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Welcome to Amelia Island, Florida's Coastal Treasure!
Amelia Island, Florida, is a unique paradise among the chain of barrier islands that stretches along the east coast from South Carolina to Florida, including St. Simons Island, Hilton Head Island, Jekyll Island, and Tybee Island to name just a few. Amelia is 13 miles long and 4 miles wide at its widest point, located just south of Cumberland Island, Georgia. Known for its pristine beaches and clean water, natural wildlife as well as world-class resorts, spas, golf and fine dining, Amelia Island was voted #6 among Top 10 North America Islands by Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Reader's Choice Awards.
Things to Do on Amelia Island
Amelia Island is home to Fernandina Beach, a colorful downtown district with boutique shops, ice cream parlors, and restaurants. For the outdoor lovers, Amelia offers kayaking and canoeing adventure, sunset cruises, fishing charters and tours, nature trails to explore, and abundant natural wildlife to see. Amelia is the annual host of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, Amelia Island Film Festival, the Southern Lardo Festival, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, and the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.
Fernandina Beach
The once-vibrant, Victorian seaport village is now postcard perfect with rows of shops that house a treasure trove of antiques and collectibles, as well as an eclectic assortment of boutique shopping and restaurants.
Its Victorian homes and cottages are a throwback to Amelia's Golden Era. Adornments that make these 19th Century homes into masterpieces include opulent turrets, gables and gingerbread rick-rack trim. Some of these homes serve as bed and breakfast inns and some are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but what all seem to have in common is an interesting background. These storied streets can be experienced through self-guided tours or those offered by the Amelia Island History Museum. Horse-drawn carriage tours are also available.
Sightseeing river cruises are another way to learn more about the area history. In the early 20th Century, Amelia Island became the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. Today, nearly 80 percent of Florida's intake of sweet Atlantic white shrimp is harvested in Amelia's waters and its downtown docks — Fernandina Harbor Marina — is still home to the shrimp fleet.
While the oldest structure on the island is the Amelia Island Lighthouse, other places of intrigue include the Palace Saloon, the oldest bar in the state of Florida; and, the Florida House Inn, Florida's oldest surviving tourist hotel.
Amelia Island Accommodations, Hotels, Resorts, Vacation Rentals, Condos, Townhomes, Bed and Breakfasts, and Rental Homes
We've compiled the best places to stay on Amelia Island, with everything from luxury resort hotels to inviting bed and breakfast inns, oceanfront condos, vacation rental homes, RV resorts, campgrounds, and more.
Visitors to Amelia Island, Florida find many accommodation choices with more than 2,500 suites, villas and guest rooms to suit any preference — from five-diamond oceanfront resorts and oceanfront cottages to golf villas and historic bed and breakfast inns to camping facilities.
Situated on the southern end of the island are Amelia Island Plantation, The Ritz-Carlton: Amelia Island and Summer Beach Resort. All three offer oceanside accommodations in either private seaside villas, townhomes and luxury condominiums or deluxe hotel rooms.
An assortment of condominiums, chain hotels, motels, villas, townhouses and private rental cottages dot the island offering additional accommodation choices.
Amelia Restaurants, Dining and Places to Eat
Amelia Island has more than two dozen restaurants and many wonderful places for seafood, casual and fine dining for the whole family. Many local Amelia restaurants offer water views and outdoor seating and entertainment, including acoustical music and nightly specials.
Amelia Island Kayaking, Canoeing, Tours, & Outdoor Adventure
One of Amelia's most popular water activities, kayaking or canoeing provides you with an up-close and personal opportunity to paddle some of Florida's most unspoiled costal waters and experience local species of wildlife in their natural habitat. There are kayak rentals, instruction, guided tours, instructor certification, and everything you need to start your adventure. And of course there are dolphin tours, marinas, bird watching, state parks, nature trails, and much more to Explore on Amelia Island!
History of Amelia Island
Amelia Island, known as the "Isle of Eight Flags," is home to Florida’s oldest continuously operating bar, the Palace Saloon, located within a sprawling 50-block area of homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. History enthusiasts will also have to visit Old Town, the last Spanish Town in the Western Hemisphere and the former Spanish Fort San Carlos, as well as Fernandina Beach with it's Victorian-era architecture and charming historic district.
Amelia Island State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32226
Phone: 904-251-2320
An easy drive from Jacksonville, the park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the southern tip of Amelia Island. Beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal maritime forests provide visitors a glimpse of the original Florida. Amelia Island State Park is the only state park in Florida to offer horseback riding on the beach; a 45-minute riding tour through the forest and along the Atlantic Coast beach. Although the view from the park is breath-taking in itself, most of our visitors come for the fantastic fishing opportunities. Fishermen can surf fish along the shoreline or they can wet their line from the mile-long George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier which spans Nassau Sound. Visitors can also stroll along the beach looking for seashells or relax and watch the numerous bird species that feed in the area. For horseback tour reservations, contact Kelly Seahorse Ranch at (904) 491-5166. Tours are given four times daily.
Visit Amelia Island State Park this spring and enjoy the ocean breezes along one of the most scenic shorelines in north Florida. Located where Nassau Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Island State Park offers visitors incredible recreational opportunities in a picturesque natural setting. The point at the southern tip of Amelia Island provides a stunning panorama of land and sea. If you really want an exceptional beach experience, visit Kelly’s Seahorse Ranch and take a beach tour by horseback!
While enjoying Amelia Island, please remember that bird nesting season starts April 1st and sea turtle nesting season starts May 1st. By following posted signs we can safeguard our valuable natural resources and enhance future recreational opportunities. Drivers are reminded to stay in designated areas away from sensitive habitat and critical wildlife zones.
Amelia Island State Park is located 7 miles north of Little Talbot Island State Park (or 8 miles south of Fernandina Beach) on S.R. A1A.
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours.
Admission Fees - $2.00/person entrance fee.
Robert Joseph, Park Manager
Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Amelia Island State Park, please call the Talbot Islands Ranger Station at 904-251-2320.
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