Things to Do in Jacksonville in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Jacksonville
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Early spring weather brings comfortable temperatures in the mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit (18-23°C) during the day, perfect for outdoor activities without the oppressive summer heat that arrives by May
- Spring Training baseball is in full swing with the Jumbo Shrimp playing home games at 121 Financial Ballpark, giving you authentic local sports culture without the tourist crowds that descend during football season
- Beach conditions are ideal - water temperatures around 18°C (65°F) are swimmable for most people, and you'll actually find parking at Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach on weekdays, which becomes nearly impossible by June
- Hotel rates are typically 25-35% lower than peak summer season, and you can book quality oceanfront properties along A1A for $120-180 per night versus $200-300 in July and August
Considerations
- March sits squarely in spring break season for Florida schools (typically second and third weeks), which means beaches and family attractions like the Jacksonville Zoo get noticeably more crowded mid-month, particularly on weekends
- Water temperature at 18°C (65°F) feels refreshing to some but genuinely cold to others - you'll see plenty of people wading but fewer actually swimming compared to summer months, and you might want a wetsuit for extended water activities
- The 10 rainy days spread throughout the month means you're dealing with unpredictable afternoon showers rather than the reliable 4pm thunderstorms of summer - harder to plan around since they can happen anytime, though they rarely last more than 30-45 minutes
Best Activities in March
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve Kayaking
March offers ideal conditions for paddling through the 46,000-acre preserve's salt marshes and tidal creeks. The humidity sits at a manageable 70% (versus 85-90% in summer), and you'll catch the tail end of migratory bird season with herons, egrets, and occasionally roseate spoonbills. Water levels are typically stable, and the cooler temperatures mean you can comfortably paddle for 2-3 hours without overheating. The preserve sees far fewer visitors than summer months, giving you genuinely quiet waterways.
Riverside and Avondale Historic District Walking Tours
These early 20th-century neighborhoods are perfect for March exploration when temperatures peak around 23°C (73°F) - warm enough for comfortable walking but cool enough that the 5-8 km (3-5 mile) routes through tree-lined streets don't leave you exhausted. The historic bungalows and craftsman homes are surrounded by azaleas and dogwoods blooming throughout March. Five Points and King Street offer locally-owned shops and cafes for breaks, and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens provides an excellent indoor backup if afternoon showers roll in.
Fort Clinch State Park Exploration
Located 48 km (30 miles) north in Fernandina Beach, March brings the park's best weather before summer heat and mosquitoes arrive in force. The 1847 fort offers ranger-led programs on weekends, and the 10 km (6 miles) of hiking trails through maritime hammock stay comfortably shaded. Beach access on the north end provides some of the most uncrowded coastline in the Jacksonville area. The UV index of 8 means sun protection is essential, but the ocean breeze keeps things comfortable for the 2-3 hours you'll want to explore thoroughly.
St Johns River Sunset Cruises
March sunsets around 7:15-7:45pm (times shift through the month) provide perfect timing for evening river cruises without the late 8:30pm sunsets of summer that push dinner cruises uncomfortably late. The river downtown offers views of the Acosta and Main Street bridges lit up, and you'll often spot dolphins near the river mouth. The 70% humidity feels pleasant on the water with movement, and temperatures dropping to 15-17°C (59-63°F) by evening mean you'll want a light jacket but won't be fighting sweat.
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary Night Feeding Tours
This big cat rescue sanctuary offers Friday and Saturday night feeding tours where you'll see lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars at their most active. March evening temperatures around 15-17°C (59-63°F) are comfortable for the 90-minute outdoor tours, and the cats are noticeably more energetic in cooler weather compared to lethargic summer months. The sanctuary sits on the city's northwest side, about 25 km (15.5 miles) from downtown, and provides an unusual wildlife experience you won't find at typical Florida attractions.
Talbot Islands State Parks Cycling
The connected parks (Big Talbot, Little Talbot, Fort George) offer 32 km (20 miles) of paved and unpaved trails through coastal habitats. March conditions are ideal - firm trails after winter without the mud and puddles that come with summer's daily thunderstorms. The iconic Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island provides dramatic driftwood photography, and you'll encounter maybe a dozen other cyclists on weekdays versus summer crowds. Temperatures stay comfortable for the 2-4 hours you'll want to explore, and the tree canopy provides shade for 60-70% of trails.
March Events & Festivals
The Players Championship
This PGA Tour event at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach (32 km/20 miles southeast of Jacksonville) typically runs the second full week of March. It's one of golf's premier tournaments, drawing massive crowds to watch players tackle the famous island green 17th hole. Even if you're not a golf fanatic, the tournament atmosphere, practice round access (cheaper tickets, more relaxed), and the spectator-friendly course layout make it worth experiencing. Traffic around Ponte Vedra becomes genuinely difficult during tournament week.
Jacksonville Film Festival
Usually scheduled for late March, this week-long independent film festival screens 80-100 films across multiple downtown venues including the historic San Marco Theatre. It's grown considerably over the past five years and now attracts legitimate indie filmmakers and occasional recognizable actors for Q&A sessions. Single screening tickets run $12-15, festival passes $75-150. Worth checking the lineup if you're in town - it provides an interesting counterpoint to Jacksonville's sports-heavy culture.