Sunrise Bike Ride at the Beach, Amelia Island
Ready to escape to the seashore? Beaches, history, golf and coastal nature define northeast Florida’s barrier island, Amelia. While known for its beautiful, uncrowded beaches and the historic district of Fernandina featuring vintage Victorian-era architecture, Amelia Island is also a haven for golfers with eight area golf courses.
Amelia Island’s 13 miles of beachfront attract the most visitors during the peak summer months (June, July, August). For those who like to pedal around, many are delighted to discover another unique aspect of Amelia Island — bike riding at low tide right on Amelia Island’s wide, flat beaches. Many of the island’s bed and breakfast inns and luxury resorts have bicycles available to guests (plus there are bikes available for rent elsewhere on the island).
The island’s northend is especially suitable for casual bike riding with sidewalks parallel to the beach on South Fletcher Avenue (between Sadler Road and Main Beach), and crossing the island east to west from Main Beach Park to Fernandina’s downtown historic district (about a 2-mile ride across the island on Atlantic Avenue to historic Centre Street). Fort Clinch State Park near Main Beach is another excellent place to ride bikes (3-mile ride on the main park road from the entrance to the fort itself, so 6 miles roundtrip just staying on the state park’s main roadway, see more below about Fort Clinch).
Is horseback riding on the beach on your bucket list? Amelia Island is one of the few places in Florida where folks can ride horses right on the beach in the sand. If you’re interested in getting in the saddle, call Kelly Seahorse Ranch at (904)491-5166 for a reservation. The horse ranch operates out of Amelia Island State Park on the southern tip of Amelia Island.
Amelia Island, Florida, home to Fernandina Beach, holds claim to the oldest existing lighthouse, the oldest saloon, the oldest hotel in Florida and has one of the best-preserved 19th-century forts in America. Key historic landmarks to visit are the Amelia Island Lighthouse, Fort Clinch, and the downtown historic district including the Florida House Inn, and the Palace Saloon.
Both eco tourism and heritage tourism have grown in popularity and Amelia Island can satisfy the nature and historic explorer (see more further below).
Nature explorers should visit Egans Greenway, Fort Clinch State Park, and also experience a nature tour by water (see more below). A favorite pastime on Amelia Island is beachcombing to find natural treasures like shark’s teeth, starfish, shells, and sand dollars that wash up on Amelia’s shoreline.
Most would agree a vacation is not complete without indulging in fine dining and bar libations. Check out Amelia Island’s restaurants and evening entertainment from casual beach bars to the historic district pubs.
WILD-CAUGHT SHRIMP AND SHARK’S TEETH
Amelia Island, birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in America, is known for its wild-caught shrimp, shark’s teeth, and sea turtles that nest on its beaches. Commercial fishing shrimp boats bring their catch to Fernandina docks (and many of the local restaurants feature this fresh, regional culinary delight). The first weekend in May each year is the Isle of 8 Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach.
AMELIA ISLAND’S GOLF, TENNIS, & SPA LUXURY RESORTS
Omni Amelia Island Plantation is the largest oceanfront golf resort on Amelia Island offering 54 holes of golf, including oceanfront greens as well as play along the Amelia River with salt marsh vistas. Guests of the Ritz-Carlton can play the Golf Club of Amelia at Summer Beach.
Seeking some relaxation and pampering at Amelia Island’s luxury resort spas? The Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton’s spa features 27,500 square feet of indoor space and 5,000 SF outdoors with an extensive menu of spa treatments. The facility has 26 treatment rooms a fitness studio and movement studio for supervised classes and personal training. The Ritz-Carlton also has a private spa swimming pool for spa guests only. Inquire about spa services by contacting the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton at 904-277-1100 (non-hotel guests are welcomed for day spa treatments).
“Miles from stress — footsteps from the sea,” The Spa, at Omni Amelia Island Plantation, a 25-treatment-room facility, offers facial treatments, body treatments, massage, reflexology, and wet spa services such as Watsu massage and aromatherapy wrap, hydrotherapy, and Vichy showers. Not just for resort guests, the public is welcomed to enjoy spa treatments. Call Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s “The Spa” for reservations, toll free at 877-843-7722.
AMELIA ISLAND HERITAGE TOURISM
Take historic tours on foot (or take trolley or horse-drawn carriage rides within Fernandina’s historic district). It’s easy to picture in your mind’s eye images of late nineteenth century days past, when you take a stroll down historic Centre Street, the main corridor of quaint shops, called “downtown” by locals. In this enchanting 50+ block historic district of Amelia Island’s seaport village, one feels somewhat suspended in time — there still remains the aura of simpler days past. Licking ice cream cones, sipping gourmet coffee, nibbling homemade fudge and chocolates, and browsing the quaint shops, visitors seem to enjoy the relaxation and simplicity of Fernandina’s historic downtown district. There are boutiques, art galleries and antique shops to explore.
Guided tours of Fernandina’s historic district are available through the Amelia Island Museum (including a pub crawl and ghost tour). Learn about Amelia Island’s history from well-versed museum docents at the museum itself and also on walking tours through the historic district (over 450 homes, buildings, structures on the National Register of Historic Places) of Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Island Museum is noted as Florida’s first oral history museum. The Amelia Island Museum of History is located at 233 South 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida. Call (904)261-7378 for additional information about tour schedule and hours of operation. Amelia Island Trolleys also offers narrated tours of the historic district for those who wish to ride.
LEISURELY HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES
For a unique perspective of historic downtown Fernandina, take a horse-drawn carriage ride with Old Towne Carriage (904-277-1555), while you listen to an oral history tour of the historic district. This is a special treat for children and adults alike! There are not many things that can transport one back in time more than riding in a carriage with the sound of clip-clopping hooves in Fernandina Beach.
FORT CLINCH STATE PARK
If you want to see the one of the most natural areas of Amelia Island, check out Fort Clinch State Park — the park has beautiful beachfront on both the Atlantic and Cumberland Sound. The Atlantic Ocean beachfront at Fort Clinch is accessible by wooden walkways over what is probably the island’s largest remaining area of undisturbed natural dunes. Fort Clinch is a must-see attraction on Amelia Island, with over 1,200 acres, a half-mile long fishing pier, historic fort tours, picnic area with playground equipment, hiking and biking trails. The entry fee for Fort Clinch State Park is $6.00 per vehicle, 2 to 8 passengers. Fort Clinch State Park is open daily from 8 am until sunset. Tour the historic fort itself for an additional $2 per person.
The Amelia Island area is a wonderful place for exploring bird life. Right here on Amelia Island, you’ll discover the “gateway” of the East Florida Birding Trail, part of a 2,000 mile trail that extends throughout the state. Amelia Island’s Fort Clinch State Park (904)277-7274 is the gateway. Other great spots for bird watching is Egans Greenway and Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s Nature Center offers many guided nature excursions including bird watching.
Like sleeping under the stars? A camping adventure awaits you at Fort Clinch State Park, with some campsites just steps away from the riverfront and great fishing spots.
AMELIA ISLAND ECO TOURISM FOR NATURE LOVERS
Take a self-guided nature tour or be accompanied by a Naturalist. Many are attracted to the simplicity of being outdoors and appreciating nature and educational travel, as people try to “de-stress” and get back to life’s simple pleasures. For those who love the water, Fernandina Beach offers nature cruises and charter fishing allowing visitors to enjoy boat rides and coastal nature on the water around Amelia Island.
EXPLORING AMELIA ISLAND NATURE BY WATER
Amelia Island’s area waterways (Atlantic Ocean, the Amelia River/intracoastal, Nassau Sound, Cumberland Sound, St. Marys River), and the island’s Egans Creek and salt marsh offer abundant opportunities to observe wildlife and flora. Amelia River Cruises (904)261-9972 offers nature tour cruises (watch a video). See salt marshes, riverbanks, the wilderness beachfront of Cumberland Island, Georgia, and get the chance to glimpse dolphins, manatees, shore and wading birds and the wild horses of Cumberland that often graze along its shoreline. They offer a variety of tours, including one at sunset.
KAYAKING AROUND THE AMELIA ISLAND AREA AND TALBOT ISLANDS
Another water adventure available to explore local nature is to take a kayaking trip with Kayak Amelia, 904-251-0016. Learn about coastal nature and regional eco-system while you paddle through area marshes and creeks. Kayak Amelia provides equipment, instruction, and no prior kayaking experience is required. They also have Stand Up Paddleboards, another water sport option. Note that Omni Amelia Island Plantation’s Nature Center offers kayaking excursions, too.
SPECIAL ANNUAL EVENTS ON AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA
Amelia Island also hosts several festivals each year (SEE FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS PAGE) including the ISLE OF EIGHT FLAGS SHRIMP FESTIVAL (MAY), WILD AMELIA FESTIVAL (MAY), AMELIA ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL (MAY-JUNE).
