Sandcastle Sunrise Amelia Island
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (August 8, 2011) — August through September is primetime beach weather on Florida’s only sea island, Amelia. Ready for some island time?
The beach is within reach, an easy road trip for many in the southeast USA. Southern charmer Amelia Island is worth a drive for its 13 miles of Atlantic coast beaches and its historic riverfront city of Fernandina Beach. Featuring Victorian-era architecture and quaint main street called “Centre,” step back in time to yesteryear Florida (over 400 homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places). Click on photo gallery below to slow down the slideshow.
Southern living folks can take a relaxing island vacation but forgo the expense of flying (and also avoid pat downs at security gates and the shake down of luggage fees). If you haven’t gotten away yet, isn’t it time for a late summer road trip?
They do say opposites attract, and many folks take a break from theme park central – the Orlando area – and escape from the crowds to the coastal relaxation and simplicity of Amelia Island, just a 3 hour drive from Disney World. For Floridians considering a staycation in the state, set your GPS for the most northeastern spot in Florida, literally the coolest place in the Sunshine State. Explore the less commercialized, small-town Florida in Fernandina Beach, reminiscent of simpler days past.
A FAVORITE SEASCAPE OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA RESIDENTS
Amelia Island is to Atlantans what Martha’s Vineyard is to Bostonians and what Fire Island is to Manhattanites — an escape where the beach is a central lure, sea breezes seduce, one’s pace slows down to island time. For generations, Amelia Island has been a favorite seashore escape for Atlanta city dwellers and suburbanites. Vacationers driving from the Atlanta metro area can arrive on this northeast Florida barrier island within 5.5 to 6 hours.
Setting Amelia apart is its southern flair, higher odds of more sunshine than its northern counterparts, and warmer ocean temps that caress rather than cause goose bumps. Drag yourself out of bed early to watch a beach sunrise — truly amazing, when it’s clear. Plus, Amelia is favored for its greens — not just green lodging, but also its championship golf courses, the Fernandina Farmers Market, and abundant nature.
VACATION LIBATIONS, SEAFOOD, BIKE RIDING, AND THE BEACH
The daily rhythm of Amelia Island is a laid back, slower pace. Visitors escaping city life feel stress slip away at the seaside. There’s time spent at the beach or on the water. Leisure time lounging around the pool, browsing shops or enjoying a bike ride. When on vacation, people tend to treat themselves and indulge. Some with food and drink, and others with shopping excursions at eclectic boutiques.
Amelia Island has its share of fine dining restaurants along with a very special treat – the opportunity to eat wild-caught shrimp from area waters in Fernandina Beach, the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in America. Plus there’s southern fare — fried chicken, barbecue, grits, green fried tomatoes and sweet tea.
Like treasure hunting? A favorite pastime at the beach here is searching for fossilized shark’s teeth. Nature loves will also love Amelia’s buried treasure — in the nests on the beach, filled with sea turtle eggs. Attend one of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch nest excavations happening evenings in August and September (check the volunteer website for turtle dig schedule). There’s nothing like uncovering baby sea turtle hatchlings and watching them set free to the sea, a wonderful educational experience for the young and old alike (see video of a baby sea turtles released in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island Living’s FACEBOOK page).
Other fun island adventures are riding bicycles right on the beach at low tide with its wide, flat shoreline (bike rentals available), and horseback riding on the beach. Kelly Seahorse Ranch at Amelia Island State Park on the southern tip of the island takes folks out on horseback right in the sand along the shoreline. Or get out on the water for a paddling with Kayak Amelia (new this year, they also offer Stand Up Paddle Boarding, besides kayaking).
Naturally, there’s “Happy Hour” enjoyed poolside at luxury resorts, by the salty sea at casual beach bars to the downtown historic district pubs and inns. Folks are usually in the mood for vacation libations, pretty in pink and other shades of the palette with playful names like “Pirate’s Punch” (Palace Saloon’s signature rum drink), and the “Hoytie Toytie” (a martini offered at Hoyt House).
HISTORIC LANDMARKS, TOURS, SIGHTSEEING ON AMELIA ISLAND
Fernandina’s charming Centre Street and surrounding blocks are a must see when on Amelia Island with wonderful Victorian-era architecture, fine dining restaurants, pubs, boutiques, art galleries, and antiques, anchored by the Fernandina Harbor Marina on the Amelia River. Popular downtown are Fernandina Fantastic Fudge, the Palace Saloon (Florida’s oldest continually operating bar), historic tours led by Amelia Island Museum docents, horse and carriage tours, trolley tours, and boat tours by Amelia River Cruises.
Another must see is Fort Clinch State Park, with its natural maritime forest and Civil-war era fortress that can be toured daily. However, besides the historic aspect of visiting, this Florida state park also offers beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches, picnic area, biking and hiking trails, a half-mile-long fishing pier, plus excellent campground.
Amelia Island offers a diverse range of lodging, from historic homes turned into bed and breakfast inns, oceanfront condo rentals, beach cottage rentals, hotel franchises (Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, Comfort Suites), to the luxury golf and spa resorts including a Ritz-Carlton. For golfers, Amelia Island offers eight local area golf courses including 27 holes at the municipal Fernandina Beach Golf Club open to the public. The other luxury oceanfront resorts with golf and tennis (besides the Ritz-Carlton) are Summer Beach Resort and Omni Amelia Island Plantation. See the Amelia Island Tourist Council website for more information on hotel specials (check out the “any Night Free offer “valid at participating properties) .
The Amelia Island Lighthouse is the oldest in Florida, guiding mariners since 1839. On Saturdays, the lighthouse grounds are open for public viewing (but without the formal tour), from 11 am to 2 pm. A formal tour with presentation is held on the lighthouse grounds the first and third Wednesday each month at 10 am. Call the Fernandina Beach Rec Center at (904) 277-7350 for a reservation (required), with shuttle bus transportation to the lighthouse.
Like the Spanish and other European explorers who arrived by ship hundreds of years ago, some still come by sea in contemporary times. Mariners arrive at the Fernandina Harbor Marina or Amelia Island Yacht Basin.
Plan your own discovery of the “Isle of Eight Flags,” a barrier island coveted throughout history by those with a wanderlust and an eye for natural beauty. Amelia is an island with unique character in present day and plenty of interesting characters in its storied past (and a few still mulling about). Hit the highway to Florida’s sea island, Amelia. So close, but you’ll feel miles away!
GETTING THERE — DIRECTIONS TO AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA
Take I-95 to the Fernandina Beach/Callahan exit (Exit 373). Travel east toward Yulee/Amelia Island on A1A (which turns into 8th Street when within the city limits of Fernandina.) It’s around 15 miles from I-95 to arrive at the intersection of 8th Street and historic Centre Street near the Amelia riverfront in the downtown historic district. (Turning right at this intersection leads to the beachfront — go 2 miles across the island on Atlantic Avenue to arrive at beaches along South Fletcher Avenue).
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