Birding by Boat at Fort Matanzas

The National Park Service at Fort Matanzas offers a free one-hour boat ride for birders three times on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The boat leaves the dock at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m., and cruises the waters off Fort Matanzas, a section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. A volunteer naturalist and birder helps you spot the species, including birds that live here year-round, and others that are migrating to their winter homes. 

Fort Matanzas is on an island that borders several ecosystems—beaches, dunes, coastal hammock, and marsh. You could see a bald eagle, osprey, roseate spoonbill, and black skimmer, as well as the ubiquitous terns and seagulls, and other, less populous species. 

Admission: Free. Registration opens on September 21, 2025. You must register in advance at their visitor center or on the phone at (904) 471-0116. Space is limited.

When: Tuesday, September 21, 2025, at three times: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to noon, and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Registration and departure are at the Fort Matanzas National Monument Visitor Center, Fort Matanzas, 8625 A1A South, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.

What to bring: Water in a non-glass bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, closed-toe shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. Bring binoculars, if you have them; the crew will have some to borrow.