Anastasia State Park

Four miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach sit inside Anastasia State Park, just across the bridge from St. Augustine. A lifeguard watches a designated swim area at the beach ramp behind the Island Beach Shop and Grill from Memorial Day to Labor Day; the rest is open beach break that surfers favor. Arrive early on busy weekends and holidays, when the 350-space lot can fill.

Directions

Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 81/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 27°C, wind 27 km/h, waves 0.7 m, UV 3. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Summer, when the guarded area is staffed; the park notes that late fall through early spring water can call for a wetsuit.
Getting in: Florida state park on Anastasia Island, St. Augustine; open 8 a.m. to sundown year-round. Entry $8 per vehicle (up to eight people), $4 single-occupant vehicle, $2 pedestrians and cyclists.
Parking & transport: About 350 spaces, included with admission; the lot can fill on busy weekends and holidays. No overnight parking for day visitors.
Lifeguards: A designated swimming area at the beach access ramp behind the Island Beach Shop and Grill is lifeguarded from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Water quality: Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program samples the 'Anastasia State Park' site for enterococci bacteria every 1–2 weeks depending on county (Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71+ per 100 mL); an advisory is issued when a sample and its resample both exceed 70.
Season: Lifeguard season Memorial Day–Labor Day; park open year-round.
Watch for: Rip currents
Surfers along the beach break
Facilities: Restrooms with outdoor rinse showers at the beach · Island Beach Shop and Grill · Kayak, paddleboard and bike rentals · Campground with bathhouses