MAYPORT, FLORIDA

Mayport is located at the mouth of the St. Johns River about 25 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida.

It is a small working fishing village in the shadow of Naval Station Mayport, one of the largest naval ports on the Atlantic coast.

Vintage Postcard Mayport Lighthouse

The easiest way to get to Mayport is to take State Road A1A north from Atlantic Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach until it dead ends at the river.

You will be in Mayport, and can take the car ferry across the St Johns River to a continuation of A1A that will take you up to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.

Continue scrolling for information on the car ferry schedule.

Mayport Carferry Across The St Johns River

Nobody knows for sure when Mayport was first settled. Guesses range from 1562 when the French first settled in the area to 1828 when the area started to grow. The original settlers were fishermen.

The historic lighthouse in Mayport was built in 1858, and there are several other historic buildings remaining in town.

St Johns River Lighthouse Mayport

Mayport developed a tourist industry in the late 1800s and sported several hotels and taverns.

The railroads used to go through Mayport, but they were abandoned in 1919.

There wasn't much going on in Mayport until World War Two.

Mayport Presbyterian Church

The sleepy village of Mayport was awakened in 1942 when the government dredged a harbor, built a runway and created Naval Station Mayport. 

USS Myles C. Fox, DDR829

When I was in the Navy years ago, I was stationed at Naval Station Mayport aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Myles C. Fox (DDR-829).

Old School in Mayport Repurposed to Marine Science Education Center

Many other ships were in the harbor at the same time including the aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Main road traffic to and from the village of Mayport does not go through the Naval base; base traffic largely heads south to the Jacksonville Beach area on a separate road.

U.S. Naval Air Station Mayport

The view above is of Naval Station Mayport looking west up the St. Johns River. You can see the village of Mayport along the river on the right hand side of the photo. The village is clustered along the single airstrip that serves the base.

SCHEDULE FOR MAYPORT CAR FERRY

The following image and information is from the St. Johns River Ferry website as of January 16, 2021.  

St. Johns River Car Ferry at Mayport, Florida

FROM MAYPORT VILLAGE TO FT. GEORGE ISLAND

Monday – Friday: 6:00 am, 6:30 am, 7:00 am and continuing on the hour and half hour, with the final departure at 7:00 pm.

Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am, 7:30 am, 8:00 am and continuing on the hour and half hour, with the final departure at 8:30 pm. 

FROM FT. GEORGE ISLAND TO MAYPORT VILLAGE

Monday – Friday: 6:15 am and continuing on the quarter after and quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 7:15 pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 am and continuing on the quarter after and the quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 8:45 pm.

For the most up-to-date information, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or check out our mobile app. 

The ferry operates every day, including holidays. 

Please check schedule frequently for holiday and special events extended hours at St. Johns River Ferry website.

RECOMMENDED MAYPORT RESTAURANT

Seafood restaurants have been part of the Mayport tradition since the very early days.

Singleton's Seafood Shack

You can be assured that the seafood you are being served is fresh, right from the boat. Singleton's Seafood Shack continues the tradition and has been doing so since 1969.

This is Old Florida dining, not fancy, lots of fried stuff, and styrofoam serving plates and bowls and plastic knives and forks and spoons.

READ MORE ABOUT SINGLETON'S SEAFOOD SHACK

---

Our Facebook page has more than 128,577 followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, tourist attractions, maps, lodging, food, festivals, scenic road trips, day trips, history, culture, nostalgia, and more.  We post articles every day.  Please check it out and if you like it, we would appreciate a "like" from you.

---