A Surfer’s Guide to Eating, Shopping and Exploring in St. Augustine
The best places to immerse yourself in surf culture around town and catch some waves
St. Augustine isn’t always known for perfect surfing. Some days are glassy and firing; other days are small and wind-blown. What makes this town special isn’t just the quality of the waves; it’s the deeply rooted surf community, the places built around it and the lifestyle that flows from the ocean into everyday life.
Here’s how to fully immerse yourself in St. Augustine’s surf culture: where to paddle out, where to refuel, where to grab gear and where to soak in the history that makes this beach town so special.
Where to Rent a Board
There are several great places to rent boards around town, whether you are visiting for a day or a full week.
PIT Surf Shop – 18 A Street, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Conveniently located directly off the A Street Beach Access, PIT Surf Shop offers everything you may need for a day by the ocean. They rent surfboards, bicycles, bodyboards, wetsuits, beach chairs and umbrellas. Their board collection includes longboards, fun-shapes, shortboards and fish. Wetsuits are also available during the colder season. Beginners can get personalized recommendations and tips from the staff. To reserve, call 904-471-4700
Surf Station – 1020 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Surf Station offers rentals for up to a week and carries surfboards, bodyboards, skimboards, stand-up paddleboards and wetsuits. They will even deliver and pick up gear from you. A unique perk is their demo program: you can try a high-performance board and apply the rental cost toward purchase if you decide to buy. Reservations can be made on their website or by calling 904-471-9463
The Surf Station
Surf Spots in St. Augustine
The Pier
The St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier is the center of the local surf scene. You’ll find surfers, tourists, lifeguards and long-time locals sharing the lineup. The pier structure influences the steep, punchy waves here. Popular with all skill levels, the waves are generally mellow but fun. It’s one of the most crowded spots in town, so expect company, energy and community.
A Street
Just South of the Pier, A Street offers a more relaxed alternative with left and right-breaking waves suitable for all experience levels. It’s a favorite for locals who want less chaos than the Pier. Before or after your session, grab a smoothie at Stir It Up, conveniently located right by the beach, and stop into The PIT Surf Shop for wax, gear or local knowledge.
Matanzas Inlet
About 15 minutes south of St. Augustine Beach, Matanzas Inlet offers a fast, short and often hollow wave. With a Northeast swell and southwest wind, it creates a high-performance, point-break-style wave on the outside sandbars. The trade-off is a longer paddle out, but the peacefulness and quality make it worth it. If you’re heading this way, fuel up first at Beach Bagels for quick carbs before your session.
Vilano Beach
North of the Inlet, Vilano Beach can surprise you with fast, steep waves. Due to the deep offshore drop-off, there is often an intense plunging shorebreak best suited for more experienced surfers.
Best Post-Surf Session Bites
After a day in the water, St. Augustine has no shortage of places where you can show up sandy, salty and starving.
Beach Bagels
Nalu’s Tropical Takeout – 1020 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Parked outside of Surf Station, right by the entrance to the State Park, Nalu’s serves tacos, quesadillas and poke bowls. You can also browse surf-inspired artwork displayed outside while you eat.
Ragga Surf Cafe – 134 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Located in Lincolnville, Ragga Surf Cafe is a favorite brunch stop after a morning session. They serve matcha, coffee, homemade pop tarts, avocado toast and breakfast tacos in a laid-back, artsy setting.
Ragga Surf Cafe
Stir It Up – 18 A St, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Right next to PIT Surf Shop, this spot is ideal for smoothies and light bites straight off the sand. A standout menu item is the Veggie Quesadilla.
Funkadelic Food Shack – 4225 A1AS, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Perfect for when you’re truly hungry, Funkadelic offers big flavors and hearty portions. If you’re lingering, you can grab a beer if you want to fully settle into post-surf relaxation.
Best Beach-Inspired Boutiques for Coastal Style
Linen and Waves – 1020 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Located next to Surf Station, Linen and Waves carries a collection of surf-inspired clothing with brands like.
The Surf Stop Nook – 101 F Street, St. Augustine, FL 32080
This hidden gem offers vintage and second-hand clothing at great prices, along with local art and beach-themed treasures like shell jewelry and candles embedded with shark teeth.
Five 0 Six Surf Boutique – 900 Anastasia Blvd G, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Not far from the beach, Five 0 Six Surf Boutique brings together timeless, coastal pieces from local makers and female-founded businesses.
506 Boutique
Aqua East – 1850 A1AS, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Aqua East takes the cake for the most expansive swimwear selection. You’ll find surf-brand suits designed not only to look good but to stay put in waves. Their frequent clearance deals are worth checking out.
The Perfect Ending To Your Surf Excursion
The Surf Culture & History Museum – 271 Charlotte St, St. Augustine, FL
To truly understand the surf culture here, take a journey through the past of St. Augustine’s surf scene at the Surf Culture & History Museum. Inside, you’ll find vintage boards, photographs and stories of the surfers who shaped this coastline. It’s a reminder that surfing in St. Augustine is about heritage and community as much as it is about conditions.
Sunkissed, showered, and ready to relax after a day of surfing. A boat cruise is the perfect ending to your day and an opportunity to enjoy St. Augustine’s natural waterways and appreciate the water from a different perspective.
Florida Water Tours hopes you and your family enjoy the surf culture that St. Augustine has to offer, and we invite you to end your surf excursion on one of our tours! Check out all our tours online, and come see us at the Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor Marina (107 Yacht Club Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084). We offer free parking and restrooms on board. Our vessels are just a short walk from our boutique, located at Dock A-23, A-24 and A-25. Email us at [email protected] to book or inquire about your next cruise.
The magic of surfing in St. Augustine isn’t just found in the lineup. It’s ingrained inside the cafes, the surf shops, the quiet state park trails and the stories preserved in the museum. Spend a day following this guide, and you’ll experience not just the waves but the culture that makes this town so special.