The north and south beach accesses at the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier will alternate closures through June 25 to accommodate work on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Shoreline Protection Project. The north access is currently closed, but it will reopen once work is complete and the contractor’s equipment moves to the pier's south side.

St. Johns County will temporarily close Mickler’s Landing parking and beach access from Thursday, June 13, through Friday, June 21, so that the County’s selected contractor can safely demobilize the equipment used in the Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project. Additionally, Mickler’s Landing parking and beach access will be closed from Monday, June 24, through Friday, June 28. 

The project has resumed work. The Pope Road parking lot and beach access will remain closed to the public.

The County is in the process of procuring an engineering firm for the project. The contract is expected to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for approval in July 2024.

The project is two months ahead of schedule thanks to the use of two dredges simultaneously. Two more temporary closures of Mickler's Landing are scheduled before the end of June for the safe demobilization of equipment.

Vilano Beach Oceanfront Park (2752 Anahma Drive) is on track to reopen in July 2024 after its $1.8 million renovation.

Vehicles can access the beach at the following locations, barring closures:

• A Street
• Ocean Trace
• Dondanville
• Matanzas Avenue
• Mary Street
• Crescent Beach
• Porpoise Point

• Vehicular traffic must remain in the designated driving lanes as identified by cones.
• Parking is allowed on the west side of the driving lane between the cones and the dune.
• The maximum vehicular speed allowed on the beach is 10 mph.
• All vehicles are required to stop at all beach ramps and yield to all pedestrians.
• Soft sand conditions may exist, and only 4WD vehicles may be allowed on some beaches. 

Beach driving conditions are expected to change throughout the day at each access ramp.

As a reminder, Florida state law requires that everyone stay off the dunes. Beachgoers must follow the designated dune crossing areas at all times.

There has been significant damage to the freshly planted sea oats on numerous dunes caused by beachgoers walking or sitting in protected areas. To protect our beaches, the freshly planted sea oats need time to grow and establish a robust root system.

Beach visitors can have a positive impact on nesting sea turtles by taking the following actions while enjoying the beach:

• Do not use fireworks or build open fires.
• Remove ruts and sand castles at the end of your beach day.
• Do not leave beach chairs or canopies on the beach overnight.
• Flashlights are strongly discouraged, as they can harm sea turtles.
• Avoid entering dunes and conservation zones (15 feet seaward of the dune line).
• Do not release balloons, which can fall into the ocean and harm marine life.
• Never approach sea turtles emerging from or returning to the sea. Nesting sea turtles are vulnerable, timid, and can be easily frightened away.

St. Johns County staff will close gates at 7:30 p.m. and reopen at 8 a.m. to allow nesting sea turtles to have a safe beach throughout the night.

Never push an injured animal back into the ocean. If you encounter an injured, sick, or deceased sea turtle, please call the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch line at (904) 824-8304. Leave only your footprints, providing the turtles with a safe and clean habitat to nest and hatch. St. Johns County is grateful to volunteers, residents, visitors, and businesses for supporting habitat conservation efforts and keeping our beaches beautiful. For more information, please call St. Johns County Habitat Conservation and Beach Management at (904) 209-3740.

Watch Live

Tuesday, June 18, 9 a.m.

500 San Sebastian View

St. Augustine, FL 32084

The St. Johns County Beach Services Department is excited to announce Beaches information can now be found in the SJC Connect App, providing a seamless experience for accessing comprehensive beach information; the former "Reach the Beach" app will no longer be updated.