River To Sea Preserve

Located in Northern Florida, River to Sea Preserve is a 90-acre preserve which is jointly managed by Flagler County and the town of Marineland. This preserve has an unnamed white sand beach with some rocky portions. The beach is situated along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and it is also known as River to Sea Preserve Beach. Rocky jetties and seawalls are present around this beach. The beach in River to Sea Preserve does not have lifeguards. However, the beach and the area around it have many amenities including walking trails, a boardwalk, picnic areas, and restrooms. 

The beach in River to Sea Preserve offers many amenities including sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, picnicking, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, paddle boarding, boating, and surf-skiing. If you are planning to go into the water near the beach in River to Sea Preserve, we recommend being careful as the water here has unpredictable rip currents. Depending on the time of the year, you can view many kinds of animals in the water near the River to Sea Preserve including dolphins and sea turtles. If you are planning to fish in the water near the River to Sea Preserve, we recommend following the local fishing regulations. If you like birdwatching, you can view many kinds of birds here including Bonaparte’s gulls and northern gannets in winters and black-backed gulls in summers.

River to Sea Preserve protects a stretch of natural vegetation present between the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean. The preserve has many kinds of habitats including oak scrub and maritime hammock forests. In addition, it also has a pond. You can explore this preserve’s vibrant landscape via the hiking and biking trails present here. In addition, the park also has an observation area. The preserve offers a fantastic bird-watching experience and you can see many kinds of resident and migratory birds in this preserve. A kayak and canoe launch is also present in the preserve which you can use to explore the Matanzas River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Apart from kayaking and canoeing, you can also see many kinds of animals in and around the Matanzas River including manatees and river otters.

Getting to the River to Sea Preserve is easy - the park is located near 9805 North Ocean Shore Boulevard. A parking lot is also present in the preserve. The preserve is open between dawn and 11 pm.

There are many attractions near the River to Sea Preserve. Marineland of Florida (also known as Marineland and Marineland Dolphin Adventure) is a marine mammal center that has interesting exhibits showcasing a large variety of marine wildlife including sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles. The center also serves as a research center focusing on dolphins and the conservation of marine life and it also offers a variety of interactive and fun animal demonstrations and shows, along with informative lectures and educational programs. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is mainly known for its formal gardens which have many kinds of native and non native plant species including camellias and azaleas. The state park also has many interesting habitats including coastal scrub and maritime hammock, and it also has an interesting shoreline with unique coquina rock formations. You can explore the park’s beautiful landscape via the hiking and biking trails present here. The state park also hosts many exciting events including annual Earth Day celebrations and an annual Christmas celebration known as Holiday In The Gardens. If you are looking for another attraction near River to Sea Preserve, Fort Matanzas National Monument has an 18th-century fortress named Fort Matanzas and it also protects a variety of local habitats including salt marsh, scrub, and maritime hammocks. You can explore the park’s vibrant biodiversity via the nature trails present here. In addition, Fort Matanzas also hosts interesting historical re-enactments, along with musket demonstrations on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. The national monument’s headquarters & visitor center is located nearby and has exquisite National Park Service Rustic-style architecture. This center was built in 1936 and is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near the River to Sea Preserve. Terra & Acqua is a 20-minute drive away and has an outdoor dining area. In addition, this restaurant also offers amazing Italian seafood and Northern Italian dishes. Captain’s BBQ is known for serving a variety of outstanding barbecued dishes. In addition, the restaurant also offers great burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near River To Sea Preserve, El Pollo Colorao Puerto Rican Eatery is 20 minutes away by car and serves excellent Puerto Rican dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near River to Sea Preserve, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa offers many amenities including a fitness center, two golf courses, a spa, a water park, multiple restaurants, a marina that offers equipment rental facilities and cruises, and a children's camp. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Beacher's Lodge which has an outdoor pool that offers ocean views. In addition, the hotel is also located conveniently close to a beach. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near River to Sea Preserve, the 2-Star Best Western St. Augustine Beach Inn offers many amenities including coin-operated laundry services, a pool, a hot tub, and complimentary breakfast.