Three Ways To Explore Amelia Island, Northern Florida's Idyllic Seaside Getaway

While Florida’s Gulf Coast has earned abundant acclaim for its white sand beaches and tangled mangrove forests, the state’s eastern reaches are home to their fair share of natural beauty as well. Case in point: the sprawling Amelia Island, a lush vacation destination that’s found just 45 minutes north of Jacksonville. In addition to pristine beaches and verdant forests, this idyllic island is also home to a thriving food scene and high concentration of lavish accommodations, with no shortage of fascinating attractions in place for all forms of traveler. As you plan your next trip to the northern edge of Florida, don’t miss out on this underrated coastal gem.

For Wildlife Lovers

With roughly 21 kilometers of sandy shoreline to explore, Amelia Island serves as Nassau County’s crown jewel for ecotourism. While the region’s vast beaches play host to classic shorebirds spanning from the purple sandpiper to the ruddy turnstone, no visit is complete without paying a visit to the Egans Creek Greenway. Measuring in at over 120 hectares, this verdant preserve serves as a top spot for birdwatching, with no shortage of calm waterways and tall trees that harbor all sorts of avian life. During a typical visit, guests can look forward to spotting peregrine falcons, wood storks, painted buntings and a wealth of other creatures, while lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of an alligator sunning itself on the shore.

While fascinating wildlife can be found across Amelia Island year round, November visitors can discover a particularly charming event in the form of the Right Whale Festival. First established in the late 2000s, this lively gathering draws tourists and locals in droves to the Fernandina shore to celebrate the Atlantic right whale, a massive creature that can measure in at more than 100,000 kilograms. While the animals have been driven to near-extinction due to 18th-century whaling practices alongside modern-day net entanglements and boat strikes, the Right Whale Festival offers insight into the tenacity of these massive cetaceans all while simultaneously offering handcrafted goods and ample information on how humans can be better stewards for their local environment.

For Gastronomes

Amelia Island’s sprawling shoreline has imbued the region with a thriving seafood scene, with Timoti's Seafood Shak serving as a can’t-miss spot located in the heart of Fernandina Beach. Equipped with a diverse array of dishes from all corners of the country, guests can sample the flavors of New England with a lobster roll or bowl of clam chowder, while shrimp fans should be sure to spring for a Baja Box, a flavorful creation that’s loaded with coconut rice, avocado and cilantro-infused ranch. Meanwhile, those willing to venture south will be richly rewarded with Kitchen 251, a venue that’s renowned for its gorgeous sunset views and beloved corn and crab soup—but of course, seafood isn’t all that Amelia Island has to offer.

During morning hours, visitors can swing by Amelia Island Coffee for a perfectly-crafted Beach Babe Iced Latte, while Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca has earned abundant acclaim for its ultra-flavorful Mexican fare, with seafood poblano rice, birria street tacos and duck mole enchiladas all gracing the menu—but no visit to Amelia Island is complete without paying a visit to Wicked BAO. Founded in December 2017 by Nathalie Wu, this vibrant venue has mastered the art of Asian-fusion cuisine, with dishes spanning from chicken satay to Singapore-style chili shrimp. And of course, the restaurant is also equipped with a wealth of decadent bao to sample, with options including fried grouper, bulgogi beef and adobo pulled pork.

For Relaxation

The balmy weather and pristine beaches across Amelia Island serve as a major draw for tourism, and to sweeten the deal, there’s no shortage of cozy accommodations to enjoy throughout your visit. In downtown Fernandina, The Addison provides particularly cozy accommodations just south of Centre Street, with 14 elegant rooms housed within one massive inn. During morning hours, guests can enjoy homemade breakfast and the on-property coffee bar, while complimentary bikes are available for those who wish to take a leisurely cruise around town. Bowling aficionados are welcome to head to Duck Pinz for a few frames, but for craft brewing aficionados, there’s no beating Mocama Beer Company. Located in a massive ‘50s-era dealership, visitors can sample a diverse array of beers spanning from the Mild—an ultra-smooth nitro brown ale—to the Cosmico IPA, a favorite thanks to its rich tropical fruit notes.

For those who prefer to explore outside of Fernandina Beach limits, the Omni Amelia Island Resort offers dazzling accommodations that are perfect for an idyllic getaway. While the property comes equipped with a massive outdoor pool complex, a full-service spa and more than 400 cozy rooms and suites, it also features a wide range of amenities to keep you occupied all throughout your stay. Golf aficionados are welcome to make use of all 36 fairways found across property, while wildlife lovers can visit the on-site Nature Center or book a kayaking tour around the sprawling Amelia Island salt marshes—and as an added bonus, the Omni is a steadfast supporter of sustainability as well, with the Sprouting Project in place to provide fresh honey, hot sauce and produce to the hotel’s many restaurants.