St. Johns County spring break 2027 is March 15-19. Beach rules, GTM Research Reserve programs, parks and what is open in Ponte Vedra Beach that week.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: the St. Johns County School District 2026-27 calendar, St. Johns County’s beach rules, parks pages and summer camp page, and the GTM Research Reserve.

St. Johns County School District’s spring break is Monday, March 15, through Friday, March 19, 2027. Students are also off Friday, March 12, a teacher planning day, so most families get nine days in a row, from Friday, March 12, to Sunday, March 21. Classes resume Monday, March 22. Ponte Vedra Beach is unincorporated; St. Johns County runs its beaches, parks and libraries, and county questions go to 904-209-0655.

Spring break at a glance

  • Friday, March 12: student holiday; break begins
  • Saturday, March 13: GTM Family Seining, 9 to 11 a.m.
  • March 15-19: spring break, St. Johns County schools
  • Saturday, March 20: GTM Beach Exploration walk, 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Monday, March 22: classes resume
  • Friday, March 26: student holiday; libraries closed for Good Friday

The beach

Ponte Vedra Beach’s public beach access points are county parks, all open dawn to dusk:

  • Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park, 1109 Ponte Vedra Blvd., known for its pink coquina sand, with parking, restrooms, showers and an ADA dune walkover (county page).
  • Nease Beachfront Park, 3171 Coastal Highway, with parking, bathrooms, showers, a marsh boardwalk and a butterfly garden; the beach is across A1A (county page).
  • South Ponte Vedra Park, 3721 Coastal Highway, with a pavilion, grills and portable restrooms (county page).

The rules: alcoholic beverages, glass containers, smoking and vaping, balloon releases, fireworks and open fires are prohibited on St. Johns County beaches. Dogs are welcome on a leash at all times, including in the water, according to the county’s beach rules. County lifeguards post beach flags for water and surf conditions; the county notes that no flag does not mean no danger.

The GTM Research Reserve

The GTM Research Reserve visitor center, 505 Guana River Road, has an exhibit hall with aquariums and terrariums of local animals and is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; admission is $3 a group for ages 12 and up, and children under 12 are free. The trails and beach lots are open 8 a.m. to sunset daily for $3 a vehicle. Its monthly programs that fall around spring break (seining costs only the $3 parking fee; the beach walk has no parking fee):

  • Family Seining, second Saturday of the month (March 13), 9 to 11 a.m.: pull a net through Guana Lake and see the fish, crabs and shrimp it catches.
  • Beach Exploration, third Saturday (March 20), 9 to 11 a.m.: a volunteer-led beach walk that starts at the visitor center.

Details are on the reserve’s visit page. Guana Outpost South rents kayaks, paddleboards and bikes at the Guana Dam, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; it recommends reservations.

Parks and playgrounds

  • Bird Island Park, 101 Library Blvd., next to the library: boardwalk, playground, gazebos.
  • Davis Park, 210 Davis Park Road: playground and two dog parks.
  • Cornerstone Park, 1046 A1A N.: playground, tennis and basketball courts.
  • Nocatee Preserve, 501 Davis Park Road: more than 3 miles of unpaved trails.

All are county parks open dawn to dusk. See kids’ activities, parks and trails and free things to do.

Camps

St. Johns County Parks and Recreation had listed no spring break camp as of Oct. 10. Its summer camp lottery opens Feb. 22, 2027, before spring break, so plan ahead; see our summer camps and pools page.

What is open

County offices, libraries and parks keep normal hours during spring break week. The Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library, 101 Library Blvd., is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; it is closed Sunday (904-827-6950). Libraries close Friday, March 26, for Good Friday and Sunday, March 28, for Easter; see our Easter page.

What this means for you

  • Leave glass and alcohol at home; both are banned on the beach.
  • Keep dogs leashed, even in the surf.
  • Put Feb. 22 on the calendar if you want a county summer camp spot.

Frequently asked questions

When is spring break 2027 for St. Johns County schools?

Monday, March 15, through Friday, March 19, 2027. Students are also off Friday, March 12, a teacher planning day, so the break runs nine days from March 12 to March 21. Classes resume March 22.

Are dogs allowed on Ponte Vedra Beach?

Yes. St. Johns County welcomes dogs on its beaches, but they must stay on a leash at all times, including in the water, and owners must pick up waste.

Can you drink alcohol on St. Johns County beaches?

No. Alcoholic beverages, glass containers, smoking, vaping, fireworks and open fires are all prohibited on St. Johns County beaches.

Is there a spring break camp in Ponte Vedra Beach?

St. Johns County Parks and Recreation runs summer camps but had listed no spring break camp as of Oct. 10, 2026. Its summer camp lottery opens Feb. 22, 2027.