NEED TO KNOW BEACH FACTS

• Beach accesses are located along Fletcher Avenue at Main Beach, Seaside Park and Peter’s Point.
• Handicap accessible beach accesses are located at North Beach Park, Main Beach, Seaside Park, Peters Point, and Burney Park.  A beach accessible wheelchair is available by calling the City of Fernandina Beach Parks and Recreation Department at (904) 277-7350.
• Vehicles can access the beach at Seaside Park and Peter's Point. Permits are available at Hall's Beach Store on Sadler Road.
• Public restrooms are located at Main Beach (Atlantic and Fletcher), Burney Beach, Peter's Point and Central Park.
• Alcoholic beverages or glass bottles are not permitted on the beach.
• Please do not pick sea oats or walk on the dunes, this is a Florida State law.
• Pets are permitted but must be on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for immediate clean up.
• No grills or open fires.
• Surfers must have their surfboards tethered to one leg while in the water.
• Protect endangered sea turtles, leave nest eggs and hatchlings undisturbed. Turn off lights that shine on the beach from May 1st-Oct 31st.
  

MARINE AND ANIMAL LIFE
The numerous creeks and rivers that feed the Intracoastal Waterway provide wide-eyed onlookers the opportunity to viewing dolphins, manatees, otters, and alligators. Each winter, endangered Northern Right Whales travel from Canada's Atlantic Coast to give birth off Amelia Island's shores.

Stroll our beaches from May to October and you will discover sea turtle nests marked with stakes and yellow tape. Loggerhead, Green and occasionally Leatherback female turtles deposit a clutch of about 100 ping-pong ball-sized eggs that hatch 55-60 days later. The hatchlings are instinctively drawn to the lightest horizon, which should be the moon and starlight reflecting on the surf. If lights from beachside homes are brighter, the young turtles will head inland and die in the sand dunes. Residents and visitors to Amelia Island are asked to observe the light ordinance from sundown to sunrise during sea turtle nesting season.
For more information on nature and wildlife, stop by the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Centers for a free Nature Guide.

BIRD WATCHING  View the Bird Watching Trails and Map.

Located on Big Talbot Island, just south of Amelia, is the Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary-B.E.A.K.S. At B.E.A.K.S., injured birds are nursed back to health and released. If unable to fend for themselves, they have a home at B.E.A.K.S. for life. Large cages at B.E.A.K.S. hold bald eagles, owls, vultures and even an emu. Walk the wooded trails, bring a lunch and don’t forget the bug spray. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. You may contact B.E.A.K.S. at (904) 251-2473 or email: beaks@fdn.com.  B.E.A.K.S. is currently closed for renovations.  We will let you know when it is back open to the public.

FISHING   For the fisherman, Nassau County is the place to come and cast a line. Its abundance of rivers, inlets, and ocean offer more than 100 species of fish. Red bass, trout and flounder can be found in oyster beds along the riverbeds and run year round. Tarpon, kingfish, barracuda and amberjack are just a few of the many sport fish found in the waters off Amelia Island.

Saltwater/ Freshwater Fishing Licenses may be obtained from:

Atlantic Seafood, 10 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach, FL (904) 261-4302.

the Nassau County Tax Collectors Office, 11 North 14th Street (Tag Agency), Fernandina Beach, FL (904) 491-7400.

Wal-Mart, 1757 S. 14th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL (904) 261-5306.

Instant licenses may be ordered via a toll-free number: 1-888-FISH-Florida (347-4356). A temporary license number will be issued for immediate use. Your permanent license will be mailed within 48 hours.

Click here for tide chart.

BOATING
Amelia Island is a boater's paradise. With endless opportunities to enjoy a day on the water, there are plenty of places to fish, watch wildlife and see great sites.

Public Boat Ramps:

Talbot Island State Park - Just over the Nassau Sound Bridge on the right: good surface, access to Nassau Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway, public restrooms.

Ribault Club - On Fort George Island behind the Ribault Club House: unimproved, limited parking. Cushing Creek - Off Fla. A1A, 5 miles west of Yulee: unimproved.

Holly Point Park - On Christopher Creek near Nassauville community off Fla. 200, Nassau County SR 107: restrooms, picnic area, floating dock.

Intracoastal Waterway - At the foot of Ash St., downtown Fernandina Beach: shallow water, shoaling, heavily used by commercial fishermen.

Melton Nelson Park - On Lofton Creek on A1A east of Yulee: good surface, floating dock, limited parking.

Nassau Landing - On Christopher Creek, 4 mi. west of I-95 on A1A, Edwards Road: recently renovated.

North Amelia Island Park/Ramp - On Intracoastal at N. 14th St., Fernandina Beach, adjacent to Fort Clinch State Park property: park, with three-lane ramp, other amenities, good access to St. Mary's River entrance.

Wilson Neck - South of Yulee off U.S. 17.

LIGHTHOUSE
Originally constructed in 1820 on Cumberland Island, the tower was dismantled and reconstructed on Amelia Island in 1839. This 67- foot structure has been undergoing restoration since 2002, including cleaning and painting, replacing the door and windows and other repairs. Tours are available the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.  Get complete details of the Amelia Lighthouse at this link.

FERNANDINA BEACH CITY PARKS
Children's playgrounds are available at all city parks: Main Beach next to the Cabana, Central Park, Atlantic Recreation Center and Egans Creek Park are all on Atlantic Avenue. Martin Luther King Park is located at 1200 Elm Street. For more information, contact the Fernandina Beach Parks and Recreation Department at (904) 277-7350.

PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
Atlantic Recreation
2500 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | (904) 277-7350

Martin Luther King
1200 Elm Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 | (904) 277-7350 

BICYCLE TRAILS
Fort Clinch State Park offers outstanding trails, both paved and off-road. The trail system includes a six-mile off-road loop for hikers and off-road bicyclists. The park’s paved road and several miles of beaches along Cumberland South with hard packed sand provide great riding during low tides.
Length: 6 miles (off-road); 3 miles (paved)
(904) 277-7274; 8:00 am-Sunset, 7 days a week
www.floridastateparks.org

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Amelia Island's size is deceiving in relation to the host of outdoor activities offered to visitors. From golf and tennis at world-class resorts, to kayaking and canoeing, Segway tours, camping, sunset sails and horseback riding on the beach, you are sure to find an activity to keep you busy.

DINING
Elegant, casual, common, or quick; on Amelia Island we're always cooking up something good, no matter what type of dining you're looking for. Choose from a number of island specialties, including fresh seafood, continental cuisine, classic southern Provencal dishes or American. Visitors can dine in an abundance of delightful settings, from initimate dining rooms, authentic waterfront terraces and unique cafes to rustic retreats, brick courtyards or quaint coffee houses.

SHOPPING
Once a viewpoint Victorian seaport village, historic downtown Fernandina Beach is still one of Amelia's greatest charms, with rows of shops on Centre Street, housing an eclectic assortment of curios, island apparel, boutiques and antiques. Clusters of specialty stores are also located throughout the island, offering convenient shopping to visitors no matter where they stay.