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Best water activities in Jacksonville

Check out our favorite ways to enjoy the water in Jax!

Boat rentals and tours

Explore the 904 by boat with these awesome rentals and fan favorite tours!

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Photo credit Boat Florida Rentals

Boat Florida Rentals

Boat Florida Rentals is the perfect place to go if you want the benefits of exploring the open water without the commitment of owning your own boat! Here, you can rent your own boat for the day and explore the Jacksonville waterways yourself! They are also pet-friendly so your pup can also enjoy a day in the sun!

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McCoy Waterways

McCoy Waterways is making waves in Jacksonville’s boating scene with their 26-foot Monterey Explorer Bowrider—perfect for small groups. With cozy front loungers, rear bench seating, and even a bathroom onboard, it’s built for comfort. Captain McCoy can take you anywhere from St. Augustine to Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, Metropolitan Park, or even TIAA Bank Field on game day. With room for up to six passengers, it’s an awesome way to explore the waterways without the crowds.

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9954 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226-2504, United States
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Beach supplies, rentals, lessons and more

From umbrellas to beachside fun, these shops have everything to make the most of your day on the water!

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Photo credit John McArthur via Unsplash

East Coast Sport Rentals

East Coast Sport Rentals is the go-to rental place for all your beach gear needs! They offer a HUGE variety of rental options including beach chairs, umbrellas, surfboards, paddle boards, bikes and more! The best thing about East Coast Sport Rentals is their affordable prices!

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Photo credit Atlantic Coast Diving

Atlantic Coast Diving

If you’re looking to improve your swimming skills, Atlantic Coast Diving is the place to go! They offer private or group swim lessons with excellent instructors at great prices! They even travel to diving competitions you can participate in and put your skills to the test!

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Photo credit MapQuest

Driftwood Surf Shop

The Driftwood Surf Shop has been family owned and operated since 1979. You can rent beach essentials like chair and umbrellas for a couple of hours or a whole day. If you feel like learning something new, you can also rent surfboards, paddle boards and body boards! The shop also offers things you can buy like sunglasses, shorts, apparel and more!

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Photo credit Yelp

The Beach Store & More

The Beach Store & More is a great place to go rent out water sports equipment for a day of fun! Safety gear is also included with all their rentals. If you’re not feeling like getting in the water, you can also rent bicycles! The store is also full of fun beach gear and accessories you can buy!

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The weekend is calling

Experience Jacksonville like never before!

Family-friendly water activities in Jax

The whole family can enjoy these water-filled adventures in the 904!

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Jacksonville community pools

The pools are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and they are the perfect place to cool off! You can create so many fun activities for kids as they swim around. See the schedule below and click the button to see a complete list of pools:

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Photo credit Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts

Pups & Sups Dog Surfing Classic

Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at the Pups & Sups Dog Surfing Classic! This dog-friendly beach weekend is packed with fun for everyone, and best of all, it benefits K9s For Warriors! Kick off the weekend with a dog surfing practice session where beginners and seasoned surf pups alike are welcome to hit the waves, then wind down the evening with cocktails and laughs at the Yappy Hour and Fashion Show at the Guy Harvey Resort Pool Bar. The fun continues the following day with the main Dog Surfing Classic, where dogs of all skill levels are welcome to compete, followed by an awards ceremony to crown the day's top surf dogs. Spectators are always free, so bring the whole family, cheer on the pups, and enjoy a great weekend at the beach for a wonderful cause! 
  • Dates: August 28 - 29, 2026
  • Price: Free to watch, $10+ to participate
  • Location:  Guy Harvey Outpost Resort St. Augustine Beach

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Sightseeing tours

Experience the best of the First Coast with these iconic tours!

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Photo credit St. Johns River Taxi & Tours

St. Johns River Taxi & Tours

St. Johns River Taxi & Tours offers all types of tours! They’ve got sunset cruises, dolphin tours, Cruise San Marco, Cruise Riverside, Brewery Tour and much more! They also offer private charter if you’re looking to do something a little more private!

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Photo credit Viator.com

Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine

Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine offers airboat tours on the Saint Johns River! Your tour will take you through shallow waterways where you can see some Florida wildlife including gators, manatees, birds and more!Make sure you check out their sea dragon airboat! It can fit up to 15 passengers making it the perfect activity to do with friends!

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Sunset & Bioluminescence Kayaking

This water adventure in St. Augustine offers a one-of-a-kind kayaking experience combining stunning sunset views, wildlife encounters, and glowing bioluminescent waters! Your tour will take you past iconic St. Augustine landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions while keeping an eye out for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and coastal birds along the way. As night falls, watch the water come alive with glowing bioluminescent plankton or comb jellies that sparkle with every stroke of your paddle! Make sure you book with BK Adventure, the world's top bioluminescent tour company and the ONLY operator offering a summer bioluminescence kayak tour in St. Augustine!

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Natural springs near Jacksonville

Hop in your car to check out these gorgeous, crystal clear natural springs in the Sunshine State!

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Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring

Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring

Silver Springs

Silver Springs

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs

Rainbow Springs

Rainbow Springs

Crystal River

Crystal River

King's Landing

King's Landing

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Kelly Park

Kelly Park

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Best Beaches in Jax

Discover Jax's top beaches for sun and surf!

Don't miss some of our fave spots

Explore the top spots for sand, waves, and ocean views around Jax.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Check out one of the many bike trails or camp overnight for the ultimate outdoor adventure!

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Jacksonville beach

Jacksonville beach

Enjoy beach volleyball courts, quarter-mile fishing pier, and beach bar food and more!

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Big Talbot Island & Boneyard Beach

Big Talbot Island & Boneyard Beach

This small, undeveloped barrier island is full of unique beaches, trails, and wildlife!

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St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach

St. Augustine Beach, located on Anastasia Island, boasts expansive views of the Atlantic!

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Paddling, surfing, and more

Want to float your own boat? Paddling adventures are the way to go!

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Photo credit Kayak Amelia

Kayak Amelia

Kayak Amelia is a great place to book a kayaking tour! They offer guided and self guided tours as well as Kayak Yoga and paddle board rentals! The tours are also child friendly so this is a great place to check out as a family!

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Photo credit Amelia Island Paddle Surf Company

Amelia Island Paddle Surf Company

Amelia Island Paddle Surf Company was founded by Bobby Greene, with the intention of sharing his love and passion for water. They offer classes and paddleboard rentals. Make sure you take the morning lessons so you can learn how to ride alongside the dolphins at sunrise!  They even offer paddleboard yoga!

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Jacksonville Surf and Paddle

What better way to cool down than taking a surfing lesson with Jacksonville Surf and Paddle? These pros know how to break down the basics and help you find the perfect waves to ride. The Atlantic Ocean is the ultimate spot, offering everything from beginner-friendly swells to more advanced waves—all on one beach! We love swapping out our usual workout for a midweek surf session with Jacksonville Surf and Paddle.

Not into surfing? They also offer stand-up paddle board classes and rentals so you can explore the coast your own way.

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Jax Jet Ski Rentals

The 904 is all about the water, and there’s no better way to dive into the action than exploring by jet ski. Jax Jet Ski Rentals has a fleet ready for adventure, whether you're looking to cruise or catch some air. Thrill-seekers can hit the choppier waters of the Atlantic, while calmer river routes offer a more laid-back ride—perfect for spotting marine life or grabbing a bite at a riverside hangout. We love riding with friends and doubling up on wave runners for the laughs and unforgettable views.

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Put your experience on their list

Reach locals and visitors looking for fun things to do in your city.

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Photo credit Visit St. Augustine

Guana Reserve

Paddling through the GTM Research Reserve is one of those experiences that makes it obvious why Florida is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The Guana River offers routes heading both north and south, with two launch options: the Guana Dam (south launch) with parking, restrooms, a picnic area, and the on-site South Guana Outpost for kayak and SUP rentals, or Six Mile Landing six miles north for a more rugged, no-frills experience. The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve tells the story of this thriving estuary and just how vital Florida's coastal ecosystems really are. Nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone wanting to get out on the water will find something to love here.

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Photo credit @tamiaacaldwell

Get Up and Go Kayaking

Get Up and Go Kayaking is a little outside of Jacksonville but it is definitely worth the drive! You get to spend time kayaking in the crystal clear waters of Silver Springs, Florida. They offer two-hour guided tours that will allow you to see things like manatees, monkeys, turtles and more! You can get tickets here!  

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Photo credit St. Augustine Parasail

St. Augustine Parasail

What better way to explore one of Florida’s most historic cities than from the sky?! St. Augustine Parasail allows you to experience the amazing views of downtown St. Augustine, Anastasia Island and Vilano Beach! They even give you an SD card filled with pictures from your trip!

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Photo credit Matanzas River Kayaking and Wildlife Watching

Matanzas River Kayaking & Wildlife

Matanzas River Kayaking and Wildlife Watching offers the ultimate wildlife experience right in St. Augustine. These kayaking tours allow you to get up close and personal with a bunch of Florida wildlife! This is a perfect outing to do on your own, on a date or with your whole family!

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Rebecca McCandless's profile pictureRebecca McCandless

Duval Native | Sunshine State ☀️ | Aspiring Plant Mom 🌱