People book a trip to Amelia Island and arrive in Fernandina Beach, or the other way around, and wonder if they're in the right place. You are. Here's how it fits together.
Amelia Island is the island
The whole barrier island: 13 miles long, about two miles wide, the northernmost of Florida's Atlantic islands, with Georgia's Cumberland Island across the inlet. Everything on this page is on Amelia Island, from the fort at the north tip to the state park at the south.
Fernandina Beach is the city
The City of Fernandina Beach covers roughly the northern half of the island. Historic downtown on the Amelia River, the Victorian district, Main Beach, the airport, the city beaches along Fletcher Avenue, and our store at the Sadler Road roundabout are all inside the city. When someone says "downtown," they mean Centre Street in Fernandina: eight blocks of 19th-century storefronts running from the marina to the railroad depot.
The south half is Nassau County
South of about Sadler Road the island is unincorporated Nassau County. That's Peters Point, American Beach, the Ritz-Carlton, Summer Beach, the Omni Amelia Island Resort and Amelia Island Plantation, and Amelia Island State Park at the tip. There's no town hall down there; the county runs the beaches and the roads.
Why the line matters to a visitor
- Bonfires are banned on city beaches and allowed on county beaches from November through April. Our bonfire set-ups are always on the county side.
- Beach driving exists only on the county beaches, and only for residents, military and disabled permits.
- Lifeguards, restrooms and the biggest parks are split: Main Beach (city) up north, Peters Point (county) just south of the line.
- Addresses: everything on the island uses Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 for mail, even the resorts on the county side. So "Fernandina Beach" on a booking doesn't tell you which half you're in; the resort name does.
Which half should you stay in?
North, in or near the city, if you want to walk or bike to downtown, the fort and the busiest beaches. South, at the resorts or in the Plantation, if you want quieter sand, golf and the paths under the oaks. It's 20 minutes between them by car, an hour on a cruiser, and about half that on an e-bike along the Amelia Island Trail, which is why we deliver to both ends. Bikes, chairs and shade are the same price delivered to the Omni and the Plantation as picked up at the store.
A few more names you'll hear
The Isle of Eight Flags: Amelia's nickname, for the eight governments that have flown a flag over it since 1562, France, Spain, Britain and the United States among them. American Beach: the historic Black beach community on the county side, founded in 1935. Old Town: the original Spanish town site on the north end, laid out in 1811. Main Beach: the city's big beach park at the end of Atlantic Avenue, not to be confused with the whole beach.
Quick answers
Is Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island?
Yes. Fernandina Beach is the city on the northern half of Amelia Island.
Is the Omni in Fernandina Beach?
Its mailing address is Fernandina Beach, but the resort sits on the county side of the island, outside city limits, about 15 minutes south of downtown.
How big is Amelia Island?
About 13 miles long and two miles wide, with 13 miles of Atlantic beach.
Where is The Beach Store and More?
2021 S. Fletcher Avenue at the Sadler Road roundabout, inside the city, across from Seaside Park. Right about where the city and county meet, which is why we're the easy middle point for the whole island.
