Hitting the Beach

Thanks to a reclamation project, the widest beaches here are at the exclusive enclave on the island's southern third. Even if you aren't staying at one of the swanky resorts here, you can enjoy this section of beach at Peters Point Beach Front Park, on Florida A1A, north of the Ritz-Carlton. The park has picnic shelters and restrooms. North of the resort, the beach has public-access points with free parking every quarter-mile or so. The center of activity is Main Beach, at the ocean end of Atlantic Avenue (Fla. A1A), with good swimming, restrooms, picnic shelters, showers, a food concession, a playground, and lots of free parking. This area is popular with families.

The beach at Fort Clinch State Park, which wraps around the island's heavily forested northern end, is backed by rolling dunes and is filled with shells and driftwood. A jetty and pier jutting into Cumberland Sound are popular with anglers. There are showers and changing rooms at the pier. Elsewhere in the park, you might see an alligator -- and certainly some of the 170 species of birds that live here -- by hiking the Willow Pond nature trail. Rangers lead nature tours on the trail, usually beginning at 10:30am on Saturday. There are also 6 miles of off-road bike trails here. Construction on the remarkably well-preserved Fort Clinch began in 1847 on the northern tip of the island and was still underway when Union troops occupied it in 1862. The fort was abandoned shortly after the Civil War, except for a brief reactivation in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Reenactors gather the first full weekend of each month to re-create how the Union soldiers lived in the fort in 1864 (including wearing their wool underwear, even in summer!). Rangers are on duty at the fort year-round, and they lead candlelight tours ($3 per person) on Friday and Saturday evenings during summer, beginning about an hour after sunset. You can arrange guided tours at other times for an extra fee. The park entrance is on Atlantic Avenue near the beach. Entrance fees are $5 per vehicle with up to eight occupants, $1 per pedestrian or bicyclist. Admission to the fort costs $2, free for children under 5. The park is open daily from 8am to sunset; the fort, daily from 9am to 5pm. For a schedule of tours and events, contact the park at 2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (tel. 904/277-7274).

The park also has 62 campsites -- some behind the dunes at the beach (no shade out there), most in a forest along the sound side. They cost $22 per night, including tax. Pets are an extra $2 per night. You can reserve a site up to 11 months in advance (a very good idea in summer) by calling tel. 800/326-3521 or going to the Reserve America website.

Pets on leashes are allowed on all of the island's public beaches and in Fort Clinch State Park.

Boating, Fishing, Sailing & Kayaking

The Amelia Island Charter Boat Association (tel. 800/229-1682 or 904/261-2870), at Tiger Point Marina on 14th Street, north of the historic district (though the boats dock at Centre St.), can help arrange deep-sea fishing charters, party-boat excursions, and dolphin-watching and sightseeing cruises. Other charter boats also dock at Fernandina Harbor Marina, downtown at the foot of Centre Street.

Windward Sailing School, based at Fernandina Harbor Marina, 3977 First Ave. (tel. 904/261-9125), will teach you to skipper your boat; it also has charters and boat rentals. Call for details and reservations.

You have to be careful in the currents, but the backwaters here are great for kayaking, whether you're a beginner or a pro. However, you'll have to travel just off the island to do it. Ray and Jody Hetchka's Kayak Amelia (tel. 888/305-2925 or 904/251-0016) is based near Talbot Island State Park (technically in Jacksonville) and offers beginner and advanced-level trips on back bays, creeks, and marshes. Half-day trips go for about $55 per person. Reservations are required.

Golf

If you're not staying in a resort with a golf course (note that these courses can be extremely expensive), try the new 18-hole Royal Amelia Golf Links (tel. 904/491-8500) for $130 a person ($98 after 1pm), or the older and less expensive 27-hole Fernandina Municipal Golf Course (tel. 904/277-7370), where prices are $23 to $49.

For course information, go to Golf.com or the Florida Golfing website, or you can call the Florida Sports Foundation (tel. 850/488-8347) or Florida Golfing (tel. 866/833-2663).

Horseback Riding

You can go riding on the beach with the Kelly Seahorse Ranch (tel. 904/491-5166), located on the southernmost tip of Amelia Island within the Amelia Island State Park. The cost is $50 per person for a 1-hour ride; the ranch is open daily from 8am to 6pm. Reservations are required. Note: Riders must be 13 or older, measure 4 1/2 feet tall, and weigh less than 230 pounds. No experience is necessary.