Amelia Island and Historic Fernandina Beach



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You won't need a biology degree to be stunned by the abundance of the Amelia Island's indigenous nature. Consisting of several different ecosystems, the island is home to such exotic and beautiful flora as the Sea Lavender, Sea Oat and the majestic Live Oak.

Sea Turtles	Prehistoric Sharks
Hunting for Seashells	Birdwatching

While exploring, you can observe industrious armadillos, reclusive bobcats and alligators sunning themselves (all at a safe distance of course).

Sea Turtles – Florida beaches bear the unique distinction of being home for 90% of all nesting sea turtles in the U.S. Each year, from May through October, loggerhead and green turtles emerge from the surf at night to lay their eggs on the shores of Amelia Island. Left undisturbed, the hatchlings incubate for 55 - 60 days and then begin their incredible aquatic journey.

Hunting for Seashells – Some of the favorite activities of visitors to the island involve canvassing her sandy shores and combing the surf for seashells. Easy to collect and identify, anyone who strolls along the beach will marvel at the variety of shells, many unbroken and unworn. Most shells are found along the high-tide line, where they have been deposited by waves.

When to Go Birdwatching

You can spot a variety of birds anytime of the year on the island, but generally the best times are during the winter months when the migratory birds stop at Amelia. Bring along your binoculars and you'll see such birds as the great blue heron, great horned owl, bald eagle, snowy egret, wood duck, painted bunting, hummingbird, osprey, king fisher, purple sandpipers and rare jaeger marsh pelican, just to name a few. The best way to see our feathered friends is by a quiet-running boat, canoe or kayak.

Prehistoric Sharks – In addition to seashells, shark's teeth are another sought after beach treasure. The teeth are the fossilized remains of sharks, which roamed the oceans 10 to 50 million years ago. The teeth tend to be black or gray because the sediment in which they fossilized determines their color.

For the most part, discovered teeth can be as large as 5" while others are only about the size of a pin. The largest teeth come from the giant Megalodon Shark, which grew to 65 feet in length and was at least 2 to 3 times larger than the Great White.

Birdwatching – Amelia's rich and fish-filled waters create a veritable gold mine for birds and birdwatchers. Birders from across the country bring their binoculars to catch sight of a variety of nature's splendid species not available in most other geographic regions.

Planning Your Outing – The early morning and late afternoon are the best times to find birds on Amelia. Try to avoid the heat of the day; if you don't feel like moving about, chances are birds feel the same.

Tidal fluctuations govern the activity of waders, gulls and shorebirds. Most of them rest at high tide, gathering in concentrations at their favorite roost sites such as North Beach and South Beach, on the snags along the marsh at Egans Creek, on Tiger Island west of Old Town Plaza and on the higher marshland west of the downtown marina.

When the tide is low and just beginning to rise, the shorebirds tend to become more active. Also while birding, keep your eyes open for butterflies. Amelia offers some of the most exquisite specimens found anywhere.