Amelia Island is 13 miles long, flat, and threaded with paths and quiet roads, which makes it one of the few beach towns where a bike beats a car for the whole trip. Here's how we'd spend three days, starting from our store at the Sadler Road roundabout. Adjust the order to the tides; the tide guide explains why.
Before you arrive
Reserve your bikes (or e-bikes for the longer rides) for pickup or delivery, and book the beach set-up for the mornings you want chairs waiting. If it's November through April, book a bonfire for night three; the 7–9 PM slot is the one most people want.
Day 1: the north end
Morning. Pick up the bikes, cross Fletcher and ride north past Main Beach to Fort Clinch State Park: 2.2 miles, $2 at the gate, three miles of canopy road to the fort. Walk the ramparts, hunt shark teeth on the jetty beach, and lock the bikes at the pier.
Afternoon. Ride back to Main Beach. If the tide is low, ride the sand from Main Beach down to Seaside Park instead of the road. Your chairs and umbrella are standing in front of Seaside Park if you booked the set-up; otherwise grab the ones from your rental and walk across.
Evening. Sunset from the Fort Clinch pier or the Main Beach boardwalk, then dinner at one of the two restaurants right on Main Beach, bikes locked out front.
Day 2: downtown and the marsh
Morning. Ride west on Atlantic Avenue to historic downtown Fernandina Beach, about 15 minutes on a cruiser. Centre Street is eight blocks of 19th-century storefronts from the railroad depot to the marina: coffee, the Saturday farmers market, the old Palace Saloon, shrimp boats at the dock. Lock up and walk it.
Lunch. The Patio on 5th or the Salty Pelican for the rooftop view over the river; Mezcal for tacos; Townies for pizza.
Afternoon. Ride back east and turn into Egan's Creek Greenway behind the Marriott: 300 acres of marsh trails, shaded, flat, with herons and the occasional alligator sunning at a distance. Two minutes from our door, and the best quiet ride on the island. Back to the beach for the late-afternoon low tide and a swim if it's summer.
Evening. Dinner on Fletcher or back downtown; the ride home along the ocean at dusk is the one you'll remember.
Day 3: the south end
Morning. The long ride, and the day for the e-bike. Head south on the Amelia Island Trail, the paved path along A1A, past Peters Point to American Beach and Burney Park: the island's tallest dune and a National Historic Landmark founded in 1935. Continue to the Plantation's edge and, with an e-bike, to Amelia Island State Park at the southern tip. Cruisers can turn around at American Beach; it's still a great morning.
Afternoon. Boards. Rent a paddle board for the calm water on the river side, or a body board for the incoming tide on the ocean. Or do nothing in the chairs. You've earned it.
Evening. Your bonfire. We've already called to set the beach access closest to you, the fire is lit when you walk out, the chairs are in a circle, the torches are burning and the s'mores are on the table. Two hours later we put it out and clean up while you ride home.
If you're staying at the Omni or in the Plantation
Flip the days: ride the Plantation paths and the south-end beaches on day one, do the north end on an e-bike on day two, and downtown on day three. We deliver everything to the resort for the same price, and your bonfire will be on the county beach right by you.
Quick answers
Can you do Amelia Island without a car?
Yes, easily. The island is flat and 13 miles long; a cruiser covers the north end and downtown, and an e-bike covers all of it. Our no-car guide has the details.
How many days do you need on Amelia Island?
Three is right for a first visit: north end, downtown, south end. A week lets you repeat the parts you liked.
What is the one thing not to miss?
Fort Clinch by bike in the morning, and a bonfire on the beach at night if you're here between November and April.
