Fort Matanzas National Monument
National Monument · FL
1 noticefrom the National Park Service
Information · Fort Matanzas Only Accessible by Ferry Service
Fort Matanzas may only be accessed by our free ferry service. The boats operate Thursday through Monday; we do not operate the ferry on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. For more information about tickets and times, please visit the "Plan Your Visit" tab.
Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protects approximately 300 acres of Florida coastal environment containing dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/foma
- Location
- Fort Matanzas National Monument (29.712, -81.236)
Track your visit to Fort Matanzas National Monument
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Visitor Center
Hours
Operating Hourstoday: 9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Sat Oct 39:00AM - 5:30PM
- Sun Oct 49:00AM - 5:30PM
- Mon Oct 59:00AM - 5:30PM
- Tue Oct 69:00AM - 5:30PM
- Wed Oct 79:00AM - 5:30PM
- Thu Oct 89:00AM - 5:30PM
- Fri Oct 99:00AM - 5:30PM
NO FERRY SERVICE TO FORT MATANZAS ON TUESDAYS OR WEDNESDAYS The outdoor areas at the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center Area are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Public restrooms, nature trails, fishing access, and basic visitor information and orientation services are available. Fort tours are running Thursday through Monday with limited capacity. Boarding passes are available on a first come, first served basis. Tours may fill up early in the day. No oversized parking is available.
Ferry Service to Fort Matanzastoday: 9:30AM - 3:30PM
Visitor centers
1
- Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Self-guided tours
3
Archive Photos Tour of Fort Matanzas15–20 minutes · 12 stops
This virtual tour uses historic archive photos of Fort Matanzas as it takes you through various features of the historic watchtower.
Free Boat Tour to Fort Matanzas1 hour · 1 stop
The National Park Service operates a Free Ferry Service to Fort Matanzas. Check the ferry status before your visit by calling us at (904) 471-0116. Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach. Fort Matanzas is the only example of a Spanish fortified watchtower in the continental United States.
Virtual Tour1–30 minutes · 1 stop
Click on the tour stop below and it will take you to our various virtual tour options. Including a 3D interactive model of Fort Matanzas created by the University of South Florida.
Entrance fees
1
- Timed Entry Reservation - Location — Free
All areas of the park are free of charge including the ferry to the fort. However, you must stop in the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center (NOT the St. Augustine city Visitor Center) to get your free boarding pass for the ferry. Family members of all ages must have a pass to board the ferry. Passes are Free