It’s not always obvious which destinations will resonate with you most when traveling. Inevitably, some of the destinations you anticipate enjoying most turn out to be so-so, while others make you wish you had built more days into your vacation so you could explore all an area has to offer. Amelia Island, Florida, falls into the category of the latter.
Located approximately 30 minutes northeast of Jacksonville, Amelia Island and its historic area of Fernandina Beach hold many of the qualities my husband and I were searching for in our brief, island getaway: uncrowded, beautiful beaches; a lively yet quaint historic district boasting fabulous restaurants and unique shops; a majority of attractions within easy walking or bicycling distance from our accommodations; peaceful and welcoming B&B’s; friendly townsfolk; and a warm, comfortable climate. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? And oh how it was!
Well known for its shrimping industry, Fernandina Beach is home to a small and bustling marina that welcomes shrimping, fishing, sailing and excursion boats of all shapes and sizes. Whether going to watch the shrimping boats unload their daily catch, charter a fishing boat, take a sunset sail or sight-seeing cruise up to Cumberland Island, Georgia, the dock at Fernandina Beach is a lively yet calming place to be, particularly at sunset.
The fifth photo above was taken from the deck of a well known, Fernandina Beach restaurant called Brett’s Waterway Cafe. Located directly on Front Street, Brett’s Waterway Cafe provides area visitors direct access to the docks while supplying patrons with fantastic views, a great selection of fresh seafood and American-style fare, as well as delicious cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.
While my husband and I spent our first evening on Amelia Island enjoying a plethora of appetizers and wine at various area restaurants as we explored historic Fernandina Beach, we managed to enjoy a glass of red wine and delicious shrimp cocktail from the patio at Brett’s. Enjoying fresh shrimp caught hours earlier off the coast of Florida was the first of many treats that evening and would prove to be the basis of Inn Cuisine’s first creation to mark our visit to Amelia Island—Inn Cuisine’s recipe for Amelia Island Eggs Benedict.
Coming next… now that you know the story behind the recipe, Inn Cuisine will provide its readers with a step-by-step, photo tutorial on creating this island version of a breakfast and brunch classic. If you love shrimp and enjoy eggs Benedict, this is a dish you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I have always wanted to go to Amelia Island by virtue of it’s name alone. It sounds so quaint! Love the photos too and can’t wait to see the recipe.
Fantastic!!!!! thats the adventures I’ve been looking for… and can’t wait for that recipe for the Island Eggs Benedict… sounds just great… love shrimp and eggs benedict so am sure it will be fantastic… Photography is great too… am looking forward to many more of your adventures and endorsement of each you have visited… Thank You!!
Looks wonderfully relaxing. And I think that almost anything eaten on a porch overlooking water tastes better, don’t you?
NP – If you’ve truly ever considered going to Amelia Island, I would suggest it, sans kids. It’s much more of a lazy, adult-oriented getaway although there certainly are families with children floating around. Still… I suggest leaving the kids at home with grandma (that’s what we did). In my opinion, when you get there, and you’re in that quaint, calm sort of setting, you’ll notice it really is an island/place best suited for reconnecting with your sweetie with some serious one-on-one time.
Micky – You’re welcome, glad you’re enjoying the tour and the stories behind our visit to Amelia Island. There’s something about the area that we just adore… I miss it already!
Lydia – Relaxing is an understatement (I even enjoyed an afternoon siesta from our room’s private balcony at our B&B one day…big comfy chair, island breeze, slight scent of the ocean…. I guess playing on the beach that morning really tuckered me out!) And I totally agree—overlooking water makes EVERYTHING better (and that definitely includes dinner)!
I love Amelia Island. My sister-in-law has a friend who owns a B&B on the island. I keep thinking we should go back and stay at the B&B sometime soon!
Your photos are gorgeous.
That is a great view. My wife and I have meant to visit Amelia Island about three times now–we’re just never very good at the follow through on planning the more “local” vacations since having reservations for things psychologically isn’t as pressing. Ah well, one of these days! It looks like a lot of fun…and more scenic than Marion county!
Kristen – An acquaintance of the family who own a B&B on the island? What are you waiting for?! Thanks for the compliment on the photos. They’re favorites of ours too!
Mike – Grab the wife, drive over on a Friday after work and stay 2 nights. Allow yourself a day downtown in the historic area of Fernandina Beach (maybe phone ahead and set up a boat tour to Cumberland Island) and allow yourselves a day at the beach. The r&r you’ll experience will more than make up for the past 3 times of not following through!