Boating & Paddling · St. Johns County
Public ramps and paddle launches from Ponte Vedra to the St. Johns River, compared honestly.
When I help someone compare homes, I want to understand what their weekends will look like. If boating or paddling is part of yours, the right launch matters as much as the distance to the water. Use this guide to compare public access around Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, St. Augustine and the St. Johns River.
An honest note before you go.
These details come from St. Johns County and official sources, reviewed October 8, 2026, and they can change. Check the county's boat ramps page before you go. A few entries are flagged as not fully verified and are marked as such.
The map
This stylized map shows where the public ramps and paddle launches sit across the county. Treat it as an orientation tool, not a navigational chart: the detailed list below carries the addresses, parking, facilities and fees that actually plan your day.
An illustrative map, not a navigational chart
The detailed list below is the source of truth for conditions, parking and fees.
Interactive map: zoom in to see the launches along the Intracoastal and the coast.
The public launches
Every launch below is a public access recorded in county or official data. I grouped them by region so you can scan what sits near the communities you are considering, then dig into the details that actually change your day: waterway, access type, parking, facilities, and hours or fees.
About the parking counts: county GIS counts are unspecified spaces, not trailer spaces. A count does not mean a trailer will fit.
Note: Reopened May 2025 after improvements; GIS parking count may predate work.
Note: Limited parking on the south side of Green Road; do not assume trailer capacity.
Note: City guidance differs from raw GIS; no overnight parking or boat storage; adjacent yacht club lot is private.
Flag: Precise launch pin and entrance not verified; treat the location as approximate.
Note: West bank, distinct from Palm Valley East.
Flag: Verify the physical launch and approach before relying on it.
Note: North of the dam; shares the facility with the river side, never add the two parking counts together.
Note: South of the dam; shares the facility with the lake side, never add the two parking counts together.
Note: Check FWC notices, seasonal access and vessel restrictions.
Note: East bank, distinct from Palm Valley West.
Note: State park entry fee applies.
Note: Single ramp; assess current conditions and vessel suitability.
Note: The ADA boardwalk does not establish an adaptive launch.
Note: Distinct from the private St. Augustine Boating Club next door.
Note: Visitor page describes double access; GIS records one lane.
Note: Planned work anticipated fall 2026 through summer 2027; check notices, not a confirmed current closure.
Note: County GIS lists zero lanes and state ownership; park GIS lists county ownership.
Note: Verify the driving entrance before publication.
Note: The accessible boardwalk does not establish an adaptive boat launch.
The county keeps the official boat ramps page with the latest conditions, closures and fees. Worth a check every time you plan a day on the water.
St. Johns County Boat Ramps
What about private ramps?
Ten sites in the county data are private or unverified, so they are not listed as public launches. Some are members-only clubs, some are condo or resort facilities, and some simply could not be confirmed. If you are told about one of these, treat access as uncertain until the owner confirms it.
Quick answers
Palm Valley East and West provide ramps on opposite sides of the Intracoastal; West also has a dedicated kayak ramp, and the Nocatee Paddle Launch serves nonmotorized kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Not all. Faver-Dykes is $5 per vehicle; Guana Dam is $3 per vehicle (up to 8 people) plus tax; Six Mile entrance is free. Recheck operator prices before you go.
County GIS counts are unspecified spaces, not trailer spaces; don't assume a trailer will fit.
The guide covers the Intracoastal and its rivers, Guana waters, Pellicer Creek, and the St. Johns River system. A ramp listing does not establish vessel suitability or safe ocean access.
Thinking about a home near the water? Let's compare your drive to the launch, storage needs and the weekend routine you want. Contact Mollie Younger, eXp Realty: (502) 419-9571 .
Sources
Details were reviewed October 8, 2026, against these official sources. Conditions, fees and facilities change, so check the county page before you go.
