In 2023, Southern Living magazine voted Fernandina Beach one of the Best Small Towns in the South, and in 2025, Business Insider considered us one of the Best Small Towns to Visit in Florida. There’s a quote that says “Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful…” I think that describes Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island to a T. It’s the perfect mix of mother nature and really good people that make this town so great.
Here are 5 reasons why we think Southern Living and Business Insider thought of us. But don’t just take our word for it – pack your bags and come see for yourself!
1. The Beach
Amelia Island’s shores have long been a source of beauty, enjoyment, and wonder. Unlike many Florida beaches, Amelia Island offers virtually unlimited access to its coast. Visitors will experience an unparalleled sense of calm and peace as they stroll along the 13 miles of pristine quartz sand. Not to mention, Amelia Island’s entire length along the Atlantic coast is open for running, walking, shelling, horseback riding, or just plain relaxing and enjoying.
2. The History & Architecture
This Historic District of Fernandina Beach is a 50-block area on the north end of Amelia Island and is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. This area was once a Victorian seaport village — home to pirates, Gilded Age millionaires, bootleggers, shrimpers, and other characters. Take a docent-led walking tour to see the beautiful Victorian homes that still stand today and hear colorful stories of the way island life used to be in the heart of Amelia Island’s downtown.
3. The Sunsets
There’s something about viewing or being out on the water that eases the mind and lowers the blood pressure. Throw in a perfect Florida sunset and, well, you may never want your Amelia Island vacation to end. Lucky for you, we have so many places to choose from to watch the day come to a close. The downtown docks at the Marina happens to be one of the best and probably the most “instagrammable”. Your favorite person + your beverage of choice + sunset = another gorgeous day on Amelia Island.
4. The Nature
Maritime hammocks, with large Spanish moss-draped live oaks, adorn Amelia Island and are prevalent at Fort Clinch State Park, Amelia Island State Park, and Egans Creek Greenway. These places provide refuge to wildlife including gopher tortoises, deer, raccoons, bobcats, and many species of birds and reptiles, including the American alligator and the painted buntings, prized by bird watchers. Put on your hiking shoes, and grab your binoculars, camera or iphone and hit the trails.
5. The People
There’s a reason that Fernandina Beach was selected as one of the “10 Happiest Seaside Towns,” by Coastal Living magazine way back in 2017 and one of “America’s Quirkiest Towns” by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2014. It’s all about the people and vibe. Folks that live here are generally pretty laid back, friendly, and – well – quirky, and we like it that way. We take shrimping very seriously. So much so that we devote an entire festival to it every April. And, we love pirates. Especially the friendly ones that roam the island to this day thanks to the Fernandina Beach Pirates Club, a civic and charitable organization made up of “Amelia Island’s Goodwill Ambassadors to the World”.
Cheers to mother nature, small towns, and quirky people. Come see us!