The Fort Matanzas National Monument is a preserved 18th-century Spanish coastal fort and surrounding park located 14 miles south of the historic district in St. Augustine, Florida. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026, noting that the park’s beach access ramp and adjacent car park remain closed for boardwalk construction through May 2026, although fort ferry operations are completely unaffected by this work.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
| Opening hours | Park: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, daily. Ferry: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Thursday to Monday. |
| Ticket prices | £0.00 / $0.00 (Free admission) |
| Address | 8635 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site car park |
| Typical time needed to visit | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Fort Matanzas National Monument opening hours
The Fort Matanzas National Monument opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm every day of the year, closing only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. These core park hours remain consistent year-round without seasonal variation.
The required passenger ferry to the fort operates on a restricted schedule from Thursday to Monday, with departures running hourly between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm. There is no ferry service on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and trips are subject to immediate cancellation during thunderstorms or high winds.
5 great experiences in St Augustine to book now
- 🏛️ Learn the past of the oldest city in the US on a history walking tour.
- 🚤 Take an airboat adventure – spotting alligators and manatees on the way.
- ⛵ See St Augustine from the water on a sunset cruise.
- 🍷 On a food and wine tour, taste St Augustine’s top flavours
- 👻 Hear spooky historic tales on a St Augustine ghost tour.
Fort Matanzas National Monument ticket prices
The Fort Matanzas National Monument is free for all visitors, covering both park entry and the mandatory ferry ride to the fort structure. While the ferry is free, every passenger, including infants, must obtain a physical boarding pass from the visitor centre on the day of their visit.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. Because general entry is free, Fort Matanzas National Monument is not included in regional city pass schemes which instead provide bundled access to paid local attractions like the Castillo de San Marcos, the Old Jail Museum, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.
Why book the St. Augustine Attractions Pass?
- 🚌 Old Town Trolley Tour: Navigate the nation’s oldest city with ease on an iconic orange-and-green trolley, featuring 22 convenient stops and entertaining live narration from expert conductors.
- 👮 The Old Jail: Step back to 1891 inside this Romanesque Revival-style prison, where costumed “inmates” lead immersive tours through the sheriff’s quarters and original maximum-security cells.
- 📜 Oldest Store Museum: Experience a living history recreation of a 1908 general store, filled with over 100,000 authentic vintage items—from antique elixirs to a goat-powered washing machine.
- 🏛️ St. Augustine History Museum: Explore 400 years of Florida’s past through exhibits on Spanish sunken treasure, indigenous Timucuan villages, and the opulent era of industrialist Henry Flagler.
- 💸 Incredible Value & Perks: Save significantly by combining three premier museums with a full day of transport, plus a bonus beach shuttle to the Alligator Farm and the scenic St. Augustine Beach.
How to get to the Fort Matanzas National Monument
You can reach the Fort Matanzas National Monument by driving approximately 14 miles south of central St. Augustine along Highway A1A. The park entrance is situated on the right-hand side of the road when travelling south, roughly half a mile north of the Matanzas Inlet bridge.
There is no direct public transport to the site. The nearest local bus service, the Sunshine Bus, stops four miles north of the park at the intersection of SR 206 and A1A, requiring visitors without vehicles to cycle or walk the remaining distance along a paved path.
Why book the St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🚋 22 Convenient Stops: Explore the “Ancient City” at your own pace with a route that covers over 100 points of interest, including the historic bayfront, city gates, and the plaza.
- 🎙️ Live Historical Narration: Enjoy a “transportation and entertainment” experience with professional conductors who share fascinating stories, legends, and humor throughout the journey.
- 🏰 Iconic Landmarks: Benefit from direct access to top-rated attractions like the Castillo de San Marcos, the Fountain of Youth, Flagler College, and the Lightner Museum.
- 🏖️ Exclusive Beach Shuttle: Take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service that brings you across the bridge to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the Alligator Farm, and the beach.
- 🕒 Flexible & Frequent: With trolleys arriving at each stop every 15–20 minutes, you can spend as much time as you like at each destination without worrying about parking or navigation.
Parking at the Fort Matanzas National Monument
On-site parking at the Fort Matanzas National Monument is completely free of charge. The main car park is situated directly adjacent to the visitor centre and ferry dock for easy access.
Spaces are limited and often fill up during peak morning hours. Visitors travelling in groups are strongly advised to carpool to ensure parking availability, particularly on weekends and public holidays.
How long to spend at the Fort Matanzas National Monument
Visitors typically spend between one and a half to two hours at the Fort Matanzas National Monument. The round-trip ferry ride and fort tour itself lasts approximately 45 to 55 minutes.
Allocating two hours provides sufficient time to secure ferry boarding passes, explore the visitor centre, walk the short nature trail, and use the restroom facilities before the scheduled ferry departure.
Accessibility at the Fort Matanzas National Monument
Accessibility at the Fort Matanzas National Monument is partial, as the historic fort structure on Rattlesnake Island is not wheelchair accessible. The ferry to the island is accessible to standard wheelchairs, allowing visitors to view the fort exterior from the dock.
On the mainland, the visitor centre, public restrooms, and paved pathways leading to the ferry dock are fully accessible. Service animals, as defined by the ADA, are permitted on the ferry and within the fort, unlike regular pets.
Inside the Fort Matanzas National Monument
Visitors to the Fort Matanzas National Monument experience a combination of mainland nature trails and a short boat trip to a historic military structure. The site focuses on the protection of St. Augustine’s southern river approach.
The Visitor Center provides context through historical exhibits and a short orientation film about the fort’s construction and strategic purpose during the Spanish colonial period.
The Fort Tour requires a short ferry ride across the Matanzas River to Rattlesnake Island. Once on the island, visitors are guided through the coquina-stone watchtower, ascending a steep 32-rung ladder to reach the observation deck and cannon emplacements.
The mainland area includes a half-mile boardwalk Nature Trail that loops through a maritime hammock forest. This shaded path highlights the local coastal ecosystem and native plant species.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
| Timing | Arrive at the visitor centre before 10:00 am, as ferry passes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and frequently run out by 11:00 am. |
| Crowds | Avoid visiting on weekends or public holidays if you want to guarantee a spot on the ferry without a prolonged wait. |
| Layout | The site is split between the mainland facilities and the island-based fort, with the only access to the fort being the official NPS ferry. |
| Entry process | Ferry passes cannot be reserved in advance or over the phone; all members of your party must be present to collect a pass for that specific day. |
| On-site logistics | Bring bottled water, as food and beverages are strictly prohibited on the ferry and inside the fort structure. |
Frequently asked questions about the Fort Matanzas National Monument
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Fort Matanzas National Monument suitable for children? | Yes, children are welcome and often enjoy the short boat ride, though close supervision is required near the fort’s steep ladders and open water. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Fort Matanzas National Monument? | You cannot book in advance; free ferry boarding passes are only issued in person on the day of your visit. |
| Is the Fort Matanzas National Monument open on Sundays? | Yes, the park and ferry operate on Sundays, though the ferry does not run on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. |
| Are bags allowed at the Fort Matanzas National Monument? | Yes, standard day bags are allowed, but visitors must carry their own water, as no food or drink can be consumed on the boat or at the fort. |
Things to do near the Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Marineland Dolphin Adventure
- Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
- Anastasia State Park
- St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- First time visitor’s guides to the Castillo de San Marcos and Mission Nombre de Dios in St Augustine.
- What to expect at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St Augustine.
- Visitor guides to the Lightner Museum, Old Jail, St Augustine History Museum and Oldest Store Museum Experience in St Augustine.
- Plan your visit to the St Augustine Alligator Farm.
- The best stops on a road trip from Jacksonville to Miami.
