Intra-Coastal Restaurants by Boat?

Question

Is there a source for restaurants that are accessible by boat on the intra-coastal between Daytona & St. Augustine? We have enjoyed Captains BBQ and Caribbean Jacks but thinking there must be a few hidden gems within the channels? Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

Answer

Short answer: yes — there are a number of “dock-and-dine” places between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine and several good online resources and local marina guides that boaters use to find them. A few popular spots you already know (Caribbean Jack’s, Captain’s BBQ / Bing’s Landing) are boat-accessible, and St. Augustine’s waterfront (Cap’s on the Water, St. Augustine Fish Camp, Conch House, etc.) has several more — plus smaller, lesser-known places tucked into marinas and launch sites along the ICW and Tolomato/Matanzas rivers.

Where to look (best resources):

Boat/boater guides that collect “dock-and-dine” lists — e.g., Boatsetter’s local roundups and Waterway/BoatUS articles that call out boat-accessible restaurants along the Atlantic ICW. These are great for quick lists and short descriptions.
Individual restaurant & marina pages — many local restaurants explicitly state “visit us by boat” and show docking information (slip depth, marker numbers, transient dock rules). Check the restaurant’s own site or the marina’s page before you go. (Examples below.)
Local marina/municipal marina maps and Facebook/Instagram groups — great for up-to-date tips (where to tie, where to anchor, if the dock is transient or first-come). St. Augustine and Flagler County marina pages and local boating groups frequently post current info.
Navigation/chart apps (Navionics, Savvy Navvy, ActiveCaptain) — use these to plan your route, check depths, and identify marina entries and channel markers between Daytona and St. Augustine. They’ll also show marinas and transient dock availability.

Notable boat-accessible restaurants (examples along your stretch — good starting points):

Caribbean Jack’s (Daytona) — big marina & slips, welcomes boaters and hosts events; very boater-friendly.
Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing (Palm Coast/Flagler County) — water-accessible, casual BBQ at a popular landing — easy to find off the ICW near marker numbers.
Aunt Kate’s (St. Augustine area) — historic riverside restaurant with docks and tiers of decks on the Tolomato River; a classic “come by boat” dinner spot.
Cap’s on the Water (St. Augustine) — right on the Intracoastal with a scenic dock and multiple dining areas; commonly used by transient boaters.
St. Augustine Fish Camp / Conch House / Boathouse & other downtown St. Augustine riverfront options — a cluster of riverfront places near the municipal marina makes the old city an easy dock-and-dine destination.

Tips to make the run smooth and safe:

Call ahead. Even if a restaurant lists boat access, docks can be full or closed for events/repairs — calling ahead lets you confirm transient docking, depth at the transient slip, and any fees.
Watch channel markers and local regulations. Between Daytona and St. Augustine you’ll transit shallow spots, fixed obstructions, and marked channels — use charts/apps and local notice boards to avoid surprises.
Have an alternate plan. If the dock is full, know the nearest marina or a safe anchorage (or a “carry-out” plan) so the trip isn’t wasted. Municipal marinas in St. Augustine and Daytona commonly have transient slips.
Respect dock rules and lines. Tie and leave as instructed, tip staff for dock help, and be ready to move if a large transient needs the space. Many Florida waterfront restaurants are small and depend on quick turnarounds.

Final practical steps — a quick checklist for your trip:

Open a chart/navigation app and plot your planned day stops between Daytona and St. Augustine.
Check the restaurant’s website or call for updated dock/transient info (hours, fees, slip depth).
Scan local boating groups (Facebook/Instagram/ActiveCaptain) on the day of travel for last-minute tips (events, closures, best approach).

If you want, I can:

make a short, ordered “boat day” list of 6–10 stops between Daytona and St. Augustine (with approximate ICW marker references and which ones have transient slips), or
pull current slip/contact info for 4–6 specific restaurants you name and summarize docking instructions for each.

Enjoy scouting the ICW — there are a few hidden gems along that corridor, and with a little pre-call/checking you can easily build a great boat-to-lunch or sunset-dining hop between Daytona and St. Augustine.

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