P a g e | 1 Reference Guide 2020 This Reference Guide is provided by the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for tourism industry partners for information purposes only. It is not to be given out to the general public. Information is subject to change without notice. Please notify our office at 904-277-0717 of any discrepancies, updates or corrections. Amelia Island Welcome Center 102 Centre Street, Amelia Island, Florida 32034 www.AmeliaIsland.com For Internal Use Only 8/5/2020 P a g e | 2 Table of Contents AICVB 3 Local Numbers 4 Frequently Asked Questions 5 Hurricanes 6 Red Tides 7 Rip Currents 9 Shark Encounters 10 STAY – Accommodations 11 SHOP – Retail 12 EAT – Dining & Libations 15 SEE & DO – Recreation & Activities 18 SEE & DO – Wellness & Spa 21 Transportation and Ferry Services 22 Beach Information 23 Warning Flags 24 Public Beach Accesses 24 Fishing 25 Marinas & Boat Ramps 26 City, County and State Parks 27 Churches 29 Annual Events 30 Miscellaneous Information 31 Climate 32 For Internal Use Only 8/5/2020 P a g e | 3 AMELIA ISLAND CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU (AICVB) Administration Office: 2398 Sadler Road, Suite 200 | 904-277-4369 |Fax: 904-432-8417 Welcome Center (Historic Train Depot): 102 Centre Street | 904-277-0717 Amelia Island, Florida 32034 Toll Free: 1-800-2AMELIA (1-800-226-3542) www.AmeliaIsland.com Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff Name Title Phone # Cell Phone EMAIL Gil Langley President/CEO 904-432-2227 904-483-0214 [email protected] Chief Marketing Amy Boek 904-432-2226 904-753-6531 [email protected] Officer Nate Aron Director of Operations 904-432-2223 440-263-1690 [email protected] Director of Events & Jaime Fallon 904-432-2231 804-815-3574 [email protected] Trade Director of Strategic Karen Hadley 904-432-2221 908-872-0833 [email protected] Initiatives Director of Interactive Marilou Welling 904-432-2225 904-548-8230 [email protected] Engagement Executive Jana Williams 904-277-2223 904-753-1282 [email protected] Management Visitor Services Deb Nordstrom 904-277-0717 N/A [email protected] Manager Nancy Fishburn Visitor Concierge 904-277-0717 N/A [email protected] Barbara Shuta Visitor Concierge 904-277-0717 N/A [email protected] Charlene Sullivan Visitor Concierge 904-277-0717 N/A [email protected] Gale Ulmer Visitor Concierge 904-277-0717 N/A [email protected] For Internal Use Only 8/5/2020 P a g e | 4 LOCAL NUMBERS CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH Animal Control 904-491-0122 Atlantic Recreation Center 904-310-3358 City Hall (Dale Martin) 904-310-3101 City Public Information Officer (Mary Hamburg) 904-310-3289 City Police Department (non-emergency) 904-277-7342 City Police Department (Code Enforcement) 904-310-3136 City Police Department (Dispatch) 904-277-7342 #1 Dock Master (Joe Springer) 904-310-3300 Fire Department 904-277-7331 Parks & Recreation 904-310-3350 Parks & Recreation (Swimming Pool) 904-310-3362 Parks & Recreation (Comfort Station) 904-310-3358 Peck Community Center 904-310-3354 NASSAU COUNTY Nassau County, County Manager 904-530-6010 Nassau County Courthouse (Centre Street) 904-491-6430 Nassau County Fire Department 904-491-7525 Nassau County Health Department 904-548-1800 Nassau County Parks & Recreation 904-530-6120 Nassau County Public Library 904-277-7365 or 530-6500 x 1 Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (non-emergency) 904-225-5174 Nassau County Tax Collector 904-491-7400 FLORIDA Florida Highway Patrol 800-387-1290 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Post Office - Sadler Road 904-491-8102 Post Office - Centre Street 904-277-4964 US Coast Guard (Marine & Air Emergency) 904-564-7511 MEDICAL Amelia Express Care Baptist Medical Center – Nassau 1987 S. 8th Street 1250 South 18th St Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 904-624-7003 904-321-3500 For Internal Use Only 8/5/2020 P a g e | 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Does the island offer tours or special activities? Yes! Amelia Island offers many various types of tours from historic walking tours to boat tours in the Intracoastal Waterway. Q: Where does the name of Amelia Island come from? General Oglethorpe, founder of the British colony of Georgia, named the island to honor Princess Amelia, the daughter of English King George II. Q: Why is Amelia called the Isle of Eight Flags? This term refers to the early history of Amelia Island. We are the only site in the United States which has been ruled under eight flags since 1562: France, Spain, Britain, Patriots, Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, Confederate and the United States flags. Q: How big is the island? Amelia Island is roughly 13.5 miles long by 2 miles wide. Q: What’s the difference between Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach? Fernandina Beach is the incorporated municipality located on Amelia Island. Q: How is the weather? The annual average temperature is 79.9º Fahrenheit, with annual average rainfall of 5 inches. Q: How many people live on Amelia Island? As of the US Bureau Census 2015, the population was 20,000 inhabitants. Q: I have heard there is horseback riding on the beach, where is it available? Commercial horseback riding tours are available on the south end of the island in Nassau County. There are three main facilities for your convenience: • Kelly Sea Horse Ranch www.kellyranchinc.com 904-491-5166 • Happy Trails Walking Horses www.happytrailswalkers.com 904-557-3126 • Amelia Horseback Riding www.ameliahorsebackriding.com 904-753-1701 Q: Where can I find an ATM in the downtown area? Pineland Bank -715 Centre Street Green Turtle Tavern – 14 S. 3rd Street Hampton Inn & Suites – 19. S. 2nd Street The Palace Saloon – 117 Centre Street Florida House Inn – 22 S. 3rd Street Q: Is there camping on Amelia Island? Fort Clinch State Park offers beach and river camp sites. Water, electricity, and dump stations are available. Q: Where are public restrooms/comfort stations located on the island? • Atlantic Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Avenue • Centre Street Comfort Station, 104 Centre Street • Central Park Comfort Station, 1200 Atlantic Avenue • Main Beach Restrooms, 32 North Fletcher Avenue • Peters Point Restrooms, South Fletcher Avenue • Seaside Park Restrooms, Sadler Road • Egans Creek Park, Atlantic Avenue Q: Where can I purchase a fishing license? Fishing licenses can be purchased at County Courthouse on Center Street or Walmart (1757 S. 14th Street); online or by phone. For Internal Use Only 8/5/2020 P a g e | 6 HURRICANES What is a hurricane? A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with a defined circulation and sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (65 knots) or greater in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern North Pacific Ocean. This same tropical cyclone is known as a typhoon in the western Pacific and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean. Where can I get real-time advisories for hurricanes/tropical storms? Travel advisories at www.VISITFLORIDA.com provide visitors with real-time information from local tourism officials and links to advisories from these state and national sources: • www.nhc.noaa.gov • www.nws.noaa.gov What months are considered hurricane season? The Atlantic hurricane season is officially June 1 to November 30. The peak of the season is from mid-August to mid-October. Should we cancel travel plans during hurricane season? VISIT FLORIDA clearly understands that some people have concerns about the possible impact a hurricane could have on a planned vacation. It is always wise when making travel plans during hurricane season to check with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, etc. to find out how they inform their guests when a hurricane is approaching, what actions they plan to take, and what refund policies they have in place. Once again, it is important to point out that a direct hit to any one particular destination by a major hurricane is an extremely rare event. What do travelers do if they are in Florida and a hurricane is approaching? The safety of Florida's visitors is a priority to everyone who works in the tourism industry. VISIT FLORIDA works closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, local tourism offices throughout the state, as well as local, state and national media to ensure visitors have access to accurate and timely information that will help them make the most informed travel planning decisions possible. Visitors are encouraged to go to VISITFLORIDA.com to follow the latest weather and travel updates, in addition to staying tuned to local television and radio stations. If visitors are asked to evacuate from coastal areas, please follow the instructions of the emergency response officials. What regions around the globe have hurricanes? Hurricanes develop over tropical or subtropical waters around the world. There are seven tropical cyclone areas (basins) where storms occur: • Atlantic basin (North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) • Northeast Pacific basin (from Mexico to the dateline) • Northwest Pacific basin (from the dateline to Asia) • North Indian basin (including the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) • Southwest India basin (Africa) • Southeast Indian/Australian basin • Australian/Southwest Pacific basin Why are hurricanes named? Who names them? The National Hurricane Center is responsible for naming tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. Hurricanes are named to provide ease of communication and reduce confusion between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches and warnings. What is the "eye" of the storm? What are rain bands? The hurricane's core is called the "eye." The winds closest to the eye, typically averaging about 60 miles from the center of the storm, are the strongest and bring the most potential for damage.