Description:

Built by the Spanish, from 1740-1742, the well-preserved masonry watch tower fort at Fort Matanzas National Monument provided a perch from which to observe enemy vessels approaching from the south. A half-mile nature trail offers sights of some of the natural habitat for wildlife that the preserve provides. This popular area attraction is located on a barrier island along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas estuary, and is reached by ferry.