Beaches of Duval County: Where to Go During Your Visit to Jacksonville

So you’re headed to Jacksonville and you know that at least one of your days (or all of them) are going to be spent in the sand at the beach. On a map you’ll notice that there are several beaches close to Jacksonville and many of them are located in the same county as the city. Below we are listing four beaches in Duval County and sharing what makes each one unique to help you decide where you want to spend your beach day when visiting Jacksonville.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Simply called “Hanna Park” by the locals, this City of Jacksonville park makes for a great spot to hang out all day on the beach. One of our favorite things about Hanna Park is all the parking! On a busy day you may wait a little while to get through the entrance, but once you are in, you’ll be greeted by tons of spaces to park with multiple points to access the beach. Hanna Park also offers restroom facilities, picnic areas, and a camp store making it convenient to spend the entire day here. The beaches are known for having white sand and a wide shoreline allowing visitors to spread out and have plenty of space to set up their beach accessories. On top of that, Hanna Park is home to the Mayport Poles. Referred to by the locals as “The Poles” this is one of the most popular surfing spots in Northeast Florida. Keep in mind that you will need to pay admission to gain access to Hanna Park. As of July 2023 admission for a single car with up to 6 passengers is $5.

Atlantic Beach

Heading South from Hanna Park you’ll run into Atlantic Beach. Much of Atlantic Beach is residential and the beaches here are similar to those of Hanna Park with white sand and a wide shoreline. Atlantic Beach does offer public access points to hop on the sand throughout the community and parking can be found in select locations. At the southernmost point of Atlantic Beach you will find the Beaches Town Center. The scenery here is much more commercial with lots of places to dine and shop. The Beaches Town Center is split in two by Atlantic Boulevard and this road is also the dividing line between Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. Atlantic Beach is North of this dividing line and is home to some local favorites such as Poe’s Tavern for a great burger and One Ocean Spa & Resort for a relaxing spa day or overnight stay.

Neptune Beach

South of Atlantic Boulevard is the small community of Neptune Beach. Starting in the Beaches Town Center at the northern end of the neighborhood you’ll find great restaurants and shops such as Hawker’s, The Local, Southern Grounds, and Jax Surf & Paddle. This area borders Jacksonville Beach to the south and offers residential options, but may feel slightly more commercialized than Atlantic Beach. However, in general you’ll find all the beaches on this list to have much more of a residential and local feel than other popular spots in Florida such as Miami. If you’ve grabbed on to the pickleball trend, Jarboe Park in Neptune Beach is a must-go location and you will also find playgrounds and a paved walking path to enjoy with the family.

Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach is likely the most popular beach of the area and offers many conveniences for residents and visitors of the beach communities. You’ll find both local businesses and some larger retailers with plenty of restaurants to enjoy. Its close proximity to SR 202, otherwise known as “JTB”, makes it easy to get to many of the other areas in Duval County. Here in Jax Beach you’ll find beautiful beaches, lots of parking both on the street and in designated lots, and even a fishing pier to enjoy for a small entrance fee. If you’re from out of town you may assume that this is where all the tourists go, but don’t mistake this area for a tourist-trap. Every weekend tons of locals come to Jax Beach to enjoy all it has to offer and many Duval County residents decide to call Jacksonville Beach their primary home.

Now that you’ve read all the details, you might be curious to see more closely what these beaches have to offer. Check out the video below to get a more detailed look at the beaches of Duval County!