Fort Matanzas National Monument
8635 A1A South, St. Augustine, Florida
A Spanish stronghold built to protect the city of St. Augustine, the Fort Matanzas National Monument was built in the 1700s and declared a national monument in 1924. It’s constructed from coquina, a limestone made of shells and sand that was also used to create the Castillo de San Marcos. Today, this island fort is open for tours.
Fort Matanzas is an easy attraction to miss if you’re not aware of its location on Rattlesnake Island, south of St. Augustine’s historic center. It’s accessible via ferry, which is free but fills up quickly. You can climb the fort’s observation tower for a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean and Matanzas State Forest and River. A guided day trip from Orlando is a great way to see this fort and other St. Augustine attractions without having to arrange your own transport.
The ferry has only six departure times, five days a week.
You can’t bring food on the boat and there’s nowhere to buy food at the fort, but bringing water is recommended.
There are restrooms and a gift shop on the island.
A guided tour from a park ranger is included in your visit
Sea turtles, dolphins, and other aquatic animals are often seen around the shoreline.
Fort Matanzas National Monument is located 14 miles from St. Augustine’s historic district. Leave the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, cross the Bridge of Lions, then head south down A1A for approximately 30 minutes. A parking lot for the Fort Matanzas is just off the highway, though you’ll need to board a free ferry to Rattlesnake Island to access the fort itself.
Parking at the inlet is available throughout the day, but the island has limited visiting hours from the morning until the evening. The ferry service doesn’t run every day (such as Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays) so check the National Park Service before visiting. Tours fill up fast daily and most ferry tickets are gone by 11am, so try to arrive as early as possible.
The Matanzas River stretches through Flagler and St. Johns counties for over 20 miles (32 kilometers), offering outdoor lovers a number of activity options. You can swim or kayak in these salty waters, and though there are no sharks present, you shouldn’t be surprised to see bottlenose dolphins playing in the estuary. Free public beaches near Rattlesnake Island offer serene views of the fort while you soak up the sun.
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