Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Mayport, Florida (Jacksonville)
Installation Type: Naval Station
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Station Mayport is located in Mayport, Florida, at the mouth of the St. Johns River on the Atlantic coast, approximately 20 miles east of downtown Jacksonville. The third-largest Navy base in the continental United States, Mayport homeports a significant number of Atlantic Fleet surface combatants including destroyers, frigates, and amphibious ships. Mayport Naval Air Station (now integrated as Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, FRCSE) historically provided carrier aviation support and continues to serve as a major fleet maintenance hub. Mayport provides Atlantic Fleet east coast diversity with its unique beach/river mouth location offering excellent quality of life.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Homeport and support Atlantic Fleet surface warships including destroyers, frigates, and amphibious ships; provide fleet aviation maintenance through Fleet Readiness Center Southeast; support Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic surface and aviation operations.
• Major Units: Naval Station Mayport (surface ship homeport); Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE, aircraft maintenance); Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) elements; Multiple surface combatant ships and squadrons homeported
• Tenant Units: Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville; Navy Expeditionary Combat Command elements; HSC helicopter squadrons (MH-60S/R); Naval Operational Medicine Institute elements; U.S. Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Jacksonville, FL (population approximately 950,000) – approximately 20 miles west; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – approximately 10 miles south; St. Augustine, FL – approximately 30 miles south
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) – approximately 30 miles northwest
• Gate Access: Main gate on Mayport Road (A1A); CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; vehicle inspection required at gate

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 15,000
• Family Members: Approximately 19,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 39,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Naval Hospital Jacksonville (NHJ) – full service hospital (located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, approximately 20 miles away); branch clinic at Mayport; NHJ provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care; Level 2 Trauma Center; pediatrics; obstetrics
• Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; also commissary at NAS Jacksonville
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; beach access (Atlantic Ocean directly adjacent); surfing; fishing (St. Johns River and Atlantic); golf; bowling; auto skills; Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach nearby
• Schools: Duval County Public Schools serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Duval County school quality varies; many military families choose to live in St. Johns County (Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine areas) which has consistently excellent schools but longer commute; Clay County (Fleming Island, Orange Park) also popular
• Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, Naval Station Mayport; appointment-based

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Navy Housing on base; privatized family housing; condition generally good; beach/river setting makes on-base housing particularly desirable
• Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Jacksonville area off-post housing is extensive
• Off-Post Housing: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, and Orange Park are popular communities; beach communities are preferred for quality of life; average rent approximately $1,600-$2,400/month for 3-bedroom home; Jacksonville area is moderately priced; Florida has no state income tax
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining ship or command; destroyer and cruiser squadron sponsorship programs; beach location is a significant quality-of-life draw for sailors
• In-Processing: Naval Station Mayport in-processing; typically 2-3 days; ship-specific check-in for sea duty
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; Jacksonville has Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Health system; UF Health North is a newer major hospital in north Jacksonville

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 90F/32C in July); mild winters (average low 44F/7C in January); Atlantic beach location provides sea breezes; hurricane season June-November (Jacksonville generally less vulnerable than Gulf Coast but risk exists); spring and fall are excellent
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Jacksonville is among the more affordable major Florida cities; beach community premiums apply near the coast; Florida has no state income tax
• Nearby Attractions: Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach (adjacent to base – among Florida’s most family-friendly ocean beaches); St. Augustine (30 miles) – the oldest European settlement in the U.S.; Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach (30 miles north, historic/charming); Ponte Vedra Beach and TPC Sawgrass (home of The Players Championship golf); Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens; downtown Jacksonville arts and entertainment; Daytona Beach (90 miles); Disney World/Orlando (2.5 hours)
• Spouse Employment: Jacksonville offers employment in healthcare (Baptist Health, UF Health, Wolfson Children’s), financial services (Fidelity, Bank of America), defense contracting, education, and retail; Florida’s business-friendly environment supports employment; FFSC assists

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nsmayport.html
• Main Installation Phone: (904) 270-5011
• MWR Website: https://mayport.navymwr.org (verify current URL)
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), Naval Station Mayport; (904) 270-5615; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support; deployment support programs

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nsmayport.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-station-mayport; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalStationMayport; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law