Above the pier and below the boardwalk awaits a day on the water.

"We want them to come and enjoy themselves (and) have a great day at the beach," said Sydney Lindblad, with the St. Johns County Beach Operations team.

The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, as it is officially known, rests near the St. Augustine Lighthouse over the Atlantic Ocean, providing a perfect spot to watch the surfers on two legs who try to catch a wave. In the meantime, surfers on four legs are free to swim here, too. This strip of shore is dog friendly.

"It's kid friendly, it's clean, it's safe,” said Stephanie Giannini, who visits the beach often with her daughter, Lucy.

Along the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, folks stroll with umbrellas — rain or shine. The pier is so popular that some boast they hold a lifetime pass, while others are happy to come and go once a year.

"We have a volunteer sea turtle patrol that combs our beaches every morning and are trained to find sea turtle tracks," Lindblad said.

So far this summer, volunteers identified about 300 turtle nests along the sandy shore.

Above the beach, fishing from the pier means you may snag a shark! Don't have your own rod or reel? Ask for help.

"We have staff that would be more than happy to come out help you get all set up with some fishing poles and go fishing for the day," Lindblad said as the sun ducks behind a cloud.

The pier sits along a 4-acre park, where parking is free and so are the toys.

If you've ever arrived at the beach only to realize you left something at home, St. Augustine Beach has you covered. A toy box allows visitors to borrow a toy, boogie board or sand pale. When done, return it for the next person. That's if the weather cooperates.

"There's no sharks at the splash park," Lindblad said.

But there is an afternoon thunderstorm brewing. Shake off your shoes and grab your goggles for quick cool down.

"Run through it!" Lucy Giannini said.

Follow her lead for a romp through the splash pad. The wet area is free for visitors to chill out. Shade structures will be appreciated by mom and dad.

"It's great for people of all ages," Giannini said.

Showers, changing areas, newer restrooms and a convenience store round out the offerings.

A Salt Life restaurant across the street from the pier's parking lot serves lunch and dinner, while a new Embassy Suites hotel is expected to open in 2017 —  just feet from the beach.

About this Destination

Where: 
St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County

Hours:
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Phone number: 904-209-0326

Costs:

Parking: Free
Beach Access: Free
Pier Admission: $1
Fishing from Pier: $3
Children under 6: Free

Address:
350 A1A Beach Blvd.
St. Augustine Beach, Florida

Website: http://www.co.st-johns.fl.us/Recreation/FishingPier.aspx#.VYy-EvlVhBc

Parking: Free, if you can find a space

Accessibility Note:
The pier staff can provide a beach-going wheelchair for those needing assistance on the sand

GPS Longitude & Latitude:
Latitude: 29.857323
Longitude: -81.267013

Latitude: 29° 51' 26.3628"
Longitude: -81° 16' 1.2468"

Drive Times:
From Orlando: 2 hours, 5 minutes
From Tampa: 3 hours, 20 minutes

Tankful on Television
You can catch new Florida on a Tankful stories each Thursday and Saturday on News 13 and Bay News 9. New editions play at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m. Classic Florida on a Tankful stories can be found each Friday and Sunday on Bay News 9 and News 13 at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m.

Tankful on Demand
This story was part of the Florida on a Tankful Summer Road Trip.  Catch the 30-minute special with Scott Fais now on Bright House Local On Demand, Channel 999. Use your remote to scroll to the right to the TRAVEL category. Then SCROLL DOWN to TANKFUL.