The Ultimate Jacksonville Beach Travel Guide

Jacksonville Beach is the largest of a group of resort towns dotting the coast of Florida. Collectively called the Jacksonville Beaches, they’re about half an hour's drive from Downtown Jacksonville. With a total of 22 miles of white sand on offer, planning the itinerary can be confusing, so we’ve broken it down for you.

Beaches

First things first – here’s a roundup of the Jacksonville beach communities, coupled with their unique features to help pick the right ones for you.

• Jacksonville Beach: It’s no surprise that the liveliest and most popular beach here is Jacksonville Beach. Stretching almost 4 miles long, the shoreline is dotted with oceanfront hotels, beachside restaurants, and buzzing breweries for you to kick back and relax. There are lots of water sports and activities to try, with surfing and fishing in full swing. The Jacksonville Beach Pier is a crowd-puller, but also stop by Seawalk Pavilion for some live music or even a festival if you’re in luck.

• Neptune Beach: This relaxed beach town lies just north of Jacksonville Beach for those looking for a more peaceful spot. Catch a beautiful sunrise here, or stroll the paved streets lined with dining and shopping options. Beaches Town Center, an open-air mall, is the perfect place for a laid-back evening.

• Atlantic Beach: Infuse a bit of history on your beach vacation at the northernmost of Jacksonville’s coastal communities. Thought to be the first year-round Native American settlement, today Atlantic Beach beckons with 1.5 miles of soft, golden sands and the 450-acre adventure playground, Hanna Park. Here, you’ll also find one of Florida’s best surf spots, Mayport Poles.

• Ponte Vedra Beach: A 10-minute drive south of Jacksonville Beach, this seaside resort has two distinct draws – sand dunes and shark teeth. Comb the beaches for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, and you might spot a fossilized shark tooth to take home. Ponte Vedra is also a hot golfing destination, home to coveted golf courses including TPC Sawgrass, which hosts THE PLAYERS Championship.

Dining

From casual seafood shacks and fish camps to elegant bistros and farm-to-table restaurants, we’ve found you some of the best bites in Jax. The colorful and quirky TacoLu dishes out tacos and tequila with equal flair. Bright artwork and murals draw inspiration from Mexican traditions, and the mezcal menu pairs nicely with their fish tacos. Another popular spot among Jacksonville Beach restaurants is Angie's Subs, consistently delivering quality Peruvian sandwiches and sweet tea to locals and visitors alike. For a taste of Southern comfort, flaky biscuits for breakfast at the Maple Street Biscuit Company are a must-do. Their kids’ menu includes chocolate chip waffles and chicken biscuits, hot favorites with the little ones. If you prefer something a bit more contemporary, Jax Beach Brunch Haus does all the brunch classics, with plenty of vegan options and cocktails to boot. For drinks, hop on the Jax Ale Trail or the family-friendly Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail to try an assortment of local brews.

Outdoor adventures

If you’ve had your fill of sunning yourself on the sand, there are plenty of ways to get active here – on and off the water.

• Surfing: Jacksonville is a top surfing destination for seasoned as well as novice surfers. While the surf is best in winter, summer is ideal to get the hang of riding the waves. Huguenot Park, The Poles, and the Jacksonville Beach Pier are popular surf spots, and the expansive Atlantic Beach is best for beginners to take lessons.

• Kayaking and SUP: In Jacksonville, you can opt to go kayaking and paddleboarding in the ocean, river, creek or lake and spot the abundant local wildlife, including dolphins. Rentals and guided tours are aplenty, so don’t worry if you’re not a pro.

• Fishing: With over 1,110 miles of shoreline available, you don’t even need a boat to fish in Jacksonville. The city’s waterways, rivers, lakes, marshes, and creeks are dotted with docks, bridges, and piers from where you can cast a line. For deep-sea fishing, charter a boat and set sail with a guide for the best catch.

• Parks: If hiking or biking are more your thing, Jacksonville offers a wealth of outdoor pursuits on land as well. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park boasts miles of trails and a campground with cabins and sites, just north of Atlantic Beach. There’s also a 60-acre lake if you’d like to fish, canoe or kayak to cool off. Closer home, Jacksonville Beach has options like Oceanfront Park and South Beach Park, both of which have playgrounds and picnic spots perfect for a family day.

Museums and attractions

The Beaches Museum is the best place to learn about Jacksonville’s unique beach communities and their history. This quaint museum is located in Jacksonville Beach and also houses a little chapel and a steam locomotive. Art lovers can enjoy American and European art along with a stellar porcelain collection at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, or opt for the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) for something more modern. If you’re traveling with kids, the Museum of Science & History (MOSH) and Hands On Children's Museum are interactive and educational, keeping the little ones engaged for hours. For a day of family fun, Adventure Landing has a water park, an arcade, laser tag, mini golf, and go-karting, while Sunshine Playground offers a skate park and courts to play tennis, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.

Shopping

Trendy boutiques, arts and crafts markets, and sprawling malls – Jacksonville has retail options for every shopper. Beaches Town Center is set right where Atlantic Beach meets Neptune Beach and offers an eclectic selection of stores and restaurants by the water. Head to Downtown Jacksonville for a more elaborate shopping experience at St Johns Town Center, housing top brands from luxury designers to high-street fashion. For a more local vibe, flea markets and farmers’ markets are your best bet. The Riverside Arts Market is a popular Saturday haunt to browse locally made art, fresh produce, and homemade goods. The Jacksonville area is also home to a number of specialty shops where you can hunt for vintage collectibles, antiques, rare books, and other cool finds. Sweet Pete's Candy and Peterbrooke Chocolatier are two local favorites if you want to pick up some tasty treats to take home.

Choose the right time for you

If you want to be in the thick of it, you can’t beat the summer months of July and August when the beaches are at their buzzing best. Shoulder seasons of spring and fall are always a good idea, with pleasant temperatures, fewer people, and lower prices. Winter can get quite cool, so if beaches aren’t the biggest draw, the holiday season sees some fun events and great deals. Remember, hurricane season in Florida is from June to November. 

Check the events calendar

One of the best ways to pick when to visit a place is by planning your trip around a local festival. Jacksonville’s ‘Winter on the Water’ boasts a Light Boat Parade, dazzling New Year’s Eve fireworks, and other festive celebrations. A number of sporting events are held throughout the year, while spring is popular with music lovers for its Springing the Blues and Jacksonville Jazz festivals.

Sample some local cuisine

There’s nothing like the thought of trying delicious new dishes in a new place to whet your appetite for a vacation. Local ingredients and southern flavors shine in the coastal city’s seafood cuisine – especially some freshly caught Mayport shrimp from the region. The dining scene includes everything from upscale restaurants dishing out global fare to laid-back shacks and fish camps serving the catch of the day.

Pack right for the weather

No matter when you decide to visit, a vacation to Jacksonville Beach is bound to involve some exposure to the sun. Stay safe in the Florida heat with plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap, especially in summer or if you plan to do any outdoor activities. The cooler months are the best time for hiking, kayaking, and surfing—pack layers along with rain and sun protection, and throw in bug spray for good measure.

Where are the best beaches in Jacksonville?

A short drive from Downtown Jacksonville are the lively Jacksonville Beach, the quieter Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach, further north, popular with surfers and history enthusiasts alike.

Does Jacksonville Beach have a pier?

A quarter of a mile long, the Jacksonville Beach pier extends into the Atlantic Ocean and offers stunning panoramic views. It’s also a popular fishing spot, complete with rod rentals and bait shops.

Are dogs allowed on Jacksonville Beach?

Leashed dogs are allowed all year on Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, and anytime on Jacksonville Beach except peak hours in the summer. Dog-friendly restaurants, miles of sandy shore, and the members-only Paws Park make Jacksonville Beach a favorite with pet parents.