The Best Beaches on Florida’s Historic Coast

Want to explore some of Florida’s most captivating beaches? St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra are home to more than 42 miles of shoreline, from lively stretches near piers to quiet nature escapes that feel a world away.

More than 500 years ago, Ponce de Leon spotted beautiful, inviting beaches that drew him to shore and led to the first documented European discovery of Florida. Today, St. Augustine is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida — 42 miles of beaches, to be exact.

Below is a list of the best beaches in St. Augustine.

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Oceanfront kayaking on Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Augustine, FL.

PicturedPonte Vedra Beach

1. Ponte Vedra Beach

Elegant resorts with challenging golf courses line the shore of this serene beach. Set along scenic A1A, the beach balances understated luxury with a natural coastal backdrop. Spend the day on Ponte Vedra's white sand beaches, then explore nearby cultural and recreational activities in the evening.

A sandy beach, almost rosey colored, stretches along the shoreline and is littered with beach goers in St. Augustine, FL.

PicturedMickler's Landing

2. Mickler's Landing

Mickler’s Landing (pronounced mike-lers) is a popular access point to Ponte Vedra Beach for visitors. As the first public beach in the area, it remains a local favorite for its pink-tinged coquina sand and is a popular spot for finding sharks teeth.

Grass grows on the hills of a sandy beach with a few beach goers clinging to the ocean side in St. Augustine, FL.

PicturedGTM Reserve Beach

3. GTM Reserve

The beaches at GTM Reserve feature a historical marker, a life-size statue of Ponce de Leon and a dune overlook platform that includes interpretive panels describing Ponce’s 1513 journey when he sighted land at this very spot.

Ocean water pulls away from the sandy beach in St. Augustine, FL with a few people walking in the water.

PicturedVilano Beach

4. Vilano Beach

Vilano Beach has drawn visitors since the late 1800s, when Henry Flagler’s guests spent time along its shores. Tucked away in this charming little beach town, you’ll find shopping, fun eateries, and beach cottages for rent. Coquina sands and a near-shore break make it popular with surfers and kite boarders.

The sun sets just beyond the ocean horizon on a bare beach in St. Augustine, FL.

PicturedAnastasia State Park

5. Anastasia State Park

White quartz sand beckons beach goers to one of the area's most beautiful beaches (and one of Florida’s most popular parks). The northern three miles are for beach walkers only, and most signs of civilization are hidden far beyond the dunes.

Family running and playing on St. Augustine Beach.

PicturedSt. Augustine Beach

6. St. Augustine Beach

Truly one of the best beaches in St. Augustine. Everything is here for the ideal beach vacation — sunny accommodations, tropical seaside restaurants, a beachfront park with an impressive fishing pier, pavilion, splash park, and sand volleyball. Plus, a decidedly laid-back attitude. And if you don't want to lug all your beach gear down to the sand, check out Barney's Beach Service for reasonable rentals.

A few greens poke up out of the sand of a beach in St. Augustine, FL.

PicturedButler Beach

7. Butler Beach

This area is a mix of private homes and condos, but its many public access points make the beach easily accessible. Check out the surrounding park, it’s home to a vulnerable dune ecosystem that houses the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse and the gopher tortoise.

A rainbow umbrella is the only thing on the beach as everyone plays in the blue water in St. Augustine, FL.

PicturedCrescent Beach

8. Crescent Beach

Located on Anastasia Island, this beach is named for its natural crescent moon-shaped shoreline. Miles of broad white sand are an irresistible appeal among beachgoers. This particular stretch of beach is one of the most scenic and unspoiled in the area, perfect for eco-tourists and beachcombers.

Clear, blue-green water gently laps against the white sandy beach of Matanzas Inlet at Crescent Beach in St. Augustine, FL

PicturedMatanzas Inlet

9. Matanzas Inlet

Matanzas Inlet sits south of Crescent Beach, where the ocean meets the bay. Calm waters make the area well suited for swimming and paddling, while boaters frequent the inlet during summer months. There are even more shoals to explore at low tide.