Great Loop: Marineland

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The beach off Marineland


March 9th, 2022

Marineland is a little village of 16 people on the AICW, just south of St. Augustine.  It was founded in 1940 and got its start when the Marineland Dolphin Adventure was located there as a spot for Hollywood filmmakers to create underwater footage for films.  It is a tiny town with a total area of .approximately 250 acres.  




The marina was clean, the staff was very helpful and it was affordable at $1.25/foot/night.  A food truck parks across the street and is quite popular.  The beach, on the Atlantic side, is lovely for walking with few people in sight.  


Parrots in the Palm Trees

As you walk from the marina to the beach, you will pass palm trees on the right.  Listen for the sound of parrots.  They are nesting in the trees.


Fort Matanzas

We enjoyed our brief, one night stay and departed the next morning for St. Augustine.  Just a couple of miles north of Marineland, we saw Fort Matanzas on the right.  This is a National Park.  The Fort was built by the Spanish in 1742 to guard the inlet and to warn St. Augustine of the approach of the British or any other enemy.





Trip Log



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