St. Johns County offers free beach shuttle service for Labor Day weekend

Posted Thursday, August 31, 2023 12:00 am

St. Johns County, in partnership with the Tourist Development Council, will offer a free shuttle service to the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier and Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 4, weather permitting.

The Mickler's Landing Beachfront Park shuttle will transport beach visitors between Cornerstone Park, 1046 A1A N., and Mickler's Landing Beachfront Park, which provides direct access to the beach.

The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier shuttle will transport beach visitors between St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A S., and the pier parking lot, which provides direct access to pier amenities and the beach.

The shuttles will run every 20 minutes, with the final shuttles departing from the beaches to the designated parking locations at 4 p.m. St. Johns County Beach Services will provide updates on shuttle service, beach access and driving conditions via the Reach the Beach mobile app available for free download at http://m.appbuild.io/stjohnsc6 and on Facebook and Twitter (@SJCBeaches).

For additional information, the public may call St. Johns County Beach Services at 904-209-0331.

St. Johns County lifeguards, St. Johns County Sheriff's deputies and St. Augustine Beach Police officers will work together from Saturday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 4, to ensure the safest beach experience possible for all residents and visitors.

For details on beach access, policies, safe driving tips, and conditions, go to http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/Beaches/Policy.aspx. For guidance on beach safety, go to http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/Beaches/Safety.aspx.

Driving on the Beach

Vehicles are permitted on the beach between 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Beach passes are required for vehicle access. Passes can be purchased with cash at any beach access ramp. For information about beach passes, go to www.sjcfl.us/Beaches/Passes. Help maintain safe driving practices on St. Johns County beaches by complying with the following rules:

Vehicular traffic must remain in the designated driving lanes as identified by cones.
Parking is allowed on the west side of the driving lane between the cones and the dune.
The maximum vehicular speed allowed on the beach is 10 mph.
Vehicles may not enter the beach at the Fort Matanzas Ramp.
All vehicles must stop at all beach ramps and yield to all pedestrians.
Soft sand conditions may exist, and only 4x4 vehicles may be allowed on some beaches.

Lifeguards and Beach Flags

Lifeguards will patrol the beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. Marine Rescue personnel will patrol the beaches regularly.

Warning flags are in place along the beach to keep visitors aware of current water and surf conditions.

Yellow flags: medium hazard level that could include strong currents and surf.
Red flags: high hazard with stronger currents and more dangerous surf conditions.
Purple flags: dangerous marine life in the area.

The absence of a flag does not mean there is no danger, as beach visitors should always exercise caution when swimming in the ocean. Rip currents are strong, fast-moving currents of water that move seaward from the shore. They may be recognized by a foamy, choppy surface and water that appears brown from sand being churned and rushed out to sea. If caught in a rip current, the most important thing to remember is to remain calm. Swim parallel with the shoreline until you are out of the current's pull, and then swim toward shore. Those who are not strong swimmers are not recommended to go beyond knee level in the water. Beach visitors are asked to observe flag colors and swim near a lifeguard.

Stay Informed

For more information regarding St. Johns County beaches, go to www.sjcfl.us/beaches, follow St. Johns County Beaches on Facebook and Twitter (@SJCBeaches), or call 904-209-0331.