Amelia Beach Condo

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Fernandina Beach is located 30.65 degrees north of the equator and 81.44 degrees west of the prime meridian.
The prime meridian goes from the North to the South Pole, passing through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, United Kingdom. The distance in miles is approximately 4437 miles from London to Amelia Island.
It would be a much shorter distance to travel the 624 miles from Amelia Island to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC.
Even better would be to travel to our state’s capital, Tallahassee.
If you were to travel in a straight line, you would only have to go a mere 170 miles.

Top three on Amelia Island.

1. Beach – Girl Watching

2. Beach – Jumping for Excitement

3. Beach – On the sand, Now on your heads!

The McArthur Family YMCA is located at 1915 Citrona Dr., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. The telephone number is 904-261-1080. The YMCA is located approximately 3 miles from the condominium. If you are a member of your local YMCA, your membership probably qualifies for the A.W.A.Y. (Always Welcome at any YMCA) program. You will be welcome at the YMCA in Fernandina Beach at no cost. Prior to your trip call to get the details.

If you are not a current member, there is a great guest policy. The fee is $10 per day or $25 per week for an individual or $15 per day or $40 per week for family passes.

The hours are as follows:
Monday–Thursday: 5:30am-9:00pm
Friday: 5:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm

The facility has a full line of Paramount strength training equipment as well as a full line of cardio equipment. In addition to the locker rooms with available showers, numerous group exercise classes are offered. The center includes a 25-yard lap pool.

Turtle nesting season starts around May 1st and ends approximately August 31st on Amelia Island. This is the time of the year in which sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

If you are fortunate, you will be able to spot the turtle’s tracks from the ocean, to her nest, and back to the ocean. You might even spot a turtle coming ashore. And then of course, if you are even more fortunate, you may see the hatchlings take their first trip to the ocean.

It takes from 45 to 90 days for a turtle egg to hatch. This variation is because the time to hatch is very dependent upon temperature. However, the average time to hatch is about 60 days.

Only about 1 in 1,000 turtles will survive to adulthood. Then the females will return to the beach they hatched on to lay their own eggs.

As it is illegal to harm, harass, or transport turtles, if you have any questions you can call the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, Inc. at 904-583-1913.

The 47th Annual Isle of Eight Shrimp Festival will be held the weekend of May 1, 2010 in downtown Fernandina Beach, FL. It is always held the first weekend in May and this year is no exception.

On Friday evening, tours for the Georgia Bulldog Research Vessel will be available. The boat is a 1977 shrimp trawler. It has been revamped as a research vessel since the University of Georgia purchased her in 1980. The boat is used not only for research, but also for educational exercises and demonstrations, as befitting a boat owned by the University.

Some of the research conducted on the boat has involved turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and has been instrumental in certifying such devices. It is ironic that the research has helped the boating industry to save the turtles and at the same time the ship’s crew is so involved in catching turtles.

Not to worry, it is all in the name of research and after tagging the protected turtles, they are released back into the water.

You can find more information of the R/V UGA Bulldog at http://www.marex.uga.edu/advisory/RVGeorgiaBulldog.html

April 17 through April 25 is National Park Week. All entrance fees at National Parks are waived. Cumberland Island National Park is located near St. Marys, Georgia and is approximately 12 miles from Ocean Park. Please see http://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm for more information. The Free Days do not include the ferry ride to the island, just the park entrance. However, the ferry ride is worth the fee. Call 912-882-4335 or 877-860-6787 for reservations.

Fort Clinch comprises 1,427 acres on the northern tip of Amelia Island. It backs up to Ocean Park and is a short walk from the condominium. It is open daily until sunset. On the first weekend of each month reenactments are held at the park depicting fort operations.

Construction of the Fort was begun in 1847. During the War of Aggression against the South (the Civil War) the Fort was used by blockade runners. The Confederate forces briefly occupied the Fort until its recapture in 1862 by the Union. At that time it was a base of operation for the Union forces for the duration of the War.

Fort Clinch is a great adventure for an afternoon. After visiting the Fort, you can cycle the leisurely three mile park drive or opt for the more challenging six mile off road trail. The nature trails are available for hikers. You can always see sunbathers, swimmers, and beachcombers. Fishermen are abundant on the pier or surf fish in the ocean. The park includes a campground with all facilities.

This beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo is available for rent.  It is located in Fernandina Beach, on Amelia Island, Florida.
We hope you have enjoyed your stay with us. If you have any comments, and we hope they are positive, please click the circle to the right of this post.

Please see the pages as listed above for more information.