Amelia Island [refresh Feb 2026]

Beaches & nature | island flavors | downtown charm | rest, renewal & balance | places to stay

Amelia Island

Set on the northeast coast of Florida, Amelia Island is a tranquil barrier island that's easily accessible, yet feels far removed from the hustle of everyday life. An easy road trip on I-95 or a flight into Jacksonville International Airport (about 30 minutes away) will transport you to a place filled with natural beauty and coastal elegance. You'll find rolling sand dunes that protect pristine and uncrowded beaches. Stroll the cobblestone streets of charming downtown Fernandina Beach, or get in on one of the island's vibrant year-round events. Explore the island’s 18 square miles—from the marshes to the shops on Centre Street—at a pace to match the laid-back vibe. As you do, you'll discover the layered history of a place known as the "Isle of 8 Flags”—plus honey-sweet Southern hospitality that keeps families coming back generation after generation. Read on for a preview.

Unwind on uncrowded shores Open shoreline stretches along the east coast of Amelia Island, offering ample space to wander and unwind. Reach the pristine beaches via public access points dotted around the narrow island. Wherever you are, the beach is always close by for a romantic stroll, shell-hunting adventure or family outing. Main Beach Park toward the north side of the island is a hub of activity, offering convenient amenities (restrooms, outdoor showers and picnic tables) plus a skate park, two sand volleyball courts, mini golf and a playground. Seaside Park at the center of the island is a locale that exudes quintessential beach town vibes. Ice cream shops and seafood restaurants beckon from just the other side of the dunes. The park frequently hosts festive events, too.

where Florida beaches meet Southern charm

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Beaches & nature

Island flavors

50 blocks of downtown charm

Rest, renewal & balance

Plan your trip

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Fort Clinch State Park

Downtown Fernandina

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Historic sands & sites

For all its natural beauty, Amelia Island also has an adorable downtown where all the creature comforts one might crave are readily available. Fernandina Beach boasts no fewer than 50 blocks teeming with independent shops, restaurants, micro-breweries and striking Victorian architecture. Centre Street is, as the name implies, at the heart of the action, with postcard-perfect Fernandina Harbor Marina on its west end. Small businesses here include Fernandina Fossils, a must-stop if you've got a fan of natural science in your traveling crew. The information center provides resources to help visitors identify and safely store precious finds like fossilized shark teeth, which are abundant on local sands. The gift shop offers fossils and locally crafted creations that make one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

There's a wide range of accommodations on Amelia Island, including one-of-a-kind boutique inns brimming with Victorian charm. Amelia Schoolhouse Inn is one such spot. Built in 1886, when it became the island's first school, the eye-catching building has been restored and outfitted with a pool, putting green and a bar cheekily named The Principal's Office. There's also the historic Florida House Inn, which once served as lodging for Civil War officers, and now boasts one of the island's best weekend brunch spots, Leddy's Porch. Stays at the elegant Fairbanks House include an evening social hour with complimentary drinks and snacks. You won't soon forget the "breakfast" part of your Blue Heron Inn bed and breakfast experience; it's home-cooked and served in a charming dining room with antique furnishings and periwinkle-hued walls.

The island's expansive beaches, lush landscape and easygoing pace naturally lend themselves to relaxation. You can enhance the soothing vibes by indulging in some of its local spa and wellness experiences. The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, for example, recently completed a sweeping redesign of both its 25,000-foot wellness space and its treatment menu. The spa menu includes massages utilizing bamboo and circulation-enhancing techniques, plus treatments ranging from red light therapy to glow-boosting facials.

Fairbanks House

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Fernandina Fossils

Kayaking on Amelia Island

Island escapades Amelia Island's welcoming weather and pastoral beauty give visitors every reason to get—and stay—outside. Walk or bike the paved Amelia Island Trail, running nearly the full length of the island, with access to parks, beaches and restaurants along the way. Book a kayak tour or sightseeing cruise through verdant salt marsh, keeping your eyes out for dolphins, manatees, wading birds and even eagles, depending on the season. Anglers can charter a private vessel, join a group excursion—or simply cast a line from a pier or the surf. Amelia Island State Park, encompassing 200 acres of protected coastal maritime forest, beach and marsh, has a pier that's a favorite fishing spot among locals and visitors alike. To compound the naturally romantic beach views on offer all along Amelia Island's coast, try viewing them while perched on the back of a gentle steed. Horseback riding tours are a beautiful way to take in sunrise views and welcome another relaxing day on island time.

Down Under Restaurant

Coquina at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Indigo

Year-round outdoor dining Alfresco dining is always in season on Amelia Island. Sample elevated coastal cuisine at Indigo, where favorites include locally caught redfish served on a bed of Carolina gold rice and bok choy. Oceanfront Coquina at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island focuses on innovative Latin fare—citrusy ceviches, for example, and braised pork street tacos. At Burlingame Restaurant, enjoy a home-like atmosphere while savoring foodie-pleasing farm-to-table cuisine that changes with the seasons. The outdoor patio offers a lovely backdrop for meals that consistently impress diners. Save room for the Madagascar vanilla bean crème brûlée, if you can. Down Under Restaurant is a top spot for seafood dishes like blackened grouper sandwiches and pico de gallo-topped shrimp tacos, served on a spacious deck perched over the Amelia River. Sunset brings memorable vistas and live music, best enjoyed with a tropical cocktail, like the coconut rum-infused Wave Runner.

Picks for every palate & occasion

On Amelia Island's varied dining scene, you'll find laid-back, family-friendly pizza parlors, romantic, candle-lit restaurants and elevated seafood spots. Tuck into inspired global flavors or sip cocktails and bites with coastal views. Try Arte Pizza for wood-fired pies and weekday happy hour specials. AAA Four Diamond David's Restaurant & Lounge is a fine-dining haven, serving exquisitely plated cuisine from escargot to wagyu beef carpaccio to oxtail mushroom ragù. When the day calls for authentic Spanish cuisines, savor authentic Spanish paella, tapas and entrees at España Restaurant & Tapas. For those eager to eat their way across the island's top restaurants, Amelia Island Dining Month in September is an excellent opportunity. During this month-long dining celebration, some of the area's best restaurants offer exclusive prix-fixe menus at special prices.

España Restaurant & Tapas

David's Restaurant & Lounge

Arte Pizza

New & locally owned restaurants

Amelia Island's dining scene comprises over 100 independent restaurants, many showcasing locally grown ingredients and chef-driven specialties. As you enjoy plates of Southern-inspired dishes, fresh-caught seafood and international flavors, you'll also get to experience the local character—think family-owned eateries and restaurants housed in historic buildings. There are also a number of exciting new hot spots to try. Marché Côtier in downtown Fernandina Beach serves caviar, curated cheeses and fine wine, but without the pretense of a stuffy dress code. Drunken Noodle offers Asian fusion cuisine whose artful presentation is nearly as impressive as its aromatic flavors. Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa recently added both an Italian restaurant (Nonna Mia) and a Southern-coastal cuisine venue (Surfcaster). A Georgia barbecue spot, an Indian restaurant and a Thai food truck round out the new-to-town dining spots.

Nonna Mia

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Places to stay

Ample space and plentiful amenities await at familiar branded hotels. Springhill Suites Amelia Island and Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island both offer complimentary breakfast and locations a short walk from the beach. Residence Inn Amelia Island also includes buffet breakfast. It's set walking distance from the sand and offers a free shuttle to make getting around the island easy. Many rooms at Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front have water views, and the downtown Fernandina Beach location makes it wonderfully walkable. There are hundreds of vacation rentals to choose from, too, whether for a party of two or a multi-generational crew.

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Amelia Island Welcome Center

Stroll cobblestone streets

At Twisted Sisters, find a colorful collection of giftable items, from home decor to apparel. Fantastic Fudge serves up hand-dipped chocolates, marble-slab fudge and ice cream in fresh-baked waffle cones—their tantalzing smell will lead you straight to the storefront. Amelia Island Coffee brews up premium espresso drinks, teas and cocoa in a cheery modern setting. Whether a frozen cone or a steaming cup, take your favorite treat to go and wander the neighborhood's cobblestone streets, window-shopping and people-watching as you stroll. Or stop by the Amelia Island Welcome Center, located in a restored 19th-century train depot, for island history, interactive map tables and a photo opp with the statue outside. The art depicts David Yulee, also known as the "Father of Florida Railroads"—a one-time resident of Fernandina Beach.

Browse, nibble and stroll

Active wellness

Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

If you can't get enough of Amelia Island's beaches (and who could blame you), you can soak them up 24/7 with a stay in one of the island's luxurious coastal resorts. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island's guest rooms were recently updated, and the hotel offers a romance package that includes special touches like Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Also recently renovated, Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa features a multi-level pool deck, spa, 10 food outlets and 36 holes of golf—plus family programming to keep the whole gang engaged.

Luxury oceanfront resorts

Create your own wellness retreat on Amelia Island by awakening to sunrise yoga on the beach with a local instructor, or via guest programs at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa. Or try a floating yoga class atop a stand-up paddleboard. Decompress with hikes, wildlife sightings and fishing outings at Amelia Island State Park on the island's south end. The 200-acre preserve encompasses golden beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forest. Or unwind as you take in the brightly colored produce, fresh aromas and friendly vibes at local farmers markets. There's one every Saturday and Wednesday in Fernandina Beach, plus an arts market every second and fourth Saturday.

Spa experiences

Leafy streets & red-brick shops

The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Spa at Omni Amelia Island Resort

Yoga on the beach

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Florida House Inn

Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island

Familiar brands and homey stays

Quaint inns and B&Bs

American Beach in the center of the island is as historically significant as it is picturesque. Its rolling dunes are reported to be the tallest in Florida, and the sands on the other side were once a haven for African American families who were barred from accessing other beaches and recreational areas during segregation and the Jim Crow era. Don't miss a visit to the nearby A.L. Lewis Museum for more on the beach community's rich history. Fort Clinch State Park on the island's northern tip is so-named for its Civil War-era fort. Explore its winding staircases, brick halls and cavernous tunnels. Catch a living history demonstration (the first weekend of each month) and learn about the lives of Civil War soldiers. Then walk through the park's coastal woodlands, which are crucial habitat for a wide variety of wildlife—marsh rabbit, gopher tortoises and migratory birds, as just a few examples.

Beaches & nature | taste the island | downtown charm | rest, renewal & balance | places to stay