Shearwater St Augustine: A 2026 Neighborhood Guide

If you have spent any time house hunting in northwest St Johns County, you have already heard the name. Shearwater St Augustine has become one of the most talked-about master-planned communities in Northeast Florida, and for good reason: it pairs resort-level amenities with top-rated schools and a mix of homes that runs from townhomes to spacious single-family estates. This guide walks through where Shearwater sits, what life inside the gates actually looks like, what homes cost in 2026, and who the community fits best.

Where Shearwater Sits in St Johns County

Shearwater is a roughly 1,500-acre community in the St Johns area (zip code 32259), tucked between the St Johns River corridor and the fast-growing County Road 210 stretch. Freehold Communities began developing it in 2015, and the plan calls for around 2,782 homes at full build-out, so there is still new construction moving alongside a healthy resale market.

The location is the quiet superpower here. You are close enough to reach Jacksonville job centers, Ponte Vedra beaches, and historic St Augustine without living on top of any of them. About 600 acres of the property is preserved wetlands and habitat, which means the trails, tree canopy, and creek access are baked into the design rather than squeezed in later. If you are weighing Shearwater against nearby options, our roundup of the wider St Johns County market covering Palencia, Nocatee and World Golf Village is a useful companion read.

The Amenities That Define Shearwater

Amenities are where Shearwater separates itself. The heart of the community is the Kayak Club, an amenity campus built around water and movement rather than a single clubhouse. Highlights include:

• A lagoon-style resort pool plus a multi-lane lap pool for laps and swim practice.
• The Perch, a three-story water slide tower that anchors the pool complex.
• The longest lazy river in Northeast Florida, a genuine draw on hot summer weekends.
• A Fitness Lodge, tennis and pickleball, playing fields, and dog parks.
• About 15 miles of trails winding through preserved habitat, with canoe and kayak access to Trout Creek.

The practical takeaway: families here tend to use the amenities daily, not just on tour day. That constant activity is part of why resale demand stays strong even when the broader market cools.

Homes and Prices in Shearwater (2026)

Shearwater is really a collection of smaller neighborhoods under one umbrella. A few pockets are exclusively townhomes, while the rest are single-family streets, with floor plans ranging from compact three-bedroom homes up to roughly 3,800 square feet with five or six bedrooms. That spread is what lets the community serve first-time buyers and move-up families on the same trail system.

As of mid-2026, the median list price in Shearwater sits near $518,500 across roughly 46 active listings, or about $239 per square foot. The median sold price over the prior twelve months came in around $480,000. Townhomes and smaller plans open the door in the low $400s, while larger new-construction estates push well past $600,000. You can see what is available right now on our St Johns County 32259 home search, and filter specifically for new-construction homes in St Johns County if you want a builder inventory home.

Because Shearwater still sells new alongside resale, it is worth thinking through the trade-offs before you tour. Our guide to new construction versus resale in Northeast Florida breaks down warranties, negotiation room, and timelines so you walk in knowing which path fits your budget.

Schools Near Shearwater

Schools are a major reason buyers choose this corner of St Johns County. The district is consistently one of the highest-rated in Florida, and Shearwater is zoned for Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle, and Bartram Trail High School. The standout is Trout Creek Academy, a K-8 school built on land dedicated inside the community, so many families walk or bike to campus. For a fuller picture of ratings and boundaries, see our complete 2026 guide to the best schools in St Johns County.

Who Shearwater Is Best For

Shearwater rewards buyers who want an active, amenity-rich lifestyle and plan to stay a while. It fits growing families who value the schools and the pools, remote professionals who want space plus trails, and move-up buyers trading a smaller home for a community feel. If you are comparing it against Nocatee, another Freehold-adjacent giant just south, our neighborhood-by-neighborhood Nocatee guide is worth a side-by-side look. And if you are relocating from out of state, start with our St Augustine area relocation guide to get oriented before you tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Shearwater located?
Shearwater is a master-planned community in northwest St Johns County, Florida (zip code 32259), positioned between Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, and historic St Augustine.

How much do homes in Shearwater cost in 2026?
Median list price is around $518,500 (about $239 per square foot), with townhomes and smaller plans starting in the low $400s and larger new-construction homes rising past $600,000.

What schools serve Shearwater?
The community is zoned for Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle, and Bartram Trail High School, plus Trout Creek Academy, a K-8 campus built inside Shearwater.

What amenities does Shearwater have?
The Kayak Club offers a lagoon-style pool, a lap pool, the three-story Perch water slide, the longest lazy river in Northeast Florida, a Fitness Lodge, tennis, dog parks, and about 15 miles of trails.

Is Shearwater still building new homes?
Yes. Shearwater is planned for roughly 2,782 homes and continues to sell new construction alongside an active resale market.

Shearwater St Augustine offers a rare combination of amenities, schools, and home variety that keeps buyers coming back. When you are ready to compare floor plans or tour a few streets, use our home search tool to see live listings, or reach out to our team and we will help you find the right fit.