Fort Matanzas is a historical fort located here in St. Augustine, Florida. Built in 1742, the fort served as a watchtower for any ships approaching from the south. It was the first defense for the town. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction for those who love history and nature. I love visiting Fort Matanzas and we do it whenever anyone comes to visit us. It’s one of the perks of living in St Augustine.
I’ve got the whole scoop on visiting Fort Matanzas National Monument, everything there is to do there, and tips for making sure you can ride the boat to the fort (you can’t just show up). If you have any questions about visiting Fort Matanzas, spending a day on Anastasia Island or need any other help planning a visit to St Augustine, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.
History of Fort Matanzas
Fort Matanzas was built by the Spanish to protect St. Augustine from the British in case they approached from the south. The fort was named “Matanzas,” which means “slaughters,” because of a battle that took place nearby between the Spanish and the French. During the battle, the Spanish killed many of the French soldiers and their Indian allies. Hence the massacre brought the name to the fort.
In 1763, Florida was ceded to the British, and Fort Matanzas was abandoned. However, the Spanish regained control of Florida in 1783, and the fort was used once more for a short time. Eventually it was abandoned and all but crumbled to a pile of coquina. In 1890 it was the first historical structure to gain funding for its preservation (just to keep it from crumbling any further) and then in 1906 it received even more funding to start restoring Fort Matanzas.
In 1924, the fort was declared a national monument, and it was later designated a part of the National Park Service. Continual projects, including Depression era projects (Public Works Administration, not CCC) helped restore the fort to become safe for visitors. Over the years more funding from both the government and tourism dollars to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument turned Fort Matanzas into the cool place it is today. Ferry service was started in the 1970s and today more than 60K people get to visit the fort, with more than 600K people visiting Fort Matanzas National Monument as a whole.
We visit at least once a month, either to the fort or the beach, so our family is happy to be included in those numbers!
Things to Do at Fort Matanzas National Monument
Of course the main attraction of visiting Fort Matanzas National Monument is that actual fort itself, but there’s more to it! In addition to the boat ride over to Rattlesnake Island and touring the old stone fort, there are also a few nature trails through the coastal hammock (forest), there’s the Matanzas Inlet Beach, and there are kayaking/paddling opportunities here.
Touring the Fort
Visitors to Fort Matanzas can take a ferry across the Matanzas River to the fort, which is located on Rattlesnake Island. The ferry ride is free, and it takes about 5 minutes there and the same to get back. Once on the island, visitors can tour the fort and its immediately surrounding area. The fort is small but well-preserved, and it provides a glimpse into the history of Florida during the colonial period. I like the exhibits inside the two rooms you can access, and I always learn something new.
Rattlesnake Island, where the fort is, is home to a variety of wildlife. We’ve seen dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and countless beautiful birds from Fort Matanzas and during the ferry ride. If you climb the ladder to the top of the fort, that’s the best place to watch for wildlife in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Reservations for the Ferry
You can’t make reservations for the Fort Matanzas ferry the day before or something, but if you show up right when the visitor center opens you can choose your ferry time for the day. It’s become a very popular attraction to visit, especially on the weekend, so getting to the office and securing your spot on a ferry is all but required. When you secure your spot you’ll be given enough tickets for your party, so be sure that you get enough.
When your ferry timeslot arrives, be there about 15 minutes early to check in and watch the video, then you’ll follow the ranger down to the dock and take the boat across the river to Fort Matanzas. Ferry service is dependent on weather, so even if you have secured a reservation for the boat, if the wind picks up or if there’s lightning, they’ll cancel service across the Intracoastal Waterway.
Fort Matanzas Trails
There are two main trails at Fort Matanzas, one going from the main parking area and the other leading from the beach parking to the sand. Both have displays about the ecosystem and wildlife of the area and both are wheelchair accessible. The boardwalk to the beach is shorter with fewer exhibits, but it also serves the purpose of leading to the beach. The hammock trail at the visitor center is a wonderful loop with lots of beautiful flora and fauna. We’ve seen tortoises, snakes, armadillos, birds and incredible orb weaver spiders.
Beaches at Fort Matanzas National Monument
I really love the beaches at Fort Matanzas because they are connected but so different. The beach on the Intracoastal Waterway side is white sand with tannic water and dolphins. The beach transitions to coquina orange sand at the inlet and around the corner to the Atlantic side. It’s beautiful and the birdwatching is fantastic. This is also one of the best places in St Augustine for shark tooth hunting.
There is parking on both sides of the highway and if you park on one side but want to go to the other, that’s fine. They are connected by the beach or you can walk across the highway. If you do want to walk the full loop, it’s about 1.25 miles from beach entrance to beach entrance, and it’s a beautiful walk. Beachcombing is allowed here, but you must stay on the flat sand; do not enter the dunes. There are NO bathrooms at either beach access point.
Kayaking and SUP at Fort Matanzas
There are two ways to going paddling at Fort Matanzas National Monument. You can either launch from the Matanzas Inlet parking area, where you’ll need to portage your gear from the parking lot to the beach area, or you can start at Butler Park West and paddle with the outgoing tide, ending at the beach. I really like coordinating with a friend and leaving one vehicle at each spot to do the long paddle between Fort Matanzas and Butler Park. It takes about two hours and you’ll see lots of wildlife.
If you just want to paddle at the beach area, you can head north on the Intracoastal Waterway and get close to the actual fort structure to see it from the water. You cannot visit the fort on your own though, so just enjoy the water view. Just to the south of the fort there is a beach where you can land and get out, but again, you cannot approach the fort on your own. I love paddling here and enjoy it both via kayak and SUP.
Tips for Visiting Fort Matanzas National Monument
When visiting Fort Matanzas, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen and insect repellent. The island can be hot and humid, especially in the summer months. Visitors should also be prepared for the possibility of rain any time of year. If you’re doing the hammock trail, the mosquitoes can be very intense in summer and early fall, so be smart about
The ferry to the fort runs every hour from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, but like I said, you’ll need to get there right when they open at 9:00 am to secure your spot of the ferry no matter what time you want to go. Visitors should plan to arrive early to ensure they have time to explore the trails before visiting the fort and the island.
Should you want to have a picnic, there are shaded picnic tables among the huge live oaks at the visitor center parking lot. This is a spot to be wary of mosquitoes, but if they aren’t bad it’s a beautiful place for a picnic.
Fort Matanzas is a must-visit destination for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Its history and stunning setting make it a unique and unforgettable place to visit when you’re in St Augustine. If it’s busy when you arrive to visit, try to plan an early arrival on another day, because you don’t want to miss it when you’re here.
If you have any questions about visiting Fort Matanzas, planning a trip to St Augustine or anything else pertaining to your visit, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan memorable trips.
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