Visiting Amelia Island for the First Time: A Spring Break Adventure
When spring break rolled around last year, we only had about 5 days left to go on adventure after our oldest’s travel soccer games took up both weekends. We knew we had to travel somewhere fairly local to us and wanted to keep it within driving distance so we started researching.
Seeking out warmer temps we decided to allow ourselves about 5 hours driving time and see where that got us. It landed us smack dab in the middle of the Florida/Georgia line and also conveniently close to an island of wild horses. When we knew we could combine our whole families interests in one trip (horses, fishing, outdoors), we knew we’d found our spot.
We decided to make our home base Amelia Island, Florida. The location was within perfect driving distance to plenty of history, amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. To help out others planning to visit this incredible spring break destination, I’ve created a quick guide to visiting Amelia Island for the first time.
Exploring Downtown Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach)
When people reference Amelia Island they are usually talking about Fernandina Beach – the island’s downtown historic district. The names are often used interchangeably because Fernandina Beach is the heart of the island. If you’re wanting to spend time shopping, dining and checking out local art, this is your scene.
We spent an afternoon and evening checking out all that Fernandina Beach had to offer. Walking the brick-lined streets and enjoying the colorful storefronts and Victorian- era architecture felt like a step back into time.
One of our favorite stops was The Book Loft, a cozy bookstore with fun decor that felt right at home in this cozy city. We also popped into The Cinnamon Bear Country Store to grab some candy and souvenirs and enjoyed their fun photo opps like the bear mobile.
When it was time to eat we headed to The Boathouse where we enjoyed a delicious waterfront meal with live music. We couldn’t resist desert afterwards and we grabbed ice cream cookie sandwiches from Whatanut. These cookies were just as messy as they were delicious!
Before leaving downtown we stopped by the historic train depot to see the iconic butterfly wall and take some photos with Peg Leg Pete. There are so many scenic spots in this small coastal town begging to be photo opps!
Enjoying Amelia Island Beaches
Of course we spent much of our trip enjoying Amelia Island’s famous beaches. In doing our research on visiting Amelia Island for the first time we read that the island is perhaps best known for it’s wide, uncrowded beaches and it totally lived up to the hype!
Whether we were relaxing on the sand, talking long walks along the coastline or dipping our toes in the water the beaches felt peaceful and easy going – perfect for our hopes of foregoing the chaos of more crowded spring break destinations.
During our trip we stayed in a condo at Amelia by the Sea. This was perfect as it had a great pool, direct beach access and a fishing pier for my fishing crazy husband and kids. Fishing off the pier was perhaps the highlight of their stay as all three of them caught sharks during the trip! Even when we weren’t fishing, the pier was a great place to watch the waves roll in and catch stunning ocean sunsets.
There were also lots of options for public beach accesses. Most had ample parking and several had restrooms and picnic areas making it easy for a full beach day.
Visiting Fort Clinch and Park
Being a teacher, and having a husband who is a bit of a history geek, adding some educational value to our trips is pretty much non-negotiable. So when we learned that Amelia Island was home to one of the best preserved forts in the country, we added Fort Clinch to the itinerary.
This 19th century fort played an important role in protecting the island during the Civil War. While it didn’t see major battles it was also later used in the Spanish American war making it a strategic advantage for this southern island.
The brick corridors of the fort seemed perfectly preserved and we enjoyed climbing up to the ramparts and taking in the sweeping views of the water below. The park offers self guided and ranger guided tours. Ranger tours weren’t available during our visit but we encountered several friendly rangers stationed throughout who were more than willing to share the history of the fort.
After our visit we spent a little time in the park exploring some short nearby trails. However, we certainly didn’t have enough time to devote to the park. Visiting again and taking time to explore the quieter, more undeveloped side of this island is on our bucket list for next time.
Discovering Boneyard Beach
Perhaps one of the most unique and memorable spots on Amelia Island is Boneyard Beach. Known for it’s hauntingly beautiful scenery, this beach is lined with driftwood and skeleton-like trees that have been shaped by years of sun, wind and water erosion. This beach was like nothing we’ve ever seen and had a dramatic, otherworldly appearance to it.
We took a long walk along the beach admiring the twisted treetop remains and gnarled drift wood. These weathered relics paired with the ocean backdrop made the whole shoreline incredibly photogenic. It’s easy to see why this spot is popular with tourists and photographers.
Getting there requires a short walk from the parking lot. The terrain is a bit uneven so be sure to watch your step. I’d recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon if you’re hoping to catch the best light for photos. Be sure to keep safety in mind by watching the tides, not climbing trees and keeping an eye on the surrounding waves. This area is not monitored by lifeguards and the high prevalence of sharp limbs makes the water not suitable for swimming.
Day Trip to Cumberland Island
Perhaps the biggest allure of Amelia Island for my girls and I was its proximity to Cumberland Island. The ferry to the island is about a 30 minute drive from Amelia Island making it an easy day trip.
We spent the day exploring the trails on bikes, spotting wild horses all along the way. The beaches on Cumberland Island were perhaps the most peaceful and empty beaches we’ve ever been on and at times if felt like we were stepping into another world.
For a full breakdown of our trip be sure to check out my full blog post on Cumberland Island where I share everything you need to know before you plan your own adventure here.
Places We Didn’t Make It To (But Hope to Next Trip)
At the end of our trip, there just wasn’t enough time to see and enjoy it all. There were so many more places to go – creating even more reasons for us to come back. If you’ve got extra time on your itinerary, these spots may be worth adding.
The Amelia Island Lighthouse is for sure on our return bucket list trip. It is one of Florida’s oldest lighthouses and is known for its beautiful views of the island and surrounding waterways. The nearby Egan’s Creek Greenway is another place we’d love to explore as it’s known for its scenic trails full of wildlife.
There were also a variety of local tours we wish we’d had time to take advantage of. Kayaking through the salt marsh or horseback riding on the beach would be at the top of our return trip agenda. We also heard great things about sunset cruises and fishing charters that would make great additions to extended stays.
And of course there are many, many restaurants we’d love to try. The foodie scene seemed to thrive here, especially in Fernandina Beach. There were enough dining and desert options to keep your tastebuds occupied for days!
Other Tips for First-Time Visitors
As always when planning any vacation a little preparation goes a long way. Our spring break trip was perfectly timed as spring is one of the best times to visit. The weather is warm, but comfortable and the crowds are light. We also heard that fall is a great time to visit for great weather and smaller crowds.
When you’re packing for your trip, think comfort and flexibility. Of course you’ll need beach essentials like sunscreen, hats and towels, but also consider packing a good pair of walking shoes as you’ll likely spend a good amount of time on your feet exploring all Amelia Island has to offer.
Having a car is certainly helpful though you can get around with Uber and other taxis. Your own vehicle makes it much easier to explore different beaches and state parks. We found parking to be pretty straightforward and easy to find. During busier seasons, arriving earlier in the day can help to secure better parking.
Perhaps my most important tip is to build in time for spontaneous adventure. Whether it’s exploring a scenic trail, walking along a quiet beach or dining at a delicious seafood shack, sometimes it’s the unplanned moments that lead to the best memories.
Your First-Time Amelia Island Adventure Awaits
From the charm of downtown Fernandina Beach, exploring the history of Fort Clinch, wandering the ghostly shoreline of Boneyard Beach and even taking a day trip to Cumberland Island, Amelia Island proved to be the perfect spring break vacation for my little family.
If you’re visiting Amelia Island for the first thing one thing is for certain, you’ll fall in love with this coastal town and want to visit again time after time.
