Are reservations required for large groups to travel by boat to the fort?
Yes. Educational groups, classrooms, and partner organizations may make reservations. However, the dates and tour times we have available for these groups are limited. To learn more about our operation and availability, please call us at (904) 471-0116.
Buss parking?
There is no parking space for busses or other oversized vehicles. If arriving on a bus, the driver must leave and return later.
What times are available for group tours?
Trips to Fort Matanzas
10:15 & 2:15
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Tuesday tour slots are also available on a limited basis
Reservations are not available on Saturdays or Sundays or Holidays
Ranger Led Presentations - Not At The Fort
Reservations that do not include the fort tour are available Monday-Friday anytime between 10am-4pm
All group tours must arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time.
What if I am late?
If the group is so late that they cannot be taken to the fort and have the boat back in time for the next public tour, then the group may not be able to visit the fort unless there is an opening for the next group tour.
How many people may I bring?
Due to the U.S. Coast Guard certified capacity of the boat, group size is limited to no more than 35 people. That includes students and adults.
How far in advance may I make reservations?
We can accept reservations 10 months to 24 hours in advance. However, the closer the date is, there may be less availability.
Is there a fee?
Not at this time
How long is the fort tour?
Each group will have a ranger for just under an hour and will spend about 30 minutes on their tour at the fort, including the boat trip. The group may also want to explore the half-mile nature trail or enjoy a picnic in the picnic area on their own time.
Are there any dates when groups may not visit?
We do not offer reservations on Saturdays or Sundays. To learn more about availability during the week, please call us at (904) 471-0116. Tours and other field trip experiences may be cancelled due to severe weather without advanced notice
May I guide myself?
For boat trips a ranger must accompany the group to the fort. In addition to or in place of traveling to the fort, groups can explore other areas of the park under their teachers' direction. From the main Visitor Center entrance, teachers may guide groups on the half-mile nature trail boardwalk through the woods, hike the marsh trail, and/or use the picnic area set among the old, spreading live oak trees. There are also other entrances and parking lots to enter the beach areas along the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean. To learn more, use the Map, download the App, or experience the Virtual Tour.
Do you present programs on nature, too, or just on history?
Yes, we present programs on both natural and cultural history. We have a ranger with an educational background on staff, and with enough advance notice we may be able to put together a program on a particular topic or focus for adults or for children.
Can we schedule field trips to Fort Matanzas and the Castillo de San Marcos on the same day?
Yes, but it does depend on available reservation times. There is a different process for scheduling a group visits to the Castillo.
To find out more about Castillo's reservation process, please click here.
