Amelia Island
Miles of beaches
Island exploration
Outdoor leisure
A getaway on island time
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Craft breweries
An exciting restaurant scene
Charming galleries and shops
Vacation rentals
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A nature haven
Shopping & dining
Hotels, inns & more
Fun trails & prizes
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A nature haven | Shopping & dining | hotels, Inns & more | fun trails & prizes
Flanked by pristine beaches on the east side and picturesque marshes on the west, Amelia Island is special simply by virtue of its earthly composition. And the space between is filled with loveliness as well—with the Southern hospitality of a close-knit community, inviting homegrown flavors, one-of-a-kind, strollable shops and engaging gatherings that draw people from all over to this barrier island off Florida's northeast coast.
And getting to the shell-strewn white sands, verdant trails, coastal maritime hammocks and cobblestone streets of Amelia Island is easy. The drive is under six hours from Charlotte, Atlanta and Miami via I-95. Jacksonville International Airport, with direct flight service from 35 U.S. gateways, is a mere 30 minutes away. Here's a look at what you'll see, taste and do once you coast into town.
With unobstructed sea views, broad, uncrowded stretches of sand and the gentle slopes of seagrass-covered dunes, Amelia Island’s 13 miles of pristine beaches are a serenity seeker’s dream.
Main Beach is the most popular hangout, with its location near downtown Fernandina Beach and amenities like volleyball courts, a playground, restrooms and picnic shelters. Or try Seaside Park toward the center of the island, whose pavilions, parking and boardwalk make a beach day a breeze. Refuel at a variety of nearby restaurants. Beachfront Burney Park on the south end of the island features similar amenties. While you're there, visit nearby American Beach—a historic African-American resort community listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Lifeguards are on duty at all main beaches from Memorial to Labor Day. A horseback ride at sunrise courtesy of a local tour operator is a memorable way to take in the vibrant skies and lapping surf.
A variety of immersive outdoor experiences are at your fingertips on Amelia Island. Take a leisurely paddle through Egans Creek, a brackish estuary offering views of abundant wildlife, marsh grasslands and even the historic Amelia Island Lighthouse. Paddleboards, kayaks and gear rentals are readily available from local tour operators.
Hike amid the towering live oaks, lumbering gopher tortoises and historic structures at 1,400-acre Fort Clinch State Park—also an ideal site for birding, fishing and camping. Bike past maritime forest, along the sparkling coastline and across wooden boardwalks via the miles of paved and unpaved bike paths criss-crossing the island.
Beyond hiking and paddling, you can soak up every sunny minute with relaxing days on chartered boats and sunset cruises setting sail from local marinas.
The area is a haven for golfers of all skill levels, with 99 holes of championship golf. Options include the 18-hole championship course at The Golf Club of Amelia Island, accessible to guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; and the novel 10-hole "Little Sandy" public short course, debuted in 2022 at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. Amelia River Golf Club, which offers river views and winds around a forest of Florida oaks, palms and pines, is another stellar public course.
Outdoor festivals happen throughout the year, too, and cater to interests ranging from classic cars, to live music, to fresh-caught seafood.
You can also browse unique artisanal finds without missing a ray of sunshine, thanks to the open-air Fernandina Beach Arts Market (2nd and 4th Saturdays), with handmade jewelry, one-of-a-kind sculptures, handcafted wood furniture and more. The singular shopping opps continue at Art on Centre (Wednesday-Sunday), a contemporary art gallery representing dozens of local artists. Tip: Get the Art Passport to earn prizes while you browse.
Amelia Island is brimming with restaurants that go beyond helping you fuel up for your next stint on the beach or at the shops. There are more than 90 independently owned locales to choose from, including cucinas, bistros and sushi spots serving flavorful international fare, plus eclectic restaurants like Cafe Karibo, where Asian, Italian, Greek and Caribbean influences mingle on the menu. You'll find eateries befitting the island's metaphorical Southern accent (Joe's 2nd Street Bistro and its famed shrimp and grits, for example); mouthwatering barbecue; and, of course, a host of places serving the freshest seafood imaginable.
Tip: True seafood devotees should sign on for the Shrimp Challenge to earn shrimpy swag as they indulge their crustacean addiction.
Amelia Island makers are busy on the craft brewing scene. There are several excellent craft breweries on and around the island, and beer aficionados will want to tour them all. First Love Brewing in downtown Fernandina Beach serves up a rotating menu of homebrewed beers on tap, including toasty milk stouts, citrusy IPAs and potent, fruit-laced Belgian tripels. The tavern's food menu includes oven-fired pizzas fans say are second to none, plus Korean-style chicken wings and truffle fries worth writing home about.
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Set sail from Fernandina Harbor Marina (left); Little Sandy short course at the Omni Amelia Island Resort (right)
Shopping enthusiasts will find plenty of eye candy amid the boutiques in downtown Fernandina Beach—a leafy, 50-block historic district characterized by redbrick buildings, nostalgic awnings and strollable sidewalks. Curated resort wear collections, hand-crafted home decor and nature-derived local treasures are available to commemorate your trip. Pick up a gift at eco-boutique Color It Green, where earth- and people-friendly products range from aromatherapy oils to jewelry to organic clothing.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is the clear choice for those seeking a truly pampering, 5-star Florida getaway. The rooms, service and dining are consistently lauded by guests here. And the 27,500-square-foot spa offers ocean-inspired treatments like the "Heaven in a Hammock" massage, with simulated zero gravity and gentle rocking to mimic the tides; alongside the circulation-stimulating Ocean Healing Bath treatment.
Or try the top-rated Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, which boasts elegant oceanfront rooms and the option to add on a romance package with rose petal turndown service, chocolate-dipped strawberries, champagne and more thoughtful flame-fanning touches.
Luxury accommodations
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island
With its breezy island ambiance and obvious natural beauty, Amelia Island might seem an aspirational vacation destination for those not in the know. But amazingly, there are a number of hotels here that offer a winning combination of great locations, plentiful amenities and easy affordability.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island is a prime example, set just a few minutes' walk from the beach, and offering guests a tantalizing hot breakfast buffet each morning while keeping rates low. Seaside Amelia Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front are among the other solid hotel choices with prices that won't break the budget.
Budget-friendly hotels
Counting 2- and 3-bedroom villas among its myriad accommodations options, the oceanfront Omni Amelia Island Resort in Fernandina Beach is exceptionally family-friendly. The hotel also offers its own calendar of events the whole family will love, from pickleball lessons to live music to Segway tours. There's even a splash pad for little ones, alongside two sprawling heated pools.
For a stay with an exceptionally homey feel, choose a bed & breakfast within walking distance of the historic village. Or for even more history, book a room in the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn, which served as the island's first schoolhouse before being converted into a charming 17-room boutique hotel.
Stays for every traveler
Whatever your mood and whatever the occasion, Amelia Island has accommodations to suit it. Luxury beach resorts, quaint Victorian bed and breakfasts and full-service hotels for a range of budgets are all on offer.
Scroll through to explore which accommodations will make the best home base for your adventure—and remember, like so many repeat visitors, you can always come back to experience a whole new side of this singular island on your next trip.
Stay a while
If a taste of island life isn't enough, settle in for a total feast with one of Amelia Island's numerous vacation rentals. Great for families and groups seeking extra space and longer, homey stays, literally hundreds of properties are available for your getaway.
You can find entire beach homes; oceanview apartments where you can enjoy home-cooked meals on breezy balconies; and roomy condos that come with access to community pools and other amenities. There's scarcely a better way to truly immerse yourself in island life, and the only downside is that you may not want to leave.
Shrimp Challenge
Art Passport
In Amelia Island, you can turn your shrimp obsession into prizes by participating in the Shrimp Challenge. Get your pass, then visit participating restaurants during your trip and order signature shrimp dishes to collect points. Points can be redeemed for shrimp-themed swag in the prize store.
Shrimp basket from Timoti's Seafood Shak
credit: Sarah Beirne Photography
As if visiting Amelia Island’s unique galleries, murals and art studios wasn’t rewarding enough all its own, you can pick up an Art Passport during your visit to earn points and prizes for check-ins at each stimulating art hot spot.
In a place ringed by lovely coastline, relaxed meals outdoors and by the water are a must. Salt, located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is a go-to choice for seasonal fine dining fare as photogenic as it is delicious—and the ocean views only add to the appeal. For a more casual evening, Salty Pelican in downtown Fernandina Beach pairs fresh seafood, tacos and bar bites with views of the harbor—which are especially wonderful at sunset.
Or make your meal a true event by attending a monthly themed dinner at The Sprouting Project at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. These farm-to-table dinners include tours of the resort's aquaponic greenhouse, organic garden, barrel room and apiary, followed by an inspired, five-course, hyper-local meal served in a lush garden setting.
Cafe Karibo (left); Salty Pelican (right)
When the evening calls for a good vino, head to The Decantery in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. The wine menu features rare and unique vintages that could make a sommelier swoon, and you can sample a number of them with novel self-serve dispensing machines. Double your pleasure with yummy craft cocktails and a selection of homemade desserts. Or if you prefer to have something old with your something new, don't miss a visit to the oldest continuously running bar in Florida: The Palace Saloon. Founded in 1903, this ambiance-rich spot has retained its original look, with mosaic floors, embossed tin ceilings and a 40-foot, gas lamp-lit bar, so you can drink in a bit of history with your favorite highball.
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Alfresco dining
Wine & cocktails
Omni Amelia Island Resort
A nature haven | Shopping & dining | hotels, Inns & more | fun trails & prizes
A nature haven | Shopping & dining | hotels, Inns & more | fun trails & prizes
A nature haven | Shopping & dining | hotels, Inns & more | fun trails & prizes
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is the clear choice for those seeking a truly pampering, 5-star Florida getaway. The rooms, service and dining are consistently lauded by guests here. And the 27,500-square-foot spa offers ocean-inspired treatments like the "Heaven in a Hammock" massage, with simulated zero gravity and gentle rocking to mimic the tides; alongside the circulation-stimulating Ocean Healing Bath treatment.
Or try the top-rated Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, which boasts elegant oceanfront rooms and the option to add on a romance package with rose petal turndown service, chocolate-dipped strawberries, champagne and more thoughtful flame-fanning touches.
Luxury accommodations
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island
With its breezy island ambiance and obvious natural beauty, Amelia Island might seem an aspirational vacation destination for those not in the know. But amazingly, there are a number of hotels here that offer a winning combination of great locations, plentiful amenities and easy affordability.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island is a prime example, set just a few minutes' walk from the beach, and offering guests a tantalizing hot breakfast buffet each morning while keeping rates low. Seaside Amelia Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front are among the other solid hotel choices with prices that won't break the budget.
Budget-friendly hotels
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Counting 2- and 3-bedroom villas among its myriad accommodations options, the oceanfront Omni Amelia Island Resort in Fernandina Beach is exceptionally family-friendly. The hotel also offers its own calendar of events the whole family will love, from pickleball lessons to live music to Segway tours. There's even a splash pad for little ones, alongside two sprawling heated pools.
For a stay with an exceptionally homey feel, choose a bed & breakfast within walking distance of the historic village. Or for even more history, book a room in the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn, which served as the island's first schoolhouse before being converted into a charming 17-room boutique hotel.
Stays for every traveler
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Whatever your mood and whatever the occasion, Amelia Island has accommodations to suit it. Luxury beach resorts, quaint Victorian bed and breakfasts and full-service hotels for a range of budgets are all on offer.
Scroll through to explore which accommodations will make the best home base for your adventure—and remember, like so many repeat visitors, you can always come back to experience a whole new side of this singular island on your next trip.
Stay a while
Omni Amelia Island Resort