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5 days in Fernandina Beach itinerary for first-timers

Paige Minds The Gap · Jul 15, 2026 20:56 · 11 min read

Fernandina Beach, Florida — Plan 5 days in Fernandina Beach with this itinerary covering beach time, historic downtown, local restaurants, and Amelia Island favorites.

Plan 5 days in Fernandina Beach with this itinerary covering beach time, historic downtown, local restaurants, and Amelia Island favorites.

Five days in Fernandina Beach gives you plenty of time for the beach, good food, and exploring more of Amelia Island. If you want to spend your mornings on the beach, explore a charming historic downtown in the afternoon, and finish the day with fresh seafood by the water, then this itinerary is for you.

We love visiting Fernandina Beach! Kevin grew up taking family vacations to Fernandina Beach, so he was able to show me around on my first trip. We visited over the Fourth of July and filled our days with beach time, local restaurants, downtown exploring, and some of his family’s longtime favorites.

Since Fernandina Beach sits at the very top of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, it’s an especially easy beach getaway from Georgia and other parts of the Southeast. If you’re planning a five-day beach trip, this itinerary shows you how to make the most of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island.

5 Days in Fernandina Beach Itinerary

Day 1 in Fernandina Beach

Fernandina is about a 5.5 hour drive from Atlanta if you don’t hit any traffic, so it’s really accessible for us.

If you’re flying in, you can either fly into the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, which is located in the middle of Amelia Island and is about 3 miles south of Downtown Fernandina, or you can fly into the Jacksonville International Airport, which is just 18 miles from Fernandina Beach.

Use your first day in Fernandina Beach to get settled into your hotel or beach condo and familiarize yourself with the area.

Check-in to your beach getaway

Fernandina Beach has a lot of great places to stay for your 5 day trip. There are hotels like the Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front and the Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island, historic inns and B&Bs like the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn and the Hoyt House Bed & Breakfast, or vacation rentals all across the island.

I’m a huge fan of their beachfront homes. Unlike other beach destinations like Gulf Shores or Fort Walton, the coast of Fernandina Beach isn’t filled with high-rises. You can actually rent a huge beach house right on the ocean and have plenty of space for your whole party.

Here are some top places to stay in Fernandina Beach:

Top Beach Rental — Cozy Log Cabin Directly on the Beach
Top Hotel — Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front
Top Resort — Omni Amelia Island Resort
Great Value — Amelia Hotel at the Beach
Unique Stay — Amelia Schoolhouse Inn

Dinner at The Salty Pelican

A po boy sandwich filled with fried seafood and creamy sauce is topped with a lemon wedge and served beside a large pile of sweet potato fries. The meal sits on a white plate on a metal table at The Salty Pelican in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Once settled into our beach condo, we decided that seafood was the best option for our first dinner at the beach.

We ate at The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, a casual seafood restaurant with a harbor view and one of the best sunset views on the island.

We had the classic Florida beach fare: fried gator bites, fried shrimp, seared tuna, and a fried gator po’boy.

Drive along the Beachfront and through Downtown

During your first day in Fernandina beach, I recommend at least driving around to get a feel for the island. (Don’t worry, both the beach and Downtown are built into the itinerary for later days so you can properly visit them!)

The drive along the beachfront is just a row of drool-worthy beach houses, many of which can be rented. You can check out the over 40 beach access points and get an idea of where you may want to park to visit the beach.

In Downtown Fernandina, the main street called Centre Street is full of historic buildings, beautiful architecture, local shops, and delicious restaurants. Drive around and make note of places you may want to visit later!

Day 2 in Fernandina Beach

Our second day in Fernandina was packed with beach fun, because the first thing we wanted to do was definitely hit the sandy shores!

Head to the Beach

We were up early to get to the beach before the crowds. You don’t always need to get there early, but we were here on the Fourth of July. It can also be more crowded on the weekends in the summer.

Fernandina has over 40 beach access points, about half with parking available. All parking is free, and if you can’t park at the access then you can usually find parking a block or less away.

We staked a claim in a shady spot under the pier, and it seems the best time to get a good spot is before 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Fernandina’s beach is soft, white sand, but since you’re on the Atlantic Coast, you definitely get more seashells and waves than you do on the Gulf Coast. The water is also warm, but it’s murky and you aren’t able to see what’s swimming in the water around you.

Kevin’s favorite activity is body surfing, so that’s what we did. It does seem like the waters are more calm in the morning though, so the major body surfing had to be left for later in the day.

Lunch at Sliders Seaside Grill

Fried Shrimp Basket, Sliders Seaside Grill, Fernandina Beach, Florida — A basket lined with newspaper print holds fried shrimp hush puppies and French fries with a cup of coleslaw on the side from Sliders Seaside Grill in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The casual seafood meal is served on a dark tabletop beside a drink.

Sliders Seaside Grill is the perfect beach-side restaurant with two levels of indoor and covered patio seating as well as expansive outdoor seating just off of Main Beach.

Outside, they have a playground and sandbox for the kids and a tiki bar for the adults. On the menu, you’ll find fresh seafood, burgers, tacos, and more.

I recommend their Fried Shrimp Platter and their Lobster Roll.

Afternoon at the Pool or more Beach fun

White sun hat, open book, and cocktail next to a blue swimming pool — An open book sunglasses a woven sun hat and a frothy golden drink with mint and red berries rest beside a bright blue swimming pool. The arrangement suggests a relaxed poolside reading break.

Most condo complexes and hotels in Fernandina Beach will have a pool. A lot of the beach houses do, too.

Our condo had a pool, so Kevin and I checked it out in the afternoon (and then took a nap because the sun wore us out; this is a nap-friendly itinerary!).

If you don’t have access to a pool and want a pool day, there are open swim sessions at the Atlantic Recreation Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Center, which is what Kevin’s family did when he was a kid.

You can also get a day pass to some hotel pools with ResortPass. This is really unique option that gives you access to hotel pools and spas for pretty cheap without having to be a guest at the hotel. You can also rent out cabanas and daybeds.

Of course, another option is to just head back to the beach!

Dinner at The Loop

The Loop Restaurant, Fernandina Beach, Florida — A cheeseburger with melted white cheese sits in a metal basket beside lettuce tomato red onion and thick potato chips. The meal is served on teal and white checkered paper from The Loop Restaurant in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

We ate dinner at The Loop Restaurant, which serves up delicious pizza, burgers, and shakes.

I recommend a burger or their Meat Market pizza, topped with sausage, pepperoni, beef, and bacon. Kevin and I then shared an Oreo milkshake for dessert.

Sunset, Sea Turtles, and Fireworks at the Beach

After dinner, we headed back to the beach to enjoy the last bit of sunlight and to get ready to see some Fourth of July fireworks.

The sun sets on the other side of the island, at the harbor and Downtown, but you’ll still get some nice sunset colors here at the beach.

At this time of the day, the waves seemed bigger, so we could body surf better than we could in the morning. I had a new doughnut-shaped inner tube, so I got to doughnut surf.

This is also a great time to check out the sea turtle nests; you’ll find them roped off so they don’t get destroyed. Amelia Island gets over 200 sea turtle nests each year!

When the sun went down, everybody started showing up with their fireworks and shooting them off over the ocean. We were only expecting to see professional fireworks down the beach, but turns out we were surrounded by them. We had quite a display!

Day 3 in Fernandina Beach

On our third day in Fernandina, we explored more of Downtown, but we still had plenty of time for the beach!

Morning at the Beach

I recommend spending another morning at the beach. We again went early, and there was less of a crowd with all the Fourth of July fun over with. Kevin and I relaxed in the gentle waters, and I thoroughly enjoyed another day with my doughnut tube.

Lunch at Beach Diner

Beach Diner, Fernandina Beach, Florida — A pita sandwich filled with sliced chicken melted white cheese and red onion is served with seasoned fries pickle slices and ketchup. The meal sits on a square white plate on a wooden table at Beach Diner in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

For lunch, we ate at the Beach Diner. This restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch only, and they serve home-cooked breakfast, salad, and sandwiches.

I’d been looking for something light, but their portions were anything but! I had the Chunky Chicken Melt filled with chicken salad, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions, and it was as big as my face!

Explore Downtown Fernandina Beach

Nassau County Courthouse, Downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida — The Nassau County Courthouse in Downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida, a red brick historic building with arched windows and a tall white clock tower stands along a palm lined downtown street. American flags hang nearby beneath an overcast sky.

After lunch, we went to Downtown Fernandina for some window shopping and some sightseeing.

Centre Street is full of historic buildings and beautiful architecture. The Historic District spans 50 blocks and has over 400 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Some of the highlights are the Nassau County Courthouse, the 1860 Lesesne House, and the Palace Saloon, which is Florida’s oldest continually operating bar.

Downtown also has a lot of great local boutiques. I always hit up The Book Loft, The Cinnamon Bear Country Store, and The Lavender Store.

There are tons of great restaurants and bars in Downtown as well. The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, Pepper’s Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar, and The Principal’s Office Bar at the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn are a few of my favorites.

Afternoon drinks at Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca

Pablo's Mexican Cuisine, Fernandina Beach, Florida — A glass pitcher and two large glasses hold pale yellow frozen drinks over ice at Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The glasses have red sugar rims and orange slices floating on top.

Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca offers traditional Mexican favorites and some of the best margaritas in town. So that’s exactly why I recommend stopping in for a pitcher of their Mango Margarita to share!

They also have a roomy patio for outdoor dining that’s perfect during the summer.

Dinner at Ciao Italian Eatery

Ciao Italian Bistro, Fernandina Beach, Florida — Spaghetti in tomato sauce is topped with grated cheese and chopped herbs and served with four large meatballs in a white bowl at Ciao Italian Bistro in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The hearty pasta dish sits on a red table with a fork and folded napkin beside it.

Ciao Italian Eatery is my favorite place to eat in Downtown Fernandina Beach! This upscale restaurant specializes in traditional and modern Italian cuisine.

I recommend the classic Spaghetti Con Polpette Di Carne or the Tortelloni Con Porcini. Their coconut mojito is pretty good, too.

Day 4 in Fernandina Beach

Our fourth day in Fernandina Beach was overcast and rainy, but that’s not going to ruin our day at the beach! Here are a few things we did during our rainy day in Fernandina.

Morning at the Pool

We were lucky enough to catch some good weather in the morning. Instead of risking getting rained out at the beach, we decided to stick close to the condo and enjoy some pool time in the morning. We were even lucky enough to have it all to ourselves for a couple of hours.

Lunch at Salt Life Food Shack

Salt Life Food Shack, Fernandina Beach, Florida — A hand holds an orange tropical drink with a spice coated rim and pineapple garnish on a rooftop patio at Salt Life Food Shack in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Palm trees buildings parked cars and the ocean appear softly blurred in the background.

For lunch, we went down to Salt Life Food Shack by the beach. They have a great rooftop patio where you can look out at the ocean while you eat, and we were lucky enough to score a table up there while the weather was still clear.

It was a hot day, so I cooled down with a sangria and some sushi. They also have poke bowls, tacos, and burgers. I recommend the Caliche’s Poke Bowl and the Pineapple Mojito.

Visit the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum

Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum, Fernandina Beach, Florida Museum — A row of brightly lit pinball machines fills a small arcade room at the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum in Fernandina Beach, Florida Museum. The machines feature themes including Ghostbusters, Twilight Zone, Star Wars, and The Simpsons Pinball Party.

In the afternoon, it started to rain, but that didn’t bother us. On our first day, we’d seen a storefront with a sign that just read “Pinball,” so we were curious to check it out.

Turns out, there’s a Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum. You can play pinball all day long if you want. The owner will even regale you with tales about his pinball machines if you want a history lesson as well!

It was a great rainy day activity and we nearly lost track of time in there.

Visit the Amelia Island Museum of History

Amelia Island History Museum, Fernandina Beach, Florida — An indoor Amelia Island exhibit recreates a beach dune with large coastal murals and interpretive displays at the Amelia Island History Museum in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Prominent signs read

Amelia Island Museum of History is one of the best Fernandina Beach activities.

Located in the old Nassau County Jail, this small museum teaches you all about the unique history of Amelia Island from the Timucua Native American tribe to Spanish and French explorers, and from pirates to Victorian-era residents.

Dinner at Wicked Bao

Wicked Bao, Fernandina Beach, Florida — Three steamed bao buns sit in metal holders on a white plate at Wicked Bao in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The buns are filled with crispy chicken and creamy sauce. Spicy meat with orange pickled vegetables. And glazed meat topped with crushed peanuts and peppers.

Tucked away on the edge of Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, Wicked Bao specializes in Asian street food. Their popular dishes include bao, pork ramen, and kimchi fried rice.

I recommend trying the Bao Trio with Braised Pork Belly, Bulgogi Beef, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Baos so you can try a variety.

See the Sunset from the Harbor

Fernandina Beach Sunset — A serene sunset over calm water with a partly cloudy sky in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Silhouetted, weathered wooden piers extend into the water, framed by lush greenery.

The sun sets on the Downtown side of the island, over the Amelia River. There are a lot of great spots to watch the sunset over the harbor.

You can find great sunset-watching spots in Old Town, Downtown, over Egans Creek, and Fort Clinch State Park. You can find a picturesque ruined pier off of N Front Street that makes for great pictures, and there’s parking right in front of it.

The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill is also a popular dinner spot for watching the sunset while you dine.

Day 5 in Fernandina Beach

On your last day in Fernandina Beach, it’s time to say goodbye. Be sure to do any last minute shopping and spend a last morning at the beach or the pool.

I recommend stopping by Amelia Island Coffee for breakfast before you leave and some coffee to perk you up as you hit the road.

About Fernandina Beach

Sunset on Fernandina Beach, Florida Long Weekend — A quiet sandy beach meets gentle ocean waves beneath a wide sky streaked with soft gray and pale blue clouds in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Tire tracks and footprints cross the foreground as evening light settles over the water.

Fernandina Beach is located on Amelia Island and is known for its annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, 13 miles of sandy beaches, and boutique downtown shopping. This and more are what have kept Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island consistently ranked among Florida’s best island destinations.

Fernandina was officially established in 1811, but Fernandina is known as the “Isle of 8 Flags” because it is the only municipality in the US to have flown eight different national flags: since 1562 Fernandina has flown the flags of France, Spain, Great Britain, the Republic of Florida, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.

5 Days in Fernandina Beach Map

Ready to spend 5 days in Fernandina Beach, Florida? Use the map below to plan out your vacation.

I hope you found this 5-day Fernandina Beach itinerary helpful!

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Top Fernandina Beach Tours

Where to Stay in Fernandina Beach, Florida

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Fernandina Beach, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

Top Beach Rental — Cozy Log Cabin Directly on the Beach
Top Hotel — Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front
Top Resort — Omni Amelia Island Resort
Great Value — Amelia Hotel at the Beach
Unique Stay — Amelia Schoolhouse Inn

More Things To Do in Fernandina Beach

Just can’t get enough of this coastal Florida town? Check out these other Fernandina Beach itineraries.

Ready to visit Fernandina Beach, Florida? Plan your trip with these tips.

Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
Find Accommodation: You can find top beach rentals in Fernandina Beach on VRBO.
Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.

Cheers!

Paige