The Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to protect and enhance the lands and waters in the public trust. While this is often accomplished through legal means, we determined that there was a need for a comprehensive guide to entice recreational paddlers to this beautiful segment of the Intracoastal Waterway. The result was this Paddling Guide made possible through a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Coastal Management Program, and our supporting partners.
 
Many thanks go out to our Partners – The City of Atlantic Beach, The City of Jacksonville Beach, The City of Jacksonville, and Kayak Amelia. Without their support in the form of documents, equipment, knowledge and financial assistance, this project would not have been nearly so successful.
 
Thanks also go to the artist who created this masterpiece – Patti Cross with Tom Cross, Inc.

About the Guide

The guide consists of a map and narrative description of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and associated waters from the St. Johns River south to the Duval County/St. Johns County line.  We hope our guide and this website will encourage people to use and enjoy the natural resources of the area. The areas depicted on the map are accessible by both the experienced and novice paddler, and may be enjoyed for anywhere from an hour to a full day. The four parks highlighted in the guide can also be enjoyed on foot.
 
The map includes launch points, amenities available at the parks, and GPS coordinates for the trail, and random points along the Intracoastal Waterway. Some of the areas have strong currents and/or heavy boat traffic, so be careful! Watch the tides carefully, as some of the waterways leading to launch points become dry during low tides, and paddlers may become stranded until the tide comes in again. (See link to ICW tides on this website, and note these caution areas on map).