A short drive from St. Augustine, we discovered an amazing mix of rich history and beautiful beaches on Anastasia Island. We loved exploring the charming seaside communities around this barrier island, especially the lively St. Augustine Beach and peaceful Crescent Beach. Between these spots, we found plenty of family-friendly parks, gorgeous beaches, and fantastic restaurants.
What really makes Anastasia Island special, in our experience, is that it’s so much more than just a beach destination. As history buffs, we were fascinated by the island’s state park and historic monuments. We loved exploring all its diverse landscapes and buildings that tell the story of early American history.
Reading to plan your trip? Our complete guide shares all our favorite spots and insider tips for making the most of your visit to Anastasia Island…
What to see & do on Anastasia Island
Anastasia State Park
Featuring an abundance of natural beauty and miles of beaches, Anastasia State Park took the first slot on our itinerary. The state park covers 1,600 acres of maritime hammocks, tidal marshes, coquina quarries, and ancient sand dunes. All of these work together to create the island’s diverse set of ecosystems.
Making our way to Anastasia State Park was a breeze. It’s close to popular Florida beach towns like St. Augustine Beach and the historic city of St. Augustine. After a brief drive from either, you’ll be ready to explore the vast variety of sights.
We recommend beginning your Anastasia State Park adventure by walking along the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail. The path is the top trek in the park and begins towards the back of the campground.
The Ancient Dunes Nature Trail forms a 0.7-mile loop through sandy bowls formed within the dunes, before snaking past blooms of southern magnolias and American beautyberry with benches and views throughout. Although we didn’t see one on our walk, hikers should also keep an eye out for the cute Anastasia Island Beach Mouse.
Afterward, head to the Island Beach Shop for counter-service food before exploring the marshes on a kayak.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
There’s evidence of lighthouses and watchtowers on Anastasia Island going back to the late 16th century, including the iconic St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.
The historic lighthouse was used to defend against enemy insurgents and guide friendly ships into Matanzas Bay. The ever-changing landscape on the barrier island forced multiple iterations. The one we see standing before us today was built in 1874.
We learned that the historic site fell into disrepair after the Second World War but was saved after becoming a National Historic Site. Now, it’s one of the top Saint Augustine attractions. Its towering stripes of black and white can be explored from top to bottom.
Standing 165 feet above the ground, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum offers vast views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscapes. But first, you must climb up the 219 steps to the watchtower. (But, trust us, it’s worth it for the views!)
One of our other favorite experiences here was learning about life in the lighthouse with a visit to the Keeper’s House. The building remains much as it was when the landmark was fully operational.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
A minute’s drive from the historic lighthouse brought us to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. Founded in 1893, the park has a long history. The once humble exhibition of native reptiles grew into a must-see attraction after moving to its current location in 1920.
Over time, the park continued to grow its attractions. Today, St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park has morphed into a modern zoo offering a great time for guests while providing education, research, and means for conservation around the world.
On this family-friendly adventure, we were able to get up close with every current species of crocodile from across the globe. But it’s not just these majestic beasts that you’ll get to know!
Several other sections kept us entertained for hours on end, including the Birds of Africa aviary, the Python Cave, the Lemurs of Madagascar, and Sloth Landing.
Guests should also check out the zoo’s thrilling Wildlife Shows before finishing with a zip line adventure over the zoo!
St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier
Set along the most popular beach on Anastasia Island is the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier. The historic pier has been a fixture not just on St. Augustine Beach but in the lives of locals for almost 100 years.
Since its founding, St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier has been a popular gathering point, a landmark for photographers, and a great place to fish and enjoy the views.
The classic wooden pier runs out into the Atlantic for around 400 feet. Its original iteration in the 1930s was even longer until storm damage forced renovations.
The charm of the old pier remains, though, and walking down the end to catch the beautiful views was one of our favorite things to do on Anastasia Island!
You can walk the length of St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier for a small fee. As you stroll, the beach seems to grow ever smaller. From here, we truly appreciated the sheer beauty of the barrier island’s east coast.
At the beginning of the pier is a bait and tackle stand ready to provide you with everything you need for a day of fishing, including snacks and drinks.
Crescent Beach
South of St. Augustine Beach and its beloved pier lies Crescent Beach, which we found to be a quieter alternative than its more famous neighbor.
The beautiful Saint Augustine area beach curves around the coast in a beautiful fashion. As it’s within a residential area of Anastasia Island, visitors will find a more local vibe. We enjoyed coming here to relax and take in the seaside serenity.
To start our day at Crescent Beach, we found convenient parking just steps from the shore. With all our beach gear in hand, we ventured through the park that spreads behind the sand dunes.
The beach park offers a different option for beachgoers who can enjoy picnics and spacious grass with regular trips into the water. We also found restrooms and shaded gazebos here to get out of the sun.
It’s the calming sands of Crescent Beach that really call our name, however. The tranquil beach sees little swell on calmer days, allowing swimmers a pleasant dip in the Atlantic Ocean. When the swell picks up, be sure to keep your boogie board handy!
Butler Beach
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, beach access for African Americans was limited on Anastasia Island and along the Florida coast.
To help rectify this, Frank B. Butler took matters into his own hands. He was a successful entrepreneur from Lincolnville who created his own beach, now called Butler Beach, by purchasing a large swath of land that has the ocean on one side and the Matanzas River on the other.
From the 1920s and through segregation, it was the only African American beach between Jacksonville and Daytona. In keeping with the spirit of Butler’s dream, the beach and the surrounding Frank Butler County Park are easy to access. Within the park, we were able to find ample parking, amenities, and picnic areas for our day at the beach.
During the summer, Butler Beach is manned by lifeguards, making the beach popular with younger families. You can also bring along your dog, however, they must remain leashed. For lunch, head back into the park and fire up the BBQs.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Along with the lighthouse, the Fort Matanzas National Monument showed us a tangible example of the beginning of modern US history. The fort was originally developed to protect America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, which was a prominent military settlement at the time.
Fort Matanzas was completed in 1742. Take a closer look, and you’ll see that the structure is made from coquina rock, a type of limestone formed by crushing broken shells.
To explore the historic site, you’ll first need to jump on a ferry to Rattlesnake Island. These run from Wednesday to Sunday between 9.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
You’ll be happy to know that the ferry is free, and so is the entrance to the monument. As we wandered around the fort, we stumbled upon intriguing period reenactments and demonstrations that helped to bring the fort to life.
Around Fort Matanzas National Monument, we also spotted even more gorgeous nature protected under the monument. Take to the nature trails for an interesting contrast to your time exploring one of America’s original buildings.
Where to eat & drink
Your Anastasia Island itinerary can be as relaxing or packed as you like. But whether you’re chilling on the beach each day or ticking off the attractions, you’ll want to know where to eat. Well, don’t fret.
After hiking around Anastasia Island State Park, you’ll be ready for the delicious and rich Italian cuisine at Violas. Along the A1A, Violas serves brick oven pizza and delectable pasta matched with the perfect wine.
A brief walk away is the laid-back Back 40 A1A. This local institution was once a secret, but word has gotten out. We love the fantastic Tex-Mex and Caribbean eats here, along with the ample vegan options.
The entrance to Baitong Thai & Sushi Restaurant may be simple, but it hides the amazing food from the outside world. Those who venture in will find classic Thai and Japanese cuisine with colorful decor. The pad Thai and dumplings will have you mentally traveling around the world.
At World Famous Oasis Restaurant & Tiki Bar, you can enjoy fabulous breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But we discovered that the bright and airy restaurant really pops off at night, mixing its scrumptious American fare with a great selection of live music.
Once the sun goes down, head to the northern end of Anastasia Island. Here, you’ll find Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen. The relaxing space offers craft cocktails and creative small plates, perfect for toasting to a great day.
Another alternative Crescent Beach watering hole is Sarbez! This funky, lively venue has mouthwatering grilled cheeses to go along with its line of craft beer and the outdoor patio.
Where to stay
Best Western St. Augustine Beach Inn
Want to stay on Anastasia Island without bustin’ your budget? Book yourself in at this Best Western. This budget-friendly hotel is the perfect escape for families, offering self-catering rooms that can accommodate up to six people. After a day at the beach, we loved the chance to relax in the outdoor pool and hot tub.
Courtyard by Marriott St. Augustine Beach
Minutes from the Atlantic shores, this mid-range offers comfortable, ample rooms with extras like refrigerators and coffee-makers. End the day with a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or appetizers and cocktails at the on-site bistro.
Castillo Real Ascend Hotel Collection
Just two minutes from the Atlantic on foot, the Castillo Real is one of our favorite choices for a modern Anastasia Island beach vacation. We love the large, modern rooms. The more luxurious of the bunch come equipped with private balconies and spa tubs. Among the amenities, guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna, hot tub, steam bath, and on-site restaurant.
