“Life’s a beach on Amelia Island,” you could say, and the beach and waterways are a centerpiece of island life. Since the island is only 1.9 miles at its widest point and 13 miles long, no matter where you are on Amelia, the beach and the waterways are close by, offering a wonderful place to spend leisure time.  Fishing and boating are favorite activities of both locals and tourists. (Pictured right, Amelia Island State Park Recreational beach on the south-end.)

The waterways around Amelia Island offer the avid boater and fisherman hundreds of hours of year round pleasure (as much as your free time will allow). Amelia Island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Cumberland Sound and the Amelia River/Intracoastal Waterway. Several marinas offer boat slips (listed at bottom of this page), and public boat ramps for those who trailer boats are available (listed below). There are local sailing clubs and boating associations (also listed below). Some property owners on Amelia Island have deep water access on the marsh, and can dock their boats right at their door.

Fishing is a big activity in the waters around Amelia Island. Amelia Island's waters reportedly offer some of the "most abundant fishing waters off the East Coast." Apart from Fernandina being the base for a fleet of local shrimping boats (and known as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry), many charter fisherman offer trips, as well as local boat owners who go fishing regularly. People also fish off the beaches (especially the beachfront at tip of the south-end), off the dedicated fishing bridge also at the south-end, and at the Fort Clinch State Park pier.

What you might catch in the waters around Amelia Island, Florida

Spring Season: Red fish, Trout, Jacks, Whiting, Kingfish, Pompano, Sheepshead, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Bluefish, Sailfish and Blackfin Tuna

Summer Season: Flounder, Red fish, Whiting, Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, Cobia, Sharks, Tarpon, Kingfish, Barracuda, Pompano, Bluefish, Sailfish

Fall Season: Red fish, Trout, Tarpon, Sharks, Whiting, Flounder, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Kingfish

Winter Season: Trout, Red fish, Sheepshead

Off Shore Fishing From Amelia

(Note: Private ramps at marinas, are not included below -- private marinas generally charge $5-$10 for launching.)

Dee Dee Bartell Ramp, North Amelia Island, on Intracoastal Waterway,  N. 14th St., Fernandina Beach, with 3-lane ramp and expansive parking lot. Two fishing piers.  Opened autumn, 2003.  See related article in Amelia Island Living's eMagazine section about the newest public boat ramp...

Access to the Intracoastal Waterway: Foot of Ash St., in historic downtown Fernandina Beach Harbor.  Beware of shallow water, shoaling, heavy use by commercial fishermen; very limited parking.

Big Talbot Island: Intracoastal Waterway, A1A off the south-end of Amelia Island near the bridge over Nassau River.  Conveniently located literally steps from the foot of the south-end bridge off Amelia Island, this is a new ramp built in 1999.  It's a single-lane ramp with floating dock (crowded on holiday weekends, but parking lot has recently been expanded further, and brand new bathroom facility was built in 2002). Fee: $3 ramp charge (on honor system)  Note: price subject to change.

 In nearby Duval Co.  -- Access to Intracoastal Waterway

Fort George River: At Florida A1A bridge. An unimproved sand-and-shell ramp behind the old Camp Alamacani; For small craft and personal watercraft only. Limited parking, picnic area, grills, portable restrooms. Good access to the intracoastal for smaller craft. Beware low tide!