Major city · United States
Butler Beach
Give Butler Beach one full beach day plus a half-day for St. Augustine: 2 nights if you want sand and history, 1 if you only want the ocean.
Butler Beach is a small stretch of Anastasia Island between St. Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach, on Florida's First Coast. It is a beach-and-condo stop rather than a sightseeing town: the sand, the county park and A1A are the whole point. Most travellers use it as a quieter, cheaper base for St. Augustine, 15–20 minutes up the road.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storm season)
- Airports
- JAX · DAB · MCO
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Butler Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- St. Johns County non-emergency904-824-8304
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Butler Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime beach town; the real risks are rip currents, summer heat and hurricane-season storms.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 904-824-8304 St. Johns County non-emergency · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJAX Jacksonville International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-95 and FL-206; the usual arrival airport for this coast.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSeafood plate at a sit-down restaurantAdd 18–22% tip.$22–35
- Street or quick mealBeach-bar sandwich or burger$12–18
- BeerBeer at a bar / six-pack at a store$6–9$10–14
- Budget bedBeachfront condo (1–2 bedrooms), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JAX Jacksonville International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-95 and FL-206; the usual arrival airport for this coast.) · DAB Daytona Beach International (About 1 h 15 min south via I-95 and FL-100; smaller, fewer routes.) · MCO Orlando International (About 2 h by car; use it if the fare gap is large.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Butler Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. FL-A1A runs north–south through the town and links St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach and Crescent Beach; there is no useful local bus for visitors. Parking is available on and off the beach at Frank B. Butler County Park, and beach driving is allowed in marked sections with a 4WD-capable vehicle and a permit — check current rules before you drive on the sand.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive north on FL-A1A, about 15–20 min
The obvious half-day: historic district, Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street. Go early to park.
Crescent Beach
goDoor to door: About 10 min
Drive south on FL-A1A, about 5 min
Quieter sand just down the road; useful when Butler Beach parking fills.
Vilano Beach
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive north on FL-A1A and across the Usina Bridge
Sunset views over the inlet and a different, less built-up beach.
Door to door: About 1 h
I-95 north, about 50 min
Doable as a day, but the drive and traffic eat the day; better as an airport stop.
Door to door: About 45 min
FL-A1A south, about 30–40 min
Adds a second beach town and the Intracoastal side of the coast.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
A1A beachfront (condos and rentals)
Ocean-side units along FL-A1A; walk straight onto the sand. Most stays here are weekly rentals, so weekend-only bookings are limited.
Dondanville Road and the Intracoastal side
West of A1A, quieter, cheaper, and a short drive or walk to the beach access points.
St. Augustine Beach
10–15 min north on A1A; more hotels, restaurants and bars if you want a walkable strip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–240 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beachfront condo (1–2 bedrooms)1 × 2 nights × US$250 | US$500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$190 | US$760 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Groceries for a beach day2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$140 |
| Trip total≈ US$385 per person per day, bed included | US$1,540 |
Often weekly minimums in summer
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax and cleaning fees not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Beach-bar sandwich or burger | $12–18 |
| Seafood plate at a sit-down restaurantAdd 18–22% tip. | $22–35 |
| Beer at a bar / six-pack at a store | $6–9 / $10–14 |
| Rental car, one day | $45–120 |
| Beach parking at the county park | Free to a few dollars |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- June–November is Atlantic hurricane season; check storm forecasts before booking non-refundable stays.
- Rip currents are the main beach hazard: swim near lifeguarded access points and follow flag warnings.
- Summer heat and humidity are severe; plan beach time for early morning or late afternoon.
- Many rentals are weekly and add cleaning fees; the nightly rate is not the real total.
- Sales tax is added at checkout, and sit-down restaurants expect 18–22% tipping.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- St. Johns County non-emergency
- 904-824-8304
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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Butler BeachButler Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- St. Johns County non-emergency904-824-8304
Embassy
No consulates in Butler Beach; nearest are in Jacksonville and Orlando. Check your country's embassy or consulate list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- JAX airport → Butler Beach by car: about 1 h 15 min, roughly $60–90 by rideshare
- Butler Beach → St. Augustine historic district: about 15–20 min by car
- Rental car, one day: $45–120 plus fuel
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
- Is it safe to swim today? — Is it safe to swim today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The check, please — The check, please
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Butler Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storm season) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for JAX, DAB and MCO with last-rental-desk hours and taxi fallback.
- Beach access pages with parking, lifeguard and flag-status detail for Butler Beach and neighbouring accesses.
- Rental-total calculator that folds cleaning fees and weekly minimums into the nightly figure.
- Storm-season fixtures so the page can flag hurricane watches and refundable-booking advice.
Sources
Ask about Butler Beach
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