Keeping it Casual in Vilano Beach.
Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1, and St. Johns County officials are asking residents, visitors, and businesses to help protect natural habitat by observing all nesting season laws and regulations. The beaches of St. Johns County are home to several species of endangered or threatened sea turtles.
From May 1 to Oct. 31, St. Johns County staff will close vehicular beach access gates at 7:30 p.m. and reopen them at 8 a.m. to allow nesting sea turtles to have a safe beach throughout the night. Have a positive impact with these tips.
For more than two centuries, Vilano Beach has been the beach that locals go to. It’s a choice spot north of St. Augustine popular for its casual atmosphere, quiet ambiance, and natural surroundings.
To get to Vilano Beach, you must take the scenic route. And by that, we mean coastal AIA, a designated All-American Road. This Byway supports a variety of wildlife including birds, the gopher tortoise, and other endangered species.
Now it's even easier to get from downtown historic St. Augustine to Vilano Beach! Thanks to the Dolphin Bay Scenic Shuttle, passengers can beat the traffic and learn more about St. Augustine's natural environment and culture. The Dolphin Bay Scenic Shuttle operates daily from the public pier on Vilano Beach to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina in downtown St. Augustine.
The Vilano Beach Pier is located nearby on the river side of the Matanzas inlet, and it is one of the best vantage points to watch the sunset over downtown St. Augustine.
Some of the best local restaurants on the Northeast Coast are located in Vilano Beach. Cap’s on the Water, The Reef, Aunt Kate’s, Kingfish Grill, and Beaches all have something in common. They offer outdoor seating and waterfront views, the freshest seafood and Old Florida favorites such as shrimp and grits, Minorcan Clam Chowder, succulent shrimp, and flavorful farm-to-table fare. All served up by friendly locals.
Choose from surf fishing, fishing from the pier, or launch your boat from the ramp. Boaters can tie up at the marina, the pier, or at one of many local restaurants with docks for guests to disembark and take a break from the waves.
Red Boat Tours delivers stunning views of St. Augustine and Matanzas Bay from the water. Choose from a Sunset Tours or a Dolphin Odyssey. Florida Water Tours will take you on an eco-tour, where a knowledgeable guide will point out dolphins, fish, birds, and share information about different species. Step onto a floating oasis and see downtown St. Augustine from the water with Cruisin Tikis St. Augustine. Select a premier sailing experience on a customized sail aboard a luxury yacht with St. Augustine Sailing. Cruise historic St. Augustine by water on Adventure Boat Tours!
Yes, you can take four-wheel-drive vehicles onto Vilano Beach. Vehicle access is limited seasonally and by the beach and weather conditions. For more information about beach access and permits, visit the St. Johns County website.
Yes, you may bring your dog to Vilano Beach. Keep your pet leashed at all times and be sure to pick up after your furry friend. Please observe all posted rules and regulations regarding beach use as well.
From resorts and hotels to beach house rentals, find the best lodging options near Vilano Beach here.
In 1888, guests of the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine would spend the day at the beach in Vilano. The Hotel Ponce de Leon was an exclusive luxury resort built by Standard Oil Magnate Henry Flagler. The opulent hotel was the winter home of the American elite. Today the Hotel Ponce de Leon is Flagler College and a National Historic Landmark.
