Escape St. Augustine Crowds To Florida's Nearby Barrier Island With Serene Beaches And Fresh Seafood

Nestled along Florida's north Atlantic coast, the picturesque city of St. Augustine was established by Spain in 1565, making it America's oldest, continuously inhabited city of European origin. A symphony of Spanish architecture, historic brick streets, and more than 40 miles of beautiful beaches, St. Augustine is a booming tourist hot spot often filled with crowds. Luckily, you can make a quick escape over the Bridge of Lions to the nearby, laid-back Anastasia Island. This beautiful barrier island is home to tasty seafood and serene beaches that tend to be less crowded than those of St. Augustine.

Anastasia Island is a 14-mile ribbon of land comprising walkable neighborhoods, historic attractions, and protected parklands fringed with pristine beaches on the Atlantic and Matanzas River, which separates Anastasia from St. Augustine. The vibe here is relaxed, but there's still plenty to see and do. Visit the protected Anastasia State Park, a 1,600-acre wildlife-filled sanctuary that's perfect for everything from camping and birding to biking and sunbathing. The park's unspoiled sand is home to Anastasia Beach, where you can while the day away in relative tranquility. At the island's southern end, Crescent Beach and Butler Beach are the spots for chillaxed beach vibes.

Spectacular views are the reward for climbing the 219 steps to the top of St. Augustine Lighthouse. The adjoining Maritime Museum, a cluster of six historic buildings housing permanent collections and Smithsonian-affiliate exhibits, is the place to learn about Florida's maritime heritage. Another glimpse of the island's rich history and natural beauty awaits at Fort Matanzas National Monument, which has been perched among dunes, marshes, and coastal forests since 1742. After a day of sightseeing and fun in the sun, tuck into the fresh catch-of-the-day at one of Anastasia Island's delicious, coastal seafood restaurants.

You could easily make the case that Anastasia Island belongs on the list of Florida's best beaches. One of its most serene Anastasia Beach, a 4-mile stretch of translucent waters and powdery sand that's tucked away inside Anastasia State Park, which helps deter big crowds. It's a top spot for classic beach activities like surfing, swimming, and kayaking on the water, and the shore is a dream for exploring by bike, as well as beachcombing for the abundant shells that wash ashore. There's a snack bar, chairs and umbrellas available for rent, and restrooms and showers. Visitors can even pick up beach wheelchairs for free on-site. It's also one of the best places on the island for birdwatching, as it's part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Named for its wide, C-shaped shoreline, Crescent Beach is a tranquil, hidden gem ensconced inside a residential neighborhood that's a local favorite. Parking is easy, crowds are minimal, and the white quartz sand is a marvel at this family-friendly beach, where surfing, sunbathing, and scanning the turquoise water for dolphins are fun activities. Picnic gazebos and restrooms are located inside the beachfront park. Neighboring Butler Beach is another peaceful escape with a wide sweeping shoreline that families will love. It's also an unassuming locale connected to the Civil Rights Movement. During segregation, it was the only beach north of Jacksonville that African Americans could enjoy, and Dr. Martin Luther King stayed in a beach cottage here in 1964 when the Civil Rights Movement arrived in St. Augustine.

Popular St. Augustine beach offers loads of recreation from volleyball courts and a splash park to a fishing pier and playgrounds inside a four-acre beachfront park. It isn't the island's quietest beach, but overall it remains a laid-back place to bask for the day.

Visitors to Anastasia Island should come hungry for fresh seafood. Whether you're cooking at your vacation rental or firing up the barbecue at Anastasia State Park, Fisherman's Dock Fish Market north of Butler Beach is where you'll find the island's freshest, local seafood. Come early to have your pick of the best catches, and expect excellent customer service and competitive prices.

Oceanside seafood dining with relaxed vibes and beautiful views is de rigueur on Anastasia Island. Dine with your toes in the sand on a medley of catch-of-the-day plates and shrimp dishes, from baja tacos to shrimp and grits, at Beachcomber St. Augustine, which has a 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews across more than 4,500 reviews. This dog- and kid-friendly spot has non-seafood selections like burgers and sandwiches, along with cocktails and a healthy selection of craft beers perfect for seaside sipping. Sunset Grille is another culinary institution serving award-winning chowder and an array of lunch and dinner plates. More exotic seafood eats on the menu include Caribbean snapper with mango, papaya, and pineapple, shrimp simmered in a spicy Creole sauce, and shrimp sautéed in Minorcan datil pepper sauce with white wine and garlic.

Crabby's Beachside (with a 4.6-star rating on Google Reviews) is the spot for feasting on ceviche, Alaskan crab rolls, lobster bites, and the catch-of-the-day while enjoying live music. It's indoor-outdoor dining located across the street from the beach, but patrons can still catch some pretty coastal views. Another indoor-outdoor option is The Commander's Shellfish Camp, known for fresh, raw bar delicacies and eats like crab legs and Atlantic salmon. Commander's also carries fresh seafood for purchase in their onsite market. To reach Anastasia Island, it's a quick 10-minute drive from the family-friendly, beach-filled gem of historic St. Augustine, where you can relax with laid-back vibes in this under-the-radar village.