Kitesurf Travel Guide: Huguenot Park, Florida

Huguenot Memorial Park is a 368 acre horseshoe shaped sandbar where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic, with the Mayport Naval Station sitting right across the water. It is inside Jacksonville's city limits but feels far from the city, and it is one of the only Florida kite spots with its own small piece of legal history. A statewide law once banned kiteboarding here along with every other beach near a runway, and it took a specific exemption, signed by the governor in 2015, to get riders back on the water. This guide covers what a trip to that spot actually looks like.

Why Huguenot Park?

The park's real draw for kiters is a large, protected pond just behind the beach, which locals and spot guides both describe as flat water, ideal for learning and for anyone who wants a break from ocean swell. More experienced riders also use the ocean side of the sandbar and a stretch near the north jetty, where tidal current adds power to the wind.

→ The pond works best with southeast, southwest, west or northwest wind at high tide, while the north point of the sandbar favors north, northeast, east or southeast wind on an outgoing tide.

↳ A statewide Florida law bans kiteboarding within a mile of an airport runway, which briefly shut down this exact spot in 2014. A 2015 exemption signed into law specifically for Huguenot Memorial Park reopened it, though hang gliding and parasailing remain banned here.

Getting There and Getting Around

The park is at 10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, on the north side of the St. Johns River inlet, a short drive from Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach and Mayport Village.
→ Day use costs $5 per vehicle for up to six people, plus $1 per extra person and $3 for cyclists or pedestrians. Hours run 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter.
↳ Four wheel drive is recommended for the soft sand on the ocean beach, and there is a single entrance gate shared by day visitors and campers, so weekend lines can be long, especially around midday.

When to Kitesurf

Wind statistics for the area show windy days peaking from January through March, with average wind speed highest in winter and lightest in July and August. March is generally rated the strongest single month. Riders willing to deal with cooler weather get more consistent wind, while summer trades consistency for comfort and brings heavier weekend crowds to the ocean beach.

Safety notes: Offshore wind here can be very gusty, and a mistake can push a rider out to sea, so plan to ride with a partner and keep a kayak, boat or paddleboard on hand for a possible rescue. The inlet's outgoing tide is powerful enough to pull a board out to sea or carry a lost kite upwind out of reach, making a relaunch difficult. In the lagoon itself, watch for a slick, mushy bottom near shore, one large oyster mound in the middle, and shallow patches where attempting to boost is a bad idea. The park also sits under the Mayport Naval Station flight path, so expect occasional helicopter traffic overhead.

Kitesurf Spots

The pond (locally called the Mud Hole): A large, protected flat water lagoon just behind the beach.
Water: Flat, shallow in spots, one mid lagoon oyster mound.
Level: Beginner to intermediate, with care taken around the shallow and oyster areas.
North point: The sandbar's northern tip, best worked on an outgoing tide.
Water: Open water with current.
Level: Intermediate to advanced.
North jetty: Needs a strong south or southeast wind plus swell to work.
Water: Ocean, with tidal current and jetty structure nearby.
Level: Advanced.

The park does not list a dedicated kite school on site, so most riders here are self sufficient or coming through a Jacksonville area kiteboarding shop for lessons before the trip. Watch for oysters and shallow water if you ride the ocean side, and always confirm current access rules before you rig up, since regulations at this specific park have changed before.

Photographing Huguenot Park

A flat water lagoon full of looping kites, with Navy ships visible across the inlet, is a genuinely different backdrop from Florida's more familiar beach breaks. If you shoot a session here, consider uploading it to Surf Snaps so riders can find their session by spot and date. If you were the one on the water, search Surf Snaps to see if your Huguenot Park session was caught on camera. Our guide on kitesurfing photography tips is worth a read if you are bringing a camera to a spot with this much tidal current and spray.

Where to Stay

→ Most visitors base themselves in Jacksonville Beach or Atlantic Beach, both a short drive from the park.

Budget ($)

Holiday Inn Express Jacksonville Beach
About $111 a night as of October 2026, a straightforward base close to the beaches.

Mid-Range ($$)

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront
About $167 a night as of October 2026, directly on the oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach.

Luxury ($$$)

Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, Ponte Vedra Beach
About $478 a night as of October 2026, roughly a few minutes' drive from the park, with a full resort setup.

Food and Drink

Dockside Local Catch: Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant, Mayport Village
→ A fish camp known for local shrimp, a short drive from the park.
Minorcan Chowder: Singleton's Seafood Shack, Mayport
→ A small shack known for its Minorcan style clam chowder, a regional specialty around Jacksonville.
Oysters in Atlantic Beach: The Fish Company, Atlantic Beach
→ A seafood restaurant known for oysters and drinks on the way back from a session.

FAQ: Kitesurfing Huguenot Park, Jacksonville, Florida

Is kiteboarding actually legal at Huguenot Memorial Park?

Yes. A 2015 Florida law created a specific exemption for kiteboarding at Huguenot Memorial Park after a broader statewide ban near airport runways briefly closed the spot in 2014. Other aerial sports such as hang gliding and parasailing remain banned in the park, so check current park rules before you go.

What is the best time of year to kitesurf at Huguenot Park?

Wind data for the area shows the windiest days from January through March, with March generally the strongest single month and July and August the calmest.

Is the lagoon at Huguenot Park good for beginners?

The protected pond behind the beach, sometimes called the Mud Hole, is flat water and considered good for learning, though riders should watch for a mushy bottom, a large oyster mound in the middle, and shallow patches.

Can you camp at Huguenot Memorial Park?

Yes. The park has multiple campground loops, including riverfront beach sites good for tents, with rates of roughly $22.70 a night for a tent site and $27.54 for an RV site including electric, as of recent park pricing. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends.

Where can I find photos of my Huguenot Park session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date on the explore page to see if a photographer caught your session at the park.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.