Things to do nearAnastasia Island

Anastasia Island has shaped the story of St. Augustine since long before European contact. The coquina rock quarried here supplied the material for the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, and the island's geology remains visible in the exposed shell-rock outcroppings along its shores. That deep connection to the region's past gives the island a weight that goes well beyond a typical beach destination.

Nature is the main draw for many visitors. The northern end of the island is anchored by Anastasia State Park, where four miles of undeveloped beach border ancient dunes, a tidal lagoon, and a coastal hammock thick with live oak. Birdwatchers find the park especially rewarding during spring and fall migrations.

Rising above the island's rooftops, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum offers a climb of 219 steps rewarded by sweeping views across the inlet and the old city. The surrounding museum explores the maritime heritage of the region with genuine depth.

Anastasia Island rewards visitors who take their time, mixing outdoor exploration with the living history that lines every horizon.