Three Ways To Explore Amelia Island, Northern Florida's Idyllic Seaside Getaway

31.03.2024 - 13:51 / forbes.com

While Florida’s Gulf Coast has earned abundant acclaim for its white sand beaches and tangled mangrove forests, the state’s eastern reaches are home to their fair share of natural beauty as well. Case in point: the sprawling Amelia Island, a lush vacation destination that’s found just 45 minutes north of Jacksonville. In addition to pristine beaches and verdant forests, this idyllic island is also home to a thriving food scene and high concentration of lavish accommodations, with no shortage of fascinating attractions in place for all forms of traveler. As you plan your next trip to the northern edge of Florida, don’t miss out on this underrated coastal gem.

With roughly 21 kilometers of sandy shoreline to explore, Amelia Island serves as Nassau County’s crown jewel for ecotourism. While the region’s vast beaches play host to classic shorebirds spanning from the purple sandpiper to the ruddy turnstone, no visit is complete without paying a visit to the Egans Creek Greenway. Measuring in at over 120 hectares, this verdant preserve serves as a top spot for birdwatching, with no shortage of calm waterways and tall trees that harbor all sorts of avian life. During a typical visit, guests can look forward to spotting peregrine falcons, wood storks, painted buntings and a wealth of other creatures, while lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of an alligator sunning itself on the shore.

While fascinating wildlife can be found across Amelia Island year round, November visitors can discover a particularly charming event in the form of the Right Whale Festival. First established in the late 2000s, this lively gathering draws tourists and locals in droves to the Fernandina shore to celebrate the Atlantic right whale, a massive creature that can measure in at more than 100,000 kilograms. While the animals have been driven to near-extinction due to 18th-century whaling practices alongside modern-day net entanglements and boat strikes, the Right Whale Festival offers insight into the tenacity of these massive cetaceans all while simultaneously offering handcrafted goods and ample information on how humans can be better stewards for their local environment.

Amelia Island’s sprawling shoreline has imbued the region with a thriving seafood scene, with Timoti's Seafood Shak serving as a can’t-miss spot located in the heart of Fernandina Beach. Equipped with a diverse array of dishes from all corners of the country, guests can sample the flavors of New England with a lobster roll or bowl of clam chowder, while shrimp fans should be sure to spring for a Baja Box, a flavorful creation that’s loaded with coconut rice, avocado and cilantro-infused ranch. Meanwhile, those willing to venture south will be richly rewarded with