North Florida - Local Boating

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Just south of St. Augustine at the Matanzas Inlet, this 18th-century Spanish fort sits on Rattlesnake Island and is only accessible by water. Managed by the National Park Service, Fort Matanzas is surrounded by scenic salt marsh and is a peaceful spot to tie up, take in coastal wildlife, and learn about the fort’s role in protecting colonial Florida from British invasion.

Address: Matanzas Inlet via ICW Mile Marker 794, Crescent Beach, FL

Website: Visit Website

Phone: (904) 471-0116

Matanzas Inlet Sandbar

Located just inside the Matanzas Inlet, this sandbar emerges during low tide and is a favorite gathering place for local boaters. Shallow, clear water and a backdrop of dunes and sea oats make this an ideal spot for swimming, shelling, picnicking, or socializing. Keep an eye out for dolphins and seabirds cruising the shallows.

Address: Matanzas Inlet (ICW Mile Marker 794) just south of Crescent Beach

Matanzas River Inlet

A prime inshore spot located approximately 25–30 minutes by boat south of St. Augustine. The inlet and adjoining channels produce reliable catches including redfish, spotted sea trout, flounder, and occasionally mackerel, pompano, jacks, or sheepshead. Best accessed via boat from local ramps or docks along Matanzas River. Fish from the deeper channels, oyster bars, or near the bridge pilings.

Address: Matanzas River Inlet, ICW Mile 794 area south of Crescent Beach

Purpoise Point Sandbar

Just inside the St. Augustine Inlet, this sandbar sits at the intersection of the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers. Popular with local boaters on sunny weekends, it offers shallow, swimmable waters and panoramic views of the inlet, beaches, and lighthouse. Dolphins are frequent visitors, and the water clarity is often exceptional.

Address: ICW Mile Marker 777, across from Vilano Beach, near inlet mouth

Fort Clinch State Park & Fort Clinch

Just across the Amelia River from downtown Fernandina Beach lies Fort Clinch State Park—a 1,400-acre gem with beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hammock, dunes, and the well-preserved 19th‑century Fort Clinch. Accessible by a short boat ride from Fernandina’s public boat ramp, it's ideal for touring the fort, enjoying nature trails, spotting birds or shell‑hunting on the beach, and wildlife viewing (even wild horses, depending on tides and season).

Address: 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Website: Visit Website

Phone: (904) 277-7274

Amelia Island Lighthouse & Salt Marshes

Cruise along the Amelia River into Cumberland Sound to reach the Amelia Island Lighthouse area. This calm, scenic waterway offers marsh shores, great bird‑watching, occasional manatee sightings, and views of the historic lighthouse sitting atop a bluff. Perfect for quiet anchoring, scenic cruising, or photography.

Address: Waters around Amelia Island Light, Fernandina Beach, FL

Website: Visit Website

Cumberland Sound & Wild Horse Low-Tide Sand Flats

Head south through Amelia River into Cumberland Sound—just 20 minutes by boat. At low tide, sandy flats emerge where boaters can anchor, swim, picnic, and enjoy shallow water with a chance of seeing wild horses or dolphins in the distance. A peaceful escape into nature and beauty.

Address: Cumberland Sound, Amelia Island vicinity

Dee Dee Bartels Public Boat Ramp & Doctors Lake / Black Creek Inlet

A short ride upriver leads to the peaceful Black Creek tributary and Doctors Lake area—a winding freshwater route shaded by cypress trees draped in moss. Ideal for smooth-water cruising, relaxing, and wildlife spotting (turtles, birds).

Address: Mouth of Black Creek off the St. Marys River, near Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Amelia River Channel (near Fort Clinch / St. Marys River confluence)

A great spot for inshore fishing, where saltwater meets brackish estuary, known for species like redfish, spotted sea trout, sheepshead, and flounder. Fish structure-rich zones around oyster bars and deeper channels near Fort Clinch State Park.

Address: Amelia River / St. Marys River confluence