Best things to do in Jacksonville Beach

Take a short trip out of Jacksonville and immerse yourself in the trademark coastal surroundings of east Florida at Jacksonville Beach. With a distinctively peaceful atmosphere and miles of wide sandy beach, this site offers swimming, water activities, or just relaxing. You can also take a stroll along the beach's long pier, admire the views, or cast a line in the fish-rich waters. The streets adjacent to the beach offer many shopping and dining opportunities. The beach has a lifeguard service and multiple restroom facilities, and both the beach and pier are wheelchair accessible. Beach wheelchairs are available upon request at lifeguard stations.

At Fort Frederica National Monument, learn how the British troops stopped the Spanish forces' attempt to capture the state and the rest of the South in a small but significant battle. The archaeological remnants of the seaside fort and surrounding town have been preserved, but much of the area’s history is still being discovered. Watch a film about the events at the fort in the visitor center before checking out the fort's well-preserved magazine and barracks. Drink machines and restrooms are available, and parking is free.

With a collection of different environments, Fort Clinch State Park is both a natural and historical landmark. The actual fort, which was founded in the 18th century, is open daily for touring. You can experience a variety of outdoor activities here, such as pier fishing, hiking, and shelling. The Amelia River runs through the park, and a campground with full facilities rests near its banks. Another campground is near the Atlantic Ocean. The first weekend of every month military reenactments fill the fort with performances of historical battles.

On the north end of Jekyll Island, Driftwood Beach resembles a graveyard for trees. Oak and pine roots protrude from these shores due to the gradual erosion of the north shore. In some cases, entire full-sized trees have washed ashore. The intricate designs of wave-worn driftwood make for an excellent photo-op.

Glimpse into the life of a lighthouse keeper at St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. The original lighthouse, an octagonal structure built in 1810, was destroyed in 1862 by retreating Confederate soldiers. The current lighthouse was completed in 1872. Climb the 129 steps up 32 m (104 ft) of this still-functioning lighthouse to take in the views of the sea and township below. As you come down the stairs, listen for the ghost of an assistant keeper, slain by the head keeper in 1880. The lighthouse keeper's dwelling at the base of the lighthouse holds exhibits about the history of the lighthouse and life for the keepers. Admission also allows you a tour of the maritime center at the Coast Guard station nearby. The lighthouse tower closes during bad weather.

Fan Page for the Mike McCue Park and Boat Ramp on the Intracoastal is the southernmost ramp in Duval County on the ICW. This ramp is extremely popular for all boaters at the Beaches and Southside areas. The ramp is easy to use due to its protection and adequate depths. The ramp gets very crowded on any weekend with nice weather and on-site parking is usually full after 8 a.m. Off site parking on private property is available for a fee when the gate is open.

The St. Simons Island Light is a lighthouse on the southern tip of St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States. It guides ships into St. Simons Sound and warns of the many sandbars in the area.
The original St. Simons Island lighthouse, which was built in 1810, was a 75ft early federal octagonal lighthouse topped by a 10ft oil-burning lamp. During the American Civil War, U.S. military forces employed a Naval blockade of the coast. An invasion by Union troops in 1862 forced Confederate soldiers to abandon the area. The retreating troops destroyed the lighthouse to prevent it from being an aid to the navigation of Union warships.
The U.S. government constructed a new lighthouse to replace the original, building it to the west of the original's location. It is a 104ft brick structure completed in 1872 and was outfitted with a third-order, biconvex Fresnel lens. The lens is one of 70 such lenses that remain operational in the United States. Sixteen of those are in use on the Great Lakes, of which eight are in Michigan. The rotating lens projects four beams of light, with one strong flash every 60 seconds. A cast iron spiral stairway with 129 steps leads to the galley (or watch/service room). In 1876, the lighthouse was overhauled.