Summer on Amelia Island

Is Summer Right for Your Family?

Summer is right for you if:

• Kids are out of school (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
• You can handle heat and humidity (90°F+ with 70%+ humidity is real)
• You want warm water (79-86°F is the warmest)
• You want kids' camps and programs (most active in summer)
• You don't mind crowds (peak season)
• You want long days (sunrise 6am, sunset 8:30pm)

Summer is wrong for you if:

• You're heat-phobic (the heat is real)
• You want to save money (summer is the most expensive)
• You want to avoid crowds (summer is the most crowded)
• You want to golf cheap (summer rates are highest)
• You want quiet (summer is the loudest)

Alternative: April or October has 80% of the experience at 50% the price, with better weather and fewer crowds.

Weather by Month

Month	Air	Water	Rain	Crowds	Price
May	76-84°F	74-80°F	3"	High	$$$
June	81-88°F	79-84°F	5"	High	$$$
July	83-90°F	82-86°F	6"	Peak	$$$$
August	83-90°F	83-86°F	7"	High	$$$
September	81-88°F	81-84°F	7"	Medium	$$

The hottest month: July and August (83-90°F, heat index 100°F+)  ·  The rainiest month: August (7")  ·  The most crowded month: July 4 weekend  ·  The most expensive month: July

Top 10 Things to Do in Summer

1. Beach time (the main event)

Best beaches for families:

• Main Beach: Playground, skate park, lifeguards in summer (10am-5pm weekends), restrooms, showers, parking
• American Beach: Historic, less crowded, no lifeguards
• Fort Clinch Beach: State park, quiet, no lifeguards

Read our full beach guide for directions and amenities.

Tips: Reef-safe sunscreen required by Florida law. Bring water (heat exhaustion is real). Use the public restrooms at Main Beach. Watch the flag system (green/yellow/red). Bring shade (umbrella, pop-up tent, hat). Avoid 11am-3pm in peak heat.

Cost: Free ($3-$5 parking)

2. Pool time (essential for summer)

Best pools for families:

• Omni Oceanside: 3 pools (main, family splash pad, adult). Best for kids.
• Ritz-Carlton: 2 heated pools, family and adult. Best for service.
• Omni Plantation: 4 pools, multiple options. Best for villa guests.
• Residence Inn: 1 outdoor pool. Best for budget families.
• Hampton Inn: 1 heated pool. Best for budget travelers.

Heated pools extend your day. Splash pads are great for ages 2-7. Adult-only pools are great for parents who want 30 min of quiet. Most pools have food and drink service.

3. Kids' camps (June-August)

Ritz-Carlton Ritz Kids: Ages 5-12. Hours 9am-4pm (full day) or 9am-1pm / 1pm-4pm (half day). Cost: $95/day full day, $55/half day. Includes beach activities, pool games, art, junior naturalist program, lunch (full day).

Omni Kids Camp (Oceanside): Ages 4-12. Hours 9am-4pm. Cost: $85/day. Includes beach activities, pool games, art, lunch.

Omni Plantation Junior Programs: Ages 4-17. Beach activities, nature center, tennis clinics, golf clinics. Cost: $50-$150/activity.

Other summer programs:

• Amelia Island Museum of History: Junior historian camp ($200/week, ages 6-12)
• Kelly's Seahorse Ranch: Junior rider camp ($300/week, ages 8+)
• Plantation Tennis: Junior tennis clinic ($200/week, ages 6-16)

4. Sunset at Fort Clinch

The heat breaks around 7pm. The sunset over the marsh is stunning. Dolphins are active. Kids can run on the beach. Cost: $6/vehicle. Arrive 1 hour before sunset, bring a picnic dinner and a flashlight for the walk back. The west-facing beach is at the very end of the park.

5. Fort Clinch State Park (early morning or late afternoon)

The fort is open daily. The period reenactments are on the first weekend of every month (including summer months). The beach is wide and uncrowded. Cost: $6/vehicle. Go early (8-10am) to avoid heat, take the fort tour (free, 30 min), bike the trails (rentals at the park), swim at the beach (no lifeguards — watch the kids).

6. Centre Street walking (evening)

The historic district is walkable, the architecture is beautiful, the restaurants have outdoor patios, the ice cream is good. The evening is cooler than the day. Cost: Free to walk, $5-$15 for ice cream, $20-$40 for casual dinner.

• The Palace Saloon (1903) is the oldest bar in Florida
• LuLu's has a dog-friendly patio
• Slopery has great breakfast burritos
• The Saturday farmers market runs year-round

7. Amelia River cruise

A break from the heat. The boats have shade. The dolphins are active. The shrimp boat tour is great for kids. Cost: $30-$60/person. Great for all ages, especially hot afternoons.

8. Indoor options (1-4pm, when the heat is worst)

• Amelia Island Museum of History: air-conditioned, 1-2 hours, $10/adult, $5/kid
• Hotel pool: cool, shaded, drink service
• Hotel spa: parents can take turns
• Most hotel rooms have good movies
• Centre Street shops, indoor at the hotels

9. Beach horseback riding (sunrise or sunset)

Sunrise or sunset rides avoid the heat. The beach ride is a bucket-list activity for kids 8+. Operator: Kelly's Seahorse Ranch. Cost: $130/person, 1.5 hours. Ages 8+ (with adult).

10. Sunset kayak tour

The marsh kayak tour is at sunset, when the heat is manageable. The dolphins are active. The tour is beginner-friendly. Operator: Amelia Island Kayak Excursions. Cost: $80/couple, 2 hours.

What Makes Summer Special

Wildlife

• Sea turtles: Loggerhead nesting starts in May, hatching in July-September
• Dolphins: Active year-round
• Manatees: Occasional in the Intracoastal
• Birds: Migratory species starting to arrive in August

Events

• July 4 fireworks: Fernandina Beach, Ritz-Carlton
• Concerts in the Plaza: Fernandina, summer Fridays
• Farmers market: Saturdays, year-round, 9am-1pm
• Fort Clinch period reenactments: first weekend of every month

Rain pattern

Afternoon thunderstorms (3-5pm typical). Duration 30-60 min, heavy but brief. After: clear, cooler, beautiful.

What to Pack for a Summer Family Beach Trip

Required

• Reef-safe sunscreen (Florida law, no oxybenzone or octinoxate)
• 2-3 swimsuits per person, beach towels (or use hotel)
• Hats (one per person, with strap), sunglasses (with strap)
• Water bottles (refillable), sandals/flip-flops, walking shoes
• Light t-shirts (sun protection), shorts, light dresses, 1-2 nicer outfits, light jacket (for AC / sunset)

Recommended

• Rash guards (sun protection for kids), water shoes (shells in the sand)
• Beach umbrella, pop-up tent (for babies), beach toys
• Snorkel gear (for older kids), board games (for rainy days), books
• Camera (with waterproof case), binoculars (for dolphin watching)

Skip

• Heavy jeans, multiple "nice" outfits, high heels, cotton (heavy when wet)
• Expensive jewelry, books you'll be sad to lose

Where to Stay for a Summer Family Trip

1. Omni Oceanside Resort (best for families)

Price: $239-$489/night (summer)

3 pools (main, family splash pad, adult-only), direct beach access, kids' camp ($85/day, ages 4-12), on-site dining with kids' menus, adjoining rooms, 24-hour room service. Tip: Book a 1-bedroom suite — the sleeper sofa gives the kids their own space.

2. Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island (best luxury family)

Price: $480-$890/night (summer)

Ritz Kids program ($95/day, ages 5-12), 2 heated pools, direct beach access with free chairs/umbrellas, 4 on-site restaurants (kids' menus), 24-hour room service, twice-daily housekeeping. Tip: The Ritz Kids program is worth the upgrade — parents get a full day to themselves.

3. Omni Amelia Island Plantation (best for multi-gen)

Price: $389-$789/night (villa)

2- and 3-bedroom villas with full kitchens, 4 pools, 1,350 acres of resort property, beach horseback riding, 8 on-site restaurants, bike rentals, nature center. Tip: Rent a 2-bedroom villa — the kitchen saves hundreds on food, and the extra room is worth it for 5+ people.

4. Residence Inn (best for budget families)

Price: $179-$289/night (summer)

Full kitchen in every room, free hot breakfast, free grocery delivery, 5-min walk to Main Beach, adjoining rooms available. Tip: Stay 5+ nights for the best rate.

5. Hampton Inn & Suites (best for budget travelers)

Price: $189-$329/night (summer)

Free hot breakfast, heated pool, 5-min walk to Main Beach, Hilton points. Tip: Skip the suite (not worth the upgrade).

What to Do With Kids by Age

Babies (0-2)

• Beach with shade (umbrella or pop-up tent)
• Pool (heated, with parents)
• Stroller-friendly Centre Street walking
• Hotel room naps
• Amelia Island Museum of History (touch tank)

Toddlers (3-5)

• Beach (sandbox, water, shells)
• Pool (splash pad, shallow end)
• Centre Street (ice cream, ducks at the marina)
• Hotel playground
• Sunset at Fort Clinch (run on the beach)

Elementary (6-10)

• Beach (swimming, boogie boarding, sandcastles)
• Pool (splash pad, water games)
• Fort Clinch (fort exploration, period reenactments)
• Horseback riding on the beach (ages 8+)
• Sunset kayak tour (ages 6+ in tandem)
• Ritz Kids or Omni Kids Camp
• Bike the A1A, Centre Street, mini-golf (Jacksonville, 45 min)

Tweens (11-13)

• Beach (boogie boarding, skim boarding, surfing lessons)
• Pool (water volleyball, water slides at Plantation)
• Horseback riding, fishing charter (1/2 day, $450), kayak tour
• Bike the A1A or Egans Creek, tennis ($30-$80/hour), golf (junior rates)
• Ritz Kids or Omni Kids Camp

Teens (14-17)

• Beach (boogie boarding, skim boarding, surfing lessons)
• Pool (relaxed, not kids' camp), fishing charter (1/2 or full day), kayak tour
• Bike the island (20+ miles), tennis, golf ($95-$295/round), surf lessons
• Sunset at Fort Clinch (with friends), downtown Fernandina (shops, restaurants)

Money-Saving Tips

• Stay 5+ nights. 5th night is often 50% off. Weekly rates available at most properties. Residence Inn saves hundreds on food (kitchen).
• Eat breakfast at the hotel. Most mid-range and luxury hotels include breakfast. Or eat at Slopery or buy groceries at Publix.
• Eat lunch on the beach. Pack sandwiches, snacks, water. Salt Life has a to-go window. Publix has ready-to-eat sandwiches.
• Eat dinner early (5-6pm). "Kids eat free" promotions at some restaurants. Sunset is at 8pm, so dinner at 5:30 leaves time for the beach.
• Use the kids' camp. 1 day of camp for 1 kid = $85-$95. Parents get a full day to themselves.
• Book direct with hotels. Most chains offer 5-10% off for direct booking. Loyalty points add up.
• Avoid the resort fee (sometimes). The Ritz, Omni Oceanside, and Omni Plantation charge $35-$45/night for Wi-Fi, gym, sometimes parking.

Common Summer Mistakes

• Not drinking enough water. Drink water constantly. Have a water bottle with you at all times.
• Sunburn on day 1. Apply sunscreen 30 min before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours. Wear a hat. Stay in the shade 11am-3pm.
• Heat exhaustion. Take breaks in the AC. Drink water. Avoid the beach 11am-3pm in peak heat. Recognize the signs (dizziness, nausea, headache).
• Hurricane. Buy travel insurance. Book refundable rates. Watch the forecast 7-10 days out. Have a backup plan (St. Augustine, Jacksonville).
• Booking the wrong end of the island. The Ritz and Plantation are on the south end (more isolated). The Omni Oceanside and Main Beach are mid-island (more walkable, more restaurants nearby). Choose based on whether you want quiet or convenience.

Summer FAQs

Plan Your Summer Trip

Compare all family hotels, check beach guides, browse summer tours and activities, and read our best time to visit guide to decide if April or October might be a better fit for your family.