Exploring Boneyard Beach

Boneyard Beach is one of the many hidden treasures you will find in northeast Florida. While Jacksonville is home to many popular beaches, it’s one of the most unique beaches you can find in the area, and one of our favorite beaches in North Florida.

Where is Boneyard Beach?

Boneyard Beach is located off the A1A highway, which runs along the Atlantic Ocean starting from Key West up through Fernandina Beach. Boneyard Beach can be found on Big Talbot Island State Park, part of the Florida State Park system, which is south of Amelia Island, at 15500 Buccaneer Trail, Jacksonville, FL 32226.

How do I get to Boneyard Beach?

You can find a parking entrance at the north end of the A1A highway that has access to Nassau sound, which is the bay that runs along Boneyard Beach. Self-pay parking is required at $3 per vehicle. You can visit Boneyard Beach from 8 A.M. until sundown.

To get to Boneyard Beach, you must first hike a short trail to get to the beach. It is about ¼ mile and I would recommend wearing shoes (no sandals) as you make your way to the beach’s entrance. You can then take them off when you arrive at the beach. The beach entrance will have a sign that says, “Shoreline Access Trail,” and will lead you over a small hill to Boneyard Beach.

There are no bathrooms at Boneyard Beach, so make sure to use the restroom before starting the trail. I also recommend using bug spray and sunscreen, and bringing water. Florida can get very hot and humid, and there is no shade on the beach. We chose to visit on an early morning when the temperature was in the lower 70’s, which made the trip more enjoyable because we weren’t as hot while enjoying the outing. This is also a great beach to visit in the winter, because you can explore, but can’t swim.

What makes Boneyard Beach so Fascinating?  

There are 30 foot bluffs lining the shore, and the beach is scattered with stunning driftwood trees that have been bleached white from the sun, resembling skeletons. These beautiful oak and cedar trees fall due to erosion and line the beach. The fallen trees then help protect the shoreline by slowing additional erosion due to wind and waves.

What to do at Boneyard Beach

You can’t swim at this driftwood beach, but it is a beautiful place to stop and sightsee for a few hours. Bring the kids and have a picnic on the beach. You can climb the trees, and explore the shoreline. Don’t forget to take photos of this unusual beach. It’s a frequently visited location to get professional photos taken, as well. When we were visiting, there was a couple taking engagement photos at the beach. If you plan to take photos, then going at sunrise or sunset is a must to get the most beauty from this enchanted spot.

When we took our family trip to Boneyard Beach, we made a whole day of it. We started by hiking the trail to the beach in the morning, and then spent some time exploring and taking photos. The kids loved climbing the trees. Then we traveled north to Amelia Island, where we stopped at Natural Slice Pizza and Surf Shop to grab pizza for lunch. You can always add in a trip to Fort Clinch State Park while you’re up that way, it’s another Amelia Island favorite.

If you are looking for a unique adventure to discover in Jacksonville, Florida, then you have to check out Boneyard Beach. It is a special place unlike any other that you can find in Florida!

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Suzanne graduated from the University of South Florida. She is a military spouse and homeschool mom of two boys who is currently living in the Jacksonville area. You can find more of her writing at Wondrous Washington. She enjoys coffee, crafts, live music, traveling, and spending time with family.