Off the Northeast Florida coast, a string
of island parks offers pristine beaches, sand dunes, coastal hammocks
and marshlands, with reminders of the area's history sprinkled throughout
the natural beauty.
For a scenic drive along the Northeast Florida coast, follow the historic
Buccaneer Trail on its 52-mile trek past some of the area's most renowned
historical and natural sites, such as Little Talbot Island State Park
and the Kingsley Plantation. Ships of all sorts still set sail from
the historic fishing village of Mayport, strategically situated where
the St. Johns River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Florida beach vacationers can
hop aboard the Mayport ferry for a scenic trip to Fort George, or
head out to sea on a casino boat cruise.
Northeast of Jacksonville, Amelia Island is the site of an extraordinary
parade every fall — the return of the right whales The endangered
whales visit the area to calve in Florida's warm coastal waters. At
the southern tip of the island, Amelia Island State Recreational Area
offers more than 200 acres of oceanfront activities, including guided
horseback rides along its wide, dune-lined Atlantic beach. On Big
Talbot Island, a bird sanctuary, rock-like outcroppings and fallen
trees have become bleached and weathered with time, making the island
a dramatic sight and a popular spot for artists and photographers.
South of Big Talbot is Little Talbot Island, which is actually the
larger of the two. Fishing is excellent in the island's small ponds
and salt marshes, and for bird watchers, Little Talbot is paradise
found.
Along the picturesque route, from
Mayport to Ponte Vedra Beach, lie quaint oceanfront towns known collectively
as "The Beaches." Further south, Jacksonville Beach always
attracts plenty of beachcombers, but history buffs will find the town
is worth a visit as well. The Pablo Historical Park explores the role
of the Florida East Coast Railway in developing the area and offers
guided tours of historic buildings. Visitors to the American Lighthouse
Museum can find vital vacation travel information, gaze at authentic scale models of famous lighthouses,
and view more than 300 oil paintings, many dating from the 1800s.
In Ponte Vedra Beach, active vacationers can
enjoy world-famous fairways and championship tennis courts. The
prestigious home of the PGA Tour headquarters, Ponte Vedra Beach
offers visitors the opportunity to play the same courses that challenge
professional golfers. The area also features premier tennis facilities,
such as the ATP Tour International Headquarters, where many of the
world's greatest players train.
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