Discover Jacksonville Beach
12 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
1 7th Avenue North
Public beachfront and fishing pier at Jacksonville Beach offering classic Atlantic seascapes, dynamic surf, pier silhouettes and lively boardwalk life. Sunrise is prime — the sun rises over the ocean for dramatic color and reflections; evenings provide moody skies and nightlife along the pier. Easy public access from 7th Ave N with paid parking lots and street parking; paved boardwalk and ramp access. Weekday sunrises and off-season mornings minimize crowds. No entry fee for beach or pier (pier/
Super Girl Pro Series
Seasonal professional women's surf competition on Jacksonville Beach near the pier — ideal for high-energy action shots, surfer portraits, shoreline crowd scenes and dramatic surf + pier silhouettes. Visit at sunrise for clean light and glassy waves, or golden hour for backlit sprays and warm tones. Public beach access with paid street/lot parking nearby; event days may have restricted zones and larger crowds. Expect changing weather and strong sun/reflective water; bring sun protection and be w
11th Ave Beach Access
Small public beach access with wide sandy shore, dunes and a nearby pier — great for sunrise seascapes, long exposures, surf action and intimate foregrounds (shells, sea oats). Very accessible from 1st St S with a public parking lot; no entry fee. Best at dawn for clean light and few people; storm fronts produce dramatic skies. Expect typical Florida weather and seasonal crowds on weekends; check tide charts for exposed rocks or wet-sand reflections.
Cradle Creek Preserve
Small coastal preserve with marshes, winding creeks and boardwalks — excellent for intimate landscape, waterscape and bird photography. Golden hour produces warm reflections; overcast days bring moody tones. Accessible trails and a boardwalk make composition easy; parking is roadside/nearby lot and entry is free. Visit early weekday mornings to avoid crowds and biting insects; bring bug spray, waterproof shoes, and a telephoto for shorebirds.
Beach access
Small public beach access at 68 12th Ave S opens to wide sand, surf lines and dunes — ideal for sunrise compositions, long exposures of breaking waves, and minimalist foregrounds (shells, footprints). Easily reachable from Jacksonville Beach with street parking and nearby paid lots; boardwalk ramps improve accessibility. Visit at sunrise for pastel skies and calm water, or late afternoon for dramatic clouds and warm side light. Weekday mornings offer the fewest people; watch tides and summer lif
Jacksonville Beach Access
Public beach access at 1st St N with a classic Atlantic pier, rolling surf, dunes and palm-lined streets — ideal for sunrise pier silhouettes, surf action, and dramatic storm skies. No entry fee; paid street/lot parking nearby. Best at pre-dawn to mid-morning for calm light and fewer people, or golden hour for warm tones. Seasonal lifeguards and restrooms available; weekdays are quieter. Coastal weather changes quickly—bring weatherproofing.
Gonzales Park
Small oceanfront park with dune walkovers, palm-lined paths and easy beach access — ideal for sunrise seascapes, long exposures of surf and candid coastal lifestyle shots. No entry fee; paid parking nearby at 2nd Ave N. Best at dawn for golden light and minimal crowds, or blue hour for pier/sky contrast. Summer brings more people; weekdays and off-season are quieter. Boardwalks and ramps improve accessibility.
South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground
East-facing sandy beach with a colorful Sunshine Playground, palm-lined parkland and pier-adjacent shoreline — ideal for sunrise seascapes, family and play candids, and coastal landscapes. No entry fee; small parking lot and metered street parking near 3rd Avenue South. Best at dawn for golden-hour light and calm water; weekdays are quieter. Accessible paths to beach and restroom facilities; watch seasonal weather (summer storms, hurricane season).
25th Avenue Public Beach Access
East-facing public access to a wide sandy Atlantic beach with dunes, shorebirds and classic coastal scenes — ideal for sunrise seascapes, long-exposure surf shots and minimalistic shore compositions. No entry fee; paved access and nearby street/lot parking; expect stronger light at midday and fewer people on weekday mornings. Check tide and weather for dramatic waves or calm reflections. Accessible ramps for gear and wheelchair users.
Tall Pines Park
Small coastal pine park featuring tall pines, shaded trails and open clearings—great for intimate woodland compositions, sunbeams through needles, and low-angle shots with textured bark. Best at golden hour when side light highlights trunks and creates long shadows; weekday mornings have few people. Park appears easily accessible with on-site parking and no formal entry fee; bring insect repellent in warmer months.
Jacksonville Beach Water Tower
A clean, colorful coastal landmark with bold graphics visible from Gordon Ave and nearby streets. Shoot the tower against sunrise or golden-hour skies for warm light and contrast with palm trees and the Atlantic horizon; blue hour and after-dark offers dramatic silhouette or lit-structure shots. Accessible from public sidewalks and street parking near the pier; no entry required. Weekday mornings are quieter. Combine tower shots with nearby beach, pier, and palm-lined streets for context.
Bike repair
Small bike-repair shop at Jacksonville Beach with colorful storefronts, racks of bikes, vintage frames and tool-covered walls — good for gritty, detail-rich urban portraits and street-documentary shots. Visit weekday mornings for quiet interiors; golden hour highlights the shopfront and nearby beach light. Interiors may be dim — ask the owner for permission to photograph and to move bikes for better composition. Street parking and short-term curb spots on 2nd Ave N; wheelchair access depends on门