Activities on Amelia Island

One of the best things about Amelia Island is its 13 miles of untouched beaches. Why not explore it on horseback? With a guided horseback riding tour from Amelia Island Horseback Riding, you can ride along the shoreline and through the forest for an unforgettable experience.

Located on the Amelia Island Resort property, the Amelia Island Nature Center aims to connect visitors with the local environment and its wildlife in fun and educational ways. 

The on-site naturalists aim to educate visitors on the natural wonders of the local area. They offer a variety of family-friendly guided tours, including:

Nature Segway Tour, Eco Bike Hike, Stand Up Paddleboard Tour, Kayak Tour, Birds of Amelia Tour, Ecology of Amelia Tour, Family Discovery Series (includes Shark Tooth Discovery, Marine Mammals Discovery, Snake Discovery, and more!) 

At the Nature Center, you’ll also find a fully stocked retail shop offering field guides, top-of-the-line binoculars, fishing poles for rent, and more. You can also visit with the rescued local critters that are housed on-site.

Located just a 19-minute drive North of the Amelia Island Resort area, Fort Clinch is one of the best-preserved forts in the country. Although no battles were fought at this fort, it was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars. It was also occupied by Federal troops during WWII.

Sitting within a 1,400-acre state park, not only can you explore the rich history of the fort itself through its guided tour, you can also enjoy winding trails, biking, hiking, beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing on the park’s grounds. For those who enjoy camping, there is one campground area at the beach and another at the river, both offering overnight accommodations with full facilities.

If you enjoy chartering an open-water offshore fishing excursion, Amelia Island offers a variety of guided fishing trips off the coast provided by some of the most experienced charter captains in the area.

Most of the offshore trips on offer last a full day and take you anywhere from 8 to 20 miles (or more) off the coast. Once offshore, be prepared to focus on quality versus quantity. Large wahoo, tuna, marlin, amberjack, and shark are plentiful in the North Florida area, but it can sometimes take hours to bring a large one in. So patience (and strength) will be needed. But you can be confident that your charter captain will make your day on the boat a memorable one.

For a more adventurous activity, you can feel the thrill of riding the waves at Fernandina Beach. The main surf spot, aptly referred to as “Main Beach,” has fairly consistent surf throughout the year. Under the ideal wind and swell direction, Main Beach offers a fun, rideable wave for all skill levels.

This spot sees the best waves during offshore winds from the West and with a groundswell coming from the Northeast.

If you or your child have never surfed before (but want to) or are new to surfing, there are some great professional surf lessons available in the area. Check out the private lessons on offer from the local surf shop, Surf Asylum. In their beginner sessions, they teach about the surfboard’s different parts and their function, proper paddling and pop-up techniques, ocean awareness, and water safety. They also offer advanced lessons for those wanting to progress their skills and improve their surfing technique.

As you can see from the above, there is a great variety of options when it comes to what to do on Amelia Island. And many of them can help you work up a big appetite. When you are ready for some delicious food and wondering where to eat at Amelia Island, you won’t be disappointed. 

For a relatively small island, you’ll find a surprising number of dining choices for all types of palates. More than 70 restaurants throughout the Amelia Island area offer everything from fresh-caught seafood to prime steaks and everything in between. Some of the best restaurants on Amelia Island include: 

Bob’s Steak and Chop House — This traditional American Prime Steakhouse features large cuts of the finest prime steaks, chops, seafood, and perfectly paired wines served by experienced and friendly staff in a lively atmosphere. At Bob’s, your dinner comes with your choice of homemade potato and their iconic glazed carrot.

They also offer a variety of seating options to choose from, including the expansive alfresco patio dining area, private dining rooms, or cozy lounge seating by the fire pits. Dinner is served Tuesday-Saturday.

Verandah — With a focus on coastal Mediterranean cuisine, Verandah offers casual yet elevated dining. Here, you’ll find delicious seafood and house-made pasta along with an approachable yet extensive wine list, all served in a relaxing setting. With fresh seafood from the local Atlantic Ocean and ingredients sourced from neighboring farmers, our chefs are dedicated to using the finest ingredients to guarantee an unbelievably fresh meal. The restaurant serves dinner daily.

Seaglass — For breakfast, Seaglass offers Stance Coffee and light breakfast fare with beautiful terrace views. Then, in the evenings, you can enjoy their small plate specialties and full bar, which includes an expansive bourbon, whisky, and scotch list.

Seaglass provides an elevated dining experience with a refreshing take on locally-sourced ingredients. Their innovative bar offerings take it up even another level with cocktails featuring hyper-local ingredients sourced from The Sprouting Project, which is their on-site organic gardens and aquaponic greenhouse.

Outdoor seating is available, and you can also enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Espana Restaurant & Tapas — At this local favorite, you’ll find perfectly prepared traditional flavors from Spain and Portugal. Enjoy delicious, homemade paella, fresh fish and shellfish, varied hot and cold tapas, and homemade desserts in the welcoming main dining room, on the enclosed patio, or in the thriving outdoor garden.

Salt at The Ritz Carlton — Offering deliciously memorable dining, Salt features simple ingredients from the earth and sea, all properly seasoned, artfully prepared, and served in a coastal-contemporary, fine dining setting. They use more than 40 different salts from around the world to add flavor and depth to coastal-inspired cuisine. And for a truly unforgettable culinary experience, make sure to reserve the chef’s table.

David’s Restaurant & Lounge — If you are looking for a special evening, check out this elegant and upscale fine-dining restaurant that specializes in premium steaks and delicious seafood with a perfectly curated wine list. At David’s, from their new-age kitchen adventures to classic recipes, each dish reflects their passion for high-quality food presented on unique dinnerware, each dish with its own style. For a perfect nightcap, you can enjoy a variety of unique cocktails in the lounge.

Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro — Located in a restored 1900s home in downtown Fernandina Beach, Joe's features fine lunch and dinner cuisine with a southern flair. Their offerings include certified Angus beef and fresh local seafood, paired with a unique wine list for all occasions. You can either sit inside or relax onthe charming, New Orleans-inspired patio.