This Moody Florida Beach Has Rocky Cliffs & Hidden Sea Caves
Florida is a state that offers a bounty of surprises for the curious explorer. One special beach on the east coast holds unique ocean views that you won’t find anywhere else. This Florida beach within Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a geological wonderland with a rare rocky coastline that even holds hidden sea caves.
When thinking of The Sunshine State, white sands and palm trees usually come to mind. This beach, however, will give you a totally different experience.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, which sits near the Matanzas River, is a beachhead that shatters the conventional thinking of the state's coastline.
The rocks that dot the beach at the park are known as "Coquinas," sedimentary rocks that are fragments of transported shells of mollusks.
These coquinas are mostly found on the state's East Coast, with Washington Oaks having the second largest outcropping of the rocks on the state's coast.
The rocks give the park's coastline a rough and moody vibe. You can stand on the jagged shore and experience the powerful waves and ocean breeze of the Atlantic, and even explore the exposed hidden sea caves carved into the shoreline.
The hidden caves that have been carved out by the tides are big enough for a person to crawl in, and you can even check out the tidepools within.
In addition to the geological splendor of the park's coast, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is also a great spot for those looking to hike and bike the park's trail system.
This moody Florida shoreline will give you a totally different kind of beach day, and it might just become your new favorite go-to spot.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Price: $5 per vehicle
Address: 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL
Why You Need To Go: This Florida beach holds a rocky coastline and curious hidden sea caves.
Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.