacksonville lines.
Head for Hanna
- The 1.5-mile beach at Hanna Park is one of the few beaches on the Atlantic Ocean operated by the city of Jacksonville. Cabins, campsites and Pelican Roost RV Park are inexpensive lodging options around the park. Fishing, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboating are a few of the outdoor activities visitors can take part in either on the Atlantic side of the park or on the 60-acre freshwater lake inland. Offshore, "The Poles" is northeast Florida's premier destination for surfers.
Size Doesn't Matter
- Across the St. John’s River mouth is Little Talbot Island, a preserved barrier island with 5 miles of fine beaches on its east coast and dunes, forests and saltwater marshes to the west. Water activities include guided kayak and paddleboat tours, surfing, fishing and a growing sport called surf fishing, which combines the two. On land, visitors relax on the beach, hike the network of trails, stroll along the five boardwalks, picnic or set up camp along Myrtle Creek.
When Bigger Is Better
- Primarily a nature preserve, Big Talbot Island attracts throngs of birdwatchers and wildlife photographers as well as hikers. A common destination on the island is one of the island’s four hiking trails that winds down to Boneyard Beach, where salt-preserved relics of ancient oak and cedar trees stand. The park borders Nassau Sound, which partially forms Jacksonville’s northeast city limits.
The Amelia Angle
- Just outside Jacksonville’s borders are 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness that lie on the southern tip of Amelia Island, which nearly straddles the Florida-Georgia border. Like the Talbot Islands, Amelia Island has white beaches, wetlands and maritime forests. Amelia Island is one of only a few beaches in the area that allow and offer horseback-riding on its beaches. Surf fishing is popular on Amelia Island, and traditional fisherman line the mile-long pier on George Crady Bridge, which extends across Nassau Sound.
