Amelia Island Beaches, Fernandina Beach, Scuba Diving, Beach Rentals, Surfing
Thirteen miles of pristine beach await you at Amelia Island. Swimming, surfing, fishing, jogging, kite flying, and beach combing are some of the many things you'll find to do on Amelia's beautiful beaches.
South Fletcher (highway A1A) is the main road which skirts the coast of the island, and along it you will find many public beach access areas (look for the blue and white signs), some with parking and some for walking access to the ocean.
The beach is excellent for sharks teeth and shell collecting. Don't forget to check for new treasures after a period of rough weather.
Dogs are allowed on the beach, but within the Fernandina Beach city limits, all dogs on the beach must be on a leash.
The Kelly Seahorse Ranch provides horseback riding on the beach. You don't need experience for the one-hour rides, but you do need reservations.
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island
This well-preserved city at the northern end of Amelia Island, Florida's northern-most barrier island, marks the beginning of Florida's "First Coast."
It's storied past is an intact portion of the quickly vanishing "Old Florida," with a 50-square-block area into an ongoing restoration. The section is a designated historic district in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Beaches: The pristine beaches of Fernandina are located a mile from the center of town. Over four miles of beach with more than 20 public access points lie between the northern-most Main Beach south. Main Beach, with its plentiful parking and facilities, grassy playground and lifeguard stands is especially popular with families that have children in tow.
If the Main Beach crowds crowd you out, Peter's Point should be your second choice. It also offers decent facilities.
Directions: Fernandina Beach is located off Highway A1A (Fletcher Avenue).
Parking: Main Beach and Peter's Point offers free parking lots. South Fernandina Beach access has limited free street parking.
Walking Tours of Historic Fernandina Beach
233 South Third Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: 904-261-7378
Given by the Amelia Island Museum of History, walking tours take groups up Historic Centre Street and into the Silk Stocking District introducing them to the many great historical figures who influenced the architecture and business on the island. These tours can be modified for children.
Fernandina Beach Parks & Recreation
2500 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: 904-277-7350
With many cultural and leisure activities, community groups, and an excellent golf course and marina, we offer something for the entire family. We invite you to visit and see for yourself!
Summer Beach on Amelia Island
Summer Beach is actually an upscale resort development consisting of private homes, condos and the Ritz-Carlton Resort on Amelia Island.
Many of the homes and condos are available for vacation rental and the Ritz-Carlton boasts 445 units ranging from $129 to $2000 per night.
The Ritz-Carlton has 1.5 miles of pristine beachfront and it is the only mainland Ritz-Carlton that has a champtionship golf course. Other amenities include pools, tennis, croquet, and more.
Location: Summer Beach is located at the south end of Fernandina Beach.
Directions: Access via Amelia Island Parkway (Highway A1A) just south of Fernandina Beach city limits.
Parking: Beaches are for the use of residents, registered guests, and their visitors only.
American Beach on Amelia Island
Purchased by an Afro-American back in the 1930s and a major aspect of American history, this primarily black beach is located between two upscale white sentinels -- the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and Amelia Island Plantation.
It is located in a poor area that refuses to sell out to the check-waving developers who are anxious to turn it into yet another gated resort. As one of the most historic black communities in the South, the residents certainly have the right to protect it.
Location:
Traveling along Florida's East Coast highway -- Highway A1A -- between Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island Plantation, you will spy a very plain road sign that point east toward American Beach. Taking the turn will take you through a hodgepodge town of concrete-block bungalows.
In the past, if you were white, your presence might turn heads and raise eyebrows, but not so much any more. No one even looked up as we drove through. If you are black and curious about this historic seaside area, you may want to visit on weekends when the beach is more likely to be more lively.
Directions:
Approximately five miles south of Fernandina Beach on Highway A1A. Turn east at the sign for American Beach. Follow signs.
Little Talbot State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32226
Phone: 904-251-2320
With more than five miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches, Little Talbot Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida. Maritime forests, desert-like dunes, and undisturbed salt marshes on the western side of the island allow for hours of nature study and relaxation. The diverse habitats in the park host a wealth of wildlife for viewing including river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats, and a variety of native and migratory birds.
Scuba Station, Inc.
1008 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: 904-321-1770
Scuba Classes, Equipment Repairs and Rentals and Dive Club.
Nature Center - Amelia Island Plantation
6800 First Coast Highway
Amelia Island, FL 32034
Phone: 904-261-6161
Including bike, segway and kayak tours discovering birds, turtles, edible plants, night creatures and crabs. Several tours are designed for children and include educational crafts about the featured topic. The Nature Center is open to the public.
Fort Clinch Nature Walk
2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Phone: 904-277-7274
Free with park admission of $5.00 per vehicle. Every Saturday, weather permitting. This is a guided nature walk around Willow Pond trail, which winds through a coastal maritime hammock down to fresh water ponds. Through an informative presentation, visitors will discover a wide variety of native plants and animals.
