Ocean Watch is nestled within Florida’s barrier sea islands, and is located just minutes from 10 different Federal, State, and City Parks, including the adjacent 46,000 acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. These parks & preserves dominate the area, giving a true sense of a forgotten “Old Florida.” There are countless opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and sunbathing. At Ocean Watch you can enjoy all the luxuries of modern life, yet are within minutes of being taken back thousands of years while experiencing the area’s rich history and pristine natural surroundings.
Ocean Watch is located on Batten Island, home to a 19th century settlement called Pilot Town, a community of skilled river pilots who navigated ocean vessels through the shifting currents of the bar at the mouth of the St. Johns River. This area has been inhabited for more than 6,000 years, and was once the home of the Timucuan Indians. The first European explorers to the area were the French Huguenots in 1562. Over the next several hundred years the French, Spanish, and British played a role in many stories of exploration, survival, religious disputes, and territorial battles.
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
http://www.nps.gov/timu/
Ft. George Island Cultural State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortgeorgeisland/default.cfm
Kingsley Plantation
http://www.nps.gov/timu/historyculture/kp.htm
Huguenot Memorial Beach Park
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Parks+and+Recreation/Recreation+Activities/Huguenot+Memorial+Park.htm
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Parks+and+Recreation/Recreation+Activities/Hanna+Park/default.htm
Little Talbot Island State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland/default.cfm
Big Talbot Island State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bigtalbotisland/
Amelia Island State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/nassausound/default.cfm
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/ameliaisland/default.cfm
Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/pumpkinhill/default.cfm |
