Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue Lifeguards Summer Season 2011
The start of the summer beach season of 2011 has officially begun on Amelia Island with lifeguards back on duty weekends in May and daily starting Memorial Day weekend. Lifeguards will be protecting beaches from 10 am – 5 pm on weekends and 11 am – 5 pm on weekdays through the summer (concluding Labor Day holiday weekend, ending September 5, 2011).
For those who want to go swimming in an area of shoreline with lifeguard towers, here are Amelia Island’s main public beach parks to visit (all offer free parking). The City of Fernandina Beach Fire Department’s Ocean Rescue Division will regularly staff lifeguards at the following beach parks:
Main Beach Park Has Three Lifeguard Towers
– North End Park (located on North Fletcher Avenue in Fernandina Beach)
– Main Beach Park at intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Fletcher Avenue. Three lifeguard towers, large parking area, restrooms, see more about Main Beach below (and see Amelia Island Living’s FACEBOOK photo album of Main Beach Park).
– Seaside Park at Sadler Road and South Fletcher Avenue (near Sliders bar & restaurant). New in 2011: public restrooms have been added in Seaside parking lot.
– Peter’s Point Park on South Fletcher Avenue (just north of the Ritz-Carlton hotel). Three lifeguard towers, large parking area, restrooms, indoor & outdoor showers, picnic tables. BYOH (bring your own horse.) Equestrians can park horse trailers, but look for more info at Nassau County website for required horse permits and rules.
– Scott Road beach access off Amelia Island Parkway (near Summer Beach Resort area).
– Burney Park at American Beach on the southed, turn on Gregg Street off First Coast Highway. (Restrooms, indoor & outdoor showers and picnic tables).
Boardwalk at Main Beach Park in Fernandina Beach
Ocean Rescue also patrol and respond to approximately 13 miles of beach, all the way from the north end of the island at Fort Clinch State Park to the southern point of Amelia Island. The Ocean Rescue Division of the Fernandina Beach Fire-Rescue Department employs approximately 35 seasonal Ocean Rescue lifeguards each year.
MORE ABOUT MAIN BEACH PARK
For those looking for beach access with a few concessions and activities (like opportunity to play a game of beach volleyball, putt-putt golf, and a place to get a drink or bite to eat at the beach), Fernandina’s public beach park with these offerings is Main Beach Park toward the north end of the island, (located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Fletcher Avenue). Read related article about Main Beach Park with photo gallery of this beach area.
Fernandina Beach Putt-Putt Golf at Main Beach Park
Here you’ll find Sandy Bottoms with oceanfront covered patio and a retro mini golf experience at Fernandina Beach’s Putt Putt (reminescent of yesteryear Florida, it’s been here for 50 years or so). Fernandina Beach Putt-Putt also serves milk shakes, ice cream, and other soft drinks. Main Beach Park offers public restrooms and outdoor showers, picnic tables, barbeques, gazebos, and children’s playground beachfront. Main Beach has guards on duty at three lifeguard stations during the height of the summer tourism season. Also see weather, tides surf conditions at Main Beach Park, Fernandina, updated daily.
BEWARE OCEAN RIP CURRENTS
When at the beach, pay attention to signs and flags warning ocean conditions (i.e. red flag, yellow flag, green flag, purple flag). Sometimes dangerous rip currents are present and swimmers can drown. Information about rip currents are posted at the beaches, also see more at the city of Fernandina’s website.
BEACH RULES — IT’S NOT BYOB. BUT THERE ARE BEACH BARS
Don’t bring alcohol to Amelia Island’s beaches. There’s no littering and no glass allowed on Amelia Island’s beaches. It’s unlawful for any person to consume or drink beer, wine, or alcoholic beverage at any County-owned or controlled recreation area. Possession of any open container holding an alcoholic beverage is prohibited. Violations are punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 and/or ten days incarceration. NOTE: Beachgoers can purchase drinks at two city beach parks. Sliders has a tiki bar outside steps from the beach at Seaside Park. At Main Beach, Sandy Bottoms is located oceanfront and new for summer 2011 is “serving in the sand,” a roped off area adjacent to their beachfront patio bar with tables and lounges on the beach where drinks and food are served.)
DOGS LEASH LAW
Dogs must be under a leash at all times at the beach and littering is prohibited. Bring doggie bags and pick after pets immediately. Pet owners not complying can be the recipient of an expensive ticket.
DRIVING ON AMELIA ISLAND BEACHES
Don’t drive on the beach unless you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Only drive in the limited designated areas where signs are posted (Seaside Park in the city, county beaches Peter’s Point, Scott Road, Burney Park) and also Amelia Island State Park at southern tip of the island. Plenty of tourists get stuck in the sand and require a tow truck, a common sight next to Sliders at Seaside Park. Non-Nassau County residents are required to obtain a permit to drive or park on county beaches. Permits can be obtained at the Nassau County Historic Courthouse on Centre Street in Fernandina (904-491-6430) or at Hall’s Beach Store (904-310-6124) located near Sliders at corner of Sadler Rd. and South Fletcher Ave. in Fernandina Beach. (No permit required for vehicle owners who are handicapped or disabled.)
More information about Fernandina’s Ocean Rescue team is available at the city of Fernandina’s website, www.fbfl.us.
Are you a shutterbug? If so, you’re likely on FLICKR. Also take a look at lots of photos of Amelia Island and Fernandina scenes at Amelia Island Living’s FLICKR photo stream.
