Beach Community
Summer Haven
The remote southern tip of the island — no crowds, no commercial strip, just beach.
Small historic community south of Matanzas Inlet · 25 minutes to downtown St. Augustine
About the Neighborhood
Summer Haven is the remote southern tip of the St. Augustine beaches — a small, quiet barrier-island community south of Fort Matanzas and north of Marineland. There are no hotels here, no boardwalks, no commercial strip. If you want a beach vacation that's genuinely off the beaten path, where the loudest sound is the surf, Summer Haven is as quiet as it gets in St. Johns County.
The character of Summer Haven
Summer Haven is residential and sparse by design. The community sits where the Matanzas River meets the Atlantic, giving it both oceanfront and waterway character. The historic Summer Haven River and the surrounding marshes make this a haven for birdlife, fishing, and kayaking. It's the kind of place where you can walk the beach for an hour and not pass another person.
This remoteness is the entire point. Summer Haven is for travelers who actively want to disconnect — no nightlife to speak of, no crowds, and a drive of ten to fifteen minutes to reach the nearest restaurant cluster at Crescent Beach or St. Augustine Beach. What you get in exchange is a beach that feels like your own.
Who Summer Haven is right for
Travelers seeking true quiet. Summer Haven is the most remote, least crowded beach community we cover. It's for people who want to read on the deck, walk an empty beach, and unplug.
Anglers, boaters, and nature lovers. The Matanzas River, the inlet, and the surrounding preserves make this a strong base for fishing, kayaking, and birding. Fort Matanzas National Monument is minutes away.
Dog owners and beach walkers. The uncrowded beach is ideal for early walks and quiet evenings.
Beach and water access
The beach at Summer Haven is uncrowded and natural, with the Matanzas Inlet to the north — a noted spot for fishing and shelling. The Summer Haven River and surrounding marshes offer kayaking and wildlife viewing. Fort Matanzas National Monument, with its free ferry to the historic fort, is just north.
Getting around from Summer Haven
Crescent Beach restaurants are about ten minutes north. St. Augustine Beach proper is about fifteen minutes. Historic downtown St. Augustine is roughly twenty to twenty-five minutes north. Marineland and the Whitney Lab are a few minutes south, and Flagler Beach is a short drive down A1A.
Condo buildings in Summer Haven
Summer Haven has just a handful of small condo communities, all oceanfront or waterfront and all small enough to feel private. Browse the building guides below.
Booking a Summer Haven rental
First Choice Florida manages vacation rentals at Summer Haven — including several units at Sea Matanzas, where we're the largest operator in the building. Booking directly with us means no OTA commission, a local team that answers after-hours emergencies, and real knowledge of this remote stretch. Call 904-429-7373 or browse our available Summer Haven rentals.
Buildings in This Neighborhood
Nearby Amenities
- Matanzas Inlet
- Fort Matanzas National Monument (across the river)
- Marineland Dolphin Adventure (5 minutes south)
- GTM Research Reserve
- 25-minute drive to historic downtown St. Augustine
- 15-minute drive to Crescent Beach restaurants
Location
Things to Do Nearby
From the St. Augustine Tourism Guide:
Nearby Neighborhoods
For Property Owners
Summer Haven is intentionally small — historically a private summer
community for St. Augustine families, with only a few dozen homes
and condominium units. The Sea Matanzas and Summerhouse buildings
carry most of the rental inventory we work with here. The
positioning is genuinely niche: guests pick Summer Haven for the
quiet, the Fort Matanzas proximity, and the south-of-the-inlet
separation from the rest of the coast. Repeat-guest economics drive
the rental market — bookings are smaller in volume but unusually
loyal.
If you own at Sea Matanzas, Summerhouse, or anywhere else in Summer
Haven and you're evaluating management options, give us a call.
We're a boutique St. Johns County operator who understands
niche-community rental economics — the volume is lower, the loyalty
is higher, and the marketing has to match.