Goodby's Creek Boat Ramp
Along San Jose Boulevard on Jacksonville’s Southside, Goodby’s Creek Boat Ramp is one of the city’s most popular public boat launches. Officially the John T. Lowe Boat Ramp at Goodby’s Creek, it provides easy access to Goodby’s Creek and the St. Johns River, making it a favorite for boaters, anglers, kayakers, and paddleboarders. Open year-round, it’s just minutes from the San Jose, Baymeadows, and Mandarin neighborhoods.
History of Goodby's Creek
Goodby’s Creek has been part of Jacksonville’s history for more than two centuries. When the area was surveyed in 1792 for Francis Goodwin, the waterway was known as Azza Creek. Over time it became Goodmans Lake, then Goodbys Lake, and eventually Goodby’s Creek. Today it forms a natural boundary between the San Jose and Mandarin communities before flowing into the St. Johns River.
As the Southside saw rapid residential and commercial growth in the late twentieth century, preserving access to the creek became a priority. The City of Jacksonville acquired the property in 2002 and built the public boat ramp, which opened in 2006. A channel dredging project completed in 2007 improved navigation for recreational boaters. The ramp now sits on 4 acres and continues to serve thousands of visitors a year.
Location and Access
Launch Into the St. Johns River
The ramp’s biggest advantage is its direct connection to the St. Johns River. From the launch, visitors travel through the calm waters of Goodby’s Creek before reaching one of Florida’s longest and most iconic rivers. The facility includes:
- Four-lane public boat ramp
- Courtesy docks
- 43 boat trailer parking spaces
- Vehicle parking
- ADA-accessible facilities
- Canoe and kayak launch
- Picnic pavilions
- Restrooms
- Waterfront access
These amenities suit both experienced boaters and first-time paddlers.
Things to Do at Goodby's Creek Boat Ramp
Go Boating. The ramp offers quick access to the St. Johns River, an excellent launch point for fishing boats, pontoon boats, and other recreational vessels. Boaters can explore nearby coves, waterfront neighborhoods, and miles of navigable waterways throughout Jacksonville.
Kayak or Paddleboard. The calm waters of Goodby’s Creek suit kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding well. Paddlers often enjoy quiet mornings along the creek’s winding shoreline before venturing into the wider St. Johns River. A popular self-guided route runs about a mile east from the ramp and back.
Watch for Wildlife. Manatees are commonly seen in the creek during the warmer months, typically March through November, while ospreys, herons, egrets, turtles, and other birds inhabit the surrounding marshes and wetlands.
Enjoy Waterfront Views. Even without a boat, the ramp offers peaceful views of the creek and surrounding landscape, a good spot to watch boats come and go, photograph wildlife, or just relax by the water.
Nearby Attractions Worth Visiting
Goodbys Creek Preserve. Just north of the boat ramp, this 39-acre preserve protects wetlands and natural habitat along the creek. The Trust for Public Land acquired the site in January 2002 and deeded it to the City the same month. Walking trails and scenic overlooks let visitors experience one of Jacksonville’s preserved natural areas.
Historic Mandarin. A few minutes south, Mandarin is known for its riverfront parks, historic homes, locally owned restaurants, and oak-lined streets.
Walter Jones Historical Park. Nearby, this park features a restored nineteenth-century farmhouse, the Mandarin Museum, walking trails, and views of the St. Johns River.
San Jose Country Club. Just across Goodby’s Creek, this private club has been part of Jacksonville’s landscape since the 1920s. Its Donald Ross-designed golf course and surrounding neighborhood add to the area’s character.
IT Support for Local Businesses – Total Business Systems
Marinas, tackle shops, and other small businesses around Goodby’s Creek depend on steady connectivity and secure systems just as much as any office, whether that’s processing payments at the dock or keeping a reservation system online. Total Business Systems provides Managed IT Services, high-speed internet, and cybersecurity to businesses throughout Jacksonville’s Southside. As a trusted provider of Jacksonville IT Services, Total Business Systems tailors its solutions to businesses of every size in the area.
A Favorite Launch for Local Boaters
Goodby’s Creek Boat Ramp has earned a reputation as one of Jacksonville’s most convenient public launches, thanks to its central location and easy river access. Whether visitors are planning a full day on the St. Johns River or a peaceful paddle through the creek, the facility is a reliable starting point for outdoor recreation, and its proximity to neighborhoods, restaurants, and parks makes it an easy stop for families exploring the Southside.