FAQs • What can I do to ensure a safe environment for sea tu

What can I do to ensure a safe environment for sea turtles?: Florida is the second-largest Loggerhead Sea Turtle nesting area in the world. It is important that we do our best to ensure a safe nesting season for the sea turtles. Avoid unnecessary light, noise, and movement on the beach at night. Remove all litter from the beach. Avoid walking on turtle tracks or dunes where nests occur. Do not shine any lights directly on a sea turtle; this will cause her to abandon her nest. For more information please call Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol at 904-613-6081.

General Information

1. Where can I get a marriage license?: Please contact the Clerk of the Courts for Duval County. You can reach them by calling 904-255-2000 or visiting the Duval County Clerk website.

2. Do you have camping or RV facilities?: There are no campgrounds or RV facilities located within the city limits of Jacksonville Beach. Camping on the beach is not permissible. Please visit the Florida State Parks website for a list of Northeast Florida State Parks.

3. Are dogs allowed on the beach?: Dogs are permissible on the beach at any hour from October 1 through March 31. However, dogs are not permitted on the beach during the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, 7 days a week, from April 1 through September 30. Dogs must be leashed at all times while on the beach as in all other public places.

4. Can you drive cars on Jacksonville Beach?: Driving on the beach is not permitted within the city limits of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach or Atlantic Beach.

Restrooms are located at 2nd Avenue North, 5th Avenue North, and 19th Avenue North
Outdoor showers are located at 2nd Avenue North, 5th Avenue North, 19th Avenue North, and 7th Avenue South
Wheelchair accessible ramps are located at Beach Boulevard, 5th Avenue North, and 6th Avenue South

6. Are there public restrooms located at the beach?: Yes. In Jacksonville Beach, public restrooms are located at 2nd Avenue North and 5th Avenue North. Portable toilets are also located at 19th Avenue North. They are open 7 days a week from March through September, Wednesday through Sunday in October, and Friday through Sunday, November through February.

7. Are the beaches handicap accessible?: Yes. In Jacksonville Beach, there are handicap-accessible ramps at 5th Avenue North, Beach Boulevard and 1st Street, and 6th Avenue South. Beach wheelchairs are also available at the Lifeguard Station. Please call the Lifeguard Station at 904-249-9141 or Parks and Recreation at 904-247-6236.

8. Can we walk on the dunes while at the beach?: No. Climbing on the dunes is prohibited. The sand dunes, and sea oats on the dunes are protected by Florida State Law. Please use the crossovers to get to the beach.

9. Are alcoholic beverages allowed on the beach?: No, alcoholic beverages and glass bottles are not permitted on the beach.

10. Is surfing permitted at the beaches?: Yes, surfers are welcome, but they must have their surfboards tethered to one leg while in the water.

11. Are grills allowed on the beach?: Grills are not allowed on the beach or any other city property in Jacksonville Beach unless it is provided by the city.

12. Are horses allowed on the beach?: Horses are prohibited at all times in Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach.

13. Are there boat ramps in the area?: Yes. You can find boat ramps at Beach Marine, 2315 Beach Boulevard, call 904-249-8200 for more information. You may also go to the Mayport Marine at 4852 Ocean Street on the south side of the St. John River, call 904-246-8929 for more information. You can launch small boats at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Preserve off State Road A1A south of Ponte Vedra, call 904-825-5071 for more information.

14. Are jet skis permitted at the beaches?: Yes. In Jacksonville and Neptune Beaches, jet skis must stay 300 feet off of the beach. They can only be launched from public ramps, not from the beach. In Atlantic Beach, jet skis must stay 200 feet off of the beach. For more information regarding Atlantic Beach, go to the Atlantic Beach, Florida website.

15. When is sea turtle nesting season?: May 1st through October 31st. See the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol website for more information.

16. What do I do if I come across a sea turtle on the beach?: Do not touch the sea turtle. Call the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol immediately at 904-613-6081. If the sea turtle is alive you may sprinkle water on the shell, but remember to contact Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol right away.

17. What can I do to ensure a safe environment for sea turtles?: Florida is the second-largest Loggerhead Sea Turtle nesting area in the world. It is important that we do our best to ensure a safe nesting season for the sea turtles. Avoid unnecessary light, noise, and movement on the beach at night. Remove all litter from the beach. Avoid walking on turtle tracks or dunes where nests occur. Do not shine any lights directly on a sea turtle; this will cause her to abandon her nest. For more information please call Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol at 904-613-6081.

18. Are weddings permitted on the beach?: Yes. The beaches are a beautiful place to hold a wedding ceremony. For more information on scheduling your wedding at the beach, visit the Weddings on the Beach page.

They are allowed on the beach if the following rules are followed:

They may not be launched or removed from the water.
They cannot be stored in a way that is harmful to the sea oats or the sand dunes.
They cannot interfere with the lifeguards' vision.

20. Is fishing permitted on the beach?: Yes. Surf fishing is a popular activity among beach-goers in areas with few swimmers. Jacksonville Beach also has a fishing pier that stretches 1,300 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. The pier is handicap accessible and includes a concession area, bait shop, restrooms, and several fish cleaning stations. The pier is located at 503 North 1st Street.