FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – As part of our 4 Your Neighborhood visit to Fernandina Beach, we want to shine a light on some of the community’s hidden gems.
From the waterways to the trails to the beaches, here are some spots you don’t want to miss when you venture up to Nassau County’s coast.
Backwater Cat Adventure
Backwater Cat Adventure offers you an up close look at local wildlife and sea life with boat tours that wind you through scenic waterways.
You can pilot a two-seater boat, following a trained guide.
Each tour lasts about 2½ hours and is family-friendly.
You’ll visit Historic Fort Clinch and land on Cumberland Island.
You might even spot some dolphins along the way.
For more information and to book a tour, head to backwatercatadventure.com.
Old Town Fernandina
The original heart of Fernandina Beach, Old Town Fernandina is nestled between Egan’s Creek and the Amelia River.
Its rich history dates back to the Timucua Native Americans and Spanish missions. It was the last town platted by the Spanish in the New World.
Between 1807 and 1821, it became a bustling town due to illegal trade sparked by the U.S. Embargo Act and the abolition of slave importation.
Spanish governor Enrique White named the town Fernandina in honor of King Ferdinand VII.
Over the years, Fernandina was under five different flags as the U.S. grew interested in the area, and it was incorporated as a city in 1825.
Today, you can still find some beautiful homes in Old Town.
NaNa Dune on American Beach
Just south of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is American Beach, a special and often overlooked spot with a rich history and natural beauty.
Founded in 1935 by A.L. Lewis, founder of Florida’s first Black-owned life insurance company, American Beach was created as a place where Black families could enjoy the beach without facing discrimination.
One of the area’s most famous features is NaNa, the largest natural sand dune in Florida, which offers stunning views of the ocean.
Thanks to efforts by Lewis’ great-granddaughter, NaNa remains protected from development and is now part of a national preserve.
Recently, conservation groups added signs to a smaller nearby dune called Little NaNa to help visitors understand the importance of these natural landmarks.
If you’re looking for a place that combines history, nature, and community, American Beach is a hidden gem worth visiting near Fernandina Beach.
Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park
The site of the original Spanish Fort San Carlos, Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park sits atop a bluff along the Amelia River in Old Town Fernandina, on the northern end of Amelia Island.
The property, known simply as “The Plaza,” is now managed by Fort Clinch State Park as part of the Florida Park Service and has been a state-managed property since 1941.
The wooden Spanish Fort San Carlos has been replaced by a family neighborhood of old Victorian houses, but the Plaza, or old parade grounds, is still there.
It’s a popular (semi-secret) spot for viewing the sunset and musicians often go there to “play the sun down.”
The Pippi Longstocking House, a private home, borders the park. This historic captain’s home from the 1880s played the role of Villa Villekula in the 1980s movie “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.”
Egan’s Creek
Egan’s Creek Greenway is more than 300 acres of protected land that was opened for public use in 2000.
It’s the perfect place for a nature jog with wildlife.
You can see anything from alligators and snakes to something a little more cuddly like marsh rabbits.
There are five access points: Behind the Atlantic Recreation Center at 2500 Atlantic Ave, two entrances on Jasmine Street between Citrona Drive and Fletcher Avenue, on Citrona Drive from the extensions of Beech and Hickory streets, and on Sadler Road, behind the Residence Inn.
The trail is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.
Simmons Park Nature Trail
Simmons Park Nature Trail is a quarter-mile trail on Simmons Road, between South Fletcher Avenue and South 14th Street.
It is one of the first in the city to be wheelchair and handicap accessible.
It opened to the public in January 2024, offering a peaceful path for walking or biking through the community.
In total Nassau County has about 40 miles of casual and advanced bike trails on Amelia Island. You can find a full list at NassauCountyFL.com.
