Main Beach Park on Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Island

The City of Fernandina’s largest beach park, Main Beach on the Atlantic coast is located directly across the island from Fernandina’s historic district downtown on the Amelia River, with about 2 miles of sidewalks in between (via the Atlantic Avenue corridor, the prime east-west connector.)

While plenty of locals frequent the seaside here, this beach park seems to attract the most daytrippers who drive to this barrier island on the Florida-Georgia border to enjoy Amelia Island’s largest beach park with amenities. Beach parking is free here (and free at all island beaches, although the city of Fernandina may implement parking fees one of these days — the topic keeps getting kicked around). This particular city park offers public restrooms, outdoor showers, covered picnic tables with barbecues and gazebos positioned along a wooden boardwalk. In the sand are three red lifeguard chairs spaced along the ocean (or “towers” as they are called by the Ocean Rescue squad, who spend the summer season protecting the beaches here). CLICK ON MAIN BEACH PHOTO GALLERY BELOW, USE ARROWS TO FLIP THROUGH.

If you like walking or sitting along a beach boardwalk, the Main Beach boardwalk is the island’s only one of its type, running parallel to the dunes north-south. Lining the boardwalk are memorial benches. They’re a place ponder the messages engraved and to sit and watch a beach sunrise. A place frequented by folks who sit and read the newspaper, meet friends, put on flip flops when leaving the beach, or just relax and people watch at the oceanfront. There’s also a large expanse of rolling lawn fronting the ocean at Main Beach Park, an area where special events are held such as barbecue cookoffs and music concerts. Kids and parents enjoy the beachfront playground as well as the skate park with ramps for skate boarders. Gather up a few friends to play volleyball at the beach with nets in place, waiting for a game.

Also adding character to the beachscape here is the popular Putt-Putt mini golf that’s been a fixture at Main Beach for around 50 years (serving milkshakes, ice cream, snow cones and other beverages). Putt-Putt also holds tournaments, a source of fun for kids and adults alike here in the local community. Many would agree that much missed is the old waterslide, unfortunately torn down several years ago. (Another waterslide was to be built at Main Beach Park but fell victim to the Great Recession. Perhaps someday that project will be revived.) Also see 5-day weather forecast for Fernandina Beach, updated daily.

Completing the scene at Main Beach is a casual beach bar and restaurant, Sandy Bottoms, ready to serve beachgoers this summer with live entertainment daily and a new outdoor bar serving the oceanfront patio. (New for the 2011 summer beach season are some tables and lounges right in the sand).

Main Beach lifeguards will be on duty weekends in May, then daily from Memorial Day weekend through the long Labor Day weekend 2011 with hours 10 am to 5 pm on weekends and 11 am to 5 pm on week days. (Also read related article about Fernandina’s Ocean Rescue and where lifeguard towers are stationed at several other Amelia Island beach parks and beach regulations.) For those who bring dogs to Amelia Island beaches, keep pets leashed at all times and pick up after pets.

Main Beach Park is located toward the north end of Amelia Island at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Fletcher Avenue.

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