Fernandina Beach, Florida – The Clever Boater

Location

Region: Florida, ICW
Latitude: 30.6698° N
Longitude: -81.46259° W
Waterway Guide: Fernandina Beach

Destination: Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach is the first or last stop for many boaters visiting Florida. The Cumberland River, which exits to the ocean just north of Fernandina, is the border between Florida and Georgia. Fernandina is on Amelia Island, which has a rich seafaring history.

The enchanting downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach unfolds over 50 picturesque blocks surrounding the vibrant Centre Street, showcasing a delightful array of gingerbread-style architecture that has stood the test of time since the 1850s. This charming seaport blossomed alongside Florida’s first cross-state railroad, which connected Fernandina to the shores of Cedar Key on Florida’s west coast. Nestled within this district, recognized on the National Historic Register, visitors can explore a variety of stunning buildings, each with its own unique story. The area is alive with boutique shops brimming with distinctive treasures and a great selection of dining options, making it a must-stop for travelers seeking a memorable cruising experience.

Large industrial facilities border each side of downtown. On the north is West Rock, a pulp mill with huge piles of wood chips. Trains frequently shuttle materials through town to the mill. On the south is RYAM, which manufactures a variety of products used in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial industries. You can see the steam rising from the smokestacks and wood chip piles for miles before arriving in Fernandina.

The Fernandina Harbor Marina is conveniently located right at the end of Centre Street and provides easy walking access into town. The marina was recently completely rebuilt and offers floating docks with lots of space. Many boating clubs and groups, like the MTOA, hold frequent rendezvous’ in Fernandina due to its excellent facilities. There is also an excellent anchorage just across the ICW channel from the marina, with a public dinghy dock at the marina for easy access.

One note is that with North Westerly winds, Fernandina Harbor Marina can get very bouncy, especially on the outside docks.

Fernandina Historic District Downtown Centre Street Amelia Island — Historic District, Downtown Fernandina Beach, Centre Street

Where To Eat

Downtown Fernandina Beach has too many restaurants to mention! Here are a few of our favorites within easy walking distance of the marina. Brett’s Waterway Cafe, just off the Fernandina Harbor Marina docks, offers a selection of seafood and standard American choices. It has a great open deck overlooking the harbor. Just across the street from the marina is the Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, a local favorite. Up Centre Street on N 3rd is Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop, a great bakery with pastries, cinnamon buns, cheesecake, Macarons, Croissants, and much more. PJD’s Beer & Wine Garden on S 2nd St is a funky casual stop. The Happy Tomato Courtyard Cafe & BBQ is another casual stop that has good BBQ and a casual atmosphere. Our final call out is for The Boat House a block down on S 2nd St is a bit more upscale and offers a great selection of seafood.

Just because we didn’t list it, don’t pass up the many other great eateries within easy walking distance of the marina! Check Google for your favorite fare.

Shopping Therapy

If you are looking to stock up on fresh seafood, Atlantic Seafood, just south of the marina, is a popular local fish market. Amelia Island Paint, Hardware & Marine Supply, offers a good selection of hardware and boating staples and is just a few blocks from the marina on Ash Street. There are a large number of small boutiques and souvenir shops lining Centre Street that will keep you busy browsing for an afternoon.

On Saturdays, there is the Fernandina Beach Market Place, an open-air farmers market a few blocks up Centre St.

For provisioning, the closest supermarkets are Walmart, Winn-Dixie, and Publix. They are all clustered around the Amelia Shopping Plaza, about three miles from the marina.

Amelia Island Paint & Hardware, Fernandina Beach, Fl. — Amelia Island Paint Hardware

Getting Around On Shore

Most of downtown is easily walkable. A few of the attractions are accessible by bike. For major shopping, you will need to rely on Uber/Lyft. During the day, these services have fairly good coverage, if Uber isn’t available, check Lyft. There are also a few Taxi services that service the Island, Daniel Transportation being the most popular.

Nassau Transit offers bus service around the island including an Island Hopper that loops around the Island, great if you want to pop over to the beach for the day.

Note: As of October 1st, 2025, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority took over responsibility for bus services in Nassau County. Check their website for current offerings.

Keeping Entertained

Many of the town’s restaurants and bars offer a rotating schedule of live music in the evenings and on weekends.

Amelia Island Museum of History has exhibits on the history of seafaring, the railroad, and the development of Amelia Island.
Fort Clinch State Park is at the north end of Amelia Island and contains a preserved 19th-century fort.
Amelia Island Lighthouse, also at the island’s north end, is a historic lighthouse from 1828. Guided tours are available with advanced reservations.

There are also many seasonal events and festivals held in Fernandina Beach. Check the Additional Information section below for links to discover what is happening during your visit!

Fernandina Beach Market — Fernandina Beach Saturday Market

Getting There

Fernandina Beach is right on the ICW route. Even if you don’t stop, you’ll pass within a few hundred feet of the dock as you go past.

From the South

Fernandina Beach is about 22 miles north of Jacksonville and the St John’s River. The route is reasonably easy until just before you get to Fernandina. Boaters will want to be aware of Kingsley’s Cut, where the ICW goes under the Route A1A Bridge and through an old railroad bridge. The currents here can be powerful. Also, just after Kingsley Cut, there is frequent shoaling at the junction of the Amelia River, and the channel can be confusing to follow. Be sure to check your charts in advance in this area.

From the North

Fernandina Beach is about 32 miles from Jekyll Island. This route is very easy cruising, except for 3 miles crossing Saint Andrews Sound, just after Jekyll Island, which is open to the ocean and can get sporty when the wind is from the east.

You will pass the Kings Bay Submarine Base (always one of my favorites to see what’s in port) and then travel down Cumberland Sound to Fernandina Beach.

From The Atlantic (North or South)

There is a very good inlet at Fernandina Beach at the Saint Marys River if you are traveling on the outside and want to tuck in. There are jetties that extend out 3 miles on both sides from the entrance, so you will want to watch your charts. Once you pass Fort Clinch, Fernandina is just 3 miles down the Amelia River.

Marinas and Anchorages

Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor– The best spot to stay in Fernandina Beach as it’s right at the foot of downtown. Gas, Diesel, Pumpout available. Phone: (904) 310-3300
Tiger Point Marina – Just north of Fernandina Harbor down a side creek. They offer dockage and repairs. No facilities here. Phone: (904) 277-2720
Windward at Amelia Island Marina – Located 4 miles south of Fernandina Marina, just before/after Kingsley Cut Railroad Bridge. It is tucked into a small creek but well dredged. There is a small restaurant on site. This makes a great alternative to Fernandina if you are just transiting and Fernandina is full or the winds are up and they are bouncy. Gas, Diesel, Pumpout, and Repairs are available. Phone: (904) 277-4615

I will also mention Port Consolidated. This is a fuel dock located 1 mile north of Fernandina Harbor Marina. No docking, just diesel. Their main business is serving the large ships and tugs that visit the area, but they will sell to pleasure boats. They have the best fuel prices in the area. When I checked on Feb-14-2025, Fernandina Harbor Marina was $3.96/gal, and Port Consolidated was $3.08/gal. However, there are some restrictions:

Diesel only
200-gallon minimum
Open M-F, 8AM – 5PM
Credit Card accepted. 10 cent/gallon discount for cash.
We have been told that if you are northbound (heading to Georgia) and sign a waiver, you can avoid paying Florida tax and get a better deal. I’ve had boaters tell me about this, but I have never tried it myself.