Jacksonville Beaches

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or the summer season if you prefer, the Jacksonville beaches are in full swing. From Amelia Island to the north of the city on down to Ponte Vedra Beach on the southern side, the Florida coast offers numerous sandy stretches for Jacksonville locals and visitors to enjoy. The beaches near Jacksonville feature invitingly soft, white sand, and while some are mostly flat, others boast sand dunes that are quite picturesque. The warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean also beckon beachgoers to the Jacksonville beaches, and while some visitors have little more than sunbathing in mind, others will relish in the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities.

Among the top things to do at Jacksonville beaches is surf. While the waves along the northeastern Florida shore can't compare with those in California or Hawaii, they can make for enjoyable surfing, especially if you are new to the sport. In general, the waves are gentle enough to encourage other activities, like swimming and boogie boarding. Neptune Beach, which is part of the Jacksonville beaches community, is one of the best places to surf on the northeastern Florida coast, so you might head there if you want to give it a go. The Jacksonville beaches community is a collection of small, coastal cities that can be found due east of Jacksonville. While they enjoy a certain amount of independence, the residents in these cities still have a presence on the Jacksonville City Council. The other Jacksonville beaches community cities are Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach.

Miles of sandy beaches line the Jacksonville Beaches shoreline, so you won't have trouble finding a place to set up camp when looking to enjoy a day at the beach. Where Atlantic Beach meets Neptune Beach, the Beaches Town Center can be found. A collection of restaurants, shops, bars, and inns are yours to take advantage of at the Beaches Town Center when you're not enjoying things like sunbathing, swimming, and boogie boarding. Like Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, which is the liveliest of the Jacksonville Beaches cities, is an excellent place to go surfing. There is plenty in the way of beach concessions, shops, and restaurants at Jacksonville Beach, and you will also find a long fishing pier here. The cost to fish off the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier is more than reasonable, and you won't need a license.

Heading south of Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra beach is another one of the beaches near Jacksonville worth a visit. Some of the best Jacksonville area beach resorts can be found on Ponte Vedra Beach, and the area is also home to one of the best Florida golf courses. An upscale beach and golfing destination, Ponte Vedra Beach boasts the TPC at Sawgrass Golf Course, which is a course that most golfing enthusiasts dream of playing. When you're not teeing it up for a round during your visit to Ponte Vedra Beach, you can treat yourself to a spa session, dine at any number of excellent restaurants, and spend some time on a wide beach. Most of the beaches in Ponte Vedra Beach don't have a lot of public access points, but should you stay at one of the resorts, you'll have your own beach to enjoy.

When looking for things to do at Jacksonville beaches, you can always add horseback riding to the mix. In the Jacksonville beaches community, horseback riding excursions are easy to arrange, and you can also entertain the option when visiting Amelia Island. Amelia Island is approximately 45 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, so it won't take long to get to. Some of the best beaches near Jacksonville can be found on Amelia Island, and resorts like the Amelia Island Plantation and the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island take advantage of that fact.

Most of the beaches near Jacksonville boast things like lifeguards, concessions, restrooms, and showers, which adds to the their convenience. You will also find that most of the beaches in the area feature numerous access points and plenty of free parking. While the bulk of the Jacksonville beaches are relatively uncrowded throughout the year, there are some that are more deserted than others, which might pique your interest. Some of the Jacksonville parks, such as Huguenot Memorial Park boast some pristine beaches that are ideal places to retreat to when looking to relax. Coincidentally, Huguenot Memorial Park and some of the other area parks are great places to go camping, so you don't have to stray too far from their beaches once the sun goes down.

Whether you're hanging out on one of the the Jacksonville beaches, or heading out to some of the other area beaches, you're bound to have a good time. The list of things to do at the Jacksonville beaches is a long one, and the same goes for Ponte Vedra and Amelia Island. Start planning your Jacksonville area beach vacation today, and see for yourself just how busy it can be. Chances are good that you will be pleasantly surprised.