Northeast Florida's Best Beaches

Northeast Florida's Best Beaches

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach

Far from the madness of some of the popular spring break beaches, the shores of Amelia Island puts you close to nature: observe sea turtles nesting, go horseback riding along the side, and fish for tarpon, kingfish, and amberjack. Access the beach on Fletcher Avenue.

Daytona Beach

The World's Most Famous Beach is fronted with a mixture of tall condos and apartments, hotels, low-rise motels, and flashy nightclubs. Although the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to the Daytona area, most commercial properties and many smaller family-owned properties have since reopened. Traffic can get backed up, as driving on the sand is allowed (be careful, because cars can, and do, get stuck); areas marked no-car zones are less frenetic and more family-friendly.

Cocoa Beach

As home to Ron Jon Surf Shop (the world's largest surf shop) and the Cocoa Beach Surf Company (the world's largest surf complex), and the birthplace of eight-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater, it's only fitting that Cocoa Beach be dubbed"Surfing Capital of the East Coast." Grommets looking to follow in his aqua shoes should head to the beach at 3rd Street North(renamed "Slater Way" in his honor), where he learned the basics, then head to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and Museum (located inside the Cocoa Beach Surf Company on Atlantic Avenue) for inspiration. Stretching far over the Atlantic, the Cocoa Beach Pier is an everyday gathering spot as well as a beachside grandstand for space-shuttle launches. There are several souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as a bait-and-tackle shop. It costs $3 to park here, and another $1 for access to the fishing part of the pier that dangles 800 feet out into the Atlantic.

Jacksonville Beaches

The northernmost of Jacksonville's beaches, Atlantic Beach is more subdued but a favorite with local surfers. Adjacent Neptune Beach is largely residential and draws bicyclists and in-line skaters who cruise up and down 1st Street. Just south is Jacksonville Beach, which has a decidedly more active shoreline, with volleyballs and Frisbees buzzing through the air and portable radios blaring everything from Kanye West to Van Halen. With multimillion-dollar homes stretching for miles, Ponte Vedra is the most difficult beach to access but makes for a lovely drive down Route A1A. Lifeguards are on duty on the more populated stretches of the beaches from 10-6 in summer.