Craving sun, surf, and a lively beach vibe? Head to Jacksonville Beach! Located along Florida’s “First Coast,” Jacksonville Beach offers wide sandy shores, an iconic fishing pier, a buzzing boardwalk, and easy access to dining, nightlife, and outdoor recreation. It’s a laid-back, family-friendly coastal destination with a bit of everything.
Jacksonville Beach, FL Highlights:
- For Beachgoers: Relax or surf at Jacksonville Beach – Enjoy swimming, shelling, and gentle waves perfect for beginners and pros alike.
- For Anglers: Fish off the Jacksonville Beach Pier – Cast a line or take in the ocean views from this newly rebuilt 22-foot-tall pier.
- For Families: Play and splash at Oceanfront Park – A beachfront playground and picnic area right near the sand.
- For Cyclists & Walkers: Stroll or ride the Beach Boulevard Trail – Connects downtown Jax Beach to nearby Neptune and Atlantic Beaches.
- For Surfers: Ride the waves at the Poles – A top surf spot near Hanna Park just north of Jax Beach.
Best Time to Visit Jacksonville Beach, FL
The best time to visit Jacksonville Beach is from March through October for warm weather, beach events, and outdoor fun. Summer offers prime swimming and surfing, while spring and fall bring great weather with fewer crowds. Winters are mild and peaceful, ideal for quiet walks along the shore.
How to Get to Jacksonville Beach, FL
- By Car: Accessible via FL-202 East from I-95; about 20 minutes from downtown Jacksonville.
- By Air: Fly into Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), then drive about 35–40 minutes to the beach.
- By Rideshare/Taxi: Uber and Lyft operate throughout the Jacksonville metro area.
Where to Stay in Jacksonville Beach, FL
- Recommended for Families: Hampton Inn Oceanfront – Oceanfront rooms, a pool, and free breakfast steps from the beach.
- For Couples: Margaritaville Beach Hotel – A stylish, tropical-themed hotel with ocean views and island vibes.
- For Budget Travelers: Best Western Oceanfront – Affordable, clean, and just steps away from sand and restaurants.
Best Things to Do in Jacksonville Beach, FL
⮕ Cast a Line at the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
Scenic strolls, sunrise views, and some of the best surf fishing in northeast Florida.
The Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier extends from the boardwalk, over the sand, and out over the Atlantic Ocean. This beach pier is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and one of its most popular attractions. Around a little more than a quarter-mile in length, the Jacksonville Beach Pier is a great place to just take a relaxing stroll and offers both views of the ocean and the city skyline. Fishing is allowed at the end with a permit. The wheelchair-accessible pier is open to the public from 6:00am until 10:00pm and has restrooms, a bait shop, and concessions.
503 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-241-1515
⮕ Step Into Local Stories at Beaches Museum and History Park
Explore the rich heritage of the First Coast—from railroads to surfboards—in this hidden gem of a museum.
While Jacksonville Beach, Florida is known best for its beach and resorts, the city is also home to some interesting history that’s often overlooked. The Beaches Museum and History Park provides an opportunity for both locals and tourists alike to discover much more about the city of Jacksonville Beach. The museum shares the local history of the area, dating back to the indigenous peoples who lived in the region before Europeans arrived, followed by the British, Spanish, and United States history of the coastal area. Visitors at the Beaches Museum can see history up close, local artifacts, abundant old photographs, and more.
381 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-241-5657
⮕ Make a Splash at Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach
Water park thrills, mini golf, go-karts, and arcade fun for families and fun-seekers alike.
Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach is one of Jacksonville Beach’s most popular attractions among both visitors and local residents. This family-oriented amusement park is great for people of all ages and is home to a wide variety of activities and special events. Adventure Landing offers baseball batting cages, go-karts, laser tag, miniature golf, a Mega Arcade, and much more, and with the Adventure Landing Shipwreck Island Waterpark, there’s even more fun to be had in the water and the largest waterpark in northeastern Florida. The waterpark features a lazy river, wave pool, and the Kiddie Play Area among other attractions.
1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-246-4386
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
⮕ Wander the Wild at Cradle Creek Preserve
Woodland boardwalks, salt marsh views, and birdwatching bliss just minutes from the beach.
The Cradle Creek Preserve in Jacksonville Beach, Florida is located along the Intracoastal Waterway separating the city from the much busier Jacksonville, Florida. This nature reserve is a great place for people to get out into nature while not having to stray too far away from the comforts of the city. Boardwalks guide visitors along waterways and creeks where they can find amazing views of the Cradle Creek Preserve from a number of viewing platforms. For anyone feeling more adventurous, canoes and kayaks can be used to explore the creek. The preserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
900 S 15th St, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-247-6100
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
⮕ Catch a Show at Players by the Sea
Local theater with big talent—where coastal creativity shines onstage year-round.
Players by the Sea has been enriching the community of Jacksonville Beach for more than fifty years ago through excellence in innovative and live theatre. The theater strives to present an array of productions that are entertaining, emotionally stimulating, thought provoking, and engaging through extraordinary dedication and support from volunteers in the community, including visual artists, carpenters, backstage crews, designers, directors, and actors. Productions put on by the Players by the Sea range from re-invigorated classics to edgy contemporary plays to large Broadway musicals. The theater facility is made up of both an intimate theatre and a mainstage theatre.
106 N 6th St, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-249-0289
⮕ Crack the Code at Mind Bender Escape Rooms
Team up for puzzles, suspense, and fast-paced fun in this brainy beach-town activity.
Created by Sonya and Chris Ashton, the Mind Bender Escape Rooms are a collection of interactive and immersive games during which a group of people must work together to solve riddles and puzzles and find clues to complete their objective within one hour and “escape” the room. Mind Bender features four different escape rooms. Players can choose from escaping from the house of serial killer Zachary Klein in The Wood Shed, discovering the true identity of Jack the Ripper, retrieving the Templar Ruby in The Jewel Heist, or finding treasure and a way to escape in Captain Mayhem’s Revenge.
1500 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-853-6192
⮕ Ride the Waves with Thompson Surf School
Grab a board and learn from the pros—ideal for first-timers and future shredders alike.
The Thompson Surf School in the coastal city of Jacksonville Beach, Florida offers surf lessons, coaching, and a surf camp for people of all ages and skill levels, from people just beginning to try out surfing to advanced surfers. Owner and operated by Tristan and Evan Thompson, Jacksonville Beach locals and professional surfers, the Thompson Surf School has a goal of providing the best in surfing instruction to both the local community and visitors alike of any ability or age to ensure the experience is safe and fun for everyone. They aim to always have clients “leave with a smile.”
429 1st St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-316-8573
Where to Eat:
⮕ Dine with a View at Salt Life Food Shack
Tuna tacos, tropical cocktails, and breezy rooftop seating just steps from the ocean.
The Salt Life Food Shack boasts a beachy, laid-back vibe, serving a variety of tacos, burgers, and sushi in Jacksonville Beach. This surf-themed, eclectic seafood restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, seven days a week, with a menu that includes an array of appetizers, salads, sushi, a raw bar, authentic street tacos, handhelds, bowls, mainland favorites, salt water specialities, and plenty of fresh fish. Specialties include the skirt steak, the fried grouper basket, and the southern fried shrimp. There are several gluten-free options and kid-friendly dishes on the eclectic menu at Salt Life Food Shack as well.
1018 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-372-4456
⮕ Taco Tuesday Every Day at TacoLu
Legendary tacos, tequila galore, and funky beach vibes in this local hotspot.
First opening its doors on Jacksonville Beach’s Beach Boulevard in 2008, the future of TacoLu was often in doubt by many due to the state of the AMerican economy at the time. However, this small taco restaurant persevered and now offers some of the best fish tacos in the area, as well as some fine tequila. TacoLu features a tequila menu with over 125 tequilas for customers to choose from and is known for making some of the best Mezcal cocktails and margaritas around.
1712 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-249-8226
⮕ Savor Seaside Sophistication at Eleven South Bistro
Upscale dining, coastal cuisine, and a romantic vibe perfect for special evenings by the sea.
Eleven South Bistro is situated in South Jacksonville Beach, providing an elegant, yet warm setting for visitors and locals to dine on seasonally inspired, worldly cuisine prepared by an award-winning team. With a belief that fine dining can also be fun, the restaurant balances an excellent menu, professional service, and a casual environment and maintains an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The Eleven South Bistro benefits from a distinctive location, from which it gets its name, only a few blocks away from the ocean and has been the recipient of many different awards over the years, including ones from Wine Spectator.
216 11th Ave S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, Phone: 904-241-1112
If you are interested in local events:
- For Spring Fun: Springing the Blues Festival (April) – One of the Southeast’s biggest free blues music festivals on the oceanfront.
- For Fitness Fans: 26.2 with DONNA Marathon (February) – Breast cancer awareness race that runs along the beachfront.
- For Holiday Spirit: Deck the Chairs (December) – Lifeguard chairs transformed into dazzling holiday art installations in Latham Plaza.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30–90 Minutes of Jacksonville Beach:
- For History: St. Augustine (60 min) – Tour the oldest city in the U.S. with forts, cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks.
- For Nature: Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park (15 min) – 450-acre oceanfront park with trails, camping, and a freshwater lake.
- For Wildlife: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (40 min) – A top-tier zoo with botanical gardens and kid-friendly activities.
- For Downtown Vibes: Jacksonville Riverwalk (30 min) – Scenic walkways, restaurants, and skyline views along the St. Johns River.
- For Quiet Beaches: Little Talbot Island State Park (45 min) – Secluded, undeveloped beaches and maritime forests for peaceful escape.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Question: Where is Jacksonville Beach located, and what makes it special?
- Answer: Located along the “First Coast” of northeast Florida, the city of Jacksonville Beach is home to numerous water activities, a well-known fishing pier, and vast stretches of sandy beaches.
- Question: What activities and attractions can visitors enjoy in Jacksonville Beach?
- Answer: With a variety of restaurants, fishing, surfing, beaches, museums, nature preserves, theater, amusement park, and much more, there’s something for just about anyone in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
- Question: How does Jacksonville Beach feel compared to nearby Jacksonville?
- Answer: While just outside of busy Jacksonville, this small coastal resort city feels far removed from the hustle and bustle, providing a relaxing beach atmosphere on the Florida coastline.
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