St. Augustine, FL · 30.0659, -81.3713 · NOAA 8720218
Wind
5
mph SSE
Air
68°F
Water
72°F
Waves
Flat
🟢 GO RIDE
Conditions are excellent for all skill levels
Light wind, protected water. Calm conditions. Great day to ride.
5 mph from SSE, gusting to 11 mph.
Flat — no significant swell.
68°F air, 72°F water. Comfortable for riding.
Tidal influence is moderate — water level changes but current stays mild in the marsh channels. Low tide exposes mud flats. Ride at mid to high tide.
6AM – 2PM
Optimal riding conditions
Tidal influence is moderate — water level changes but current stays mild in the marsh channels. Low tide exposes mud flats. Ride at mid to high tide.
Flat Water
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 / 5
Boat Traffic
low
Launch
easy
Parking
Nocatee community launch, small parking area
Protected ICW launch deep in the Tolomato River marsh system. Surrounded by marsh islands — extremely flat water.
Maximum protection. Deep in the marsh system with salt marsh islands surrounding the waterway on all sides. No fetch in any direction — wind cannot build chop here. The dark central channel provides 6-10ft of depth while surrounding flats are 1-3ft at high tide. The most sheltered eFoil spot in the St Augustine area.
Wind Exposure
Wide open Tolomato River with low marsh on both sides. Marsh grass offers no wind protection. Long north-south fetch means chop builds quickly. West bank has some tree cover from Nocatee development. Best on light wind days only (<10 mph).
Fetch & Chop Risk
Max fetch: 0.3 mi to the Along the channel. Chop risk from: N, S winds.
Follow the deep channel north through the marsh islands. Glass-flat water, incredible wildlife. Turn around when the channel gets narrow.
Follow the channel south to where it joins the wider Tolomato River. More open water with slightly more wind exposure. Great distance ride.
Shallow oyster bars outside the main channel — stay in dark water
Mud flats exposed at low tide — time your ride around mid to high tide
Marsh grass edges hide shallow spots
Any wind under 15 mph. The marsh blocks everything. Best at mid to high tide when the channel is deep and the flats are covered.
Small launch area in the Nocatee community. Carry board a short distance to the water. The deep channel (dark water) is your highway — follow it north or south. Avoid the light-colored shallow flats. Incredible nature — expect to see dolphins, manatees, and ospreys.
Nocatee Paddle Launch · St. Augustine, FL · 30.0659, -81.3713
Sources: NOAA CO-OPS 8720218 (observed) · NOAA Buoy 41117 (observed) · NOAA Tides (8720218)