The Golden Isles are a number of barrier islands situated within the state of Georgia, including the St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, and the famous Jekyll Island. Although located in Florida, Amelia Island is considered the southernmost of all of them, because even its history and the origin of the island’s name have a Georgian origin.
There are plenty of things to do when visiting Amelia Island, from sightseeing and shopping, to engaging in watersports and diverse outdoors activities, including sailing, parasailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, biking, hiking, swimming, or camping, not to mention other recreational activities such as bowling, golfing or exploring the wildlife areas.
In fact, golf is one of the most popular things to do while staying on Amelia Island and the Historic Fernandina Beach, where there are numerous Golf courses such as these:
* The Amelia Island Plantation, Tel. (904)277-5907 offers 54 holes through a number of different golf courses amidst an exclusive private setting.
* Fernandina Beach Golf Club, Tel. (904) 277-7370, a public golf course featuring three different 9-hole courses, the North, West and South nines, located just 30 minutes north of Jacksonville International Airport.
* Royal Amelia Golf Club, Tel. (904) 491-8500, a par-72 golf course designed by Tom Jackson, best know for designing the Sandestin Resort in Destin, Florida. An impressive view awaits golfers in the finishing hole overlooking the Amelia River intracoastal waterway.
* Laurel Island Links, Tel. 888-480-7277, a 18-holes public golf course designed by A Davis Love III, voted as “The Best New Courses in America for 1997” for Golf Digest’s. This course is located in Kingsland, Georgia, close to Amelia Island.
* The Golf Club of Amelia Island, Tel. (904)277-0905, a 18 hole championship golf course designed by Gene Littler and Mark McCumber, which was host of the 1998 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf Senior Tournament.
There are many other golf courses on Amelia Island, such as the Long Point Course, Ocean Links Course and the Oak Marsch Course, as well as some molded to look like Scottish and Irish links, such as the Golf Club at North Hampton.
Treasure Hunting
However, one of the most popular activities on Amelia Island is Beach Metal Detecting. Treasure hunting is not only allowed, but encouraged. Dig up the sand at Fernandina Beach is an opportunity to find confederate gold coins and jewelry mysteriously disappeared after the Civil War ended in the 19th Century.
There are also other treasures lost in the sand of Amelia Island, from lost items from modern tourists, to maritime treasures dragged onto the island’s shore.
Because whatever that is dropped in sandy beach is generally quickly lost, the chances to find treasures are big. In addition, the lack of electrical lines, water pipes and other metallic structures underneath the sand, makes it more accurate the detection readings.
Although nobody can predict the type of treasures that you may find in Amelia Island’s sand, fun is guaranteed, even finding soda can pop tops, or perhaps the cash dropped by people accidentally.
Another thing that you can do is attend any of the many festival and tournaments held on Amelia Island. The Bausch & Lomb Championship is one of the most acclaimed and traditional Tennis event, held annually in the Amelia Island Plantation Resort since 28 years ago. All the other tennis courts in Fernandina are free and open to all public, Call the Recreation Department at (904) 277-7350.
For those who prefer culture over sports, the Amelia Book Island Festival encompasses sun, sea, sand and stories, a friendly and informal setting attracting readers. This non-profit event is dedicated to promoting literacy. Other popular festivals are the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Amelia Island Jazz Festival, and the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.
Amelia Island Yacht Basin is another maritime spot to enjoy the sunset either sailing or watching the boats from the marina’s Victorian veranda. Amelia Island Yacht Basin offers spacious facilities and special amenities, combining a luxurious resort with the historic treasures of the island.
For a pleasant walk, visit Egans Creek Park, located on Atlantic Avenue. This is a great place for bird watching or just to take a break overlooking the Amelia Island Lighthouse, or the ocean waters a half-mile away. This park offers also a baseball field, picnic areas and playgrounds for kids.
Other activities to do when visiting Amelia Island include the following facilities:
The McArthur Family YMCA, pool and short term membership for visitors, Tel. (904) 261-1080
Martin Luther King Park, picnic and swimming facilities, Tel. (904) 277-7350
Atlantic Park Recreation Center, watersports and recreational activities, Tel. (904) 277-7350
Among the Parks to include in your visit list, check for Egans Creek Greenway, Amelia Island Park, Big Talbot Park, Little Talbot Park, Central Park, Fort Clinch, Fort George, Kingsley Park, and Main Beach Park.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]Belinda Mills is writing and living in Key West Florida, where she enjoys the tropical weather.[/author_info] [/author]
