5 Reasons Matanzas Inlet Is the Ultimate St. Augustine Beach Photographer Location
When people search for a St. Augustine beach photographer, they usually picture the classic stretch of sand near the pier or the wide open shores of Anastasia State Park. And don’t get me wrong — those are gorgeous. But my absolute favorite spot in all of St. Augustine? Matanzas Inlet. And most families have never even heard of it.
I’m Michelle, a Central Florida family photographer who shoots all along Florida’s coast. I’ve worked as a St. Augustine beach photographer at a lot of beautiful locations. But Matanzas Inlet is the one I keep coming back to — and once you see why, I think you’ll understand.
What Makes Matanzas Inlet So Special
Matanzas Inlet sits right where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Matanzas River on the southern tip of Anastasia Island, just a short drive south of St. Augustine Beach. It’s part of the Fort Matanzas National Monument, which means it’s protected, preserved, and largely untouched by development.
What makes it magic for a St. Augustine beach photographer is that you get two completely different looks in one session — the ocean side and the inlet side — each with its own personality, its own light, and its own feel. It’s like getting two locations for the price of one, and the variety it gives your gallery is something you simply can’t get at a single-stretch beach.
There’s also something that’s harder to put into words: Matanzas Inlet just feels different. It’s quieter. More intimate. Less crowded than the more well-known beaches. Families feel like they can actually breathe and be themselves here, which always translates directly into better, more natural photos.
1. The Ocean Side Delivers Classic Beach Magic
The Atlantic side of Matanzas Inlet has everything you’d want from a Florida beach session. Wide, soft sand. Natural dunes with swaying sea oats. Gentle waves that kids absolutely love. And because it’s a protected area, there are no condos or buildings crowding the horizon — just open coastline as far as you can see.
Sunrise on this side is truly spectacular. Because the beach faces east, that golden ball rises right out of the Atlantic and floods the entire scene with warm, gorgeous light. Early morning sessions here are some of my favorites I’ve ever shot as a St. Augustine beach photographer. The beach is quiet, the light is soft, and there’s a peacefulness that you just can’t find at busier spots.
The ocean side is perfect for the classic family beach moments — kids running at the waves, parents walking hand-in-hand, everyone barefoot in the sand with the open water behind them. It’s timeless and beautiful, every single time.
2. The Inlet Side Is Something Completely Different
This is where Matanzas Inlet really sets itself apart. The inlet side — where the Matanzas River meets the ocean — has a completely different energy and look from the beach side. The water is calmer here. The light bounces off the river in a way that’s incredibly flattering. And the landscape has this wild, natural quality — sandbars, marsh grasses, the old Fort Matanzas in the distance — that feels totally unique.
Sunset on the inlet side is absolutely stunning. The sun drops over the Intracoastal Waterway and paints everything in the most incredible warm tones. I’ve captured some of my most memorable photos here at golden hour as a St. Augustine beach photographer.
It’s also a fantastic spot for kids. The shallow, gentle waters along the inlet are perfect for little ones who want to wade and explore without getting knocked over by waves. Kids love it, which means relaxed parents, which means natural smiles — and that’s the dream for any family session.
3. You Get Two Looks in One Session
One of my favorite things to do at Matanzas Inlet is use both sides within a single session. We’ll start on the ocean side for those wide open beach shots — kids running, waves, that big sky — and then transition to the inlet side for something more intimate and golden as the light shifts.
The result is a gallery that feels incredibly varied. You get the classic Florida beach photos AND something more editorial and unique. Families are always amazed at how different the two sets of images look, even though we were just a short walk apart the whole time.
If you want photos that look different from every other Florida beach session you’ve seen on Instagram — this is how we do it.
4. The Timing Works Perfectly for Both Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise on the ocean side is my top recommendation as a St. Augustine beach photographer, especially from May through October. The east-facing beach catches that first golden light beautifully, the beach is virtually empty, and kids are fresh and cooperative in the morning.
Sunset on the inlet side is equally stunning. Golden hour light over the Matanzas River is genuinely one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever photographed. Plan to arrive about an hour before sunset and we’ll work both sides of the inlet as the light changes.
Avoid midday — Florida sun at midday is harsh, hot, and unflattering for photos regardless of how beautiful the location is.
A quick note on summer afternoons: Florida thunderstorms typically roll in between 2–4 PM from June through September. Morning sessions sidestep this entirely, and evening sessions usually start after the storms have cleared. Visit St. Augustine’s website has great info on the inlet hours and access if you want to plan ahead.
5. What to Wear Here Photographs Beautifully
The natural, untouched landscape at Matanzas Inlet pairs beautifully with soft, earthy tones. Here’s what photographs best:
Colors that work: Warm neutrals, sandy tans, creamy whites, dusty blues, sage green, and soft terracotta. These tones complement both the Atlantic ocean backdrop and the golden marsh tones on the inlet side.
Colors to avoid: Bright neons, large busy patterns, and matching outfits where everyone wears the exact same color. Coordinating is always better than matching — it looks more natural and more like a real family.
Fabrics: Lightweight and breathable. Linen and cotton are perfect. Flowy fabrics move beautifully in the coastal breeze and keep everyone comfortable. Florida is hot — dress accordingly!
Shoes: Most of the session will be barefoot. If you’d like to do a small portion on the inlet walkway area, comfortable sandals work great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matanzas Inlet hard to find? It’s located at 8635 A1A South, just south of St. Augustine Beach. There are multiple parking lots on both the ocean and inlet sides of the road, so parking is generally easy. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown St. Augustine.
Is there an entrance fee? Nope! Matanzas Inlet beach areas are free and open to the public from sunrise to sundown, seven days a week. Fort Matanzas National Monument — the actual fort across the water — requires a free ferry ticket, but we won’t be going there for your session.
Is it good for little kids? It’s actually one of my favorite spots for young children as a St. Augustine beach photographer. The inlet side has shallow, calm water that’s perfect for toddlers and little ones. Even on the ocean side, the waves tend to be gentle and manageable.
Do you travel to St. Augustine from Orlando? Yes! I’m based in Central Florida and regularly travel up to St. Augustine and the Palm Coast area. Reach out here and I’ll give you all the details on travel and booking.
How long is a typical session here? Most family sessions at Matanzas Inlet run 45–60 minutes. If we’re doing both sides of the inlet, I typically recommend 60 minutes so we have plenty of time to work the light and location changes without feeling rushed.
Ready to Book Your Session?
If you’re visiting St. Augustine or planning a session along the coast and you want something a little different — something that doesn’t look like every other Florida beach photo you’ve seen — let’s shoot at Matanzas Inlet together.
I’d love to show you why this is my favorite spot on the entire coast as a St. Augustine beach photographer.
Want to see more of my coastal work? Check out my guides to New Smyrna Beach family photos, Cocoa Beach sunrise sessions, and my St. Augustine family photographer page.
Michelle Coombs Photography is a Central Florida family photography team serving Orlando, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Clearwater, and surrounding areas.
