| This paddling trip takes you down the Salt Run from Anastasia State Park into the Matanzas River. Here you can paddle past the Castillo de San Marcos and the river front of the Nation's Oldest Permanent European Settlement. After paddling under the Bridge of Lions, you can continue to explore or paddle back to the State Park. Round trip is about 8 miles.  St. Augustine was founded forty-two years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts - making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.
The Castillo de San Marcos, built 1672-1695, served primarily as an outpost of the Spanish Empire, guarding St. Augustine, the first permanent European settlement in the continental United States, and also protecting the sea route for treasure ships returning to Spain. Although the Castillo has served a number of nations throughout its history, it has never been taken by military force Launch Site : Anastasia State Park Anastasia State Park is located off A1A, and just 1 1/2 miles from historic downtown St. Augustine. Entrance Fee $3.25  
Hazards: Heavy boat traffic with numerous personal water craft. Currents are strong near the Matanzas inlet, and did I mention the personal water craft? Satellite Overviews    
Paddling Views 
Castillo de San Marcos
from the water
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