Where In Florida Is Amelia Island? (With Map) - Expert Explorers

Skip to content

1. Home>
2. North America>
3. Where In Florida Is Amelia Island? (With Map)

• Post last modified:June 26, 2020
• Post author:Nicole
• Post comments:2 Comments

You can support this website, at no additional cost to you, by using our links to purchase hotel stays, rental cars, travel products and more. Learn more.

PinShareTweet

Always listed as one of Florida’s best beaches, Amelia Island’s location often surprises visitors. Located just within the Florida – Georgia Atlantic coast border, Amelia Island is Florida’s northern most island. It is also the southern most island in a chain of barrier islands called the Sea Islands, stretching from Florida to South Carolina’s Murphy Island. 

Part of Nassau County, the island’s largest city is Fernandina Beach. Which is the northern most Atlantic coast city in Florida. 

Can You Drive To Amelia Island?

Yes, you can definitely drive to Amelia Island. Actually, it’s the best way to get there. There are two driving routes onto the island.

1. The quickest, most direct route, follows State Road 200 over Thomas J. Shave Jr. Bridge.
2. The other follows the northern bank of the St. Johns River on Heckscher Drive. This turns into the A1A. It winds through Big Talbot Island State Park before crossing the flat Buccaneer Trail, which bridges the islands.

By far, the second choice is my personal favorite.  It doesn’t take too much longer, and the scenery is well worth the detour.  Plus, if you have time, there’s tons of great stops along the way, such as Kingsley Plantation in the Fort George Island Cultural State Park.

What Airport Do You Fly Into For Amelia Island Florida?

Amelia Island does have a regional airport on the island, called Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. If you’re chartering a flight, or lucky enough to own your own jet, this is the closest option. 

For the rest of us, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is the largest major airport. It’s only 30 miles away or just around 40 minutes. 

Are There Shuttle Services To Amelia Island?

Yes, from Jacksonville Airport there are shuttle services to Amelia Island. Most require advance reservations.

For an idea on costs:

• Amelia Transport provides a private van, door-to-door, flat fee service for $70 (2020) per vehicle (up to 5 people) one-way.
• 8 Flags of Amelia Island offers a similar service for a $65 (2020) flat fee.

Both companies offer discounts for sharing a ride with other customers.

Hotels, like the Ritz Carlton and the Omni resort, also offer guest shuttles for a fee.

Do You Need A Car On Amelia Island?

Amelia Island is 13-miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest. Having a car is by far the most convenient way to get around the island, though not completely necessary.

The only public transportation is the Island Hopper bus. Operating Thursdays through Mondays, the $1-a-ride bus loops the central island from Atlantic Ave to Sadler Road. This is only 2 miles along the beach, but does go into the Historic Downtown District. If your hotel is further, or you want to visit the parks at the ends of the island, this may not work for you.

You can also rent bikes. As the island is not very big, and there are lots of lovely bike trails, this may be a viable option. Outside the hotter months that is.

Ride sharing services like Uber technically don’t operate on the island, but there are a handful of drivers that do.

Finally, it’s worth noting that many visitors staying at the larger resorts choose not to leave the resorts. Personally, this isn’t my favorite option, as I like to explore, but it is an option.

Is Amelia Island Walkable?

Yes, especially around the Historic District of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island’s largest city.

This area feels more like a small town than a city. It’s known for it’s gorgeous small boutique shops and local restaurants. Parking is infamously bad, especially in peak season, so walking is preferable.  

It’s worth noting, the Historic District is connected to the Island Hopper public shuttle. The shuttle picks up at City Hall and Central Park.  

Plus, it’s only two miles to walk from the Ferry Terminal in the Historic District, to the main beach. About a 40 minute walk. Atlantic Ave has a large sidewalk on each side of the road, making it also safe. 

There’s also plenty of recreational walking on the island. From the beautiful sandy beaches, to Fort Clinch, and Amelia Island State Parks. 

Where To Stay On Amelia Island

If you stay within the Island Hopper route, you are unlikely to need your car during your trip. However, mid-range hotels can often be a little pricier in this area. Though you can’t beat the convenience.  

On our last trip to the island we found a hidden gem of a budget option at the Beachside Motel.  Right on the beach, very clean and updated rooms, and friendly staff. Staying off-season and mid-week we spent $98 per night, significantly cheaper than other accommodation at the time. Check their current pricing. 

If budget is not your thing, don’t worry, Amelia Island has some very luxurious options. Check out the Ritz Carlton or Omni Resort.  

Related Articles:

• The Allure Of The Ribault Club, Fort George Island State Park 
• Florida’s Oldest Plantation; Kingsley Plantation, Fort George Island State Park
•  

Tags: Beaches, Outdoors, Summer, Travel Guide Travel Resources

We recommend and use these companies to arrange our travel plans; they make travel planning easy and affordable. If you have questions on our experiences, feel free to ask us!

• Book Flights: Skyscanner
• Book Accommodation: Booking.com
• Book Rental Cars: Rentalcars.com
• Buy Travel Gear: Amazon

Read more articles

Previous Post8 Reasons You’ll Love Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville, Florida Next PostFlorida’s Oldest Plantation House At Fort George Island State Park

You Might Also Like

Easy Hike To Roaring Fork Falls – Pisgah National Forest

December 21, 2020

What Can You Do At Valley Forge National Historical Park?

July 13, 2020

Getting Around Zion National Park: Parking, Shuttles, and More

November 15, 2021

Rough Ridge Overlook: The Blue Ridge Parkway’s Best Autumn View

December 7, 2020

Mt. Jefferson State Natural Area, NC: Mountain Hiking Without the Crowds

July 26, 2021

Cherohala Skyway Road Trip: 43 Miles of Breathtaking Views

October 5, 2020

This Post Has 2 Comments

1. Rick Wade August 3, 2020 Reply

   Hi. I live in FL and have been here. Just wanted to let anyone know who reads this that the info posted is very accurate and detailed. I’ve never been to a site with as much info and details as you are putting up here. We need more places! lol

   1. Nicole August 3, 2020 Reply

      Thanks Rick, glad you liked the post and can confirm the information. Don’t worry, we will have plenty more on Florida destinations in the near future. 🙂 Keep checking back.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

CommentEnter your name or username to comment Enter your email address to comment Enter your website URL (optional)

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Join the Community

Popular Posts

Though we aim for accuracy, travel is an ever-changing world. Please check information with the facility you plan to visit. 

We use cookies on our site to give you the best personalized experience. If you are happy with this please “Accept,” otherwise you can change your settings.AcceptCookies Close

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Categorized as necessary, some cookies are essential for the basic functionality and security of the website. Necessary cookies are stored in your internet browser. We also use third-party cookies to understand usage of our website, for continuous improvement. These non-necessary cookies are only stored in your internet browser with your consent. You can opt-out of non-necessary cookies using the controls below. Opting out may impact your browsing experience. Read our full Cookie Policy for more details. Necessary Necessary Always Enabled Are essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensure basic functionality and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Non-necessary Non-necessary Any cookies that are not necessary for the website to function and are used to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, or other embedded contents. For more details on these cookies, see our full Cookie Policy. SAVE & ACCEPT error: