Boating & Water Fun in Jacksonville

Jacksonville's seven bridges expand across the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway. There is water, water everywhere! With so much water surrounding the area, there is sure to be a water activity for you to jump in to!

Get on the Water
Mug Race Sailing Regatta
"The longest sailboat race in the world" sails through Northeast Florida each spring. Since 1953, sailors have tried the challenge of Mug Racing in boats ranging from sailing canoes and Sunfish to high-tech catamarans. The 38-mile race takes place the first Saturday in May each year, beginning along the waterfront in Palatka, a small town about an hour's drive south of Jacksonville, and ends in Orange Park.

Explore the Salt Marsh
Quiet creeks and salt marsh ebb and flow through out the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. In this vast wetland lays a community teaming with unique birds, plants and wildlife. Much of the salt marsh can only be navigated by kayak. Kayak Amelia at Long Island Outfitters offers guided kayak/nature tours, as well as canoe and kayak rentals. There are nine canoe/kayak launch points in Jacksonville.

Arrive in Style
Many of Jacksonville's festivals and celebrations take place Downtown. Fireworks are often shot from the Main Street and Acosta Bridges featuring Jacksonville's signature waterfalls of fireworks. For a front row seat to see it all, dock your boat at Metropolitan Park Marina. This marina has 78 boat slips that accommodate boats up to 80 feet LOA. The marina is also walking distance to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, where the Jacksonville Jaguars roar and college football match-ups energize the crowd. JaxParks maintains more than 21 boat ramps in the area.

Get in the Water
The Wave Masters - Time to Surf
Since 1983, The Wave Masters Society, once just a group of surfer dudes looking to expand their sport, have hosted a surf contest at Jacksonville. Today, that contest has evolved into Florida's largest and most prestigious open amateur surfing contest. This annual contest held in May attracts over 300 competitors from all over the southeast and draws thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

X Camp - Time to Wakeboard
The St. Johns River and creeks feeding into it, like Black Creek, are popular hotspots to water ski and wakeboard. X Camp provides spring and summer camps for students of all ages and abilities, taught by an experienced and professional staff. If summer camp is not for you, then take private lessons. X Camp boasts the best in instruction and guarantees improved riding ability. All equipment is provided including wakeboards, wake skates, skis, life vests, wetsuits, etc. Whether you want to stop by for an hour or cruise the river on a Saturday afternoon, there is a program for you!

X Camp's waterfront location also provides the best in entertaining options. Celebrate a birthday or enjoy a unique activity with friends while in town by bringing your friends out on the boat. A post-party comes with several hours of instruction. The facility is perfect for eating and hanging out. Jet Ski rentals are also available.

Boat/Water Fun Partner Listings