Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Properties
Explore the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW)
The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a navigable waterway that runs approximately 1200 miles from Norfolk, Virginia to Key West. It is used as a protected water route for boaters who don’t want to risk the open ocean trek along the coast. Some sections along the route have been cut to provide this continuous safe-water passage, and some sections occur naturally, such as behind barrier islands. The section of the ICW behind Anastasia Island occurs naturally, though a 150ft wide deep-water channel is dredged the length of it to maintain a safe depth for light-draft vessels. Other than this deep-water channel, the inland waters of Anastasia Island is comprised of vast marshland and shallow sandbanks. So, unlike the properties that front the Atlantic Ocean, there are no white sandy beaches for properties that front the ICW. Most of these properties, though, do boast a spectacular view of sunsets over the waterway.
This section of the ICW is often referred to as the Matanzas River.
This ICW side of the island has three main types of water-front properties: properties with deep-water frontage, properties with marsh-frontage, and properties with canal-frontage. These distinctions are important largely because of what they offer boaters.
canal-frontage properties
The properties with canal-frontage are properties within neighborhoods that were designed to give the owners access to the deep-water ICW without the price tag of being directly on it. Boaters travel through a series of canals that eventually reach the deep-water. Some of these canals are only navigable at certain tide levels.
marsh-frontage PROPERTIES
The properties with marsh-frontage are generally without access to the deep-water ICW, but a few of these are allowed docks to nearby tidal creeks that could be navigated, again, depending on tides and boat size.
deep-water frontage PROPERTIES
Finally, there are properties with deep-water frontage. This means that the deep-water channel may be directly off the shore, but it may also mean that the deep water is a football-field away. The properties with this designation have the deep-water channel of the ICW near enough to their shore where a dock can be built for a boat that can be in the water and used regardless of tides. These are the prized properties on the ICW shore of Anastasia Island.
The Davis Shores neighborhood at the north end of the island has many of these deep-water frontage properties. They are very close to the St Augustine Inlet and Atlantic Ocean. This is preferred by some boaters who want quick and easy access to the open ocean. Davis Shores being somewhat of a peninsula offers deep water properties at almost all directional orientations. East facing waterfront homes have a wonderful view of the sunrise and more shade in the afternoons. West facing waterfront homes have views of the sunsets overlooking downtown but lacks shade in the afternoon. The views and proximity to downtown St Augustine are two of the biggest plusses for here.
Southern Anastasia Island ICW
Most of the properties at southern end of Anastasia Island ICW shore have a spectacular western view with this deep-water frontage. Some of these properties front right on A1A, and others are a few of blocks away within small neighborhoods. Anastasia Island is narrow enough in this southern section that a walk to the beach can be very short. As you may have read on our “Anastasia Island” page, this area is our favorite. The lots are larger and more private, the beach is less crowded and the fishing is spectacular.