You can drive to the spectacular Amelia Island by using one of the two bridges that connect the island with the Florida mainland. The main crossing is via the Thomas J. Shave Jr. Bridge, which connects the island with the community of O’Neil and the nearby city of Yulee. Located on the west central coast of the island, it’s a relatively short bridge that crosses the Amelia River. Further south, the second bridge connects the island’s southern tip with Big Talbot Island. Known as the George Crady Bridge, it extends to a mile in length and bridges the mouth of the Nassau River.
Amelia Island is a barrier island located in northeast Florida close to the border with Georgia. The island is part of the Sea Islands chain, which extends along the eastern coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The island measures 13 miles in length and 2 miles in width at its widest point. In total, the island covers 18.2 square miles.
Amelia Islands’ connections to the mainland make it easier to get to and navigate than some of the other Sea Islands. The close proximity of Jacksonville International Airport ensures the area is easily accessible for out-of-state visitors.
Car – Amelia Island is connected to the mainland via two bridges. The Thomas J. Shave Jr. Bridge on the West Coast is far and away the most convenient as it’s considerably closer to Jacksonville International Airport, Yulee City, and the I-95. The George Crady Bridge on the southern tip of the island leads to Big Talbot Island and a host of state parks and ecological areas. While it’s possible to navigate your way through this area and get back to the interstate, it’s a slow, if pleasant, drive. So, unless you intend to explore the state and ecological parks, use the Thomas J. Shave Jr. Bridge.
Boat – Given the excellent road connections between the island and the mainland, there’s no scheduled ferry service. Several operators run pleasure cruises down the Amelia River or between the nearby Cumberland Island, but this is purely for sightseeing.
Air – While there’s no airport on the island, the nearby Jacksonville International Airport ensures that the island and surrounding area is well connected domestically. The airport services airlines including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United. These airlines connect the area with cities across the East and West Coasts and other central travel hubs. There’s no public transport from the airport to Amelia Island, so you must rent a car or take a taxi to the island. Taxi fares cost in the regions of $50, and the journey takes around 20 minutes.
Amelia Island’s great links to the mainland make it a perfect place to bring your own vehicle or rental vehicle. The island has a good road network, and navigating the island is easy. However, given the island’s size and the good cycling infrastructure in place, there’s no need to bring a vehicle if you don’t want to.
The big attraction on Amelia Island is undoubtedly the 13 miles of wide sandy beaches that stretch along the islands eastern coast. However, if you’re looking for some variety or a break from the beach, you’ll find several other great attractions on and around the island.
Fernandina Beach – Amelia Island and specifically the Fernandina Beach area were some of the early pioneers of the shrimping industry. It was also the location for one of the scenes from the blockbuster movie Forest Gump. Aside from the fine beach, you’ll also find relics from the shrimping industry and piers that are home to shrimping boats to this day.
Amelia Island State Park – A wonderful place to escape the crowds and explore more of the island. The state park is popular with a contrasting mix of 4WDbeach explorers, fishermen, and horse riders. If it all sounds peculiar, it’s because it is, but it’s wonderful nonetheless.
Fort Clinch State Park – Built in 1847, Fort Clinch was a major site during the American Civil War. It changed hands several times before leading a more sedate civilian life. It’s now a state park and an excellent place to visit, with an excellent history and a well-preserved structure.
Amelia Island Historic District – The downtown area of Fernandina Beach is an excellent and popular place to visit. Main Street has many excellent independent stores, and the area is home to some great historic buildings. There’s also a vibrant restaurant scene, making this a must-visit location as part of any trip to the island.
Amelia Island enjoys a fine and warm year-round climate. The best time to visit the island is largely dictated by the Atlantic hurricane season, which arrives in June and ends in September. There’s lots of rain during this time, and the weather can be humid and unpredictable. Visiting before or after the hurricane season is generally recommended when the weather is warm, but rainfall is minimal. A visit during the winter months is also a pleasant experience, although it can be touch and go on whether it’s warm enough for the beaches, which are the island’s main attraction.
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