The beaches of St. Johns, FL are among the many treasures of northeast Florida and can be
enjoyed year-round. Whether you are a resident or a visitor to the area you are sure to appreciate the 40+ miles of coastline and all that it has to offer including swimming, biking, wildlife viewing, shell-seeking, fishing, surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding or just relaxing along the shore.
Info about all of the public beaches, including current conditions, maps, available facilities, which beaches allow cars on the sand, passes and permits, lifeguards, parking and more is available on the St. Johns County website or by downloading the app from that site.
While lifeguards watch over many of the beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day there are safety measures that all who spend time on our beaches should be sure to take year-round whether lifeguards are present or not. In order to have the safest and most comfortable beach experience possible:
- Apply and re-apply sunscreen often and wear protective clothing. The brilliant Florida sun can cause burns within just a few minutes of exposure.
Pay attention to the flags flying at beach entrances and what their colors represent.- Ask a lifeguard about the day’s beach conditions and swim near a staffed lifeguard station if possible.
- Never swim alone; be sure that someone with you knows that you are in the water, remains nearby and can see you while you are swimming.
- Know how to recognize rip currents, avoid swimming in them and know what to do if you are caught up in one. According to the National Weather Service, in a typical year rip currents claim more lives than hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning combined.
- Many St. Johns County beaches allow dogs on the beach as long as they are kept on leashes and under the owner’s control. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh (not salt!) water and on hot days be sure to create shade for him/her.
- Be aware of the marine life that inhabits Florida coastal waters including jellyfish, stingrays, barnacles and the occasional shark. If lifeguards, beach patrol officers or warning flags indicate that there is dangerous marine life present, heed those warnings.
Common sense and awareness will go a long way toward ensuring that your time on the beautiful St. Johns County beaches will be enjoyable and memorable. Enjoy your day at the beach!
