Continent
North America
Country
Florida (USA)
Next Big City
Jacksonville
Next Town
St. Augustine, Summer Haven, Fort Matanzas
 
Type:
Ocean, Lagoon
Rider Ability:
Intermediate, Expert
Features:
Shop, Rescue, Food, Parking

Water

Type:
Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Hazards:
Currents, Ships
Quality:
Clean
Best Tide:
Low tide

Matanzas Inlet is one of the only natural uncontrolled tidal inlets on the east coast of the United States. There are no jetties or other obstructions so the sand changes constantly with the tides. The tide runs at 3-4 knots on an outgoing tide, creating an opposing current to the wind on NE winds. Waves on the outside sandbar block any chop and creates perfectly flat water on the inside of the inlet. The river mouth setup on the outside can create perfect point break style waves and holds any size swell. Be careful of the current because if you drop your kite you could be sucked out to sea.

Beach

Type:
Sand
Size:
Big
Hazards:
None
Beach Users:
None

Both sides of Matanzas Inlet have one of the nicest beaches in Florida. The sand ranges from perfect fine grain quartz sand to coarse red shells. There is plenty of room to launch.

Weather

Spring:
Shorts
Summer:
Shorts
Fall:
Shorts
Winter:
Shorts, Shorty, Normal

Typically the fall sees more N and NE winds, with water temps in the mid 70s°F and air in the mid 70s°F during the day. The winter is cooler with average water temps in the low 60s°F and air in the low to mid 60s°F after cold fronts. A full wetsuit is necessary in winter. The water starts to warm up nicely around mid March.

Wind

Best Months:
January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
Wind Type:
Thermal, Frontal
Best Direction:
N, NNE, NE, SE, SSE, S
Main Direction:
N, NNE, NE, SE, SSE, S, W

You can ride in any wind direction. On N, NE or E winds head to the north side of the inlet. On SE or S winds head to the south side. Any wind out of the west there is a large area of flat water on the inside called the `Frog Pond`. West winds are always gusty and the inside is tide-dependent, so be sure the current is flowing against the wind. West winds are more common in the winter. Spring brings more S and SE winds. Typically the fall sees more N and NE winds. Summer is flat and windless except for a possible sea breeze in the afternoons. The season starts in mid-October and lasts until early June.



How to get there

Transport
Car
Access
Short walk

From Interstate I-95 take highway 206 east to highway A1A. Turn right and head south on A1A until you see the sign for Matanzas National Monument on the right. Turn left across from the sign to go to the north side. As you head further south you can park on the side of the road before the bridge for the Frog Pond. To get to the south side head across the bridge and take your first left before the Chevron station. Park on the left and walk down the rocks to the beach.

Extra information

Rules
Other

Only ride the inlet 2 hours after high tide until about an hour after low tide. You should know how to body drag upwind to get back to your board, because the current really rips. Flotation is a good idea on the north side, especially when the waves get good. If you drop your kite in the middle of the inlet, don't fight the current. Just go with the long shore flow until you get to the other side of the inlet and you will be able to come in.

Nightlife

Nightlife in St. Augustine is pretty meager. After a session check out the Matanzas Innlet restaurant on the south side of the bridge for some good seafood and drinks. There are a few bars in St. Augustine Beach, and it's a college town. Check out Panama Hatties or the Dunes Cracker House depending on the night. Downtown St. Augustine also has a few spots, but it's more of a tourist crowd. The bars close at 1 a.m., after which everyone usually goes to someone's house for an after party.