Discover Six St. Augustine Adventures

Florida’s Historic Coast is famous for its 42 miles of pristine beaches. But in and around Ponte Vedra Beach and the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, adventures abound.

Spot Scenic Wildlife

Ponte Vedra’s Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve conserves 76,000 acres rich in natural beauty, including quiet beaches, unspoiled freshwater marshland, and countless animal habitats.
Start your adventure at the Environmental Education Center, then set out on one of five hiking trails, where you’ll likely spot alligators, armadillos, tortoises, and other wildlife.

Zip Above Crocodiles

If the notion of ziplining 35 feet above waters swimming with crocodiles and alligators sparks your adventurous spirit, visit Crocodile Crossing at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
Designed to thrill both beginners and experienced zipliners, this adventure is just one of the highlights of this historic zoo, a place where species are preserved, exotic birdlife flourishes, and live animal shows entertain daily.

Climb a Lighthouse

Rising 165 feet from the sand, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum offers the chance to climb to the outdoor balcony for panoramic views of St. Augustine. Notable for its jaunty black-and-white striped façade, the working lighthouse dates to 1874, when it first illuminated the coast to guide ships through stormy weather. Hands-on activities and exhibits, daily programs, and nature trails complete the maritime experience.

Survey Villa Zorayda

Right in the center of downtown St. Augustine stands a Moorish castle that looks like the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Villa Zorayda Museum, built in 1883, was designed to be one-tenth the size of one wing of the fabled Spanish palace. Once home to wealthy Bostonian, Franklin W. Smith, Villa Zorayda was a casino and a speak easy before Abraham Mussallem bought it in 1913. Filled with art and antiques, the castle is still in the Mussallem
family. Attractions include the wonders of the Court of Lions, the Sultan’s Den, and the Harem Room. Inquire about the cat rug, but take care not to fall under the mummy’s curse.

Uncover the “Fountain of Youth”

To be clear, there is no such thing. And, most likely, the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was more focused on colonizing Florida than living forever. But the quest for eternal youth is age-old. The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park takes history-lovers on a wander through the site originally settled in 1565. The native people believed in the healing properties of the sulfur-rich water that burbles from an underground aquifer. There is, in fact, a fountain on the lushly landscaped site, and a sip can’t hurt.

Set Sail on the Freedom

Get a different perspective of St. Augustine aboard the 76-foot-long reproduction of a 19th-century gaff-rigged topsail schooner. Owned and operated by a local family, The Freedom is the only schooner charter vessel between Charleston and the Florida Keys. Choose your adventure, from sunset cocktails to sailing under the night sky. There are even themed voyages, including a ghost tour or full moon sail. The 2,400 square foot vessel harkens back to naval history and the privateers that roamed the Eastern seaboard in the early 1800s.