Mayport Poles is located just on the south side of the St. John's River, within Hanna Park, making it one of Jacksonville's go-to surf spots. It's pretty popular with surfers because it can transform a stormy north swell into cleaner, more manageable lines. Getting there from Jacksonville Beach is straightforward; just drive north on A1A. If you’re coming from Fernandina, you’ll need to take the Mayport Ferry across the river, which costs about $5 per car. Once you make the ferry ride, follow the road signs to A1A, then head north on Mayport Road for about two miles until you reach Katherine Abbey Hanna Park (call 904-249-4700 for any info). There's a small park fee to enter, and once you park, just follow the boardwalk to the beach to find The Poles.
This spot is a long stretch of beach that breaks well in all conditions but tends to favor north winds. It curves away from the Mayport Inlet's South Jetty, about a quarter-mile up the coast, making it a good find when the northeaster winds roll in. The waves work best at low tide, and you can expect a decent swell size ranging anywhere from 2ft to about 12ft (0.6m to 3.7m). It generally has thicker, more powerful waves with really deep barrels, providing plenty of smooth rides. You'll find both lefts and rights breaking over the sandy bottom. The crowd levels can really spike when the surf is on point, so be prepared to share the waves. A mixed skill level crowd—beginner, intermediate, and expert surfers—enjoys the spot, along with shortboards, funboards, longboards, and fish boards.
Accessing Mayport Poles is relatively easy; just remember the small park fee. It's best to visit in the fall through spring, including during hurricane season for some extra swells. The vibe is generally laid-back, and there isn’t much localism to worry about, but it’s good to keep things friendly. On busy days, the beach can be lined with surfers, and you might even encounter some drifting northeaster winds that’ll require some extra paddling, so be ready for that.