St. Augustine, FL · 30.0856, -81.3578 · 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.
6AM – 2PM
Optimal riding conditions
Flat Water
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 / 5
Boat Traffic
moderate
Launch
easy
Parking
Public ramp off Palm Valley Rd
Intracoastal section between Micklers and Vilano. Flat water, boat wakes.
Exceptionally sheltered ICW section. Dense hammock forests and mangroves along both banks block E/W wind. Deep central channel with shallow oyster bars on edges — stay in the dark water. Fetch under 0.5 miles prevents any significant chop even in high winds.
Wind Exposure
High-density forest canopy on both banks. Only N/S wind travels down the waterway axis.
Fetch & Chop Risk
Max fetch: 0.5 mi to the North-South (along ICW). Chop risk from: N, S winds.
Head north on the ICW toward Vilano. Glass-flat water, deep channel the whole way. Turn around at the bridge.
Head south into the GTM Reserve. Shallower and more winding — watch depth. Beautiful nature views.
Boat wakes from ICW traffic — stay alert
Shallow flats outside the channel at low tide
Crab pot markers — watch for lines in the water
Any conditions. ICW stays flat even when ocean and inlet are rough. Best on weekday mornings with minimal boat traffic.
Launch from Palm Valley boat ramp (public, free). Ride north toward Vilano for flat water. South toward GTM Reserve is beautiful but shallower.
ICW - Palm Valley · St. Augustine, FL · 30.0856, -81.3578
Sources: NOAA CO-OPS 8720218 (observed) · NOAA Buoy 41117 (observed) · NOAA Tides (8720218)