A peninsula off San Pablo Rd north of Beach Blvd in Jacksonville, Castaway Island Preserve is a world apart from its suburban surroundings.
Gopher tortoises lumber through the protected pine flatwoods. Ibis and wood storks comb through the shallow marsh edges.
Estuary at Castaway IslandPicnic tables with grills surround the nature center. A paved bike trail connects the nature center complex and restrooms to the entrance, meeting a side path along San Pablo Rd.
At the end of the park road, paddlers can launch canoes or kayaks into the estuary and San Pablo River. Rental paddleboards are also available.
Launch point at Castaway IslandExtending into the estuary, the Island Trail is a gentle walk for all ages, well-interpreted and fun to follow. It has benches and overlooks along its accessible path.
Boardwalks provide outstanding views of the San Pablo River basin, with observation decks offering natural panoramas.
The Island Trail entranceResources
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Overview
Location: Jacksonville
Length: 1 mile
Trailhead: 30.296053,-81.433554
Address: 2921 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville
Fees: Free
Restroom: Adjoining main parking area
Land manager: City of Jacksonville
Phone: 904-255-7930
Open sunrise to sunset. No pets or bicycles on the accessible Island Hiking Trail.
Directions
Follow US 90 (Beach Blvd) east 14 miles from downtown Jacksonville towards Jacksonville Beach. Turn north on San Pablo Rd (CR 10). Continue a half mile north to the park entrance on the right. Drive in along the entrance road and park just past the nature center.
Hike
From the nature center, follow the sidewalk towards the loop at the end of the park road. It provides panoramas of the estuary along this peninsula.
Pass a water fountain and reach the “Island Trail” sign. The small bridge over a tidal creek dense with salt hay makes it obvious you’re headed for an island.
Estuary adjoining the bridgeStop and look at the map and information kiosk, but there’s no worry about getting lost. Marshes surround the island and there’s no other way onto it.
Trails are sidewalks or boardwalks. Animal tracks painted on the concrete lead between interpretive stations, fun for small children to follow along.
Follow the tracks to interpretive stationsWax myrtle and sea myrtle flank the walkway, sea myrtle bursting into showy fluffy butterfly-attracting blooms each fall.
Loblolly pines tower overhead in a small but dense forest on the island. After a quarter mile, reach the Wood Stork marker.
Wood stork stationCurve past this station following the sidewalk through the dense understory. Wax myrtle and grapevines grow luxuriously.
Where the trail reaches a junction, turn right to ascend a substantial boardwalk into the estuary.
The fruit of the wax myrtle is used to make bayberry candlesThe boardwalk is surprisingly long, rising above the estuary. You can see the variations in the landscape below.
Salt hay creeps in and forms small meadows that undoubtedly are damp. On the high spots, cedars and Florida myrtle take over.
The surrounding estuaryNeedlerush pokes out from low spots where water collects. Some of the topless cabbage palms have large holes drilled in their trunks by woodpeckers.
The boardwalk crosses a tidal creek. Water may be barely in evidence amid the thick vegetation.
Tidal creek below boardwalkA boardwalk extends off this main trail to the left. Follow it to an observation deck set well above the estuary, facing north.
It’s a fine perch for birding, overlooking an expanse of mangrove and cedar islands rising from estuary grasses.
Observation deckReturn to the main boardwalk. On the right are mounds that follow the creek’s edge. Could it be that, like the Calusa, the Timucua dug canals along the estuary for fishing?
The long boardwalk ends at an observation deck overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, historically known as the San Pablo River.
Above the estuaryThe river was the barrier that kept settlers from crossing to the barrier island and beach until it was bridged by the Jacksonville and Atlantic Railway in the 1880s.
You can see homes on the far shore, mostly tucked into the trees, and the sweep of this shoreline on the estuary.
River observation deckReturning along the boardwalk, take a left to a final overlook of the estuary and river. Then resume the gradual slope to the island.
Osprey perch in the tallest snags, clutching the day’s catch or calling out to their mates.
Returning along the boardwalkPass Southern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) so laden with berries seasonally the tips of the trees look like they’re frosted.
Birds warble continually in the pines. Rejoin the sidewalk trail after 0.6 mile and turn right, walking by a too-faded-to-read interpretive sign.
End of the boardwalkCurving beyond what was the tricolor heron marker, the trail forks past a Southern magnolia. Keep right and reach a bench very quickly.
The track painted to the sign is for the Eastern diamondback rattler, a resident we’d rather not stumble across here.
Fork for a little loop in the trailContinue the meander through thickets of saw palmetto. Past the horned owl sign, footprints lead to the last interpretive marker: humans in the habitat!
Walk through more myrtle and the loop ends just around the corner. Return along the sidewalk the way you came, noting the many wildflowers in the understory.
Morning glory in bloomDespite the nearby proximity of busy US 90 and its bridge over the Intracoastal, the estuary has a dampening effect on traffic noise.
Leave the island by crossing the bridge. Turn left and walk along the pathway to the interpretive sign at the turnaround in the road.
Leaving the islandJust past its discussion on mosquitoes is a kiosk with a map of the paddling route on the San Pablo River, showing how it connects with more county and city parks.
Walk out on the long boardwalk to the put-in platform for paddlers for a view of the estuary at water level. Reflections abound in the surrounding waters.
Kiosk with water trail mapTurn left and ascend the ramp to a final observation deck, which has interpretive panels about the creation of the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville.
Follow the sidewalk adjoining the park road back to your vehicle at the nature center to complete this mile hike.
Final observation deckTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Castaway Island
Slideshow
See our photos of Castaway Island Preserve
Nearby Adventures
Dutton Island Preserve Discover a different perspective on Atlantic Beach on this island preserve in the middle of the San Pablo River estuary east of downtown Jacksonville.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park With cool ocean breezes and a plunge in the surf after your hike, the 2.7-mile hiking loop at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Jacksonville is a great choice for a summer outing
Fort Caroline At the site of the original French settlement in Florida, explore the rich natural and cultural history of the region at the Timucuan Preserve visitor center, Fort Caroline, and its interpretive nature trail.
Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens For a surprising diversity of habitats and hilly terrain, the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is a hidden treasure for hikers and a bonanza for botanical delights
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