Amelia Island
Hidden gems
Embrace nature
Travel intriguing trails and paths
an oasis in Northeast Florida
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Tasting tours
Sea-inspired dining
Downtown Fernandina Beach
Vacation rentals
Amelia Island has 13 miles of beaches
Island exploration
Local cuisine & culture
Hotels, inns & more
Fun trails & prizes
The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
Horseback riding on the beach | credit: Deremer Studios
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island exploration | local cuisine & culture | hotels, Inns & more | fun trails & prizes
With unobstructed sea views, broad, uncrowded stretches and the gentle slopes of seagrass-covered dunes, Amelia Island’s 13 miles of pristine beaches are a serenity seeker’s dream. Between its eastern sands and its winding western marshland, you'll find 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.
History buffs will be intrigued by the story of American Beach, Amelia Island's historic African-American beach community—a legacy that is carefully preserved at the A.L. Lewis Museum at American Beach.
A variety of immersive outdoor experiences are at your fingertips on Amelia Island. Guided tours with the Nature Center at Omni Amelia Island Resort—centered on everything from sea turtle spotting to stand up paddleboarding—are a family-friendly way to get your feet wet, so to speak. Take a relaxing cruise with Cruisin' Tikis Amelia Island or Amelia River Cruises. Water bikes, fishing charters and scenic hikes are just a few more ways to explore.
Birding is a treasured pastime on the island; beaches, the Egans Creek Greenway and Fort Clinch State Park are among the top places to spot graceful herons, blush-colored roseate spoonbills and the high-contrast feathers of American wood storks. As you paddle along the lowcountry waterways, you may also come across friendly marine mammals like dolphins and manatees.
In a place ringed by lovely coastline, relaxed seafood dinners are a must. Indigo in downtown Fernandina Beach made its debut in late 2023, and its Southern Coastal cuisine—including elevated comfort food dishes like lobster mac and cheese—has already earned it top accolades from local critics. Down Under restaurant on the Amelia River across the bridge has served fresh-caught grouper, oysters and shrimp on its vista-blessed dock for over 40 years.
Of course, the waterview dining opps don't end there. Open-air Coquina at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is a prime spot for oceanfront meals with Latin American flair—think tangy ceviches, veg-friendly black bean and cilantro garlic rice bowls and blackened fish tacos. Chocolate-drizzled churros and arroz con leche star on the dessert menu. Salt Life Seafood Shack, meanwhile, lives up to its name as a casual waterfront eatery. The heaping shrimp and chorizo nachos are perfect for sharing, along with a round of rum punch.
With so many choices for delicious food and drink across the island, it can be hard to know where to start. To help with this deliciously tricky situation, local operator Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours offers two food and beverage discovery tours that let you eat and drink across the destination for a fixed price.
The Booze and Bites tour blends a walking history tour with visits to two Fernandina Beach restaurants and two lively bars. For mixology fans, the Cocktail Tour visits four beloved local bars, "mixing in" plenty of stories from the island's past (including its time as a bootlegging hotspot).
credit: Deremer Studios
Spot dolphins on a scenic cruise | credit: Amelia River Cruises and Charters
Nature Center at Omni Amelia Island Resort
Tikis Amelia Island
Shopping enthusiasts will find plenty of eye candy amid the boutiques in downtown Fernandina Beach—a leafy, pedestrian-friendly, 50-block historic district characterized by redbrick buildings, nostalgic awnings and strollable sidewalks. Amid the myriad independently owned shops, you'll find curated resort wear collections, hand-crafted home decor and nature-derived local treasures, plus craft breweries, cute cafés and aromatic bakeries.
Stop by Duck Pinz for a game of mini bowling, or Scottish-themed Gregor MacGregor's Mini Links & Drinks for a rousing round of miniature golf. Cap off the day with a stroll along the pretty marina—or a river cruise—at sunset. And be sure to stop by the Amelia Island Welcome Center, a handy resource for discovering more local activities—plus history, photo ops, maps and displays.
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.
There are hundreds of exciting dining venues to choose from in Amelia Island, including cucinas, bistros and sushi spots serving flavorful international fare. Try wave-making Hofbrau Amelia, where the sauerkraut-piled Reuben is ganz lecker (German for "very delicious") with a pint of hefeweizen. At 1928 Cuban Bistro - Fernandina Beach, both the Cuban sandwiches and sugar-laced cafecitos draw repeat visitors. Authentic Mexican street fare is on deck at Cantina Louie, Fernandina Beach, while those seeking an Italian meal in a chic, modern setting would do well to try Ciao Italian Eatery—leaving room for a slice of the house-made lemoncello cake. Asian food fans should visit Wicked BAO, where the fluffy steamed buns harbor explosively flavorful fillings, from Singapore chili shrimp to crispy fried grouper. Tip: Foodies should consider planning a getaway in September, Amelia Island's Dining Month. During the annual event, dozens of top restaurants offer chef-curated prix-fixe menus at special prices.
Amelia Island's thriving art scene covers a wide range of genres: fine arts, theater, music, literature and dance, as just a beginning. Browse dozens of galleries downtown—including Blue Door Artists, which showcases works by a talented collective of contemporary artists in a wide variety of styles.
Two local theater companies put on plays ranging from musicals to murder mysteries. Meanwhile, music-inspired events are a mainstay on the calendar. The Amelia Island Dance Festival brings vibrant performances each fall (running Sept. 5-8 in 2024). Meanwhile, the Sounds on Centre series ushers in free outdoor concerts in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach on the first Friday of every month (running through Oct. 4).
International dining
Soak in local art and culture
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
Blue Heron Inn
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
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Whatever your mood and whatever the occasion, Amelia Island has accommodations to suit it. Luxurious oceanfront resorts, quaint Victorian bed and breakfasts and full-service branded 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.
Southern hospitality
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
credit: Deremer Studios
Palace Saloon
Amelia Island Getaways
Amelia Island is home to miles of paved paths ideal for picturesque bike rides. Rent a set of wheels and cruise the routes that wind through historic Fort Clinch State Park; or the Timucuan Trail, which brings riders past maritime hammock, salt marsh and scenic coastline in Amelia Island State Park. For yet another memorable way to take in the island's pastoral beauty, try a horseback ride on the beach at sunrise.
Or opt for a different kind of trail—one tracing back 400 years into Amelia Island's storied history. Guided ghost tours begin in downtown Fernandina Beach and end—fittingly—in a local cemetery, with many eerie stops in between. Ghost-hunting equipment is included for maximum creepiness.
White pelican
Coquina at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
Salt Life Food Shack
The Salty Pelican
Amelia Island Dance Festival
Step into a local-favorite nightlife spot like PJD's Beer & Wine Garden, where namesake owner PJ Dave (who famously only wears pajamas) will personally pour your pint. Or try a tasting tour of Marlin & Barrel Distillery's housemade spirits before sampling the craft brews at A1A Cidery next door.
You'll discover just such a place at La Surena, an authentic Mexican restaurant in Fernandina Beach that wows diners with its cooked-to-perfection Latin fare—whether oversize breakfast burritos, citrus-laced carne asada or heaping plates of shrimp with pan-seared sofrito.
In a destination with this much inherent beauty, it's easy to get swept up in the headline attractions: stunning beaches, epic golf courses and sprawling historic sites, for example. But part of Amelia Island's unique charm lies in its many under-the-radar finds.
Hofbrau Amelia
La Surena
Cantina Louie
1928 Cuban Bistro
nature &
wellness
Shopping
& dining
hotels, Inns
& more
fun trails
& prizes
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Luxury accommodations
Blue Heron Inn
Budget-friendly hotels
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Stays for every traveler
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Stay a while
Whatever your mood and whatever the occasion, Amelia Island has accommodations to suit it. Luxurious oceanfront resorts, quaint Victorian bed and breakfasts and full-service branded 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.
Shrimp Challenge
Art Passport
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 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.