Anastasia Island

 Southern Anastasia Island is our favorite. It is small in area and a very different character than the northern half. This area is much quieter and has more of the old Florida feel. State Road A1A is two lanes throughout this area which has reduced the commercial development. This whole area is outside of the city limits so St. Johns County is the only governing body. That means less restrictions and lower taxes. While you are not in close proximity to many stores and restaurants you do have much more privacy overall. The people who like this area prefer to live outside of the bustling area where it is quiet, and then take the short drive in on occasions. 

This southern portion of Anastasia Island is comprised of two main areas Crescent Beach and Butler Beach. The locals often group this together and call the whole area Crescent Beach. Crescent Beach makes up the very southern portion of the island and is just shy of 5 miles long. The island is very narrow for the majority of Crescent Beach, so for much of that there is one house on the ocean, and one house on the intracoastal with A1A dissecting the two. This means the vast majority of homes here are waterfront and most of the lots are 100’ feet wide. Butler Beach is more of a mix between Crescent Beach and St. Augustine Beach. The island here is still narrow enough to walk from the ocean to the intracoastal, however, it is wide enough to have non-waterfront beach neighborhoods between them. This is a good happy-medium location; you are closer in proximity to grocery stores and restaurants, yet still at the quieter end of the island. Lot sizes here are slightly smaller, so homes are closer together than the Crescent Beach area further south. 

  The northern half of the island is much larger in area and also denser and more commercialized. The downside of that is that you often have smaller lots and less privacy. The upside is significant though, you are in close proximity to not only historic downtown, but also many restaurants, grocery stores, and other activities. Within this northern half of Anastasia Island, there are 3 different municipalities: The City of St Augustine, The City of St Augustine Beach, unincorporated St Johns County. This matters for many reasons. The real estate tax rate varies greatly depending on which one you are in. The rules and regulations also very greatly. For instance, the two city districts have many restrictions about short term rentals, whereas the county does not. 

Davis Shores and St. Augustine Beach are two of the larger areas within northern Anastasia Island. They each have benefits and drawbacks for their residents. The neighborhood of Davis Shores is part of the St Augustine municipality. It is a wonderful area that abuts the Bridge of Lions, and puts you within walking distance to historic St. Augustine and many wonderful restaurants. However, Davis shores is low in elevation and very susceptible to flooding. Obtaining accurate elevation certificates and knowing which areas are the most prone to flooding is crucial for this area. St Augustine Beach makes up the largest portion of the island in total area and is comprised of many different neighborhoods. A lot of these neighborhoods are long-established developments with mature dense oak canopies that not only provide shade, but also maintain the character of these old beach communities. 

  Summer Haven is a very small island community immediately south of Anastasia Island and separated from it by the Matanzas Inlet. The Matanzas Inlet is a small un-dredged inlet meaning that the overall depth of water, and shape of the island is everchanging. The area has a diverse ecosystem of mangroves, salt marsh and sand flats. It is popular for fishing, boating, birding, and surfing. The Summer Haven community is filled with character and rich in history. Here you have an eclectic mix of classic old beach houses dating back into the 1800’s along with quite recent builds. 

  The largest portion of the island, it comprises various neighborhoods with established oak canopies, providing shade and character to these beach communities. Considerations vary based on municipal districts, impacting tax rates, rules, and regulations.