At Mile 796.6 is the oceanarium at Marineland where many types of marine life are exhibited; an admission fee is charged. On the east side of the waterway a privately marked channel, with a reported controlling depth of 7 feet in 1993, leads to the Marineland marina and boat slip. Berths at the marina are just southward of the boat slip. Depths of 6½ feet are reported alongside. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and limited marine supplies are available.
Navigation:
Click the “Map View” button above to see a chart of this location.
Matanzas Inlet is 11 miles southward of St. Augustine Light. It affords an outlet for Matanzas River, which extends northward to St. Augustine and southward, following the coast for a distance of 8 or 10 miles to Graham Swamp. The inlet is obstructed by a shifting bar, and breakers extend across the entire entrance in normal weather. However, in 1983, it was reported that with local knowledge about 3 feet could be carried through the entrance. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through a land cut of the Matanzas River just inside the entrance.
State Route A1A highway bridge across the inlet has a 41-foot fixed span with a clearance of 10 feet. An overhead power cable crossing on the west side of the bridge has a clearance of 32 feet. Fort Matanzas National Monument is about 1 mile northwestward of the inlet.
About a mile northward of Matanzas Inlet, near Mile 792.3, the waterway leaves Matanzas River and enters a land cut.
It is reported that navigation in the Intracoastal Waterway opposite the breakthrough at Matanzas Inlet at about Mile 794.0 is hazardous during flood and ebb tides. Signs reading DANGER TURBULENT WATER have been placed on the north and south of the inlet to warn mariners of this condition. Also, in 1992, severe shoaling was reported in this area.
About 2 miles southward of Matanzas Inlet near Mile 796.0, the Intracoastal Waterway re-enters Matanzas River.
