6 Best Places to Paddle Board in St. Augustine, FL

Discover the charm and adventure of Florida’s coastal gem.

Have you ever imagined paddling alongside manatees or through vibrant mangroves?

The best places to paddle board in St. Augustine beckon you.

Embrace the thrill, and let’s explore St. Augustine’s captivating waters together. Ready to set sail?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in St. Augustine

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. July is the warmest month, averaging 88 °F.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in St. Augustine

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Salt Run

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Lighthouse Park Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents, sheltered from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, birds
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: St. Augustine Lighthouse, Anastasia State Park
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, avoid seagrass beds, respect wildlife

Salt Run, located near the St. Augustine Lighthouse, offers calm waters ideal for paddle boarding. Its sheltered location, adjacent to Anastasia State Park, provides stunning views and diverse wildlife encounters.

Glide with dolphins or watch manatees roam through this picturesque estuary.

#2 Matanzas River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Faver-Dykes State Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, protected from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, manatees, alligators, herons, eagles
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Coastal marshes, estuaries, Intracoastal shoreline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of potential alligators, respect private properties

The Matanzas River, part of the Intracoastal Waterway, offers serene stretches of pristine shoreline.

Explore the marshes and estuaries teeming with diverse wildlife, making it a favorite among nature enthusiasts. The calm waters make it suitable for all skill levels.

#3 St. Augustine Bayfront

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Vilano Beach Ramp (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild tidal currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, seabirds, manatees (occasionally)
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Castillo de San Marcos, Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine skyline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, follow bay regulations

St. Augustine Bayfront provides an urban paddleboarding scene with a rich historical backdrop.

Cruise along the bay with views of the Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions. The calm waters of the bay are suitable for all skill levels, making it a popular destination for paddlers.

#4 Summer Haven River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Matanzas Inlet (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, gentle currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, manatees, shorebirds
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Barrier Island, sand dunes, unspoiled natural surroundings
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of the tide, respect wildlife and private properties

Summer Haven River, south of St. Augustine, offers a tranquil paddle through unspoiled natural surroundings.

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, this peaceful river winds through sand dunes and barrier islands, offering a perfect escape from the daily hustle.

#5 Crescent Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Crescent Beach Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, ocean currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, sea turtles, shorebirds
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Wide beach, natural dunes, panoramic ocean views
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for surfers and swimmers, follow beach regulations

Located just south of St. Augustine, Crescent Beach offers a picturesque oceanfront paddleboarding experience. The beach’s natural beauty, wide stretch, and moderate waves make it a must-visit spot.

Paddle alongside dolphins or explore the shoreline for a quintessential Florida adventure.

#6 Guana River

🏖️ Location Type: Channel
📍 Access Point: Guana River Wildlife Management Area (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, light currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Wading birds, alligators, turtles, raccoons
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Marshes, estuaries, diverse flora and fauna
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of alligators, respect private property, follow park rules

Guana River, located north of St. Augustine, offers a serene paddling experience through a diverse wetland ecosystem. The calm waters and lush surroundings make it a favorite for nature lovers.

Glide through marshes and estuaries, and encounter a rich array of wildlife in this protected area.

St. Augustine has an inlet, a river and enough current to make tide tables worth reading. Clearwater is the calm Gulf alternative, Cocoa Beach the closest Atlantic one and Delray Beach the southern one.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case