The beaches stretch from Ponte Vedra in the north to the southern extremity of St. Johns County. In between, the natural beauty of the beaches remains unspoiled and serves as a year-round magnet for visitors and tourists who enjoy sunshine, recreation and the sea. Places such as Vilano Beach, Crescent Beach, Summer Haven and St. Augustine Beach are sites where swimming and fishing are superb.

Every morning, fishermen can be found casting in the surf while beach walkers bend over, scanning the sands in search of moon snails, olive and scallop shells, jackknife clam shells, angel wings and sand dollars.

Visitors with a sharp eye will occasionally glimpse dolphins playing in the surf. Farther offshore, from November through April each year, boaters daily report sightings of right whales that annually migrate to this area off Florida's coast to spend the winter.

Many seaside hotels and resoprts offer bicycle rentals for the entire family. Photo courtesy of the St. Johns County Visitors & Convention Bureau

Anastasia Island and St. Augustine Beach
Eighteen-mile-long Anastasia Island, east and south of St. Augustine, is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. From its wide beaches to the St. Johns County Pier, just south of the popular state-run Anastasia State Recreation Area, visitors enjoy fishing or simply relaxing in the sun on this scenic seashore paradise.

The Anastasia State Recreation Area, located on St. Augustine Beach, provides every outdoor recreation activity outdoor enthusiasts seek. The wide beach is characterized by its serene, unhurried atmosphere. In the recreation area, however, the opportunities for play and fun abound.

The Anastasia State Recreation Area offers areas for camping, hiking, fishing, picnics, barbecues, nature walks, beach volleyball and simply relaxing in the sun. The natural beauty of the area is accented by the 1,700-acre bird sanctuary, rich with four miles of beach, lagoon waterways and plentiful wildlife. Tours provide visitors with experienced guides who can point out the flora and fauna that inhabit the Recreation Area.

Fifteen miles south of St. Augustine, Faver-Dykes State Park offers a scenic canoe trail that winds along saltwater Pellicer Creek. There are also nature trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, a fishing dock and a boat ramp for small boats in Faver-Dykes.

Sand dunes form protective bluffs with the help of swaying sea oates. Photo courtesy of the St. Johns County Visitors & Convention Bureau

Ponte Vedra Beach
In northern St. Johns County, the beaches of Ponte Vedra are characterized by their towering dunes, shell-sprinkled shores and plentiful, natural foliage. Truly a vacationer's paradise and near some of the finest resorts in the United States, visitors can ride horses in the surf, enjoy a stroll in the soft sand, fish or simply sit back and enjoy a spectacular sunrise over the ocean.

At Guana River State Park, located on A1A south of Ponte Vedra Beach, fishing and boating opportunities attract sportsmen. Saltwater anglers can fish in the ocean or the Guana River or enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing in Guana Lake. Boat launches are available at both the river and lake.

More Information on Beachside Recreation
Each park maintains its own operating schedule and has varying individual operating characteristics. For specific information on swimming, fishing, boating or recreation, call: Anastasia Island State Recreation Area, (904) 461-2033; Faver-Dykes State Park, (904) 794-0997; Guana River State Park, (904) 825-5071.

Information on St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches
For free information on the beaches, golf, lodging, shopping and dining in Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine, including a colorful 40-page travel planner, contact the St. Johns County Visitors & Convention Bureau, 88 Riberia Street, #400, St. Augustine, FL 32084 or call, toll-free, 1-800-OLD CITY (1-800-653-2489), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.