Boating in Northeast Florida
Explore the St. Johns River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic coastline from Jacksonville to Amelia Island and St. Augustine.
Sun, Water, and Open Horizons
Where You Can Boat
Northeast Florida is an incredible boating region offering an unmatched variety of waterways. Navigate the wide expanse of the St. Johns River, cruise the protected Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), head offshore into the Atlantic Ocean, or explore quiet coastal marshes.
St. Johns River
A major navigable river running through Jacksonville, ideal for cruising, fishing, and dining.
Intracoastal Waterway
Protected coastal route connecting Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, and St Augustine.
Atlantic Ocean
Deepwater access for offshore fishing, sport boating, and coastal cruising.
Coastal Creeks
Explore quiet tidal creeks and marsh ecosystems throughout the First Coast.
Featured Marinas & Access Points
Whether you are looking for long-term wet slips, dry storage, or transient amenities, our coastal counties have you covered.
Beach Marine
Highlight:Voted #1 marina. Transient dockage, MarineMax sales/service, ship store.
Ortega Landing Marina
Highlight:Resort-style amenities. Heated pool, clubhouse, Wi-Fi.
Sisters Creek Marina
Highlight:Near mouth of St. Johns. Fuel dock, ship store, bait & tackle.
Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor
Highlight:Premier St. Augustine marina. ICW location, dining, boat rentals.
Palm Cove Marina
Highlight:Ship store, fuel dock, on-site restaurant. ICW access.
Fernandina Harbor Marina
Highlight:Downtown Fernandina Beach waterfront. Fuel dock, ship store.
Popular Boating Routes
Whether you want an easy day cruise or an intracoastal expedition, these popular runs showcase the diverse environments of Northeast Florida's waterways.
St. Johns River Cruise
Downtown Jacksonville to Green Cove Springs.
ICW Coastal Run
Jacksonville to St Augustine along the Intracoastal.
Amelia Island Harbor Loop
Fernandina Harbor to Cumberland Sound.
Boat Ramps & Public Access
Northeast Florida offers more than 100 public boat ramps stretching across Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties. Whether launching a kayak or a center console, you'll find accessible ramps near the region's best waterways.
View All Boat Ramps & Marinas →Kayak Launch Sites
In addition to the county boat ramps, Jacksonville maintains numerous free public kayak and paddleboard launch sites specifically designed for non-motorized vessels.
Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park
8419 San Ardo Rd
Bee Street Park
Bee St. & Utah Ave
Betz-Tiger Point Preserve
13990 Pumpkin Hill Rd
Blue Cypress Park
4012 University Blvd N
Castaway Island Preserve
2921 San Pablo Rd S
Chelsea Street
East end of Chelsea St
Northbank Riverwalk/Gefen Park
End of Forest St at St. Johns River
Palmetto Leaves Regional Park
13799 Old St. Augustine Rd
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
13802 Pumpkin Hill Rd
Ringhaver Park
5198 118th St
Riverview Park
9620 E. Water St
Rotary Park
2293 2nd Ave N, Jacksonville Beach
Seminole Park
4170 McGirts Blvd
Southbank Riverwalk
Dock behind School Board Bldg
Stinson Park
4050 San Juan Ave
Talbot Islands State Park / PADL
13030 Heckscher Dr
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
4882 Timuquana Rd
Tideviews Preserve
1 Begonia St
Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
Explore the intricate tidal creeks and peaceful backwaters with these local outfitters.
PADL (Paddleboard Adventures Destinations & Lessons)
Talbot Islands State Park, Jacksonville
SUP and kayak rentals, self-service and guided. Amelia Island and Big Talbot Island locations.
Visit WebsiteAdventures Up The Creek (Jacksonville Kayak Company)
Jacksonville / Amelia Island
Guided kayak tours and Giant War Canoe tours across the St. Johns River and ICW.
Visit WebsiteRiptide Watersports Tours & Rentals
Amelia Island
Kayak tours, paddleboard rentals, pontoon boat tours. Famous for Simpson Creek tours.
Visit WebsiteNorth Guana Outpost
GTM Reserve, Ponte Vedra
Guided kayak and paddleboard tours within the 74,000-acre GTM Reserve.
St. Augustine Eco Tours
Historic Downtown St. Augustine
Guided kayak tours. Rated one of the most unique kayak experiences in the Southeast.
Genung's Fish Camp
Matanzas River, St. Augustine
Kayak and paddleboard rentals, boat slips, riverfront storage racks.
Visit WebsiteRipple Effects Eco Tours
Marineland / Ponte Vedra
Canoe and kayak rentals + guided fishing tours within the GTMNERR.
Boat Rentals
Don't own a boat? Northeast Florida has numerous options from peer-to-peer rentals to military access.
Boatsetter & GetMyBoat
Peer-to-peer boat rental platforms offering 50+ local rentals starting around $75/hour. Options range from pontoons and center consoles to sailboats and yachts. Both captained and self-operated rentals are available.
Common Pickup Points:
- • Jim King Park (ICW)
- • Mayport Ramp (St. Johns River)
- • Metropolitan Park Marina (Downtown)
- • Beach Marine (ICW Jacksonville Beach)
Mulberry Cove Marina
NAS Jacksonville
Available exclusively to the military and DoD community. Offers kayaks, canoes, surfboards, SUPs, Flying Scot sailboats, pontoons, Boston Whalers, and Edgewater center consoles with fish finders. Offers sailing classes including ASA certification.
⭐ Tip: Free kayak, canoe, and SUP rentals offered on Fridays 8:30am–5:30pm.
Freedom Boat Club
A popular membership-based boating club offering hassle-free access to a diverse fleet across Northeast Florida locations, including Julington Creek and Jacksonville Beach.
⭐ Tip: Ideal for frequent boaters who want regular access without the costs or hassle of ownership and maintenance.
Boating Tips for New Residents
Navigating Northeast Florida's diverse waterways requires a bit of local knowledge. Keep these three critical tips in mind.
Boater Safety Education
Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination to operate a motorboat of 10 HP or greater in Florida.
Tidal Currents & Inlets
The St. Johns River is one of the few rivers in the US that flows north. Because of the heavy tidal influence near the mouth, currents at the Mayport Jetties and St. Augustine Inlet can be exceptionally strong. Inexperienced boaters should exercise extreme caution around inlets, especially during outgoing tides meeting incoming ocean swells.
ICW Navigation
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) runs the length of Northeast Florida. While generally well-marked and protected, shifting sandbars (especially south of St. Augustine toward Matanzas) require paying close attention to channel markers. Always observe 'No Wake' and 'Manatee' zones, which are strictly enforced.
Ready to Explore?
The interactive Boating Map is the definitive tool to research public boat ramps, detailed marina services, and water access points across Northeast Florida.
Explore the Interactive Boating Map →