Fernandina Beach Map & Directions
Where the island is, how to get here, and how downtown, the beaches and the parks fit together.
Fernandina Beach is the only city on Amelia Island, at the northeastern tip of Florida in Nassau County — about 30 miles north of Jacksonville and roughly 13 miles south of the Georgia line. The island runs north to south with the Atlantic on its east side and the Amelia River on its west, which is the single most useful thing to understand before you arrive: the historic downtown is on the river, not the ocean.
How the island is laid out
Amelia Island is long and narrow, oriented north–south. Three things sit at the compass points and everything else hangs off them:
- Historic downtown is at the island's northwest corner, on the Amelia River. Centre Street runs east from the marina and is the spine of the shopping and dining district.
- The Atlantic beaches run the entire east side, about two miles from downtown. Main Beach Park is the northern and busiest access; Peters Point and American Beach sit progressively further south.
- Fort Clinch State Park occupies the island's northern tip, past downtown, with its own beach and a long entrance drive through maritime forest.
A1A is the main artery. It arrives from the mainland, becomes 8th Street through town, and continues south along the island toward the resort end. If you can find 8th Street, you can find everything else.
Driving here
From Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
About 30 minutes. Take I-95 north to exit 373 for A1A, then follow A1A east across the Intracoastal Waterway onto Amelia Island. A1A becomes 8th Street in town; turn west onto Centre Street for the historic downtown and the marina.
From Jacksonville
About 45 minutes depending on where you start. I-95 north to exit 373, then A1A east as above.
From Savannah or the north
Roughly two hours. I-95 south into Florida, then exit 373 for A1A and east onto the island.
Once you are downtown, park once and walk. The historic district is flat and compact — the marina to 8th Street is about a ten-minute stroll — so there is no reason to move the car between shops and restaurants. Note that downtown parking is now paid; see the parking guide for how it works.
Getting around once you're here
Downtown is genuinely walkable and that is the best way to see it. The beaches are not walkable from downtown — Main Beach is a short drive and the south-end beaches are several miles beyond that, with no practical pedestrian route. Cycling works well on the flat north end of the island, and the Egans Creek Greenway gives you an off-road corridor between the downtown side and the beach side.
Distances at a glance
- Downtown Centre Street → Main Beach Park: about 2 miles, 5–10 minutes
- Downtown → Fort Clinch State Park entrance: about 3 miles, then a long park drive to the fort
- Downtown → Peters Point Beachfront Park: about 7 miles south
- Downtown → American Beach: about 9 miles south
- Downtown → JAX airport: about 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fernandina Beach, Florida?
Fernandina Beach is the only city on Amelia Island, at the northeastern tip of Florida in Nassau County — about 30 miles north of Jacksonville and roughly 13 miles south of the Georgia state line.
How do I get to Fernandina Beach from Jacksonville airport?
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is about 30 minutes away. Take I-95 north to exit 373 for A1A, then follow A1A east across the Intracoastal onto Amelia Island; A1A becomes 8th Street in town, and Centre Street runs west from it into the historic downtown.
Do you need a car in Fernandina Beach?
For the historic downtown, no — the district is flat and walkable end to end in about ten minutes. For the beaches, yes. Main Beach is a short drive from downtown and the south-end beaches like Peters Point are several miles further, with no practical walking route between them.
How far is Fernandina Beach from the beach?
Downtown Fernandina Beach sits on the Amelia River on the island's west side, not the Atlantic. The Atlantic beaches are on the east side of the island, about two miles from Centre Street — five to ten minutes by car.