07/04/2024
We wish you a wonderful and safe Independence Day holiday!
Reminders for a Safe Independence Day Holiday in St. Augustine
County lifeguards, St. Johns County Sheriff's deputies, and St. Augustine Beach Police officers will work together July 4-7 to keep the beaches safe.
Lifeguards will be on duty at various locations 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. July 4-7, weather permitting.
Colored warning flags indicate current water and surf conditions. Red indicates a high hazard with stronger currents and dangerous surf conditions. Yellow indicates a medium hazard level with strong currents and surf. Purple indicates dangerous marine life is in the area. If a flag is absent, visitors should still exercise caution when swimming in the ocean.
Rip currents which are powerful, fast-moving water currents can be recognized by a foamy, choppy, brownish water with sand churning the water as it rapidly heads out to sea. Stay calm if caught in a rip current and swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the current. Once out of the current, swim back to shore. Do not go any deeper than knee-high level if you’re not a strong swimmer.
Call 911 for emergencies.
Beach Access by Vehicle
Passes are required for beach access between March and September. St. Johns County residents must present a valid ID with an in-county address or present in-county property tax payments to purchase a yearly resident pass for $50. Non-resident yearly passes cost $100 and ADA-accessible passes are $40. Daily passes are also available. All sales are final.
Daily and Yearly beach passes can be purchased with cash at any beach access ramp. Passes are also available during normal business hours in St. Augustine:
St. Johns County Beach Services Office – 901 Pope Road
St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier Gift Shop – 350 A1A Blvd.
Disabled parking permits and ADA-accessible passes require proof of qualification. Disabled military veterans are eligible for a free annual pass with a military ID or a letter from Veterans Affairs verifying the disabled status.
Vehicles must be 4-wheel drive. Vehicular beach access is dependent on beach conditions, weather, sand and tides, all of which might temporarily limit access or close ramps.
Beach Driving Rules
Vehicle traffic must remain within driving lanes identified by cones.
Parking is designated on the west side of the driving lane between the cones and the conservation zone.
Vehicles driving on the beach must follow a 10 mph speed limit.
Traffic may not enter the beach at the Fort Matanzas Ramp.
Vehicles must stop at all beach ramps and yield to pedestrians.
Drivers should remain updated with beach and soft sand conditions.
Four-wheel drive vehicles with beach passes are permitted to drive on the beach 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Beach Rules
Music should not be heard more than 25 feet from its source.
Alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited.
Open fires are prohibited. Heated objects such as coal must be disposed of properly.
Fireworks are prohibited.
All animals must be leashed. Animal waste must be removed from the beach.
Soliciting, canvassing and commercial activities are not allowed.
Launching motorized boats from an undesignated shoreline is prohibited.