St. Johns County Coast · Florida
Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve
- State
- Florida
- County
- St. Johns County
- City / community
- Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach is an unincorporated community in St. Johns County; it is not an incorporated city.
Northeast Florida · St. Johns County Coast
Guana Beach is the Atlantic side of the GTM Research Reserve. North, Middle and South lots provide the principal beach routes; the county GIS also records the reserve-store crossing.
Good fit: A protected Atlantic beach day using the North, Middle or South GTM parking lot.
Plan around: Cross the highway at the designated route and allow for soft sand beyond accessible facilities.
- Parking
- $3 per vehicle plus tax
Details & sources
$3 per vehicle plus taxDetails & restrictionsGTM Research Reserve · Beach lots, hours, fees and passes ↗ - Dogs
- Yes
Details & sources
Leashed dogs welcome
County rules require dogs to remain on a leash. Remove waste and obey any park-specific restriction.
St. Johns County · Beach rules ↗ - Restrooms
- Yes
Details & sources
Portable toilets are provided in each GTM beach parking lot, confirmed by reserve staff on October 5, 2026. Showers were not addressed in this reply.
Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗ - Lifeguards
- No
Details & sources
No lifeguards at the GTM beaches, confirmed by reserve staff on October 5, 2026.
Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗ - Key restrictions
- Check before you go
Details & sources
No alcohol, glass, smoking, open fires, fireworks, overnight camping or drones. Use dune walkovers and remove all belongings.
St. Johns County · Beach rules ↗ - Best for
- See beach overview
Beach overview
A protected Atlantic shoreline with four mapped reserve access points and three primary paid beach lots.
Sources & review dates
More planning facts: access, driving & fees
- Public access
- Public accessDetails & restrictions
- Beach driving
- NoDetails & restrictions
- Entry fee
- $3 per vehicle up to eight people plus tax; $1 per pedestrian, bicyclist or extra passenger.Details & restrictions
Choose an entrance
GTM North Beach Access
Use the named reserve parking lot and designated highway crossing. Portable toilets are in each parking lot; there are no lifeguards.
Official route / restriction details ↗GTM Middle Beach Access
Use the named reserve parking lot and designated highway crossing. Portable toilets are in each parking lot; there are no lifeguards.
Official route / restriction details ↗GTM South Beach Access
Use the named reserve parking lot and designated highway crossing. Portable toilets are in each parking lot; there are no lifeguards. Staff confirm wheelchair accessibility; exact sand endpoint and remaining gap are not specified.
Official route / restriction details ↗Parking, route & accessibility evidence
Parking & entry: $3 per vehicle plus tax. $1 per pedestrian, bicyclist or passenger beyond eight. Pay by the posted Premium Parking QR/text system. Annual parking passes are $50 plus tax and fees, valid one year.
Parking source ↗Accessibility: Reserve staff confirmed South Beach Access wheelchair accessible. The exact firm-surface endpoint, remaining sand gap, mat and wheelchair service were not specified; this does not promise a continuous route to the water.
Accessibility source ↗Open the county entrance directory ↗
Use the directory to check each entrance’s identity and status. Guide map pins are approximate shoreline locations, not turn-by-turn entrance directions or proof of current opening.
Rules & facilities
Check before you go
Swimming flag: no dated location-specific official flag report is connected for this guide. Do not infer a flag from the regional rip-current forecast; verify flags and signs on arrival.
Closures and access: check St. Johns County beach updates for the named access, managing park or city. A countywide notice is not automatically beach-specific.
Water quality: the nearest same-county Florida Healthy Beaches station, distance disclosure and dated sample appear in Conditions & activities as dated saved results and refresh from the verified snapshot when available. A nearby station is context, not a sample taken at this beach.
Forecast context: the NWS surf-zone forecast and NOAA tide prediction in that section are regional planning tools, not current water measurements or permission to enter.
Compare Northeast Florida beach dog rules ↗
Browse all 171 St. Johns County mapped beach-access records ↗
Admission, payment & passes
Day-use admission
$3 per vehicle up to eight people plus tax; $1 per pedestrian, bicyclist or extra passenger.
Official fee page ↗Accepted payment
Pay through the Premium Parking QR code or text instructions posted at the lot.
Pass options
Annual GTM parking pass: $50 plus tax and fees
Valid for one year from purchase; no shorter seasonal pass is listed.
Covers the visitor center, Guana Dam, Guana Trails and North, Middle and South beach lots. Veterans receive 10% off; veterans with a documented service-related injury receive a free pass.
Fees, service charges, discounts and pass availability can change. Check the linked managing authority before visiting or purchasing; a pass never overrides a closure.
What to bring & supporting visit details
Plan your visit
Getting from the car to the coast, and what to bring. Nearby services are distinguished from facilities at this beach.
Shade & picnic areasReserve pavilions and natural shade are inland
Use designated reserve facilities; the ocean beach itself is exposed.
GTM Research Reserve · visitor access ↗Drinking waterBring drinking water
No beach-wide bottle-refill service is listed. Bring potable water; showers and restroom sinks are not presented as refill stations.
GTM Research Reserve · visitor access ↗Concessions & suppliesPack food and water
No ocean-beach food concession is listed by the reserve. Nearby dining requires a separate drive.
Listed nearby dining: Palm Valley Fish Camp, Cap's on the Water. See Food & drink nearby below for locations and official links.
GTM Research Reserve · visitor access ↗Beach chairs & umbrellasArea operators; confirm exact access
The activity and rental listings below identify verified operators. Confirm delivery, meeting point, beach permissions and pickup for this exact access before booking.
Visit St. Augustine · coastal regions and visitor services ↗Cell servicePlan for patchy reception
Reliable, recent carrier-specific reception at this beach has not been verified. Check your carrier or the FCC mobile map for this location; modeled coverage is not a beach signal test. Save your route and access instructions offline before visiting.
FCC · How to use mobile coverage maps ↗Reviewed September 29, 2026. Unknown means unverified, not absent. Distances are published reference values where stated, not a current route survey. Services and equipment availability can change. Rental links are unpaid; no affiliate commission is included.
Public or private?
Public · fee applies
Who can visit: Open to the general public, including visitors, during permitted hours and subject to posted rules.
Entry route, fees & access boundaries
- Manager / access authority
- GTM Research Reserve / Florida DEP
- Access basis
- This listing covers a publicly managed beach access or park, not a private guest-only beach.
- Where to enter
- North, Middle or South GTM beach lot and its designated walkover.
- Fees & reservations
- $3 per vehicle plus tax; $1 pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers. Annual parking pass: $50 plus tax and fees, valid one year.
- Restrictions & exceptions
- Use designated public entrances. Respect posted hours, closures and private property beside the access.
- What this label covers
- The named park or beach entrance and its designated visitor areas. Adjacent land ownership and exact shoreline boundaries are not surveyed in this guide.
Beach ownership, the route across land, public shoreline-use rights and access to facilities are separate questions. Rules vary by state and location. Use the identified public entrance or documented permission; neither a nearby resort nor an admission fee by itself establishes that a beach is private. A mapped beach is not permission to cross private property.
- GTM Research Reserve · Beach lots, hours, fees and passes ↗
- St. Johns County · Beach access details ↗
Access policy reviewed 2026-09-23. Not a live closure report or a property-boundary survey.
Allowed & prohibited activities
Rules for this beach. Campgrounds, restaurants and picnic areas may have different permissions.
- Alcohol
- Not allowedNot allowed on the beach
St. Johns County prohibits alcoholic beverages and glass containers.
- Bonfires & beach fires
- Not allowedNo bonfires or open fires
Open fires are prohibited. Self-contained cooking grills are a separate permitted activity: remove all equipment and coals, and never discard coals in the sand.
- Beach camping
- Not allowedNo overnight beach camping
Overnight camping is prohibited. Daytime shade structures may not exceed 10 × 10 feet and must be removed when you leave.
- Shore fishing
- With restrictionsAllowed subject to swimmer safety
County code bars continuing shore or surf fishing after a sheriff or county lifeguard warns that swimmers are endangered. Avoid bathing areas and follow any direction to stop or move.
Shore fishing: licenses & responsible casting
Unless exempt, you need the appropriate Florida saltwater fishing license even when fishing from shore. Eligible Florida residents can obtain a no-cost shoreline license; nonresidents need a nonresident saltwater license unless an exemption applies. A license does not override local closures or swimming-area restrictions.
Check FWC’s current species, size, season and bag limits. Targeting sharks from shore has additional permit and gear requirements. Keep hooks and lines away from swimmers and wildlife, and take discarded tackle home.
Rules reviewed 2026-09-22. Check official notices for temporary closures and burn bans before your visit. Other access, pet and driving rules appear below.
- Hours
- 8 a.m. – sunset
Guana beach lots are open daily. The visitor center keeps separate Tuesday–Saturday hours.
GTM Research Reserve · Beach lots, hours, fees and passes ↗ - Dogs on the beach
- Leashed dogs welcome
County rules require dogs to remain on a leash. Remove waste and obey any park-specific restriction.
St. Johns County · Beach rules ↗ - Lifeguards
- No lifeguards at the GTM beaches, confirmed by reserve staff on October 5, 2026.Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗
- Restrooms
- Portable toilets are provided in each GTM beach parking lot, confirmed by reserve staff on October 5, 2026. Showers were not addressed in this reply.Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗
- Access & beach rules
- County beach rules apply
No alcohol, glass, smoking, open fires, fireworks, overnight camping or drones. Use dune walkovers and remove all belongings.
St. Johns County · Beach rules ↗ - Beach driving
- No vehicle ramp at this entrance
Beach driving is allowed only through designated ramps and open travel zones.
St. Johns County · Beach access details ↗
Conditions & activities Surf, sand, wildlife and suitability
Conditions at the beach
Saved reports below are dated snapshots, not live conditions. JavaScript refreshes them from official sources when available. Source timestamps and tide times identify their time zone.
Weather observation
Saved report · not live. This dated snapshot may be out of date. Check the official source before your visit.
64°F · Haze
- Northeast Florida Regional Airport · nearby reporting station, not a beach sensor.
Observation: 2026-11-07T11:50:00+00:00.
Retrieved: 2026-11-07T12:13:26.495Z.
Live-use expiration: 2026-11-07T13:50:00.000Z. This static copy never certifies current conditions.
UV forecast
No current-hour UV estimate is shown in this saved page. Use sun protection; the live forecast loads when available.
Daily forecast
Saved report · not live. This dated snapshot may be out of date. Check the official source before your visit.
Saved forecast for this beach’s NWS grid
- 2026-11-07T07:00:00-05:00–2026-11-07T18:00:00-05:00: Today · 73°F · Partly Sunny · wind 14 mph N
- 2026-11-07T18:00:00-05:00–2026-11-08T06:00:00-05:00: Tonight · 66°F · Partly Cloudy · wind 8 to 13 mph NE
Source issued/updated: 2026-11-07T11:51:42+00:00.
Retrieved: 2026-11-07T12:13:26.824Z.
Live-use expiration: 2026-11-07T23:00:00.000Z. This static copy never certifies current conditions.
High & low tides
Saved prediction · not live. This dated snapshot may be out of date. Check the official source before your visit.
St. Augustine Beach. County Atlantic reference; timing and heights vary by beach and inlet. Predictions, not measured water levels or safe crossing times.
- 2026-11-07 06:21 · High tide
- 2026-11-07 12:39 · Low tide
- 2026-11-07 18:40 · High tide
- 2026-11-08 00:36 · Low tide
- 2026-11-08 07:03 · High tide
- 2026-11-08 13:23 · Low tide
- 2026-11-08 19:23 · High tide
Prediction dates: 2026-11-07–2026-11-08 · station local time.
Retrieved: 2026-11-07T12:13:26.284Z.
Live-use expiration: 2026-11-08T12:13:26.284Z. This static copy never certifies current conditions.
St. Augustine Beach. County Atlantic reference; timing and heights vary by beach and inlet. Predictions, not measured water levels or safe crossing times.
NOAA tide station ↗NOAA swim & rip-current forecast
Saved report · not live. This dated snapshot may be out of date. Check the official source before your visit.
Forecast rip-current risk: High · Northeast Coastal St. Johns Beaches
- Surf: 4 to 5 feet.
- North winds around 10 mph.
- Mostly sunny.
- Forecast risk is not an observed beach flag.
Source issued/updated: 11/7/2026 500 AM EST · Today.
Retrieved: 2026-11-07T12:13:24.596Z.
Live-use expiration: 2026-11-08T00:00:00.000Z. This static copy never certifies current conditions.
Forecast risk is not the flag flying at this beach. Conditions can vary within the forecast area.
Official local flag & condition status
Flag color: not currently verified
The county publishes access and driving updates through SJC Beaches. A colored swimming flag is not assumed from those notices.
The Beach Database does not convert weather or a rip-current forecast into a colored flag. Check flags and signs on arrival and ask a lifeguard where available.
Weather warnings & alerts
Saved report · not live. This dated snapshot may be out of date. Check the official source before your visit.
Alerts returned at the recorded check
- Rip Current Statement · Rip Current Statement issued November 7 at 12:53AM EST until November 9 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Jacksonville FL · source expiration 2026-11-09T07:00:00-05:00
Source issued/updated: 2026-11-07T12:11:21+00:00.
Retrieved: 2026-11-07T12:13:26.629Z.
Live-use expiration: 2026-11-07T14:11:21.000Z. This static copy never certifies current conditions.
Weather alerts do not confirm swimming safety, lifeguard staffing, water quality or beach closures. No alert does not mean safe water.
Water quality
Official beach bacteria testing · Florida Healthy Beaches
Nearest official Florida Healthy Beaches sampling point, approximately 0.7 miles away in a straight line; this is not a sample taken at this beach. Reference distance: 0.7 miles.
Saved laboratory results · not a current advisory check
GTM ESTURINE RESERVE - HAMMOCK TRAILHEAD
Historical result · Moderate
Sample collected: 2026-11-03 · 4 days ago. Sample time of day was not supplied by this report.
Enterococci: 40 per 100 mL.
Advisory in this sample report: No. Current status is not established by this older report.
Official report retrieved 2026-11-07T12:13:49.747Z. Sample dates are shown separately. This saved copy may be out of date; check current advisories.
Official St Johns County results ↗ · About Florida Healthy Beaches ↗
What these results mean
Enterococci are bacteria used to indicate possible fecal contamination. Florida describes 0–35 per 100 mL as Good, 36–70 as Moderate, and 71 or more as Poor. These are periodic laboratory samples, not continuous monitoring.
The Beach Database checks the official report daily, but Florida’s sampling schedule is generally weekly or biweekly. The check time and laboratory sample date are different. Samples more than 14 days old are marked older; that reminder is not an official advisory threshold.
A nearby station is identified by name and distance. Its result is context, not a sample taken at this beach. Testing does not rule out all pathogens, harmful algae, sewage spills or other hazards. Follow current posted advisories and closures.
Crowd meter
Typical atmosphere estimate · not live occupancy. Protected setting; 300,000 annual reserve visitors are not beach counts.
The reserve is a major regional destination, but visitors spread across trails, education areas, waterways and three beach lots. The 2/5 shoreline estimate is provisional.
Busy days, times & seasonsPlan around weekends, holidays and local activity
Days: Planning estimate: fair-weather Saturdays, Sundays and summer holiday weekends are more likely to be busy than ordinary weekdays. No day-by-day attendance series has been verified.
Time of day: Planning estimate: late morning through midafternoon is the main beach-day window. Try the first part of the permitted opening hours for a quieter visit; no measured hourly peak is available.
Time of year: Regional planning estimate: expect more beach-day demand from late May through early September, especially Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. March–April school breaks can add visitors. Cooler November–February weekdays are a better quiet-time bet, except holidays and events.
Find a quieter visitWhere people gather & when to try
Try a nonholiday weekday early in the permitted visiting hours. Use open public shoreline away from the busiest entrance where practical; do not cross closures, dunes or private property to find space.
Within this beach: North, Middle and South lot boardwalks can concentrate visitors even when the wider beach feels quiet.
Quieter does not mean safer swimming or staffed lifeguards. Use posted opening hours, weather guidance and access restrictions when choosing a time.
How the meter works & sources
1 = very quiet; 2 = laid-back; 3 = moderate; 4 = lively / busy; 5 = very busy. Higher means more activity, not a better beach. Ratings compare the general daytime experience near the featured access in fair beach weather, mainly during the warm season outside major holidays. They are editorial estimates based on the evidence described above, not measured occupancy percentages or forecasts.
Weekends, events, tides and the exact part of the beach can change the experience. Parking pressure is distinguished from crowding on the sand. No beach is promised to be deserted. A not-applicable result is reserved for a closed, undeveloped or restricted destination where a public-use estimate would mislead. General timing advice is labeled as a planning estimate wherever local attendance data is unavailable.
Reviewed September 22, 2026. No live crowd tracking or hourly visitor counts are connected.
Sand & sandcastles
Natural reserve sand and shell line. Tap a topic for texture, comfort and family sand-play advice.
Color, texture & shellsNatural reserve sand and shell lineProtected-reserve shoreline context
St. Johns County describes a coastline of soft sand and coquina shells. Shell concentration and apparent color vary by access, tide, weather and beach work.
Expect dry loose sand above the tide line, firmer damp sand lower on the beach and locally shell-rich patches. No access-specific grain survey was found.
Barefoot comfort, kids & castlesTest a damp, shell-light patchPractical guidance · not a field-tested rating
Underfoot: For a barefoot walk, look for a clear patch rather than a shell line. Bring sandals for hot sand and any rough fragments. Firmer damp sand can be easier to walk on, but does not establish a wheelchair or stroller route.
Sand play: Try a bucket test: damp sand that holds its shape when tipped out is a good starting point. Pick a shell-light patch away from the active surf, dunes and marked nests. Add a little water to crumbly sand rather than building at the water’s edge.
Sand can become hot regardless of color. Check it before children sit or go barefoot. Tides, storms and beach nourishment can change the surface; these descriptions are not live condition reports or swimming-safety ratings.
Use open beach sand, leave dunes and nesting areas alone, fill holes and flatten castles before leaving so turtles have a clear path. FWC beach-care guidance ↗
Desk review: September 22, 2026. Local observations and sand samples are still needed where noted.
Surfing profile
A long-term assessment for this shoreline, paired with the live NOAA surf and wind information near the top of this page.
- Break type
- Open Atlantic sandbar beach break
- Best suited to
- Intermediate; no lifeguard assumption
GTM’s Atlantic shoreline provides open beach-break surf with fewer built structures. Conditions and access vary by lot; do not assume lifeguard coverage.
Watch for: Rip currents, shifting sandbars, shorebreak, other water users and changing weather. Stay clear of swimmers and use a leash.
Current reports, cameras & social updates
Use the newest time-stamped report. A camera or local post can show shore conditions that a regional model misses; an offshore buoy does not equal breaking-wave height at this access.
Editorial suitability rating reviewed September 23, 2026. It describes the location, not today’s wave quality or safety.
SEARCH THE SHORE
Beachcombing
ShellingProvisional · reserve beach programExplore finds & tips
Quality & what to expect
The reserve runs beach walks that discuss seashells, supporting a worthwhile educational search without establishing a measured haul rate.
Shell types & likely finds
Shell species and whole-shell frequency at each GTM lot remain to be confirmed.
How to look
Walk the exposed shell lines around low tide and compare several patches of wet sand. Return after rough weather only when conditions are safe. A beach full of fragments may yield few intact shells.
Collect thoughtfully
Leave living or occupied shells and live sand dollars where they are. Stay off dunes and outside wildlife closures. Use surface beachcombing; this guide does not authorize digging or entering restricted land.
Desk review: September 22, 2026
Shark tooth huntingResearch pendingExplore finds & tips
Your chances of finding teeth
A reliable beach-specific success assessment is still needed. We are not treating a regional reputation as proof of frequent finds here.
Tooth types & likely finds
Common shark-tooth types at this beach have not yet been verified. A fossil’s color alone does not identify its species or age.
How to look
Slow down at patches of shell grit and scan for small triangular or needle-like teeth. Try exposed tide lines around low tide; finding nothing on a visit is possible even at a well-known beach.
Collect thoughtfully
Leave living or occupied shells and live sand dollars where they are. Stay off dunes and outside wildlife closures. Use surface beachcombing; this guide does not authorize digging or entering restricted land.
Desk review: September 22, 2026
Snorkeling & scuba diving
Ratings use local St. Johns County evidence and apply to entry from this beach. Offshore boat diving is separate.
SnorkelingShore snorkeling is not yet rated for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve.Visibility, wildlife & rentals +
What to expect
Shore snorkeling is not yet rated for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve. The reviewed St. Johns County sources do not establish a sheltered, reliably clear snorkeling area or shore-access reef here. Calm water alone does not establish good snorkeling.
Underwater visibility
Typical visibility is not yet assessed for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve. No reliable beach-specific visibility range was found in the reviewed St. Johns County sources. Surf can suspend sand, and surface color is not an underwater visibility measurement.
Fish & sea life
The reviewed St. Johns County sources support local marine-habitat context but not a beach-specific underwater sighting census for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve. Fish and other sea life vary with season, water, depth and habitat; no species is promised.
Entry, conditions & experience
Use only signed public water-access areas at Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve and obey current flags and closures. Avoid fishing lines, surfers, piers and boat traffic. This rating does not confirm scuba permission or certify an entry route.
This is not a designated beginner snorkeling recommendation. Go with a buddy and skip unsafe conditions.
Equipment rental nearby
No beach-specific snorkeling or dive-equipment concession was verified in the county sources reviewed. Check the separately researched Activities & rentals section for local operators, and confirm equipment, meeting point and water-entry rules before booking.
Scuba divingShore scuba is not yet rated for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve.Visibility, wildlife & rentals +
What to expect
Shore scuba is not yet rated for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve. The reviewed St. Johns County sources do not establish a recreational shore-entry route, depth profile or underwater attraction here. County offshore reefs are separate boat destinations.
Underwater visibility
Typical visibility is not yet assessed for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve. No reliable beach-specific visibility range was found in the reviewed St. Johns County sources. Surf can suspend sand, and surface color is not an underwater visibility measurement.
Fish & sea life
The reviewed St. Johns County sources support local marine-habitat context but not a beach-specific underwater sighting census for Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve. Fish and other sea life vary with season, water, depth and habitat; no species is promised.
Entry, conditions & experience
Use only signed public water-access areas at Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve and obey current flags and closures. Avoid fishing lines, surfers, piers and boat traffic. This rating does not confirm scuba permission or certify an entry route.
Use a trained buddy and stay within your certification. No recommended shore-dive route is established here.
Equipment rental nearby
No beach-specific snorkeling or dive-equipment concession was verified in the county sources reviewed. Check the separately researched Activities & rentals section for local operators, and confirm equipment, meeting point and water-entry rules before booking.
Shore & sky wildlife
Local St. Johns County evidence for animals on the sand, dunes and in the air. Underwater species are covered separately.
Birds on the shore & in the skyShorebirds & beach-nesting birdsSt. Johns County habitat evidence
St. Johns County identifies sensitive shorebirds and their nesting and feeding habitat. Species at Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve change by season and tide; use posted buffers rather than treating this as a beach-specific census.
Sea turtles on the beachLoggerhead, green & leatherback turtlesSt. Johns County nesting evidence
St. Johns County documents sea-turtle nesting from May 1 through October 31. The source does not establish an active nest or equal species frequency at Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve.
Other shore & dune wildlifeAnastasia Island beach mice & dune wildlifeSt. Johns County protected-habitat context
The county identifies the Anastasia Island beach mouse and other protected species as dependent on beach and dune habitat. That is habitat context, not a promise of a sighting at Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve.
Wild horsesNo wild herd documentedSt. Johns County beach context
St. Johns County regulates permitted horseback riding as recreation. It does not document a free-roaming wild-horse herd at Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve.
- Sand & shoreline
- Natural reserve sand and shell line
Protected-reserve shoreline context. See Sand & sandcastles for details.
GTM Research Reserve · Beach programs and coastal setting ↗ - Surfing
- Natural, uncrowded beach-break option
Open Atlantic sandbar beach break. Intermediate; no lifeguard assumption. See the surfing profile and current reports for details.
Surf Station · St. Augustine daily local surf report ↗ - Water
- Atlantic Ocean
Surf, currents and clarity change with weather, tides and inlet proximity. This is not a live safety report.
Water clarity & shore snorkeling
Typical clarity: Not yet assessed. We do not yet have enough beach-specific evidence to describe typical underwater visibility. This does not mean the water is cloudy.
Shore snorkeling not yet assessed. A shore-snorkeling recommendation has not been established for this beach. Check the snorkeling section for access and restrictions.
Typical clarity describes how easily you may see through the water. It does not establish bacterial water quality, safe swimming, calm conditions or visibility today.
Evidence, location scope & review
Desk review 2026-10-06 · This named beach; neighboring beaches, offshore reefs and bacterial sample results excluded. This is not an on-site inspection or a current conditions report.
No beach-specific seasonal/tidal visibility pattern verified.
Named beach only; county offshore diving not inherited
Find clear-water and shore-snorkeling options ↗ · Report a change ↗
Food, stays & rentals
EXTEND YOUR BEACH DAY
Food & drink nearby
Local dining recommendations
Seafood
Palm Valley Fish Camp
299 Roscoe Boulevard N. · Ponte Vedra Beach Intracoastal dining in Palm Valley; a drive from Mickler’s and Guana beach accesses.
Visit Palm Valley Fish Camp website ↗Website & source check
Website checked ↗ · checked 2026-10-06. Current direct official page retrieved and archived; verification establishes operator identity/link, not today's service availability.
Seafood & coastal dining
Cap's on the Water
4325 Myrtle Street · Vilano area On the Intracoastal north of Vilano; not an oceanfront concession.
Visit Cap's on the Water website ↗Website & source check
Website checked ↗ · Supporting source 2 ↗ · checked 2026-10-06. Current direct official page retrieved and archived; verification establishes operator identity/link, not today's service availability.
These listings are unpaid and contain no affiliate links.
Accommodations by the beach
Verified coastal stays and nearby alternatives. Location labels distinguish oceanfront property, across-A1A lodging and regional options; confirm your exact room or rental unit.
Hotel / resortThe Lodge & Club Ponte Vedra BeachBeachfront · Ponte Vedra oceanfront
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach · north of Mickler’s Landing
Ocean view: The property advertises oceanfront rooms with patios or balconies. Compare the precise room category.
A separate resort frontage, not a hotel at the Mickler’s Landing public parking lot.
Website/source checked 2026-10-06.
House & condo rental collectionBeachfront Vacation Rental ConciergeBeachfront · Regional rental collection · verify exact address
Location: Multiple Ponte Vedra Beach addresses · confirm exact location
Ocean view: The manager specializes in oceanfront homes and condos; confirm the specific property’s view, floor and beach route.
A regional rental collection rather than a single property at Mickler’s Landing. Check whether the selected address is near the beach you want to visit.
Website/source checked 2026-10-06.
Before you book
Confirm the exact address, view category, road crossings, beach access and current photos. For rentals, verify bedrooms, occupancy, kitchen, parking, minimum stay and which pools or resort facilities are included. Compare the total including cleaning, resort and parking fees, deposits, taxes, pet charges and cancellation terms. Check accessibility directly with the property.
Property descriptions last checked 2026-09-22; rates and availability are not live. These listings are unpaid and contain no affiliate links. Rental collections are starting points for a search, not confirmation that every unit meets these criteria or is at this beach.
Activities & rentals
Choose by service and meeting place. Inland launches and regional outings are separate from this beach.
North Guana OutpostKayaks & paddleboards · Surf lessons & rentals · Bikes & beach gear · Tours & cruisesPonte Vedra / Guana operator · confirm shop or launch
Where: 4415 Mickler Road; separate south concession at 600 Guana River Road
Main shop lists kayaks, paddleboards and surfboards, with an inland kayak launch behind the shop. Guided eco tours and bikes are listed at the separate Guana Outpost South concession. Confirm which location supplies your activity.
Service, meeting place & booking details ↗Fury St. AugustineParasailingSeparate Vilano marina departure
Where: Beaches Marina, 250 Vilano Road, St. Augustine
Parasailing boat trips depart at Vilano. A separate regional outing; flight availability depends on weather and operator restrictions.
Service, meeting place & booking details ↗Jax Surf & PaddleSurf lessons & rentals · Kayaks & paddleboards · Bikes & beach gearRegional surf shop · confirm meeting point
Where: Neptune Beach; retail shop at 241 Atlantic Boulevard, with separate lesson / rental meeting instructions
Surf and SUP lessons plus boards, bikes and beach gear. Confirm the exact pickup or lesson site; a Neptune shop listing does not establish a stand at every beach.
Service, meeting place & booking details ↗Capt. Dave’s Sport FishingFishing chartersRegional charter · separate Mayport departure
Where: Mayport public boat ramp, 4870 Ocean Street
Inshore and backwater fishing charters. Confirm departure, party size and tackle arrangements with the captain.
Service, meeting place & booking details ↗Operator information last checked 2026-09-22. Confirm current schedules, prices, weather cancellations, accessibility and the exact meeting point. These listings are unpaid and contain no affiliate links.
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Review dates & updates
Dates below cover the named fact and its recorded evidence, not an on-site inspection or today’s conditions.
No matching field-specific review dates are recorded here yet. See the guide sources for their stated scope.
Closure and condition evidence gets the shortest review cycle; fees, hours and seasonal staffing are checked more often than stable geography. Changed or conflicting evidence goes into a scoped review queue. How reviews work
Sources & review date
Guide desk research reviewed 2026-09-23; this is not a field-by-field current verification or an on-site inspection. Official facts, dated agency evidence and editorial assessments retain their own scope. Unknowns and conflicts remain open. Methodology · Rating explanations · Correction history
- GTM Research Reserve · Beach lots, hours, fees and passes ↗
- St. Johns County · Beach access details ↗
- St. Johns County GIS · Beach Access layer ↗
- St. Johns County · Beach rules ↗
- Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗
- Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗
- Managing-authority email confirmation · Guana Beach · GTM Research Reserve · October 5, 2026 ↗
- GTM Research Reserve · Beach programs and coastal setting ↗
- Surf Station · St. Augustine daily local surf report ↗
- Palm Valley Fish Camp · official site ↗
- Visit St. Augustine · Vilano and North Beach dining ↗
Photo: A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway - Quiet Moment at Guana Beach - NARA - 7716705.jpg by S. Clyde · Public domain. Cropped for display; adaptations retain this license.
Visitor experiences
Original, moderated reviews and photographs. Visit dates and entrances provide context; visitor ratings and reports do not replace official facts or current conditions.
Read approved visitor experiences here when available.