Palatka FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Palatka, Florida.
1. Palatka Riverfront Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION HUB
Palatka Riverfront Park offers a picturesque setting along the St. Johns River with a covered stage, kayak launch, fishing piers, and the city's iconic clock tower. Visitors can enjoy the riverfront walking trail, Puc Puggy Playground with slides and swings featuring a zip line, or pay respects at the memorial to the WWII submarine USS Tang. The park serves as the heart of Palatka's waterfront activities, providing scenic views and multiple recreational opportunities for residents and tourists alike.
2. Paddlecraft Launch Beach
KAYAKER'S RIVER GATEWAY
Paddlecraft Launch Beach is located directly south of the Memorial Bridge in Palatka, offering a dedicated hand-launch area for kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft. This city-maintained beach provides convenient access to the St. Johns River with nearby parking facilities. The launch site serves as a perfect starting point for exploring the natural beauty of the river system that defines Palatka's landscape.
3. Mary Lawson Brown Municipal Marina
BOATER'S RIVER HAVEN
Mary Lawson Brown Municipal Marina provides deep, concrete access to the St. Johns River with free boat ramps open 24 hours a day. The facility includes paved parking for 70 vehicles and 40 trailers, along with several staging docks near the ramp. Located at 301 River Street, this marina serves as a primary gateway to enjoying the recreational opportunities of the St. Johns River.
4. Anastasia State Park Beach
PRISTINE NATURAL SHORELINE
Anastasia State Park Beach is home to Florida's most pristine beaches, located less than 45 minutes from Palatka. The park offers a natural coastal environment with protected dunes, maritime hammocks, and unspoiled shoreline for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Visitors appreciate the park's well-maintained facilities and the opportunity to experience Florida's Atlantic coast in its most natural state.
5. St. Augustine Beach
COMPLETE BEACH EXPERIENCE
St. Augustine Beach offers everything needed for the ideal beach vacation, with sunny accommodations and beachside restaurants creating a vibrant atmosphere. The beachfront park features an impressive fishing pier, pavilion, splash park, and sand volleyball courts for visitors to enjoy. The area maintains a decidedly laid-back attitude while providing all the amenities and activities that make for a perfect day at the shore.
6. Crescent Beach
SERENE COASTAL RETREAT
Crescent Beach offers a peaceful escape on the Atlantic coast, aptly described as potentially being a visitor's new happy place. The beach features wide, flat sand perfect for walking, biking, or driving directly on the shore during permitted times. Located just south of St. Augustine and less than an hour from Palatka, Crescent Beach provides a more relaxed alternative to the busier beaches in the region.
7. Vilano Beach
CASUAL COASTAL CHARM
Vilano Beach is located just 2 miles north of downtown St. Augustine, offering a casual atmosphere with facilities that include restrooms, dune walkover, and showers. This popular spot is known for excellent fishing, sunbathing, and particularly good surfing conditions when the tide is coming in. The beach is staffed with lifeguards seasonally, making it a safe and accessible option for visitors from Palatka looking for oceanfront recreation.
8. Butler Beach
HISTORIC WHITE SANDS
Butler Beach features convenient white sand shores with significant ties to civil rights history, making it both a recreational and educational destination. The beach offers public access points with available parking, allowing visitors from Palatka and beyond to enjoy its natural beauty. Located along the A1A scenic highway, Butler Beach combines historical significance with the relaxing beach experience typical of Florida's Atlantic coast.
9. Mickler's Landing Beachfront Park
PINK COQUINA SANDS
Mickler's Landing Beachfront Park is known for its unique pink coquina-sand stretches of beach that distinguish it from other coastal areas in the region. The park serves as a popular access point for visitors to Ponte Vedra's serene beaches, accessible via the scenic A1A highway with public parking available. Located within an hour's drive from Palatka, this distinctive beach offers a special coastal experience with its colorful shoreline and natural beauty.
10. North Beach
VERSATILE COQUINA COAST
North Beach is located at 3721 Coastal Highway in St. Augustine, featuring a distinctive coquina-type shoreline popular for sunbathing, fishing, and beachcombing. The beach park includes comprehensive amenities such as restrooms, showers, highway walkover, grills, a playground, and picnic pavilion. Open from dawn to dusk, North Beach provides a complete recreational destination for visitors from Palatka seeking Atlantic Ocean experiences within a reasonable drive.