The oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. wasn’t built from brick. It was built from rock hauled out of a pit in what’s now Anastasia State Park. That pit—the Anastasia Coquina Quarry—still sits quietly beneath the live oaks, one of Florida’s strangest forgotten landmarks. Without it, there would be no Castillo de San Marcos. No old town. No St. Augustine as we know it.
But Anastasia isn’t just history. It’s 1,600 acres of unspoiled barrier island: four miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach, salt marsh, maritime hammock, and hidden lagoons. It’s where you go to surf, to paddle, to birdwatch, or to just breathe—and maybe, if the wind is right, to catch the thump of distant drums at sundown.
Start at the Island Beach Shop & Grill, the park’s main hub. You’ll find everything from surfboard rentals to locally made mango jam. From here, the beach rolls out in soft tan ribbons bordered by dunes and sea oats. Unlike most Florida coastlines, there’s not a single hotel in sight. Just sand, birds, wind, and tide.
Anastasia is a park that changes every hour. Mornings are for joggers and anglers. Midday, it’s boogie boards and packed picnic tables. Come late afternoon, the vibe shifts—fewer towels, more long shadows, and the arrival of locals setting up drums and blankets in the sand.
Yes, drums. On some weekends (especially around the full moon), informal drum circles form near the beach access points. They’re not sponsored by the park, but they’re tolerated with a wink. Travelers, locals, and percussion-loving kids gather in the golden light, thumping rhythms into the sea breeze. Sometimes there’s dancing. Sometimes there’s fire spinning. Always there’s community.
Head inland on the Old Dunes Trail, a shaded 1.5-mile loop that passes through maritime hammock where gopher tortoises dig and cardinals flit. The trail eventually brings you to the Coquina Quarry, now quiet under the mossy canopy. Stand there a moment. You’re in the birthplace of a fortress.
Need a family-friendly thrill? Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Anastasia Watersports, located near Salt Run Lagoon. This calm, brackish waterway runs parallel to the beach and is perfect for spotting manatees, pelicans, and jumping mullet. Salt Run is also a favorite of herons and osprey. Kids love paddling under the wooden boardwalk and sneaking up on fiddler crabs.
The park’s campground is a favorite among RVers and tent campers alike. Sites are wooded, shaded, and just a short walk from the beach. Book early—especially in spring and fall when the weather is perfect and the breeze smells like salt and sabal.
Hungry? There’s a snack shack in the park, but the best meals are just outside the gates in St. Augustine Beach. Try O’Steen’s Restaurant, a family-run legend famous for its fried shrimp and hushpuppies. It’s no-frills, always packed, and totally worth the wait. For something quicker, head to Nalu’s Tropical Takeout, a beachy food truck that serves Hawaiian-style poke bowls and fresh fish tacos just a mile from the park entrance.
Back inside the park, the beach offers some of the best surfing on Florida’s northeast coast. The sandbar breaks shift with the tide, and on a good swell, you’ll find a dozen surfers gliding down waist-high rollers at dawn. No gear? The park’s rental stand has soft tops and bodyboards for all skill levels.
If birdwatching is your thing, Anastasia is a goldmine. Over 195 species have been recorded, including black skimmers, roseate spoonbills, and the occasional bald eagle. Bring a scope to the Estuarine Boardwalk, a hidden platform that overlooks the marsh and offers the best chance to spot migrating warblers and wading birds at low tide.
Here’s a lesser-known treat: walk the beach northward at low tide, past the last beachgoer and lifeguard tower, and you’ll reach Conch Island—a shifting sandbar accessible only by foot when conditions are right. It’s a shell-seeker’s dream and a prime dolphin-watching spot. Just be mindful of the tide—it comes in fast and cuts off the return.
Want a dose of old-school fun? Stop by The St. Augustine Alligator Farm, just down the road from the park. It’s the only place in the world where you can see every known species of crocodilian. And yes, they have zip lines that fly you right over the gators. Kids go wild for it. Adults usually scream a little too.
Staying overnight in town? Try the Local Inn, a retro motor lodge turned artful boutique just minutes from the park. Or the more classic Courtyard Marriott Beachfront, with pool views and a short boardwalk to the ocean.
One thing to know: Anastasia is not quiet in the usual sense. It’s windy, wild, and very much alive. The surf hisses. The palmettos rattle. The herons squawk. But somehow, all that noise brings peace.
Locals know the best time to visit is mid-week, around 4 PM. The day crowds thin out, the breeze picks up, and the tide usually turns. It’s also when the light hits the dunes just right—turning them golden and glowing. If you linger, you’ll likely catch the sight of ghost crabs emerging in the twilight, beginning their cautious moonlit errands.
Want to make the visit extra special? Bring a flashlight and sign up for one of the park’s seasonal night hikes or turtle walks (June through August). Guided by rangers, families can walk the sand in silence, searching for the signs of a mother loggerhead carving her nest into the shore.
One final quirk: Anastasia’s beach is one of the few in Florida where you won’t see a single house, high-rise, or seawall. That’s because the park forms a buffer—protecting both the coastline and the history of the oldest city in the country. Even the nearby St. Augustine Lighthouse, which looms in the distance, feels like a gentle sentinel rather than a tourist trap.
Anastasia is a beach, yes—but also a wilderness, a classroom, and a heartbeat of Old Florida. It’s where history was quarried, where herons still fish, and where every footprint in the sand disappears with the tide.
Bring a towel. Bring curiosity. And bring the kind of patience that only unspoiled nature demands. You won’t need much else.
