As the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine boasts more than its fair share of attractions. Spanish architecture, historical monuments, and more line the city streets. One could easily get lost downtown and emerge days later without exploring everything!
The area is also notable for its natural beauty. If you love the outdoors, there are endless things to do in St. Augustine, including kayaking, camping, parasailing, and cycling. St. Johns County Fishing Pier is a particularly attractive spot to visit if you enjoy the beach, fishing, or simply spending an afternoon picnicking with the family outdoors.
Enjoy the sand, sea, and fresh breeze with a day trip to St. Johns Fishing Pier! No matter your age, there are activities to keep the entire family entertained.
Visitor Center
Start your trip to St. Johns with a stop at the Visitor Information Center, located within the Gift Shop. Here, you will find information geared towards locals and tourists alike about all that St. Augustine has to offer. The walls are lined with brochures, maps, and pamphlets for different local attractions. Pick up the latest information about local events and pick up a St. Johns County publication to learn a bit more about the area.
Pier Park Amenities
You will find just about all that you need in Pier Park! Free parking is provided, as well as picnic tables, playground, restroom facilities, and outdoor showers. There is a covered pavilion and lighted beach volleyball courts for a rousing game with friends and family. The Splash Park & Playground is a highlight for children, and of course, beach access is available to all visitors.
St. Johns County Ocean & Gift Shop
Once you have all the information you need to explore the fishing pier, take a few minutes to explore the gift shop! There are some great souvenirs and practical items too – in case you forgot anything important at home like sunscreen and towels. Shirts, beachwear, and sunglasses are available.
Don’t have room to pack all your fishing supplies? Not to worry! There are fishing pole rentals here as well as bait, ice, and tackle for sale. Rent beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards to make the most of your time in the sun and sand. Beach toys and games are also available for purchase.
If you’ve worked up an appetite, refreshments are available for sale at a small snack stand, including Hyppo popsicles, ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels, corn dogs, cheese nachos, and chips. Satisfy your thirst with cold drinks, hot coffee, and hot chocolate.
The gift shop is open for business Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kids Area Splash Park
Keep your little ones entertained at the Kids Area Splash Park, which is the perfect place for them to enjoy the beach without the waves and sand! The area is quite large, and it includes fountains of water that periodically burst up before disappearing again. Children will love chasing after the water and trying to catch some of it in their little buckets. If your children don’t know how to swim, this is an ideal alternative to playing in the ocean, and a great kid friendly activity in St. Augustine.
Afterwards, there is an area for children to rinse off in case they’ve gotten any sand on them. There are also restrooms and water fountains right nearby, as well as a lovely modern playground. Parents can watch from nearby covered picnic tables, and families can share a meal together once the children have worked up an appetite.
Best of all, the splash area is completely free! It is opened daily from dawn to dusk, though occasionally closed when temperatures drop too low.
Fees
While the splash area is free, unfortunately, there are costs for visiting other parts of St. Johns Fishing Pier. This money is put towards the upkeep of the park, so it is used for a good purpose!
If you are only sightseeing, there is a low cost of $2 per person. To go fishing, the price is $6 for non-residents, $2 for military or handicapped individuals, and completely free for children under 6 years old.
If you are around long enough to warrant annual fishing passes, they cost $60 for non-residents and $20 for military or handicapped individuals.
St. Augustine Fishing
You’ll find some of the best freshwater fishing in the country, especially when searching for trophy largemouth bass and black crappie. St. Johns River is the ideal location for bass fishing. They are most active in February, March, and April, though they can spawn as early as November and go into early May. Crappies are most active in January, February, April, and November.
Both onshore and pier fishing are promising for landing a catch. Among the fishing piers in St. Augustine, St. Johns is just about the best place around! In addition to an ideal location, you can rent or purchase all the equipment that you need: rod, bait, tackle, and ice. Even if you’re not an experienced angler, St. Johns is a great place to try your hand and pick up a few new skills! You’ll be certain to run into a few seasoned locals who can share with you inside tips and tricks.
St. Augustine Events
The pavilion, in particular, is used for many free community events, including arts and craft shows, concerts, festivals, and a farmer’s market. Annual events like the Music By the Sea series is hosted during the summer months and the Beach Blast Off on New Year’s Eve.
The Pier Farmers Market is a weekly event that takes place on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. It brings farmers, growers, producers, and local artists altogether, increasing market opportunities for farmers and small businesses. Stop by to source an assortment of local and regional sourced products, including freshly baked goods, fresh local berries, homemade cheeses, and much, much more. Even if you don’t buy a thing, visiting the farmer’s market will give you great insight into the local culture!
Plan Your Stay
To start planning your picturesque St. Augustine vacation, we invite you to explore our full list of suite rental options. Contact us today, and we will help you find the perfect rental to meet your needs.
Consider staying in our St. Augustine beachfront suites to make your vacation truly outstanding. This condo-hotel is located on Crescent Beach and includes many features and amenities that make it completely distinct from other offerings in town. Each St. Augustine suite rental is individually owned and completely unique; however, we guarantee that all are recently renovated and include modern designs and furnishings.
You can book a St. Augustine balcony suite, which will allow you to enjoy stunning Gulf views, sunrises, and sunsets. The property also includes an oceanfront heated pool that is steamy in winter and refreshing in the summer. This is another location which has incredible views of the ocean. Soak in a steamy pool while watching the sky transform to all shades of pink, orange, and purple before the sun disappears over the horizon.