Short answer: not on the city beaches, and only in the cooler months anywhere on the island. The City of Fernandina Beach does not allow fires on its beaches. Nassau County allows them on county beaches, south of the city line, but only in the winter and spring and only after sundown. Sea turtle nesting season closes the whole island to beach fires from May 1 through October 31.
That's why our bonfire season runs November 1 through April 30, and why we set up on a county beach where fires are permitted rather than wherever you happen to be staying. After you book, we call to arrange the location: the beach access most convenient for you, usually the closest one to your rental.
Why the rules are strict
Amelia Island is a loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach. From May through October, females crawl up the sand at night to lay eggs, and hatchlings crawl back toward the brightest horizon, which should be the ocean. A fire on the beach, or any light near the dunes, can turn hatchlings the wrong way. The county's "carry on, carry off" rule, which says nothing stays on the beach after 8 PM, exists for the same reason.
Outside of turtle season, the concern is simpler: unattended embers and sea oats. That's why fires have to be out before you leave and why the dunes are off limits.
The rules, in plain English
- City of Fernandina Beach beaches: no fires at any time. This covers the beaches from the north end of the island down past Main Beach and Seaside Park.
- Nassau County beaches: fires allowed in the cooler months, between sundown and sunup, extinguished before you leave. No glass, no alcohol, leashed dogs only.
- State park beaches (Fort Clinch, Amelia Island State Park): follow park rules, which do not include beach bonfires.
- May 1 to October 31: no beach fires anywhere on the island.
Rules change, and a dry spell can bring a county burn ban on any given day. Before you light anything yourself, check with the City of Fernandina Beach at 904-277-7300 or the county.
The easy version
Most visitors don't want to haul firewood across a dune walkover, find a legal spot, and dig a pit in the dark. That's the whole reason we offer beach bonfire set-ups. You pick a day and a slot, and we bring a contained fire pit, seasoned firewood, a beach chair for everyone, a table, a trash can, four tiki torches, a Bluetooth speaker and a s'mores kit with Hershey's chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows. We light it before you arrive, and we put it out and pack everything out after.
It's $275 for up to six people and $10 for each extra guest, November through April, with three 2-hour slots: 6–8, 7–9 and 8–10 PM. We watch the burn conditions, and if the county calls a ban or the weather turns, we reschedule you.
Make it a night
Bonfire guests usually pair it with a day on the sand. Our beach set-up service puts chairs and shade out for you in the morning, and a beach cruiser gets you from your rental to the fire and back without moving the car. There's no group limit: it's $10 per person over six, and past about ten guests we recommend two set-ups so there are two fires. For a proposal or a birthday, call us at (904) 310-6124 and we'll put it together.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit for a beach bonfire on Amelia Island?
If you set one up yourself on a county beach in season, check with Nassau County first; rules and burn bans change. When you book with us, we handle every permit and every rule, and you just show up.
Can I have a bonfire at my beachfront rental?
Only if the rental sits on a county beach and it's between November and April. Most rentals north of Peters Point are on city beach, where fires aren't allowed at all. Our set-ups take place on a county beach where fires are permitted, at an access close to where you're staying; we arrange the exact spot with you by phone after you book.
What if it rains or the wind picks up?
We watch the forecast and the county burn status. If conditions aren't safe we'll call you as soon as we know and either move you to another night or refund you in full.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes. Bring whatever you like, but remember glass and alcohol aren't allowed on the beach. The s'mores are on us.
