Discover Vilano Beach

Vilano Beach Between Coast and History

Vilano Beach lies on a barrier island just east of St. Augustine. When choosing a destination, you can weigh different priorities: the Atlantic, views of a salt marsh, water activities, and the area's history. Vilano Beachfront Park offers direct access to the ocean; the Nature Boardwalk offers a different perspective with its views of the salt marsh.

Beach Access and Water Activities

At Vilano Beachfront Park, you have direct access to the Atlantic. The park has an ADA-compliant play area suitable for children of all ages, as well as a covered stage area for entertainment and community events. If you are traveling with children, the play area's suitability is a specific factor to consider. The stage area adds another feature geared toward community events.

One practical detail about getting there concerns the Vilano Beach Ramp: it allows residents and visitors to drive directly onto the beach. Vilano Beach is suitable for surfing on an incoming tide; surf conditions naturally vary. From Vilano Beach, you can enjoy both sunrises and sunsets, although visibility depends on the weather. Tides and weather are therefore different conditions that play a role in these water and landscape experiences.

Salt Marsh Views, Fishing, and Paddling

The Vilano Beach Nature Boardwalk is about 0.2 miles long. Beneath the Francis & Mary Usina Bridge, it offers views of a salt marsh and displays mosaics by local artists. Those who want to experience both the landscape and the art in addition to the beach can find both along this short stretch of boardwalk.

The Vilano Beach Fishing Pier is considered one of the best fishing spots in the area. It has a floating dock with a ramp where boats can tie up for one to two hours; maritime conditions may vary. The pier therefore offers a different way to connect with the water than the ocean access at the park.

Cycling and paddling are also associated with Vilano Beach: the area offers a variety of options for cyclists on the East Coast Greenway and paddlers on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. These two interests can be clearly distinguished when planning your trip, rather than being combined into a single activity.

Local History and Character

The first permanent American settlement in Vilano Beach was established in 1890; construction of the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) spurred its development. The construction of the Vilano Beach Bridge improved access in 1926 and attracted more visitors. The Vilano Beach Casino, also built in 1926, originally stood at the site of Vilano Beachfront Park. These dates mark different stages in the area's history: its early permanent settlement and, later, changes brought about by the railway and bridge.

Vilano Beach has an Art Deco character, with tiled fountains. This creates a contrast between its connections to nature and the beach, on the one hand, and its visible design features, on the other, helping you get a sense of the place.

Getting There

A notice from the Florida Department of State dated November 8, 2024, identifies the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway as the main transportation route to Vilano Beach and gives the route the name Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.

Two different kinds of information can help with planning: the incoming tide matters for surfing, while the weather affects views of sunrises and sunsets. By contrast, information about the settlement and the bridge relates to the area's historical development.

Discover more destinations: Ponte Vedra Beach, Saint Johns, Fruit Cove, St. Augustine, Wauchula.

Return to the overarching travel overview: St. Johns.