The top things to do in Fernandina Beach are walking Centre Street’s Victorian downtown, touring Fort Clinch, spending a Saturday morning at the Fernandina Beach Market Place and finding a quiet stretch of Amelia Island’s Atlantic beaches. Add a drink at the Palace Saloon and fresh local shrimp, and you’ve got the island’s essentials in one weekend.
Fernandina Beach is the only city on Amelia Island, at Florida’s far northeast corner just south of the Georgia line. This guide covers downtown, the beaches, the parks, what to eat and the best times to visit. It’s part of our Northeast Florida guide.
Amelia Island at a glance
- Where: Nassau County, Florida, about 35 miles north of downtown Jacksonville.
- Getting there: About 45 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport via I-95 and A1A (State Road 200), or the slower coastal route via the St. Johns River Ferry and A1A over the Talbot Islands.
- Main town: Fernandina Beach, with its historic downtown on the Amelia River.
- Known for: Victorian architecture, the “Isle of Eight Flags” history, shrimping and wide, uncrowded beaches.
- Best for: Couples, history lovers, a slow beach weekend and holiday shoppers in December.
- Getting around: A car is easiest, but downtown is very walkable once you’ve parked.
What is there to do in downtown Fernandina Beach?
Walk Centre Street from the marina uphill through blocks of restored 19th century storefronts filled with shops, galleries and restaurants. Downtown is compact, so plan on a few hours on foot with stops for lunch and a drink. Park once and leave the car.
Centre Street
Centre Street is the spine of the historic district, running about eight blocks east from the Amelia River waterfront. The side streets, especially Ash Street and the blocks of North and South 2nd and 3rd streets, hold some of the island’s best Victorian houses. Go in the late afternoon, when the light hits the brick facades and the shrimp boats are tied up at the marina.
The Palace Saloon
The Palace Saloon on Centre Street is billed as Florida’s oldest bar and a downtown landmark tied to the island’s shipping and shrimping past. Stop in for a drink between shopping and dinner.
Amelia Island Museum of History
The Amelia Island Museum of History at 233 South 3rd Street tells the story of the island under the eight flags that have flown over it, including Spain, France, Britain, the United States and the Confederacy. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. The museum also runs walking tours of downtown, a good first stop if you want context before you explore.
When is the Fernandina Beach Market Place?
The Fernandina Beach Market Place runs every Saturday from 9am to 1pm in downtown Fernandina Beach, and it’s free to browse. Expect local produce, baked goods, prepared food, plants and handmade goods from area farmers and makers.
Arrive by 9:30am for the best selection, then walk over to Centre Street for coffee. The market is one of the easiest ways to meet the island’s growers and makers in one place, and its calendar shows Saturday markets continuing through the 2026 to 2027 winter season.
What are the best Amelia Island beaches?
Main Beach is the easiest all-around choice, with parking, restrooms and food nearby. For a quieter day, head to Fort Clinch State Park on the north end or the state parks to the south. Amelia Island beaches are wide and flat, with firm sand that’s good for long walks and bike rides at low tide.
Main Beach Park
At the east end of Atlantic Avenue, Main Beach Park is Fernandina Beach’s central public beach. It has the most amenities, and it’s the best pick for families who want lifeguards in season and a short walk to lunch.
Fort Clinch beach
Inside Fort Clinch State Park, the beach runs along the Atlantic to the mouth of Cumberland Sound, with views north toward Georgia’s Cumberland Island. There’s a fishing pier, and the shoreline here is quieter than in town.
American Beach
On the island’s south end, American Beach was founded in 1935 by the Afro-American Life Insurance Company as a beach resort for Black families during segregation. NaNa, a tall sand dune there, is part of the National Park Service’s Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Visit to walk the beach and read the history markers, and be respectful of the residential neighborhood.
Big Talbot Island and Boneyard Beach
South of Amelia Island across the Nassau Sound bridge, Big Talbot Island State Park is home to Boneyard Beach, where salt-bleached tree trunks lie scattered on the sand. It’s one of the most photographed spots on the coast. Entry is $3 per vehicle, and the park is open 8am to sundown. Go at low tide and wear sturdy shoes for the bluff trail down.
Is Fort Clinch State Park worth visiting?
Yes. Fort Clinch State Park combines a 19th century brick fort with beaches, trails and a pier, all for $6 per vehicle with two to eight people. It’s the island’s best half-day outing.
- Hours: Park open 8am to sundown daily. The fort is open 9am to 5pm.
- Fees: $6 per vehicle (two to eight people), $4 single-occupant vehicle, $2 pedestrians and cyclists.
- What to do: Tour the fort, walk or bike the wooded park road, fish from the pier and walk the beach.
- Tip: Visit the fort first, before midday heat, then spend the afternoon on the beach.
What are the best things to do on Amelia Island outdoors?
Beyond the beaches, Amelia Island’s best outdoor time is on the marshes and rivers that wrap its west side. Fishing charters, kayak trips and sunset boat tours leave from the Fernandina Harbor Marina downtown.
- Egans Creek Greenway: A network of trails through marsh and maritime forest in the middle of the island, good for walking, biking and birding.
- Biking: The beach is firm enough to ride at low tide, and quiet roads connect downtown, Main Beach and Fort Clinch.
- Boat tours: Harbor and river tours head up the Amelia River toward Cumberland Island, where wild horses are often seen along the shore.
- Shelling and shark teeth: Walk the tide line after a storm or at low tide for shells and fossil shark teeth.
Where to eat in Fernandina Beach
Order local wild-caught shrimp. Fernandina Beach calls itself the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, and shrimp shows up on nearly every menu in town. Downtown has most of the island’s independent restaurants, all within walking distance of each other.
- Timoti’s Seafood Shak: Casual counter-service seafood downtown, with a playground and outdoor seating. Good for families and a quick shrimp basket.
- España Restaurant & Tapas: Spanish and Portuguese tapas in a garden setting downtown.
- The Salty Pelican: Low-key seafood with views of the Amelia River, a good sunset dinner.
- Lagniappe: French-inspired cooking with Southern touches for a special night out.
- Burlingame: Seasonal fine dining from a young local chef.
- Cantina Louie: Mexican street food, quick and easy.
On the way up from Jacksonville, Mayport’s Safe Harbor Seafood Market and Restaurant is a good lunch stop near the St. Johns River Ferry landing.
What events happen in Fernandina Beach?
The two biggest are the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival each spring and Dickens on Centre in December. Book a room early for either.
Dickens on Centre
Dickens on Centre turns downtown into a Victorian Christmas market from December 11 to 13, 2026. Market hours are 4pm to 9pm Friday, 10am to 9pm Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday. Admission is free, with ticketed add-ons such as Fezziwig’s Courtyard and the 21-and-over Dickens After Dark. Downtown parking is very limited, so park free at Central Park on 11th Street and ride the free trolley in.
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
The island’s spring shrimp festival fills downtown with food, arts and crafts and a pirate-themed parade. Check the festival’s official site for 2027 dates before you plan.
If you’re visiting in December, combine Dickens on Centre with St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights about an hour and a half south. Our St. Augustine in December guide has the dates and parking plan.
Where to stay on Amelia Island
Stay downtown in a historic inn to walk to dinner, or at the oceanfront resorts on the south end for a full-service beach stay. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island Resort are the two big resorts, both on the beach south of town.
Downtown bed and breakfasts put you within a few blocks of Centre Street, and beach cottages and vacation rentals line the shore between Main Beach and American Beach. See the Amelia Island area page as more local places to stay are added, or browse nearby options across Northeast Florida. If you’d rather base in the city and day trip, our guide to the best hotels in Jacksonville covers the beaches and downtown.
When is the best time to visit Fernandina Beach?
April, May, October and November bring warm days, cooler nights and fewer crowds than summer. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and it’s peak season for families. December is quiet on the beach but busy downtown during Dickens on Centre. Winter days are mild, but the ocean is cold for swimming from December through March.
FAQ
Is Fernandina Beach the same as Amelia Island?
Fernandina Beach is the city, and Amelia Island is the barrier island it sits on. The city covers the north end of the island, including the historic downtown and Main Beach. The south end, with the big resorts and American Beach, is unincorporated Nassau County but still part of Amelia Island.
How far is Fernandina Beach from Jacksonville?
Downtown Fernandina Beach is about 35 miles from downtown Jacksonville, roughly a 45-minute drive via I-95 and A1A. From Jacksonville International Airport, it’s a bit shorter. The scenic coastal route via the St. Johns River Ferry and the Talbot Islands takes longer but is worth it.
What is Amelia Island known for?
Amelia Island is known for its Victorian downtown, the “Isle of Eight Flags” history, Fort Clinch, shrimping and wide, quiet beaches. It’s also home to two major oceanfront resorts and a busy calendar of festivals, including Dickens on Centre.
Is downtown Fernandina Beach walkable?
Yes. Centre Street and the surrounding blocks are compact and easy to walk, with shops, restaurants and the marina all close together. Park once, explore on foot, and plan on a short drive or bike ride to reach Main Beach or Fort Clinch.
Can you see wild horses from Amelia Island?
Wild horses live on Cumberland Island, Georgia, just north across Cumberland Sound. Boat tours from Fernandina Harbor Marina often spot them along the shore. You won’t see them on Amelia Island itself.