Boneyard Beach: Visit a Florida Beach Covered in Twisted Trees

From a distance, Florida’s Boneyard Beach looks as though it is littered with the spindly bones of giant sea creatures. Boneyard Beach—which is located in Big Talbot Island State Park—is a tree graveyard dotted with the pale trunks and roots of washed-up cedar and oak trees which have been displaced by coastal erosion. Less than 200 years ago, the coast of Big Talbot Island State Park was heavily forested.

The skeletal trees of Boneyard Beach play an important role in preventing further erosion by fortifying the sand and breaking up ferocious winds and storm surge from powerful hurricanes. Nearby developed beaches which have been cleared of downed trees erode at a much faster rate than beaches like Boneyard, where uprooted trees create a natural barrier.

Located on Nassau Sound, Boneyard Beach offers a peaceful respite from the bustling beaches of nearby Jacksonville. Swimming at Boneyard Beach is prohibited, but visitors are welcome to walk among and even climb on the driftwood that lines the shore. Climbing on a giant piece of driftwood is a great way to get in touch with your inner child. Since Boneyard Beach is inside of a state park, removing driftwood is not allowed.

Boneyard Beach is a photographer’s dream, with an ever-changing array of sun-bleached trees that once stood tall. Visitors can also expect to spot numerous species of birds, such as piping plovers, ospreys, and terns. You may even be fortunate enough to see a bottlenose dolphin bobbing in the distance.

The best way to explore Boneyard Beach is to take a leisurely stroll. The Black Rock Trail—which is located on nearby Amelia Island—winds through a unique rocky beach that almost looks like the black volcanic beaches of Hawaii and Iceland. The uneven terrain is slightly harder to navigate than your average white sandy beach, but the striking landscape makes the extra effort worthwhile.

If you venture farther inland, you may be able to spot a white-tailed deer, an opossum, or even a bobcat. Big Talbot Island State Park is a protected wildlife preserve that is teeming with mammals, birds, and marine life.
When most people think of Florida, they think of sleek beaches, spring break party towns, and high-rise condominiums that tower over the ocean. Boneyard Beach is an important reminder that Florida still has many miles of rugged coastline that showcases the magnificent beauty and complexity of the ocean.

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