Can you swim at Anastasia State Park?

Can you drive on Anastasia Beach?

Other Information: Driving is prohibited on Anastasia State Park beaches. For more information, contact Anastasia State Park, (904) 461-2033.

Why is it called Anastasia Island?

And — just for clarification — Anastasia Island is named for the martyr, St. Anastasia, according to documents reviewed by the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board.

What is the nicest beach in St. Augustine?

Where is Anastasia Island FL?

Anastasia Island is a barrier island located off the northeast Atlantic coast of Florida in the United States. It sits east of St. Augustine, running north–south in a slightly southeastern direction to Matanzas Inlet. The island is about 14 miles (23 km) long and an average of 1 mile in width.

How did Matanzas Inlet get its name?

More French survivors appeared at the inlet, including Jean Ribault. On October 12 Ribault and his men surrendered and met their fate. This time 134 were killed. From that time, the inlet was called Matanzas — meaning “slaughters” in Spanish.

Are there sharks at Matanzas Inlet?

Sharks occupy all the oceans in the world, including the Atlantic Ocean bordering Fort Matanzas National Monument. Shark species common to this area include Atlantic Sharpnose, Blacktip, Spinner, Finetooth, Blacknose, and Bonnethead.

Does Matanzas River have alligators?

ST.

Sarah Maguire Marston tells News4Jax she was boating with her husband and friends going south in the Matanzas River. She said they dropped their anchor near Fort Matanzas, on the western branch of the river, when they saw the alligator. She believes it was 7-feet long.

Why is the Matanzas Inlet considered to be unusual?

Matanzas Inlet staged a unique role in the strategic history of St. Augustine. The inlet was the location for the Spanish massacre of French forces in 1565 led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles. This event helped to secure Spanish control of Florida for 235 years.

Can you swim in Matanzas Inlet?

If you prefer swimming in gentler water, you should sit on the Intracoastal side. I highly recommend that the next time you want a good, relaxing beach day, travel just a little bit farther south and walk about a mile where you will encounter the serenely beautiful Matanzas Inlet.

How deep is the Matanzas Inlet?

While the depth of the river varies greatly depending on the tidal cycle, in the Fort Matanzas area lower spots within the river can reach as deep as twenty feet. The Matanzas Inlet is the only remaining un-dredged inlet on the east coast of Florida.

What kind of fish are in Matanzas Inlet?

These include the Atlantic Ocean, Matanzas Inlet, Matanzas River, Summer Haven River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Red drum (redfish), sheepshead, black drum, spotted seatrout, bluefish, and flounder are plentiful.

Is Matanzas River fresh or saltwater?

The Matanzas River is a body of water in St. Johns and Flagler counties in the U.S. state of Florida. It is a narrow saltwater bar-bounded estuary sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by Anastasia Island.

How do you fish in Matanzas River?

Although some good bank and bridge fishing can be found in the Matanzas (especially near the inlet, on the Florida A1A bridge, plus the beach), the best angling is had from boats. Small skiffs not only are good for working the river area, but often they’re better than big boats.