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Relax on Amelia Island

Fall is one of the best times to visit Amelia Island! Locals often refer to this time of year as the “Secret Season” due to fewer crowds, a more temperate ocean, and cooler night temperatures.

While fall 2020 on Amelia Island will be different due to fewer events and social distancing, there are still many opportunities for relaxing and spending time outdoors! We’ve put together some of our recommendations on how to get the most out of your Amelia Island fall vacation and where to visit during your stay.

Extend Your Vacation

After a busy summer season, things tend to slow down to a more relaxing pace during the fall vacation season. With many schools moving to remote learning, it has made it easier than ever to extend your long weekend vacation to a full week or longer!

We invite you to experience a fall vacation on Amelia Island and take advantage of this unique opportunity. While staying with us, you can enjoy the many fun and relaxing activities including exploring the Amelia Island beaches, learning about the local history at Fort Clinch, enjoying nature on the greenway, and spotting wildlife at the nearby nature preserves.

Fun Fall Things to Do on Amelia Island

Fall on Amelia Island is all about enjoying a slower pace and spending time outdoors in the more comfortable temperatures. In addition to the beaches, Amelia Island offers some incredible parks and nature preserves. While the summer can be hot and humid, the cooler fall temperatures are perfect for spending more time outside and exploring these locations.

Explore Fort Clinch State Park

There are many activities at Fort Clinch State Park including touring the fort, fishing from pier, hiking the trails, and soaking up the sun on the park’s pristine beach that stretches for over 3 miles. Since the park is located on the more remote north end of the island, it is also an excellent place for birdwatching.

Bike the Egan’s Creek Greenway

No trip to Amelia island is complete without cruising on a bike! This is one of the best ways to see the island and is a great activity no matter the time of day. The greenway consists of a 300-acre preserve that is centrally located on Amelia Island. If you would like to visit without a bike, it also makes for a great place for hiking, walking, and spotting wildlife.

Birdwatch on Amelia Island

As birds migrate south for the winter, Amelia Island becomes a popular destination for birdwatchers. There are various types of ecosystems across the island including beaches, marshes, and grasslands that attract many different types of birds.

Some of the popular birding spots on Amelia Island include:

See You on Amelia Island this Fall

As summer winds down, we are looking forward to cooler night temperatures that are perfect for a light jacket or fireside chat. Come enjoy our island’s secret season and book a vacation rental on Amelia Island today! We are looking forward to hosting you this fall.

With over 13 miles of beaches, Amelia Island has a lot to choose from when it comes time to plan your day on the beach! While many people choose to visit the beach that is closest or within walking distance of their vacation rental, we recommend spending time at a few of our different beaches to get the full Amelia Island experience.

Beaches can be accessed from a variety of beachfront parks as well as over 40 public access points. The island’s major beaches, all listed below, are accessible from developed parks, many of which have amenities such as restrooms and showers. Our list starts at the northern end of the island at Fort Clinch State Park and we work our way south to the southern tip of the island at Amelia Island State Park.

Fort Clinch State Park

Located at the northern tip of Amelia Island, Fort Clinch State Park is comprised of over 1,400 acres and has some of the Island’s most natural and secluded beaches. In addition to wide and pristine beaches, the state park is home to a historic fort, a pier for fishing, a playground, a picnic area, and also has many trails for walking and biking.

Be aware that since this is a Florida state park there is a $6 fee for vehicles and a $2 fee for bikes. The East Beach Access has a large parking area for vehicles with amenities for beachgoers.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Families and nature lovers

Restrooms? Yes

Address: Fort Clinch East Beach Access – Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

North Beach Park

This beach is located just south of Fort Clinch State Park. You will find basic amenities such as pavilions, picnic tables, and a boardwalk that provides a quick walk to the beach. What this park lacks in amenities, it makes up for with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. You will find convenient, but limited, roadside parking along N Fletcher Avenue.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Anyone looking for a quiet and relaxing beach

Restrooms? No

Address: 1230 N Fletcher Ave Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Main Beach Park

Amelia Island’s most popular beach, featuring a central location close to downtown Fernandina Beach. Many guests new to the island often confuse the town of Fernandina Beach with Main Beach, Fernandina Beach isn’t actually a beach, it’s a town!

Main Beach offers an expansive park that includes sand volleyball, picnic shelters, restrooms, outdoor showers, a skate park, playground, multipurpose court, and a large grassy area. This beach also has lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are many restaurants nearby including the Salt Life Foodshack and SandBar. You will also enjoy convenient access to a putt-putt course and Riptide Watersports where you can rent beach equipment. There is a large parking lot, but we recommend arriving early to secure a spot since it usually fills up in the morning.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Families, Anyone looking for a lively beach with activities, amenities, and restaurants.

Restrooms? Yes

Address: 32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Seaside Park

Another centrally located beach, Seaside Park is located at the end of Sadler Road, adjacent to the Sadler Road Beach Access. This park offers picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, showers, and a boardwalk to the beach.

An added bonus are multiple restaurants within walking distance, including Sliders Seaside Grill and Tortuga Jacks. The park is located at the Fletcher Avenue roundabout, right beside the Ocean Club of Amelia- a popular venue for Amelia Island weddings.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Families, Anyone looking for a lively beach with amenities and restaurants.

Restrooms? Yes

Address: 2002 S Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Peters Point Beachfront Park

Less busy than Main and Seaside beaches to the north, Peters Point is known for great fishing and softer sand due to less shells. There are restrooms, indoor/outdoor shower facilities, and paved parking. Four-wheel drive vehicles can drive and park on the beach via Peters Point Road, located adjacent to the park.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Families, anyone who wants to fish from the beach

Restrooms? Yes

Address: 4600 Peters Point Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Burney Park

Located toward the quiet southern end of the island, Burney Park allows fishing and is near the historic beach community of American Beach, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. There is a large parking area, public restrooms with showers, and a picnic area.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Families, Anyone looking for a lively beach with activities and amenities

Restrooms? Yes

Address: 95570 Burney Blvd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Amelia Island State Park

Located at the far southern tip of the island, Amelia Island State Park has wide beaches and offers horseback rides on the beach, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing, and great wildlife sighting opportunities. There is also a beach access point for 4×4 vehicles. Similar to Fort Clinch State Park but smaller in size with fewer amenities, Amelia Island State Park is best for viewing wildlife and spending time on the beach. There is a $2 fee per person to visit the state park.

Things to Know:

Recommended for: Families, Horseback riders, Nature lovers

Restrooms? Yes- a path leads under Highway A1A to restrooms at the “On the Line Bait and Tackle Shop”

Address: State Road A1A, Jacksonville, FL 32226

Public Beach Access Points on Amelia Island

Amelia Island has over 40 public beach access points, many without parking or amenities. These access points are best for walking to the beach from your vacation rental. Some access points do have limited parking (usually less than 10 parking spots), and we’ve included these below.

All Amelia Island Public Beach Access Points:

We hope this guide gives you the information you need to have an enjoyable experience at one of Amelia Island’s beaches. If you have any questions or need help finding a rental near one of these beaches, please reach out to us. We are here to make your stay as enjoyable as possible!