Enjoy a calming retreat at Sailmaker 408. This non-smoking ground floor poolside condo is just steps to the beach and complex outdoor pool.
Start your day with a stroll through the sand and witness a pastel sunrise over the rippling sea. Take in the scenery and jog along the shoreline or splash in the waves. Find some of the best Amelia island summer beach options.
- Sea Turtle Watch
This northeast Florida barrier island is home to lots of coastal critters, including sea turtles nesting along its beachfront and gopher tortoises living in its sand dunes. Sea turtle season runs May through October and you can see the eggs hatching in their protected nests this time of year.
You can also watch permitted volunteers from Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch conduct a “nest excavation,” which is basically an inventory of the remaining contents of a nest after hatchlings have crawled out to sea. This is a fascinating, educational activity. Visit their website to monitor the digging schedule and check for availability.
If you’re at the beach, don’t touch any nesting turtles, and remember to leave their path clear of obstacles. That includes removing beach furniture and closing sun shelters at night. It’s also a good idea to fill in any holes on the beach that could trap a sea turtle.
Amelia Island is a different kind of Florida getaway, one that offers pristine beaches and dunes on one side and unspoiled salt marshes and forests on the other. It’s easy to get to, with direct flights from many cities, and it provides a memorable experience in a setting enriched by history and natural beauty. Make plans today to experience Amelia Island, and you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
- Bird Watching
Many tourists come to Amelia Island for shelling and beach combing. It's easiest to find a wide variety of shells during low tide when the beach is exposed. Schedule your shelling activities around this time to maximize your success. Popular shells include clams, scallops, oysters and periwinkles. A large number of birds can also be spotted at this beach, including roseate spoonbills, wood storks, black-crowned night herons and black-legged stilts. The sand flats near the pier and fishing jetty are prime birding locations.
At the southern end of the beach is the Amelia Island State Park, part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Shorebirds like least terns, piping plovers and Wilson's plovers nest here. The pond at the park's center is a favorite spot for bird watchers as well. The salt marsh is an important habitat, providing food for fish and crustaceans. It also served as a source of fuel for the Timucuan Indians who farmed sea island cotton, sugarcane and indigo.
If you want to see more of the area from the water, consider renting a kayak or paddleboard at one of the local rental outfitters. You could also join a guided tour on a "war canoe," which is an extra-long, stable and fast-moving canoe used by Native Americans to navigate the river and other coastal waters.
- Fitness Station
This coastal barrier island is a paradise for golfers, beach lovers and nature enthusiasts. With 13 miles of beaches, abundant native wildlife and historic sites, Amelia Island offers something for everyone. Whether you want to stroll along the beach or get pampered at a spa, relax by the pool or work up a sweat at a fitness studio, our beautiful island will make your summer dreams come true.
Amelia Island is known as a premier golf destination and boasts an extensive selection of courses to suit every skill level. The island is also home to several golf tournaments throughout the year including the PGA Championship, US Amateur and Women’s Amateur. In addition to golf, there are also plenty of opportunities for bike riding, hiking, kayaking, sailing, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Located in the exclusive South End area of Amelia Island, Summerwoods is a private, gated community tucked beneath majestic coastal oaks and close to shopping, restaurants and historic downtown Fernandina Beach. 126 homeowners are conveniently located within walking distance to the Atlantic Ocean and a private resident pool. Sailmaker 502 in the Summer Beach complex is just a short walk to the beach and a quick drive to the Ritz Carlton, Omni Spa and six golf courses. It is also a short ride to the local shops, bars and unique dining spots of historic Fernandina Beach.
- Museums
Summer is the perfect time for exploring Amelia Island’s natural areas and its many beautiful beaches. Whether you are an avid kayaker, a birder, or simply love to relax on the beach and soak up the sun, there is always something to do in the seaside town of Amelia Island.
Kayakers and birders will find a wealth of nature in the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia River and Cumberland Sound around Amelia Island. The expansive salt marshes are a unique and protected habitat that allows for an unforgettable adventure out in the water, observing native wildlife including River Otters, Marsh Rabbits and Bobcats.
If you want to experience the waterways in a different way, consider signing up for a guided kayak tour of the area. Guided tours allow you to experience the backwaters of Northeast Florida’s pristine barrier islands, gaining knowledge of the ecosystem and enjoying the scenery that you would not be able to see on your own.
If you are more interested in the local history of Amelia Island, consider heading to the Maritime Museum of Amelia Island. Housed inside the former Nassau County Jail, the museum is home to exhibits highlighting the Island’s 4,000 years of history. Learn about the island’s rich piracy heritage as well as its storied past as the “Isle of Eight Flags.” Be sure to look for the cannons atop the museum!
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