Fernandina Beach is the only city on Amelia Island, and it packs a lot into a small, walkable town: a historic downtown, a Civil War era fort, wide beaches, a working shrimp boat harbor and some of the best fishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida. Whether you are here for a weekend or a week, here are our favorite things to do in Fernandina Beach, from the crew at Big Fin Charters.
1. Walk historic downtown Fernandina
Downtown Fernandina is the heart of the island. Centre Street runs from the riverfront up through blocks of restored Victorian buildings filled with shops, restaurants and galleries. The surrounding Fernandina Beach Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and includes about 300 historic buildings, from grand Victorian homes to old churches and the Nassau County Courthouse. It is a great place to spend an afternoon on foot.
2. Explore Fort Clinch State Park
At the north end of the island, Fort Clinch State Park protects a 19th century brick fort overlooking the St. Marys River inlet. You can walk through the fort’s rooms and walls, and on many first weekends of the month, costumed volunteers bring the garrison to life with living history demonstrations. The park also has a quiet beach, shaded trails through maritime forest, camping and great spots to hunt for shark teeth. There is a small entry fee per vehicle.
3. Spend a day at the beach
The Atlantic side of the island is one long stretch of beach. Main Beach, at the east end of Atlantic Avenue, is the classic spot for families, with easy access and plenty of room to spread out. For a quieter morning, the beach inside Fort Clinch State Park is hard to beat.
4. See the Amelia Island Lighthouse
Built in 1838, the Amelia Island Lighthouse is widely considered the oldest lighthouse in Florida. It sits in a residential neighborhood and tours are limited, so check with the City of Fernandina Beach before you go. Even from the outside, it is a fun piece of island history.
5. Visit the Amelia Island Museum of History
Housed in the old Nassau County Jail, the Amelia Island Museum of History tells the story of the island from its earliest Native American residents through the “eight flags” that have flown over Amelia Island. It is a great rainy day stop and a good way to understand the town you are walking around.
6. Grab a drink at the Palace Saloon
Downtown’s Palace Saloon is often billed as the oldest bar in Florida, with a history that goes back to the late 1800s. Even if you are just stopping in to look around, it is part of the Fernandina experience.
7. Watch the sunset on the riverfront
The downtown waterfront faces west over the Amelia River and the marshes, which makes it one of the best sunset spots on the island. You will see shrimp boats, sailboats and charter boats (including ours) coming back to the docks at the end of the day.
8. Go to the Shrimp Festival
Every spring, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival fills downtown with food, music, arts and crafts and a pirate parade. Fernandina Beach is known as a birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, and the festival celebrates that history. Book your stay early if you plan to visit that weekend.
9. Get outside on the Egans Creek Greenway
The Egans Creek Greenway is a network of easy, flat trails through marsh and wetlands in the middle of the island. It is a favorite for walkers, cyclists and birders, and you may spot herons, egrets and the occasional alligator.
10. Take a day trip to Cumberland Island
Just across the St. Marys River in Georgia, Cumberland Island National Seashore is famous for its wild horses, empty beaches and old ruins. The passenger ferry leaves from St. Marys, Georgia, so plan ahead and reserve your spot.
11. Go fishing
Of course, we think the best thing to do in Fernandina Beach is get out on the water. The jetties at the St. Marys inlet, the Amelia River and the offshore reefs east of the island hold redfish, black drum, sheepshead, flounder, king mackerel, snapper, grouper and more, depending on the season.
- Short on time or bringing kids? Try a 2 to 4 hour inshore or family fishing trip.
- Our most popular trip is the half day jetty fishing charter.
- Serious anglers should look at our offshore fishing trips, from 6 to 10 hours.
Every trip leaves from downtown on South Front Street, steps from Centre Street, and includes licenses, bait, tackle and fish cleaning. Check open dates online or call (904) 753-3848.
Tips for planning your visit
- Stay downtown or near Main Beach if you want to walk to restaurants and the waterfront.
- Book popular activities early in spring and summer, especially fishing charters on weekends.
- Plan around the weather. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, so morning boat trips and beach time are a smart move.
- Coming from Jacksonville? The drive is about an hour. See our Jacksonville trip planning page.