Beaches
Between the beach and the ocean, Amelia Island offers a myriad of ways to have fun on and off the water. From days of beachcombing for shells, shark teeth and other nautical treasures to surfing, biking and fishing… the beach is calling you. Hold that conch shell up to your ear. Can you hear us?
Check in to Sea Cottages of Amelia, Home2 Suites by Hilton, The Residence Inn (pictured above), Amelia Hotel at the Beach, The Hampton Inn, or Ocean Coast Hotel at the Beach, your home away from home for the next three days — ALL on Sadler Road, just steps from the beach and centrally located to all island activities. Want a luxurious resort getaway? Book a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island or Omni Amelia Island Resort where golf, dining and the beach are right at your fingertips.
Located at Main Beach is Sandbar Amelia Island, the only restaurant where you can either dine inside or on a large covered outdoor patio with an unobstructed view of the beach and ocean. It’s a nice welcome to the island and offers an eclectic menu to suit every type of foodie. It’s also the perfect place to strategize your weekend plans and relax with a frosty cold beverage and an amazing ocean view.
INSIDER TIP: Split the Pig & Fig Pizza made with guanciale, red wine braised figs, mozzarella, garlic oli and arugula. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.
Amelia Island’s entire 13-mile length along the Atlantic coastline is open for running, walking, shelling or just relaxing. It’s kinda what we’re known for. Take a dip in the ocean, learn to surf or just ride the waves. It’s the ultimate good time. Flyover our favorite beach spots above for a birds eye view of our gorgeous shores and then click here for more beach info. Amelia Island prides itself on our continuing effort to create a welcoming and accessible environment for visitors with disabilities. Learn more about our accessible travel here. We want everyone to make memories!
Feel like a kid again when you rent an eBike from Coast eBike Adventures. They offer guided eBike tours on bike paths, dirt trails, under live oaks, and on our breathtaking wide open beaches. Electric bikes (pedal assist) are a great way to see miles of NE Florida’s coastline without wearing yourself out from constantly pedaling. Just sit back, relax and take in the beauty of nature all around you.
There’s something about the sun setting over the marsh that gets into your soul and stays there. The majestic shades of green and gold marsh beneath cotton candy skies, the birds settling in for the evening and the night sounds of wildlife that begin to take over. Pair all of that with a fantastic dinner and you’ve got yourself an Amelia memory etched in your mind forever. For amazing sunset/marsh views, we suggest dinner at Kitchen 251, Cantina Louie, Captain Jack’s Smokehouse, Salty Pelican (pictured above), or Brett’s Waterway Café. All with eclectic menu options.
With fast friendly service, a downhome atmosphere and mounds of food, the Beach Diner has been serving up hearty breakfasts for over 20 years and is the perfect spot to begin day two. House favorites include omelettes, eggs benedict, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches. And… what is it about diner coffee that tastes so good? A mug of good hot coffee and a glass of Florida orange juice and you’re ready to go!
INSIDER TIP: The Eggs Benedict on lump crab cake is outstanding.
Water lovers are going to love spending the day on the water and we have all the toys to make it possible. Make some waves on a speedy, two-seater mini catamaran boat from Backwater Cat Adventure (pictured above). Rent a pontoon boat for a day of inland fishing or pleasure cruising. Take a kayak excursion for a personal view of mother nature. Cast a line with some of the Island’s legendary Fishing Charters. Or, try your luck at stand up paddleboarding. The activities are endless. This is where great stories come from.
Located at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Coquina is an open air, oceanfront outdoor restaurant with a menu inspired by our Spanish roots when Spain was one of the eight flags that flew over Amelia Island. Just about everything here is delicious but try the Crispy Mahi sandwich served with Tomatada and topped with Coquina Aioli. It’s muy delicioso!
Find beach treasure during your visit that doubles as a souvenir. The hunt for the elusive shark tooth on the shores of Amelia Island is a fun year round beach activity. You can either try it on your own or take a tour with Amelia Shark Tooth Adventures. You may find the tooth of a Great White, Hammerhead, Lemon, and other species. Search along the high- or low-tide line for the best selection but word has it that the beach surrounding Fort Clinch is the best place to find them. Should you come away with empty pockets, visit the Ship’s Lantern in downtown Fernandina Beach for a store bought one. We’ll never tell!
Way back in the early ’80s, an old fish camp was remodeled into a restaurant down under the Shave bridge. And the rest, as they say, is history. The Down Under has grown into the iconic southern seafood restaurant we know today, with a personality all it’s own. Part quirky fish camp. Part old Florida charm. All delicious. End your day with an ice cold beer or cocktail outside on the oversized deck and watch for dolphin, sea turtles, manatee and the sunset. Try their traditional Oysters Rockefeller followed by Crab Cakes, Spicy Fried Shrimp, Honey Glazed Salmon or their signaure Grouper Monterey.
Find your drishti on the horizon when you practice yoga along our Atlantic waters. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island Resort can join in oceanfront yoga classes at their respective locations while Deb Cunningham Yoga offers yoga sessions that you can take right on the beach! There’s no better way to relax than stretching out your muscles with your toes in the sand all while overlooking the ocean. Until you visit again… Namaste.
Before you head over the bridge and leave our island behind, grab breakfast at one of our favorite island spots, Tortuga Jack’s, located on the 2nd Floor of Sliders Seaside Grill. This oceanfront restaurant serves up a delicious Baja Mexican breakfast to get your day kickstarted in just the right way with dishes like Huevos Rancheros (black beans and scrambled eggs fiesta topped with pico de gallo) or the Buenos Dios Burrito which is a 12 inch flour tortilla stuffed with eggs, jalapenos, onion, peppers, cheese and your choice of chicken, chorizo or ground beef. Yum!
INSIDER TIP: Sit outside on the balcony for the best ocean views around.
These suggestions are just a sneak peek of all Amelia Island has to offer as you plan your Beach Getaway. If you can’t get away in the summertime, no worries. It just means that you’ll have more of the beach to yourself in the fall and winter! Discover more and plan you perfect trip on www.ameliaisland.com for a complete list of places to stay, eat and play.