Jacksonville Beach Harbor

Marinas near Jacksonville Beach Harbor

Introduction:

Jacksonville Beach, FL, is located east of Jacksonville, Florida, sandwiched on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. This area is a popular stopover for mariners, as it does not require the long passage down the Saint Johns River to get to Jacksonville-proper, and has adequate marine facilities for refueling, repair and transient docking.

History:

Although the French Huguenots, led by Capt. Jean Ribault in 1562, laid claim to the area, it was the Spanish who first settled the area around Jacksonville Beach, establishing missions from Mayport to St. Augustine. In 1821 the Spanish ceded Florida to the United States of America.

River pilots and fishermen settled the area as early as 1831 when Mayport, then known as Hazard, was established as a port. The Mayport lighthouse was erected in 1859 and still stands at the Naval Station Mayport. By 1885 Mayport had 600 inhabitants, a post office and a school. Steamships that brought beach-goers from Jacksonville down the St. Johns River also visited the town daily.

The Jacksonville and Atlantic Railway Company was chartered in 1883 to build sixteen and a half miles of narrow gauge railway from South Jacksonville to the Ruby Beach settlement. In 1886, Ruby was renamed Pablo Beach after the San Pablo River to the west that divides the island from the mainland. Pablo Beach was incorporated on May 22, 1907. In 1925 the name was changed to Jacksonville Beach.

[i]Information Courtesy Jacksonville Beach Chamber of Commerce.[/i]

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 11489.

Most of the marine facilities and central boating activity in Jacksonville Beach are near the McCormick Bascule Bridge (37-foot closed vertical clearance).

Approach to the area from the north or south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) carries no special instructions, although mariners are (as always) advised to honor all marks and aids to navigation.

A small creek leading west off the ICW north of the McCormick Bridge has marine facilities, and a basin on the east shore of the ICW channel farther south (right next to the bridge) offers full services.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Things To Do/Local Events:

Jacksonville Beach offers some of the best sport fishing, boating and water sport opportunities in the area. Many people enjoy a hop in the ocean, walking or collecting seashells along the beach, or taking a stroll along the Sea Walk to watch for porpoise or the northern right-whales that winter off the coast. At the Sea Walk Pavilion, there are concerts or festivals nearly every weekend from April through October.

Jacksonville Beach is also known for its many great restaurants. You can enjoy seafood, local specialties or ethnic cuisine. Many choose to dine on the oceanfront or along the Intracoastal Waterway topping off the evening with live music and entertainment at local nightspots.

If shopping is your idea of fun, art galleries and antique shops will keep you busy. If history is your interest, then the northeast corner of Florida offers much to explore. Known as America’s First Coast, A1A takes you along the shores first discovered by Ponce de Leon from Amelia Island to St. Augustine.

See the “Helpful Links” section at the bottom of this page for more detailed information.

[i]Information Courtesy Jacksonville Beach Chamber of Commerce.[/i]

Transportation:

Jacksonville International Airport is located about 22 miles to the northeast of Jacksonville Beach and has daily commercial jet service. Limo, shuttle or taxi service to the airport can be arranged, and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s Atlantic Beach/South Beach Bus routes also service the Jacksonville Beach area.

See the “Helpful Links” section at the bottom of this page for bus schedules.

Helpful Links:

Jacksonville Beach Chamber of Commerce

Jacksonvile Beach Calendar of Events

Jacksonville Transit Authority Bus Schedule

Jacksonville International Airport