Pet-Friendly Hotels on Amelia Island: 9 Best for 2026
Honest ranking of the 9 best dog- and cat-friendly hotels on the island — with fees, weight limits, and the famous 24/7 dog beach.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Omni Oceanside — $150 pet fee, full resort, dog beach shuttle
- Best budget: Residence Inn — $100, full kitchens, parks nearby
- Best luxury: Ritz-Carlton — $250, beach service for dogs, pet menu
- Best for cats: Elizabeth Pointe Lodge — $50/night, small and quiet
- Best for big dogs: Beachside Motel — $20/night, no weight limit
Amelia Island is genuinely dog-friendly. There's a 24/7 dog beach (off-leash, year-round), most outdoor restaurants have dog-friendly patios, and most of the island is walkable with a dog. The pet fees and policies vary wildly — some places charge $250 non-refundable, some charge $50 per night, and a few are free.
Pet fee reality check
Pet fees on Amelia Island range from $20 to $250, and policies vary:
| Hotel | Pet Fee | Weight Limit | Pets/Room | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritz-Carlton | $250 non-refundable | 30 lbs | 2 | Pet menu, dog bed, bowls |
| Omni Oceanside | $150 per stay | 50 lbs | 2 | Dog bed, treats at check-in |
| Omni Plantation | $150 per stay | 50 lbs | 2 | 1,350 acres for walks |
| Residence Inn | $100 per stay | None listed | 2 | Parks next door |
| Hampton Inn | $75 per stay | 50 lbs | 2 | Standard pet policy |
| Courtyard | $75 per stay | 50 lbs | 2 | Standard pet policy |
| Elizabeth Pointe | $50 per night | 30 lbs | 1 | Cats and small dogs |
| Amelia Hotel | $25 per night | 40 lbs | 2 | One of the cheapest |
| Beachside Motel | $20 per night | None | 2 | No weight limit |
| Ocean Coast | None | 50 lbs | 2 | $25/night for >50 lbs |
| Days Inn | $20 per night | 50 lbs | 2 | Standard |
| Budget Inn | None | None | 2 | No deposit, no fee |
Always call to confirm current policies — fees change.
The 24/7 dog beach (Peters Point)
This is the reason Amelia Island works for dog owners. Peters Point Beach (the north end, near Fort Clinch) is off-leash, 24/7, year-round. It's the only 24/7 off-leash beach in northeast Florida.
Rules: Dogs must be under voice control. Stoop and scoop (bags available). No aggressive dogs.
Access: The dog beach runs from the north jetty (Peters Point) for about 1.5 miles south. The sand is hard-packed, easy on paws. The water is calm on the Amelia River side.
Best time: Sunset. The light is good, the water's calm, the dogs are tired, and the temperature is dropping.
The 9 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels
1. Omni Oceanside Resort — Best Overall
The Omni's pet setup is the most complete. They provide a dog bed, food bowls, treat, and a "pet in room" sign so housekeeping knows. The dog-walking service means you can leave the dog in the room and not feel guilty.
Location for dogs: 5-minute drive to the dog beach. Walkable to Main Beach (on-leash hours 6–10am and 5–9pm in summer).
2. Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island — Best Luxury
The Ritz does pet luxury. The pet menu is real food, not just kibble. The walking service is reliable. Beach access is direct but dogs are not allowed on the Ritz's private beach — they can use the dog beach or Main Beach.
3. Omni Amelia Island Plantation — Best for Big Dogs
The Plantation is the move for big dogs. 1,350 acres means plenty of off-leash-friendly walking paths (leashed required, but few other people). Big dog friendly because there's no close-quarters beach access at the resort — you drive 3–5 minutes to the dog beach.
4. Residence Inn Amelia Island — Best Budget for Long Stays
The Residence Inn is across the street from the Maritime Forest park (20 acres, on-leash). 5-minute walk to Main Beach. Pet fee is the lowest of the chain hotels for stays over 3 nights.
5. Elizabeth Pointe Lodge — Best for Cats / Small Dogs
Elizabeth Pointe allows small pets only (under 30 lbs). The property is quiet — no other dogs barking, no kids running. Good for cats or small calm dogs.
Honorable mentions (6–9)
6. Beachside Motel — Best for Big Dogs on a Budget
Pet fee: $20 per night. Weight limit: None. Locally-owned, no-frills motel. No weight limit, no deposit. Perfect for a Great Dane or two.
7. Ocean Coast Hotel — Best for Free
Pet fee: None (under 50 lbs). Weight limit: 50 lbs. Free pet policy for dogs under 50 lbs. Across A1A from the beach.
8. Hampton Inn & Suites — Best Chain Reliability
Pet fee: $75 per stay. Weight limit: 50 lbs. Standard Hampton pet policy, clean rooms, walking distance to Main Beach.
9. Amelia Hotel at the Beach — Best Direct Beach
Pet fee: $25 per night. Weight limit: 40 lbs. Direct beach access for the dog. Across A1A from your room, easy to walk.
Dog-friendly things to do
Beach (24/7 off-leash)
- Peters Point Beach (north end, 1.5 miles)
Beach (on-leash hours, 6–10am and 5–9pm in summer)
- Main Beach
- American Beach
- Fort Clinch beach
Parks
- Maritime Forest (20 acres, on-leash, between Residence Inn and Main Beach)
- Egans Creek Greenway (3.5 miles, on-leash, off Amelia Island Pkwy)
- Fort Clinch State Park (on-leash, $6/vehicle entry)
Outdoor restaurants (dog-friendly patios)
- Salt Life Food Shack (mainland side, big patio)
- Lulus on the Marsh (downtown Fernandina, dog patio)
- Slopery (downtown Fernandina, casual)
- The Boatright's (downtown, beer garden)
- Café Karibo (downtown, garden patio)
- 29 South (downtown, side patio)
Boat tours (some dog-friendly)
- Amelia River Cruises (call ahead, some boats allow dogs)
- Sunshine Charters (charter fishing, dogs allowed on request)
What to bring
- Vaccination records (some properties ask)
- Folding water bowl
- Reflective leash for evening walks
- Dog life jacket if you plan to kayak or boat
- Tick prevention — Amelia Island is tick country, especially in summer
- Heartworm prevention year-round (mosquitoes are constant)
- Waste bags (most beaches have dispensers, but bring extras)
Vet emergency
- Amelia Island Animal Hospital: 501 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, (904) 277-3610
- 24-hour emergency: Coastal Veterinary Hospital, Jacksonville, ~45 minutes north
FAQs
Can I take my dog on the beach at Amelia Island?
Yes, but rules vary by beach. Peters Point is off-leash 24/7. Main Beach, American Beach, and Fort Clinch are on-leash during designated hours (6–10am, 5–9pm in summer). The Ritz-Carlton and Omni Plantation private beaches are not dog-friendly.
What's the most pet-friendly hotel on Amelia Island?
The Omni properties (Oceanside and Plantation) for amenities and value. The Ritz for luxury. Beachside Motel for low fees and no weight limit.
Are there pet-friendly restaurants on Amelia Island?
Yes, many outdoor patios welcome dogs. Salt Life, Lulus, Slopery, The Boatright's, Café Karibo, 29 South, and most of Centre Street's outdoor seating.
Can I take my dog on a boat tour?
Depends on the tour. Amelia River Cruises allows dogs on some boats with advance notice. Most charter fishing boats allow dogs. Kayak rental companies do not (mostly).
Is Amelia Island good for dogs?
Yes, one of the best dog beaches in Florida. The dog beach is 24/7 off-leash, the sand is hard-packed, and the water is calm. Most outdoor restaurants welcome dogs. The downside: summer heat. Bring a cooling vest, walk early morning or late evening, never leave the dog in a parked car.