Nocatee is a sprawling planned community situated primarily in St. Johns County, Fla., extending slightly into Duval County and separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Guana River Preserve. The community integrates over 50 neighborhood villages, each with its own character, home styles, and builders. 

Buyers perusing Nocatee and its villages will find a sprawling selection of single-family homes, townhomes, luxury estates, and other dwellings built by regional and national home-builders. Architectural styles are typically regulated by community guidelines to maintain a cohesive and attractive streetscape. 

Nocatee’s commitment to green spaces is a standout feature. The design emphasizes preserved open space: approximately 60% of the site remains in conservation or natural areas. In addition to those undeveloped areas, locals enjoy access to a continuous network of multi-use pathways and greenway trails. This emphasis on connectivity ensures that residents can travel between their homes, the amenity centers, and the retail districts without relying solely on automobiles. 

Altogether, Nocatee spans over 13,000 acres and is considered one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in the United States. With proximity to Atlantic beaches, golf courses, major airports, and Jacksonville, Nocatee offers both coastal access and commuter convenience. The community's self-contained nature and its high concentration of amenities distinguish it within the Northeast Florida region. 

Overall, Nocatee offers an integrated living experience where residents can live, work, and play within the community’s boundaries.

At Nocatee, the amenity package is crafted to match resort-style expectations. The central Splat Pad and Splash Water Park are the major aquatic hubs. The Splash Water Park features a large resort-style pool, a 330-foot zip line, a lazy river, and a water playground known as the Rip Tide Slide. The Nocatee Spray Park is another water-based destination with interactive fountains and play areas. Beyond aquatics, the Nocatee Community Park offers multiple athletic fields, including softball and soccer pitches, as well as tennis and basketball courts. The Nocatee Fitness Center gives residents access to strength and cardio equipment, as well as dedicated rooms for group fitness classes. 

Miles of paved greenway trails wind through the community, connecting to nature preserves and kayak launches. There are also dedicated dog parks, tennis and pickleball courts, and multiple neighborhood pools scattered through the villages. Residents can use golf carts to access central amenities, which contributes to a sense of cohesion across the different villages. The amenities cater to both active and low-maintenance lifestyles, and the preserved natural landscape highlights how outdoor leisure is seamlessly integrated into Nocatee’s design.

Top amenities include:

Nocatee is one of the few communities where you can:

• Take your kids to school in a golf cart

• Spend weekends at a private waterpark

• Enjoy A-rated schools

• Be minutes from the beach

Education within Nocatee falls under the St. Johns County School District for the portions of the community in St. Johns County. Schools that serve the area include:

• Palm Valley Academy (just off Nocatee Parkway)

• Pine Island Academy (just south of Nocatee)

• Valley Ridge Academy (in Greenleaf Village in the west part of Nocatee)

Each of these schools has an “A” grade on niche.com and serves students in grades K-8. For high school, students typically attend Allen D. Nease High School in the St. Johns County portion of Nocatee. 

In the segment of Nocatee within Duval County, zoning falls to:

• Bartram Springs Elementary (grades pre-K to 5)

• Twin Lakes Middle (grades 6 to 8)

• Atlantic Coast High (grades 9 to 12)

The developers of Nocatee incorporated school sites and access into the overall blueprint, ensuring that many neighborhoods are within a short ride to assigned campuses.

The park system in Nocatee is extensive and designed to serve the community's size and outdoor focus. Nocatee Community Park is a central amenity. It features paved walking trails, open lawns, and fields for team sports, providing a versatile space for exercise and recreation. The park is situated near the major amenity centers, making it easily accessible for most residents.

The community is also defined by its commitment to natural preservation — as mentioned, over 60% of the land area remains in conservation. Among them is the Twenty Mile area, one of the earliest phases, defined by mature oak canopies and large estate lots set adjacent to preserve land. The Nocatee Preserve is a protected area that includes miles of nature trails and pathways through preserved wetlands and woods. This section of the park system is ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and quiet contemplation, offering a natural contrast to the built environment of the neighborhoods. 

The community incorporates approximately 300 acres of dedicated parks. Neighborhood-level parks are equipped with playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and open green space. These smaller parks ensure that every home is within a short walk of a green space, promoting daily use and enhancing the pedestrian network throughout the community. Walking and biking trails weave through woods and wetlands, linking villages, parks, and amenity centers while providing residents the opportunity to experience the landscape rather than simply pass through it.

A Culinary Tour of Nocatee Town Center

Dining in Nocatee is centered around the thriving Town Center, creating a true culinary hub that caters to every taste and occasion. From the creative fusion dishes at Treylor Park to the handmade Italian specialties at Catullo’s Italian, the community offers a balanced mix of locally owned restaurants and popular regional concepts.

Whether you’re stopping by The Kookaburra for a morning coffee and meat pie, meeting friends for tacos at Anejo Cocina, or enjoying fresh seafood at Timoti’s, Nocatee’s walkable, golf-cart-friendly dining district ensures exceptional food is always just minutes away.

Full-Service Restaurants

14 Prime: (Steakhouse) An upscale, modern steakhouse offering prime cuts, a refined wine list, and an elegant atmosphere for special occasions.

Anejo Cocina Mexicana: (Mexican) A vibrant, high-energy spot known for craft margaritas, authentic street tacos, and traditional Mexican entrees with a contemporary flair.

Catullo’s Italian: (Italian) Famous for handmade pasta and artisanal sauces, this local favorite brings authentic, high-end Italian dining to the heart of the community.

Chophouse at Nocatee: (Steak & Seafood) A premium dining experience featuring a rooftop bar, high-quality steaks, and fresh seafood in a sophisticated setting.

South Kitchen & Spirits: (Southern) A staple for Southern comfort food, offering everything from fried green tomatoes and shrimp & grits to an extensive craft cocktail menu.

Treylor Park: (American Fusion) A "hip" and quirky eatery known for unique twists on comfort food (like PB&J wings) and a lively indoor/outdoor bar scene.

The Loop Restaurant: (Casual American) A family favorite specializing in high-quality burgers, hand-tossed pizzas, and fresh salads with a spacious outdoor patio.

Tijuana Flats: (Tex-Mex) A fast-casual spot famous for its "Hot Sauce Bar," customizable burritos, and laid-back atmosphere.

Dick’s Wings & Grill: (Sports Bar) The go-to neighborhood spot for chicken wings, cold beer, and catching the big game on numerous big-screen TVs.

Cafe, Coffee & Bakery

The Kookaburra: An Australian-inspired coffee shop serving specialty espresso drinks and their signature "Aussie Meat Pies."

First Watch: A daytime cafe focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients, offering everything from avocado toast to power bowls.

Panera Bread: A convenient hub for sandwiches, soups, and fresh-baked breads, complete with a drive-thru for residents on the go. 

Starbucks: Located in the heart of the Town Center, offering standard coffee favorites and a bustling outdoor seating area.

Clean Juice: A certified organic juice bar serving cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, and healthy wraps for the wellness-minded.

Dunkin’: A classic stop for morning coffee and breakfast sandwiches, conveniently located for morning commuters.

Fast Casual & Specialty

Salata (New for 2026): A built-to-order salad kitchen offering over 50 fresh toppings and house-made dressings. 

SoFresh (New for 2026): Focuses on keto, paleo, and vegan-friendly bowls and wraps prepared with high-quality proteins like ahi tuna and grass-fed steak.

Timoti’s Seafood Shak: A local favorite for wild-caught seafood, including tacos, po' boys, and baskets, with a dedicated play area for kids.

Bronx House Pizza: New York-style pizza by the slice or the pie, known for its thin, crispy crust and premium toppings.

Jersey Mike’s Subs: Famous for their "Mike's Way" sliced-to-order sub sandwiches and fast, friendly service.

Tank’s Sushi Bistro: Offers a wide variety of fresh sushi rolls, sashimi, and traditional Japanese kitchen entrees in a sleek, modern space.

Ben & Jerry’s: A classic scoop shop featuring iconic flavors, sundaes, and ice cream cakes for a post-dinner treat.

Mayday Ice Cream: A handcrafted ice cream shop known for unique flavors and homemade waffle cones.

Nocatee’s nightlife is understated, centering primarily on community gatherings and evenings out near Town Center. The wine bar Coastal Wine & Tapas, which opened in 2025, offers small plates and curated wines for an informal evening out. Craft beer enthusiasts can visit Really Good Beer Stop, located inside the Town Center, where rotating taps and bar seating provide a casual gathering spot.

For more extensive nightlife options, residents travel to nearby established areas. Ponte Vedra Beach has bars and restaurants that stay active later into the evening, often featuring live music on weekends. St. Augustine, with its historic downtown core, has wine bars, traditional pubs, and live entertainment venues. Access to these adjacent, more established scenes ensures that Nocatee residents have options for evening entertainment without needing to travel into downtown Jacksonville.

The heart of retail and restaurants in Nocatee is the Nocatee Town Center, which bustles with a consistent flow of residents handling daily errands and meetings. The center includes a major grocery store, a selection of quick-service restaurants, and professional service offices. The town center's layout promotes walkability, with storefronts facing the sidewalks and featuring open-air gathering areas.

Dining options range from casual to more upscale, with restaurants such as Anejo Cocina Mexicana, Catullo’s Italian, and Bronx House Pizza serving a variety of cuisines and reflecting recent retail expansion phases. For a broader range of culinary experiences, residents often utilize the established dining scenes in nearby Ponte Vedra Beach or St. Augustine. Ponte Vedra Beach, in particular, offers upscale dining experiences and restaurants specializing in fresh coastal cuisine, complementing the fast-casual options available within Nocatee.