Ferry Closure for Improvements
Haul Out Pushed Back to May 2
JTA will suspend St. Johns River Ferry service from January 25 to May 2, 2023 for routine vessel maintenance required by the U.S. Coast Guard. The maintenance schedule was pushed back from its original start date due to both supply chain issues for the vessel parts and to minimize downtime of the service for our customers as much as possible.
See full details about the closureSchedule
From Mayport Village to Ft. George Island
The St. Johns River Ferry departs every half hour.
On the Mayport Village side, it departs on the hour and half hour.
Monday - Thursday
6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday
6:00 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
From Ft. George Island to Mayport Village
The St. Johns River Ferry departs every half hour.
On the Ft. George Island side, it departs at quarter past the hour and quarter until the top of the hour.
Monday - Thursday
6:15 a.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Friday
6:15 a.m.- 8:45 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday
7:15 a.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Fares
Daily Fare
- Pedestrian / Bicycle $1
- Motorcycle $6 / $5.50 with MyJTA app
- Car - Weekday Fare $7 / $6.30 with MyJTA app
- Truck / Bus / RV - Weekday Fare $14 / $12.60 with MyJTA app
- Ticket Book - Car $120 / $100 with MyJTA app
- Ticket Book - Truck / Bus / RV $240 / $200 with MyJTA app
- Semitrailer Prohibited
Additional Weekend Fare
- Pedestrian / Bicycle $1
- Motorcycle $6 / $5.50 with MyJTA app
- Car - Weekend Fare $8 / $7.20 with MyJTA app
- Truck / Bus / RV - Weekend Fare $16 / $14.40 with MyJTA app
- Ticket Book - Car $120 / $100 with MyJTA app
- Ticket Book - Truck / Bus / RV $240 / $200 with MyJTA app
- Semitrailer Prohibited
*
“Car” refers to any vehicle under 20 feet long.
“Truck / Bus / RV” refers to any vehicle 20 feet long or longer.
Ticket books include tickets for 20 trips available to use 7 days a week (weekdays and weekends).
Pedestrians and bicycle Ferry passengers with a valid Senior or Reduced Fare ID STAR Card, or Paratransit E-STAR Card, can ride for a reduced fare of $0.50 every day. Passengers using any these cards must present it to the toll-taker prior to boarding. Full fare is required if the ID STAR Card or E-STAR Card is expired or not valid. More information on how to obtain an ID STAR Card or E-STAR Card can be found on the JTA Fares and Passes page.
Information
About the Ferry
JTA assumed operation of the St. Johns River Ferry on March 31, 2016. Since that time, we have worked to enhance the overall ferry service experience.
Save on Your Fare
Use the MyJTA app (available for iPhone or Android) to purchase your fare for the St. Johns River Ferry and receive exclusive discounts.
If you use the Ferry often, purchase a Ticket Book via the JTA store website, good for 20 crossings any day of the week.
And if you're a frequent rider, get the deepest discount when you combine the two and use the MyJTA app to purchase your Ticket Book!
Did you know?
When you board the Ferry, you are entering the Timucuan Preserve, which is part of the National Park System. You may see a park ranger on board from time to time. Click here to learn more.
Friends of the Ferry
On the weekends, the Friends of the Ferry provide ambassadors to answer questions about the area. If you would like more information about becoming an ambassador, click here.
A few of the projects we are pleased to share are listed below:
Mayport Slip
- New fencing around the fuel tanks
- Painting of signage and buildings
- Removal of obsolete structures
- Landscaping clean up
- Clean up of informational signs
- Upgrade of portable restroom facilities
- Pedestrian access to boarding area
Ft. George Slip
- Clean up of landscaping, trees, park, etc.
- Painting of signage and buildings
- Renovation of restroom facilities
- Restriping of queue lanes
- Removal of obsolete building
Ferry Details
The St. Johns River Ferry is a car and passenger ferry that connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A in Duval County, linking Mayport Village and Ft. George Island via a pleasant sail across the St. Johns River. The 0.9-mile voyage crosses the St. Johns River 2.5 miles inland of the river’s mouth. The trip takes roughly 5 minutes and departs every half hour.
Directions
Loading Dock Address
Mayport: 4680 Ocean Street, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233Ft. George: 9618 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226FROM NORTH OF JACKSONVILLE:
Travel South on I-95 to South I-295 East Beltway, Exit 362-A. Follow South I-295 East Beltway for approximately six miles to Zoo Parkway/Heckscher Drive (SR 105), Exit 41. Turn left (East) on Heckscher Drive (SR 105) and proceed for approximately 10 miles. Ferry entrance ramp will be located on the right at 9618 Heckscher Drive/SR A1A.
FROM YULEE/FERNANDINA AREA:
From Fernandina Beach, travel South on SR A1A for approximately 16 miles. Ferry entrance ramp will be located on the left at 9618 Heckscher Drive/SR A1A.
FROM SOUTH OF JACKSONVILLE:
Travel North on I-95 to North I-295 East Beltway, Exit 337. Follow North I-295 East Beltway to Merrill Road/SR 116, Exit 46. From exit ramp, turn left on Merrill Road/SR 116. Follow Merrill Road/SR116 for approximately 8 miles to SR A1A. (Note: Merrill Road will become Ft. Caroline Road, then McCormick Road, then Wonderwood Expressway.) Turn left (North) on SR A1A and follow for approximately 3.25 miles into the Village of Mayport. Ferry entrance ramp will be located on the left at 4780 Ocean Street/SR A1A.
FROM WEST OF JACKSONVILLE:
Travel East on I-10 (toward Jacksonville) to North I-295 West Beltway, Exit 356. Follow North I-295 West Beltway, crossing over I-95 whereby North I-295 West Beltway will become South I-295 East Beltway. Follow South I-295 East Beltway for approximately six miles to Zoo Parkway/Heckscher Drive (SR 105), Exit 41. Turn left (East) on Heckscher Drive (SR 105) and proceed for approximately 10 miles. Ferry entrance ramp will be located on the right at 9618 Heckscher Drive.
FROM THE BEACHES:
Travel North on SR A1A (SR A1A is 3rd Street in Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach) to Atlantic Boulevard. Turn left (West) on Atlantic Boulevard and continue for approximately 1.5 miles to Mayport Road/A1A. Turn right (North) on Mayport Road and continue for approximately 3.25 miles to the Mayport Road/SR A1A fork. Turn/veer left at the SR A1A fork and continue on SR A1A for approximately 4.5 miles into the Village of Mayport. Ferry entrance ramp will be located on the left at 4780 Ocean Street.
Security
ALL FERRY PASSENGERS:
For the safety of our crew and other passengers, please remain in your vehicle for the duration of the trip.
The health and safety of our customers and employees are important to us. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we're asking customers to join us in wearing masks when riding our services.
No Trash Dumping
There is no dumping of trash on the ferry decks or in the water. Discharging oil, trash or other debris into the water is prohibited by law.
No Smoking
Smoking aboard the ferry is strictly prohibited.
- Please drive on and off the ferry slowly. Vehicles should not exceed 3 mph.
- Walk-on passengers: please remain in the staging areas until given the signal to board/depart.
- Upon boarding the ferry, please pay close attention to the pre-departure safety orientation.
- Please turn off your vehicle engine, set your parking brake and remain with your vehicle until your toll has been collected.
- Do not tamper with any lifesaving or emergency equipment.
- Do not enter areas marked “Crew Only” or “Restricted Areas.”
- Small children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian while on ferry decks at all times.
- Please use caution when walking around the ferry as deck areas may become slippery when wet.
- Please use the handrails when on the stairs and boarding ramps.
- Please keep your hands clear of the railings during arrival and departure.
- Swimming, diving and fishing is strictly prohibited aboard the ferry.
- Motorcycle riders are required to remain with their motorcycle during the trip.
- During rough or severe weather, passengers should remain in their vehicles.
- Please do not stand between vehicles when the ferry is entering the landings.
- Do not sit or climb on the ramps, railing and bulwarks.
- No other animals are allowed on deck.
- No dogs may exit vehicles and be on the deck, except service dogs. They must be held. Note: Pedestrians who walk up with a dog on a short leash may stand at the back of the ferry away from other passengers if space allows. Large dogs (in the back of trucks) must be restrained or accompanied by owner.
Prohibited Items
- Hazardous Materials
(Title 49 CFR, Parts 170-180)
- Explosives or incendiary devices
(Title 33 CFR, Part 6)
- Chemical, Biological or Radiological Agents or Devices
(Title 33 CFR, Part 6)
- Unlawful or Illegally Possessed Firearms
(9.41 RCW)
- Illegal Fireworks
(70.77 RCW)
- Acetylene Tanks
- Semitrailers