Amelia Island

If you're looking for that next great fun in the sun vacation destination, then Amelia Island might be the ideal place for you. Found just off the northeastern coast of Florida, laid back Amelia Island provides an ideal complement to the more speedy urban environment that can be found in nearby Jacksonville. Perhaps after a few days of city life in Jacksonville, you'll treat yourself to an Amelia Island vacation, which can see you enjoying things like kayaking, biking, and horseback riding on the beach. Among the top Amelia Island attractions are its golf courses, so you can surely add golfing to the agenda as well. When you're not teeing it up on some of the best Florida golf courses on an Amelia Island vacation, hanging out on the beach is bound to figure on the itinerary.

The Amelia Island beaches are among the best beaches in Florida, especially if you are looking for some family friendly strips of sand. Relatively calm water conditions make for good swimming at the beaches here, and the sand is ideal for sandcastle building. There are thirteen miles of beaches to enjoy on this thirteen-mile-long barrier island, so finding a spot to stake your claim on a sunny day shouldn't be an issue. Some of the best beaches that you can visit on an Amelia Island vacation can be found near Fernandina Beach, which is the charming historic village on the island's north side. Once a vibrant seaport in the Victorian era, the village of Fernandina Beach is still a popular place to hang out, especially since it boasts unique shops, excellent eateries, and some interesting historical attractions.

The beaches near Fernandina Beach are but a mile from the heart of town, and there are over four miles of them to enjoy. Relatively pristine, these beaches are ideal for relaxing, though you can also stay active if you prefer. Main Beach, which is the largest public beach on the island, boasts basketball courts, a beach volleyball court, a small skateboarding park, a miniature golf course and more. Main Beach is often considered to be the best family beach on Amelia Island, as it features the most in the way of picnic areas, free public parking, outdoor showers, restrooms, and lifeguards. Seaside Park, which is next to one of the island's most renowned restaurants, offers another good beach that you will want to keep in mind if you prefer having ample facilities at your disposal.

While visiting one of the main public beaches is among the top things to do on Amelia Island, you can also wander off to a more secluded beach if you please. Maybe you just had a Jacksonville wedding and you are honeymooning on Amelia Island, in which case a secluded beach can provide an invitingly romantic setting. Should you and your significant other want to add some action to your beach time, you can always make a break for Peter's Point, where jet skiing and parasailing are among the featured water sports. The Amelia Island beaches can fit a range of tastes and preferences, so finding one that is ideal for you won't be hard.

As one might imagine, the top accommodations on Amelia Island can be found near the water, and though there are some good hotels to choose from here, you might opt instead to book a vacation rental. The Amelia Island vacation rentals come in the form of condos and homes, and most can provide you with more space and privacy than a hotel room can. In addition to upscale resorts like the Ritz Carlton and the Amelia Island Plantation, visitors who are more interested in the hotel experience will also find plenty of good options. Perhaps a bed and breakfast will suit your fancy, in which case you will be in luck, as there are some excellent ones to choose from.

Many an Amelia Island hotel or vacation rental offers ocean views, not to mention easy access to one of the island's beaches. Some of the lodging establishments here front private beaches that guests can enjoy when they're not out enjoying the public beaches or the other Amelia Island attractions. Speaking of other attractions on Amelia Island, one of the best is the Amelia Island Museum of History, which is housed in an old county jail that dates back to 1878. Amelia Island boasts a very interesting history, and you can learn all about it at the Amelia Island Museum. For those who are interested, the museum offers walking tours of the historic district in Fernandina Beach between the months of September and June.

When it comes to the Amelia Island attractions, the island's natural beauty figures among them. There are many ways to take in the natural side of things here, and they include birdwatching, biking, taking Segway tours, or enjoying sailing excursions. In addition to sailing the high seas, those who are looking to book a cruise or charter boat excursion can also take to the island's other scenic waterways. Sightseeing isn't the only thing that you can do while boating on an Amelia Island vacation, and if you like to fish, you can add that to the mix. Don't forget about the Amelia Island State Park and Fort Clinch State Park if you want to take in some natural sights on an Amelia Island vacation. These parks offer acres of pristine wilderness to explore, and like the state park on nearby Talbot Island, they are great places to go camping, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking.