First Coast

The moniker First Coast refers to two distinctions: the first permanent European settlement in Florida (St. Augustine), which lies within its borders, and it is the northernmost Florida coast on the Atlantic’s eastern seaboard. It is also rich in history and has an abundance of unspoiled nature areas. The quintessential Florida vacation spot, Florida’s First Coast has miles of beaches, classic oceanfront resorts, scenic golf courses, saltwater marshes and other tidal birdwatching spots.

A Jacksonville beach scene. ©Fetterman Photography/Visit Jacksonville.

Orlando magazine’s dedicated editorial team is taking the guesswork out of your next coastal trip! Check out these important facts:

☀ BOUNDED BY: Amelia Island, the northern border of Florida, to the shores of Flagler Beach to the south.

⚑ COUNTIES: Nassau, Duval, Baker, Clay, St Johns, Putnam and Flagler.

⚐ MAJOR CITIES/AREAS: Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Palm Valley, St. Augustine.

♜ HIGHLIGHTS: Historic sites, state parks, shell hunting, riding horses on the beach.   

☸ HIDDEN GEMS: Pippi Longstocking House (filming location for the movie), the tallest sand dune in Florida (NaNa, a 60-foot dune system), Boneyard Beach (bleached oak skeletons). 

☺ OVERALL VIBE:  Peaceful and sun-drenched.

Riding horses on the beach (center) is a must-do Amelia Island experience. ©Visit Florida.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island’s 13-mile stretch is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Historically, it served as a sanctuary for pirates, passing under the control of eight different flags over time. This picturesque island is enveloped by the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, the powerful Nassau Sound and Cumberland Sound, one of the East Coast’s largest and deepest inlets.

The island’s beaches, a harmonious blend of Appalachian quartz sands, towering sand dunes and swaying sea oats, have always been a spectacle of nature. The island’s ocean maintains a comfortably warm average summer temperature of 82 degrees, beckoning all to dive in.

The vast marshland (above) offers many opportunities for exploration. ©Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

The island’s premier beachfront park, widely recognized as The Family Zone or Main Beach, promises a fun-filled day for beachgoers, surfers, skaters and food enthusiasts. Activities abound: an engaging round of oceanfront mini golf, surfing the waves, skateboarding or indulging in a varied and delicious selection of food. As night falls, the comforting rhythm of the surf lulls you to sleep.

As one would expect in a Florida island town, most activities take place on or near the water. One of Amelia’s most iconic must-dos is horseback riding on the beach. Even if you’ve never been in the saddle, the well-trained, gentle horses are suitable for novices. Various tour operators and excursions are available.

While the ocean might be the first thing on many travelers’ minds when they think of Amelia Island, the vast marshland to the west offers endless peaceful creeks to explore. The meandering waterways are perhaps best explored under your own power by stand-up paddle board or kayak, available for rental on the island. Gliding through the water offers a different perspective on the area’s flora and fauna, and allows for peaceful, up-close interaction, as you skim along the water’s surface nearly at eye level.

Back to our guide to Florida from Coast to Coast