Fact Sheet
Amelia Island – Fact Sheet
Natural Florida Experience
Located in the northeastern tip of Florida, Amelia Island offers an unspoiled setting for relaxing and rewarding getaways. Thirteen miles long and two miles wide, the northern and southern tips of the island are park preserves, which make up nearly 10 percent of the entire island. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Intra-coastal waterway, strong-currented Nassau Sound and one of the East’s largest and deepest inlets – Cumberland Sound – Amelia Island is edged with natural Appalachian quartz beaches and framed by sand dunes as high as 40 feet.
Recently named among the Top 10 North American islands by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Amelia Island is treasured for its long stretches of quiet beaches, natural beauty, unique history, and charming seaport character. The island is home to an irresistible mix of spa, golf, and dining, shopping and leisure activities, but for those who want pure rest, relaxation and quality time with loved ones, there is no better place than Amelia Island.
Diverse Accommodations
From upscale resorts and charming bed and breakfast inns, to comfortable hotels at value rates, Amelia Island offers accommodations for everyone. With more than 20 places to stay and more than 2,300 rooms, visitors are able to choose properties located directly along the Atlantic Ocean, within walking distance of the historic district and much more. Those looking for a pet-friendly property will find that Amelia Island has several properties that allow the entire family to stay. And the island offers several lodging choices that include a complementary breakfast to start off a great day of exploring. For the adventurous traveler, Amelia Island offers two campgrounds, both at Fort Clinch State Park – one oceanside and one under a canopy of majestic Live Oaks.
Array of Activities
Technically an island is surrounded by water, but visitors to Amelia Island find themselves surrounded by a welcoming sea of activities. From pristine waters and long, beautiful beaches, to shady trails and historic settings, Amelia Island has plenty of ways to fill the days.
Visitors can settle in for a cozy, horse-drawn carriage ride through historic downtown Fernandina Beach, or cast off on a sunset sail down the Intercoastal Waterway. Children will enjoy a trip to Fort Clinch State Park, offering one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts
in the country, swimming, fishing, full-facility camping, and more. A six-mile trails leads hikers and bikers through the popular state park, where you can also see the largest sand dunes in Florida.
Nature-lovers will find few better ways to appreciate the island’s scenic wonders than a trip to Kayak Amelia. Located in Talbot Islands State Park, Kayak Amelia lets you paddle your way to close encounters with Amelia Island’s extraordinary wildlife, including egrets, herons, sea turtles, and manatees.
Amelia Island is a little island with a big history, which guests can discover for themselves at the Amelia Island Museum of History, Florida’s only spoken-history museum. Knowledgeable docents can lead you back in time to explore events spanning more than four centuries, and life on the island under the unruly rule of eight different flags.
Guests can enjoy a quiet, leisurely stroll along Fernandina’s historic Centre Street, complete with unique shops and eateries. For a picturesque tour of the island’s liquid assets, visit On the Water Adventures and Amelia Island River Cruises and Charters.
Year-Round Events
All year long, Amelia Island offers family-friendly events and festivals that celebrate the island’s colorful past and present – from the Concours d’Elegance in March, featuring rare vintage automobiles, to the Wild Amelia Nature Festival in May, offering a fun and educational look into the island’s biodiversity. In May, the famous Shrimp Festival is an all-out street party pirate celebration in honor of the tasty shrimp and the island’s shrimping heritage. The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival in June and Amelia Island Jazz Festival in October put music in the air, providing a salty soundtrack to a great vacation.
Corporate Meetings
Amelia Island offers a combined 100,000 square feet of meeting and conference facilities to accommodate groups of any size. The Amelia Island Plantation, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Summer Beach Resort and many of the island's hotels and bed and breakfast inns all offer meeting and conference space. Full-sized business centers, spectacular ballrooms, and unique outdoor and ocean-side venues give executives and planning professionals ideal locations for the most productive and memorable planning retreats, annual meetings, and sales conferences.
Successful meetings on Amelia Island require a balanced combination of work and play. Amelia Island provides groups with traditional meeting space, but many of our attendees prefer to take advantage of the natural surroundings and plan special excursions or team building exercises in the beautiful outdoors.
Weddings and Reunions
Amelia Island is a place where romance is born and togetherness is cherished. Many travelers have chosen Amelia Island as the perfect backdrop for weddings, family reunions and other special celebrations. From natural, tranquil beaches to luxury resorts, Amelia Island offers a perfect setting for a couple's "dream" wedding. Magnificent ballrooms (capable of holding guests ranging from 50 to 800 people), the lush grandeur of a garden courtyard and the simple elegance of a shoreline setting make it the perfect place for a destination wedding. After the cake is cut, the bouquet tossed and the rice is thrown, Amelia Island is also the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing honeymoon.
Distinctive Dining
With more than 40 distinctive restaurants from which to choose, Amelia Island serves up an enticing array of flavorful options. From the freshest Florida seafood and authentic Italian and Mexican specialties, to fine dining masterpieces and decadent desserts, Amelia Island’s menu of restaurants provide a satisfying selection of dining experiences. From the fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere at Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro to the small town charm of the Crab Trap, serving up seafood in a down-home setting, Amelia Island offers something for every taste bud.
Convenient Location
Located off the northeastern-most tip of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean, and separated from Georgia only by the Cumberland Sound, by car Amelia Island is just:
• 15 minutes from Interstate 95
• 30 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport
• 20 minutes from of the Georgia border
• 6 hours from Atlanta and Miami
• 3 ½ hours from Walt Disney World
Travel by Air
Amelia Island is just a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), making the airport a quick and convenient option for air travelers. Accommodators such as the Amelia Island Plantation and the Ritz-Carlton, offer shuttle service to and from the airport for an extra cost. In 2007, JAX served more than 5.9 million passengers on a dozen major airlines and a network of regional carriers, including Air Tran, American, Continental, Delta, ExpressJet, Frontier, Jet Blue, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways.
Access by Car
Amelia Island is connected to the mainland by two bridges. On the island’s southern tip, guests can take A1A north out of Jacksonville to the Mayport auto ferry, which traverses the St. Johns
River. Or, take A1A north to J. Turner Butler Boulevard west, then north on 115 straight over the Dames Point Bridge. Both options continue on A1A north over Big and Little Talbot Islands onto Amelia. For those looking to travel to the island’s center, take I-95 to Fernandina Beach exit 129, turn east onto A1A, travel 15 miles and cross the Intra-coastal Waterway into the heart of Amelia Island.
In-Town Travel
Car, taxi, limousine, scooter, and beach cruiser bicycle rentals are available.
Island Climate
Mild temperatures and cool sea breezes make Amelia Island’s temperature pleasant year-round. Amelia Island offers visitors the coolest temperatures in Florida, during the summer months.
High Lo
Winter (January) 63 44
Spring (April) 76 58
Summer (June) 90 75
Fall (September) 85 73
Visitor Information
Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Welcome Center
102 Centre Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
1-800-226-3542
www.ameliaisland.com
Located just off the coast of northeast Florida, Amelia Island is a barrier island rich in colorful history and breath-taking natural beauty. Its long, beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and pristine waters have made the island a favorite destination for outdoor adventure. Upscale resorts with world-class spas, championship golf and exclusive dining blend effortlessly with a captivating collection of bed and breakfast inns and historic districts. The island is home to Fernandina Beach, once a vibrant Victorian seaport village, and now a charming downtown district of eclectic shops, attractions, and eateries. Forget the everyday getaway; Come make memories on Amelia Island. For visitor information and online planning, visit www.ameliaisland.com
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MEDIA CONTACT: Katharina Brierton Lane, Hayworth Creative Public Relations
386.677.7000 • katharina@hayworthcreative.com