group of friends taking a selfie on a boat tour

Amelia Island Tours: Immerse Yourself in Our Area’s Beauty & History

There are many choices when it comes to tours of Amelia Island. We have put together this list of recommendations. Each of these providers of Amelia Island tours offers a unique view of life in our area. Ready to experience them for yourself? Be sure to get your hand on a copy of our Vacation Guide! The guide has everything you need, from water adventures to where to enjoy a meal after a day of exploring. Now, let’s get the experience started!

GET THE GUIDE

The Top Amelia Island Tours for Every Interest

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On-The-Water

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Adventure

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History

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Culinary

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Unique

On-the-Water Tours Across The Island

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1. Amelia Adventures

  • Contact: 904-500-8687
  • Meeting Locations: Various (based on tour).
  • Tickets: Online through the website or by calling.

The Addison on Amelia Island partners with Amelia Adventures to create a memorable experience on our beautiful waterways. Want to personalize your experience? As a guest with us, please contact us directly at 904-277-1604 to arrange a tour tailored to your schedule.

What Tours Can I Book?

Private Boat Tours

Enjoy a customized private boat tour with Amelia Adventures exploring the creeks and rivers of Amelia and Cumberland Islands. Experience the wild horses of Cumberland Island grazing on marsh grasses and closely observe dolphins, alligators, egrets, herons, and other local fauna in their natural element. This is the perfect adventure for photographers who want to take their time to find wildlife.

Kayaking Tours

Five different kayak tours to choose from providing unique landscape and wildlife experiences.
Tours are coordinated with the local tides to ensure paddling with the current.

Paddleboarding Tours

Always wanted to try paddleboarding but was not quite sure? Opt for a lesson on the waterways of Amelia Island and then take off on a tour to see dolphins and sea turtles. Private paddle boarding tours include the unspoiled wilderness of Cumberland Island, home to wild horses, pristine beaches, and moss-draped live oak trees. Catch a glimpse of the ruins of a southern plantation and watch manatees and dolphins frolic in the waterways.

sunset boat tour with friends cheersing with wine

2. Amelia River Cruises

Hop aboard for memorable Amelia Island tours as you cruise along salt marshes, wilderness beaches, and historic riverbanks. Dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, egrets, herons, spoonbills, and osprey meld with shrimp boats, luxury yachts, submarines, and a Civil War-era fort during your narrated tour. The Amelia River Cruises schedule changes with the seasons so make sure to call for their current schedule!

What are the most popular cruises to book?

Cruises include:
Eco-Shrimping Tours – 10:00 AM, Thursday, Friday, Saturday June – September, two hours
Cumberland Island Tour – Daily at 10:00 AM, two and a half hours
Cumberland Coastal Tour – Daily at 2:30 PM, one and a half hours
Family-Friendly Sunset Cruise – Daily March – November (time varies to correspond with sunset), one hour
Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise – Friday and Saturday March – October, two hours (time varies to correspond with sunset). Adult oriented cruise with live music, BYOB (see your innkeepers about purchasing wine and/or beer)

Family enjoying a day on the water with backwater cat tours.

3. Backwater Cat Adventure, An Amelia Island Catamaran Experience

Drive your own 2 man catamaran, while a guide (on his boat) leads you to Fort Clinch, Cumberland Island, GA, and throughout the backwater of Amelia Island seeking wildlife, sea life, and learning some history along the way with Backwater Cat Adventure – Amelia Island.

Guest Favorite: The 2.5 Hour Amelia and Cumberland Boat Tour

This 2.5-hour tour has it all; beautiful scenery, wildlife, sea life on some very unique and fast boats. After a brief orientation on how to operate your own boat, this adventure takes you on a river run through some of the most beautiful backwater and marshlands that Amelia has to offer to look for dolphins, sea birds, and other sea life along the way. After some really cool boating in the backwater, you will visit Cumberland Island, Ga to view the wild horses on this beautiful island. Then it’s off to historic Fort Clinch on the tip of Amelia Island to take pictures and hear about the history and events of years past.

Amelia Island Adventure Tours & Experiences

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1. Florida Adventure Sports

Looking for an adventure like no other? Florida Adventure Sports has that for you and more! Take on new heights with their outdoor adventure experiences and get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful landscape of Amelia Island and see far beyond the shoreline to Cumberland Island, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. Don’t worry, a FAA Certified flight instructor will be with you every step of the way!

Guest Favorite: Powered Hang Gliding Tour

Powered hang gliding is an experience of freedom and excitement that is unmatched. Starting from an exciting takeoff,, you will see aerial views of the Atlantic Ocean, the salt marshes, Fort Clinch, Cumberland Island, the Historic District and so much more. This is the most spectacular way to see Amelia Island.

tandem hang gliding

2. Skydive Amelia Island

Overlooking breathtaking beaches and stunning ocean views. Whether you’re looking for something exhilarating to do during your vacation to Amelia Island or trying to cross off an item on your bucket list, Skydive Amelia Island is here to make it happen. So, are you ready to skydive at the beach? We sure are – meet you on the runway!

beach horseback riding tours

3. Happy Trails Walking Horses

For a bit of Western flair paired with Florida-inspired style, touring Amelia Island on horseback with the team at Happy Trails Walking Horses is a must! Embark on a thrilling adventure when you visit Amelia Island and indulge in scenic trail rides with a local company. Discover the art of horse riding as the Happy Trails Walking Horses team guides you through the lush landscapes. Capture beautiful moments as you explore the shoreline and revel in the breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re seeking a romantic activity or a tour of a local state park, Happy Trails Walking Horses promises a personalized experience tailored just for you.

Amelia Island Historic District Tours

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1. Amelia Island Historic Tours

There are tours of the Historic District that are suitable for everyone. Walking tours are self-guided or led by docents from the Amelia Island Museum of History. Amelia Island Historic Tours offers air-conditioned van tours of the downtown historic district as well as other historic sites on Amelia Island.

Guest Favorite: Eight Flags Tour

The Eight Flags Tour (90 minutes) will take you on a journey from the time the Timucua Indians inhabited Amelia Island into the modern-day shrimping industry. Vans pick up and drop off at 1 N Front St. (5 blocks from the inn). Visit Amelia Island Historic Tours for tour schedules!

ghost tour

2. Amelia Island Ghost Tours

Ghost tours are a popular way of learning about our island’s history and hearing about what goes bump in the night. You’ll meander through the Historic District with Amelia Island Ghost Tours and hear the local legends and ghost stories from Diane Blanton, a Paranormal-Enthusiast-rated tour guide. Don’t forget to bring your camera along to remember the spooky excitement!

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3. Anchor Trolley & Transportation | Amelia Island Trolley Tours Experience

Anchor Trolley & Transportation offers visitors a fun way to get around while learning more about the area’s rich and entertaining history too. Keep your eyes peeled for the white and blue trolleys that make their way through the historic downtown Fernandina Beach area complete with narration about the views you’ll enjoy along the way. These trolley tours take on spooky tone on Wednesday evenings when they transform into trolley ghost tours with a ghost hunter guide. Whether you’re looking to enjoy traditional sightseeing or make the most of paranormal fun, a trolley tour is sure to thrill. 

Culinary Tours Throughout Downtown Amelia Island

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1. Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours

Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours is owned and operated by locals ready to have some fun! Are you a visitor wanting to have a local’s experience? Do you want an exciting and unique way to sample the restaurants and bars that our island offers? Well then, let Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours create a one of a kind experience for you! Join them for a tour and meet the wonderful owners, chefs, and bartenders who make Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach a terrific place filled with delicious eats, delightful cocktails, character, and charm.

Unique Experiences on Amelia Island

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1. Coast eBike Adventures | Premier eBike Tours

Coast eBike Adventures offers guided ebike adventures through northeast Florida’s barrier islands. Whether you choose to navigate the area for yourself or with a guided tour, you’ll ride fat tire eBikes on bike paths and dirt trails under live oaks and breathtaking wide open empty beaches. Spending time of an eBike makes you feel like a kid again!

people stopping for a food break on their scooter tour

2. Amelia Island Scooter Tours

Experience the thrill of a 60-90-minute adventure with Amelia Island Scooter Tours! These one-of-a-kind adventures are designed for four riders at a time to enjoy a scooter “gang” experience touring the island alongside a knowledgeable, fun, and friendly guide. With each rider receiving a personal demo and 4K GoPro footage included in the cost, you’re sure to have an unforgettable journey. Take home pictures and videos as souvenirs to cherish and relive the memories over and over again.

What’s Included in the Tour?

A scooter.
A helmet.
Water.
And, documentation of the journey.

Starts & Stops Along the Way

Salt Life Food Shack Restaurant.
Palace Saloon, the oldest bar in Florida and home to regulars like the famous Duponts, Rockefellers, and Carnegies.
Fernandina Beach and watch for turtles, dolphins, and tropical birds.
Amelia Schoolhouse Inn.
And, St. Peters Cemetery.

courtyard of the addison at sunset

Book the Perfect Place to Unwind After Your Tour Days

When travel plans bring you to beautiful Amelia Island in the name of fun, booking accommodations at The Addison on Amelia Island is step one to infusing luxury, comfort, and style into your experience! Reach out today to learn more about our inviting and elegant bed and breakfast and how we can help you turn travel plans into a well-deserved reality soon. 

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