• Share:

Reviews from Cruisers (32) Review Marina

1. David Grimes -  February 2, 2021 - 9:23 am

   $2.50 per foot as of February 2021. Excellent floating docks, weak Wi-Fi.
   David Grimes

   Reply to David
2. jim -  November 24, 2019 - 11:59 am

   Still closed as of October 2019, only mooring available. You can fuel up at Amelia Island Basin, just north of the high rise SR 200 bridge

   Reply to jim
3. Jim -  June 17, 2017 - 10:35 am

   Fuel dock is closed (damaged by Hurricane Matthew) and still closed as of June 15, 2017, not expected to re-open this summer. Run south on ICW a few miles to Amelia Island Yacht Basin for fuel

   Reply to Jim
• glenn -  December 20, 2017 - 5:18 pm

  Still closed as of December 2017. No fuel, no pumpout

  Reply to glenn
4. Charlie Ridley -  May 18, 2016 - 5:32 pm

   5-7-16 Now at Fernandina Harbor Marina. On inside of breakwater (face dock) where anyone would want to be unless too big. Joshua, dock hand, very good—LISTEN to him as the current can be interesting– especially at fuel dock. Saw a nice crash between 2 60+’ boats even after the neglegent one was warned off. But again, one of my top 5 places to stop. If u have bicycles, then in for a treat. So many things to see and do here. Fresh seafood store right on the docks and the rewtaurant there is great!!! Marg’s even better than Coastal Kitchen at St Simons! One of the busiest marinas we’ve seen– in a nice way. Lot of foot trafic on the docks and the historic town is right across the railroad tracks for anything– especially lot of wonderfun places to eat– or icecream!! Only concern was that we came in fairly close to low and the south end of the breakwater- where you have to enter- is very shallow. Stay very close to the south end of the breakewater. Wifi not good at all but we were warned about that. Charlie and Jackie on Traveler.

   Reply to Charlie
5. Roy Pink -  April 17, 2015 - 2:28 pm

   We never go there without eating at LuLu’s, nuff said.
   The palace bar, where the ship captains of yesteryear drank, don’t let the bar (front room) fool you, the opening behind the bar that looks like a kitchen opening leads to other rooms and entertainments. 2-3 years ago now I think when we were there last.
   Roy Pink

   Reply to Roy
6. Rick Dammeyer -  November 4, 2014 - 5:00 pm

   Larry,
   Just made a great find. The favorite bakery of passing cruisers up Center Street closed a couple of years ago, but a new one just opened 4th of July in Fernandina. Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop had lots of treats and sweets. Open from 10-7, and located at the corner of 5th and Ash, one block South of Center street, around the corner from the court house. The crew at Timoti’s Fish Shop sent us over there for desert. Cruisers with a sweet tooth stopping at Fernandina will find it worth the walk from the marina.
   Best,
   Rick Dammeyer
   Promise Catalina 445

   Reply to Rick
7. Chris&Janet -  May 31, 2013 - 8:55 am

   We hadn’t expected to stay here. Life intervened, and we found it necessary to do so. We encountered a generosity of spirit at this marina we will be talking about for years to come. The crew there are special people.

   The facility is also excellent and well maintained.

   We loved the small town atmosphere with all the services one would expect in a much larger place. We could imagine living here. We will be shifting our cruising schedule to do our provisioning here in the Fernandina-Yulee area instead of Jacksonville Beach from now on.

   Reply to Chris&Janet
8. Cap’n H -  May 30, 2013 - 9:30 am

   Guys,
   We just finished our two day layover at Fernandina Beach before continuing north.
   Everyone here is so friendly both around the harbor marina and the town.
   Most notable was a simply superior dinner to anything I have experienced in many years. Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro should be on every boaters must do list here. Only two blocks off the harbor marina, the staff, service and food outshine anything in recent memory.
   We tried the gumbo and the loaded potato soup for appetizers which were perfect with the fresh homemade bread and olive oil and cracked pepper.
   The 14 oz blackened rib-eye was beyond description in its perfection and flavor. The potatoes were superb as was the vegetable medley. The vegetables were cooked to the perfect degree of doneness, not mushy and yet not hard.
   If you never stop anywhere else, make it here!.
   Cap’n H

   Reply to Cap’n
9. John Wild -  April 26, 2013 - 1:36 pm

   Favorite! Best staff. Has been dredged – plenty of water inside face dock. Bretts Waterway, plenty downtown.
   John Wild

   Reply to John
10. David Doyle -  April 26, 2013 - 10:00 am

    Just spent a week there, great marina and the staff does an excellent job of making you feel welcome. We were on D dock back almost to the dinghy dock area and had depths of 4+ ft even at low tide.
    A couple of great dinning recommendations:
    1. The Happy Tomato, located just down the side street by the ice cream/fudge shop. They smoke their own ribs right on site and rank right up there with the best I’ve had anywhere.
    2. Peppers Mexican just a little further up Center St has a wide variety of selections, all reasonably priced, on their menu. Good food and quick service.
    There is also a fabulous bicycle shop there. At the top of Center St on the right behind a burger place. Bikes take a beating from the salt traveling the ICW and ours were no exception. We took advantage of his advertised “tune up special” and were very pleased. Full check up, lube the crank bearings, new pedals on one and new ft bearings on the other all for less than 70 bucks.
    Fernandina Harbor Marina is always a happy stop for us when cruising.
    David Doyle

    Reply to David
11. Joe Blanchard -  April 26, 2013 - 9:17 am

    Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina. WiFi weak but plans are underway for a significant improvement. Salty Pelican in located on the waterfront just north of Center St (main street) great place for sailors. Keep to green side of ICW north of Shave Bridge all the way up to the curve that takes you to the Rayonier Paper mill, just south of Fernandina. Shoaling to the west.
    Joe Blanchard

    Reply to Joe
12. Tom Callan -  April 26, 2013 - 9:11 am

    Stayed dockside 25-26 March. Windy so staff placed us inside at the second dock back from the facing dock. We draw 4.5′ and had no difficulty. Marina staff very helpful. Arrived after 5PM and with foul weather we dined onboard. Shower and laundry facilites were very good and only a short walk away.
    Tom Callan
    o/b Great Escape
    53 DeFever POC

    Reply to Tom
13. Harry Burns -  April 26, 2013 - 8:46 am

    Claiborne,
    We were at Fernandina Harbor Marina starting on March 22, 2013 for a 5 night stay as we work our way from Marathon back to our VA base on our 37′ sailboat. This town is a good base to shuttle crew back and forth to Jacksonville airport. For this visit we took an inside slip rather than the inside of the face dock as we have done in the past. They have a reduced rate for the inside slips. I was not sure if we would be able to get an inside slip since dredging of the inside area was underway when I initially called and it was delayed due to high winds. They had finished the dredging just before we arrived. Our slip showed a depth of 6′ at low during our visit which is fine since we draw only 4.5′. As usual the dock help here was excellent, at the slip before we arrived and skilled in handling the lines. FYI – you do not want to be on the outside of the long face dock in unsettled weather with West wind, they generally save this space for the larger (>50′) vessels and on the inside you will sleep much better.
    Fernandina is a great stop on the waterway, such a relieve from some of the congestion of FL. We once again visited our favorite upscale restaurant in town, Espana, with wonderful Spanish food. It is very popular with locals, so call or use Open Table for a reservation. We discovered a new Italian restaurant in town, Arte Pizza on 109 N 3rd St a few blocks off the main drag, where we had a great pie and wonderful salad. While there we met three generations of the Italian family who have moved here from New York to open this place. It is
    currently on the small side and very busy, but nevertheless everyone was hustling and the good food kept coming out. They have an addition under construction.
    We love to cook local seafood on board so this is the perfect place to stock up. There is a fresh fish market right at the marina where locals pull up and unload some of their catch to the owner. We left this time with snapper and shrimp, while on past visits have left with soft shell crabs and blue crab meat to make our own crab cakes. Another favorite spot is the book store a few blocks up the
    main drag on the righthand side run by a very knowledgeable woman with respect to local lore, including historical fiction, fiction, and history of the area. We have read much now on Cumberland Island, Jekyll Island, American Beach on Amelia and more all from this store. Just up the block from the bookstore is a locally made fudge shop with ice cream as well. It was awarded 5 Stars by our 6 year old grandson.
    Also of interest for readers of this site, we did stop here on our way south in 2012 to acquire our FL Sojourner’s permit at the courthouse. Only one woman on the staff was familiar with doing this. We had printed the form out in advance based on info found on this site. We have a US Coast Guard documented vessel without a state registration since VA does not require one. We had a copy of the
    CG paperwork with us. She asked about the lack of state registration, but when we explained VA does not require it – “no problem” and issued us a sticker for $82.75 Reg. Tax and $2.75 County Fee.
    Harry Burns
    S/V Two for the Roads

    Reply to Harry
14. Harriet Hardy -  April 25, 2013 - 4:14 pm

    We stayed at Fernandina Harbor marina for one night in December 2012. Our experience this time wasn’t as good as last time because they asked us to dock on the inside of the face dock. We had a difficult time backing out of there since the current is very strong and we were pinned between 2 boats. I had asked if it was easy to get in and out of there and they said ‘sure’. NOT!!
    The face dock had plenty of room and the weather wasn’t bad. I don’t know why they made us go inside but I made a big note to specifically ask for the outside if we ever go back.
    We had dinner at Pablo’s. It wasn’t as good as the last time we were there (at their old location.) We would try someplace else next
    time. The seafood place (Atlantic Seafood) right next to the marina is a great place to get fresh shrimp right off the boats!
    Harriet Hardy
    sv Moondance

    Reply to Harriet
15. Werner Steuernagel -  April 25, 2013 - 3:30 pm

    We Spent two weeks at FHM for the MTOA Rendevous. We were at an inside dock (#34) and found 5ft at low tide. I believe that they did some dredging earlier this year to alleviate the depth problems. We ate at Le Clos, a French restaurant which was excellent. Also at Lulu’s at the Thompson House, also excellent. Had lunch at the 4th Street Deli & Dessert. Their sandwiches are simply great. Lots of excellent places to dine in this very friendly boaters town.
    Werner Steuernagel;
    “It’s About Time”
    35ft PT Trawler

    Reply to Werner
16. Bill Owens -  April 23, 2013 - 4:03 pm

    I spent a month at the city marina 2 years ago and really liked it. I Was on an inside slip with 5′ foot draft and no problems. The town of Fernandina has good restaurants, pubs a plenty, shops, and fresh shrimp off the boats.The only problem is the air get foul from the cardboard plants during inversions. Its very convienent to a class A inlet to the Ocean.
    Bill Owens
    S/v snow goose

    Reply to Bill
17. Dave Bell -  July 24, 2012 - 3:24 am

    Serveral inside slips are available for a rate of 1.25 per foot. Also Beeches Resturant, after fifty years, suddenly closed without notice last weekend, I heard.

    Reply to Dave
18. Dee Smith -  July 6, 2012 - 2:59 pm

    Stay for five days. Got the 1.25pf rate. Lu Lu’s does have thebest food in town. Great place to spend a few relaxing days. Oh and try T-Rays for breakfast. Fun folks with great breakfast.

    Reply to Dee
19. Dan Thomas -  June 17, 2012 - 3:30 pm

    The marina folks are super nice. Showers and lounge always clean. Found one of the best places to eat ever, LU LU’s, just a short walk up town. Stayed a week and had eight meals there. Really good. Fun town to visit.

    Reply to Dan
20. David Bell -  June 17, 2012 - 9:50 am

    Stayed at Fernandina Harbor Marina two weeks due to thunderstorms. Marina folks are great, they rolled us into the weekly rate. Found the BEST place to eat, Lu Lu’s. They are a half block south of Center Street on 7th. Lunch and dinner are both incredible with medium prices. And the food is the best I have found anywhere at any price. For breakfast try T-Rays. They are in an old Exxon Gas Station, but if you can get over that, the food is home made and really good. Three blocks south of Center on 8th.

    Reply to David
21. Laura Lane Bender -  April 25, 2012 - 10:25 am

    This morning we depared FHM following a 10 day stay. The marina hosted a wonderful MTOA rendezvous and went out of their way to be accommodating to each of us. They are very competent, professional, and exude Southern Hospitality. Can speak highly enough of the marina, staff, and city, who also rolled out the red carpet.

    Reply to Laura
22. Wayne -  December 4, 2011 - 9:54 am

    Fernandina Harbor Marina was a great stay for a visit to the old town of Fernandina Beach. Dockmaster was very competent in our docking. We tied up to the back side of the face dock and were shielded from wave action. Very comfortable there.
    Fort Clinch was a wonderful excursion and is highly recommended. Taxi was just above $11 each way. Admission was a bargain for $2.
    The marina pumpout was broken the days we were there 12/1, 12/2/2011. Also the showers were very moldy with black mold so we showered on our boat. This was not up to Westrec standards I believe.
    Cool Change, Wayne

    Reply to Wayne
23. Chris -  November 26, 2011 - 6:27 pm

    We keep our boat at the marina and winter in Fernandina. Couple of notes in response to above posts. As of this date the wine store mentioned above is closed. You can buy bottles of wine and beer at Atlantic Seafood and the Marina Store (right next to the fuel pumps). Unfortunately the “general store” mentioned above is now also closed. Alternatively, a short walk up Ash Street is Fred’s discount department store. They have quite a bit of food in there. Lots of canned goods, bottled water, soda, and frozen foods including some meat. What they don’t have is fresh vegetables. The only place to get those in town is the Saturday farmers market. I have read in the local paper that they are planning to dredge the marina again this winter. Currently the Marina has very little water in many of the slips. I also saw an electrician putting meters in on my dock last month, he said they planned to eventually change to metered electric rather then the $90 month flat rate. Good news.

    Reply to Chris
24. Larry -  January 22, 2011 - 5:28 pm

    The Fernandina General Store has opened in the old Bank of America building on Centre Street, two blocks from Fairbanks House. Just think of it as a downtown grocery with a deli in the back from which you can eat in or take out. When I stopped by I saw a nice wine display going in too. There are a couple of places in town for people to just pick up a bottle of wine but the hours of the store will be 7am to 10pm seven days a week.
    Excerpted from Fairbanks House B&B, Fernandina, FL

    Reply to Larry
25. Ted Jones -  January 20, 2011 - 12:23 pm

    Fernandina Beach has turned out to be a favorite stop. The marina is very good, although the heads, having been built by the Govmint — local, state, and federal — are rather sterile and not very well thought out. There’s nothing basically wrong with them; they simply don’t measure up to the quality of some of the first class private marinas we’ve visited.
    Last spring we’d had a wonderful (and expensive) dinner at Luigi’s, on the corner of 5th and Ash Streets, so we walked there in the cold night air only to discover that Luigi’s was closed. Never mind, we had passed another Italian restaurant on the main drag, so decided to go there, instead. It was disappointing, but — hey — we made it to Florida! It was still cold.
    Ted Jones

    Reply to Ted
26. Sabra Morgan -  September 21, 2010 - 2:01 pm

    Fernandina Harbor Marina – Fernandina Beach, FL, ICW mm 717. This is a must stop for us each year. The city has so much history, with restaurants and shopping right at your fingertips. There is an exceptional wine store (Intercoastal Wine) with a wine tasting bar, on 2nd street. They are always glad to see mariners and often have specials that you will surely like. The marina is full service, with a very knowledgeable staff. They will work with you to meet your needs for a stay of one night or several days.
    Sabra Morgan

    Reply to Sabra
27. Captain Arnold -  March 30, 2010 - 1:02 pm

    Spent a happy three days at Fernandida Harbor Marina – only $1 a ft per day including power – at first class slips with excellent facilities – including a great new Captains Lounge with wide screen tv and a computer with WiFi. Freds – not the best grocery store in town – is within walking distance but with luck you can hitch a ride to Publix from friendly locals.
    Captain Arnold

    Reply to Captain
28. Glenn -  November 23, 2009 - 3:26 pm

    Marina dredging complete and all facilities are completed. Clean bathrooms, showers, laundry room and boater lounge. Free Wi-Fi reaches some docks but not the moorings. Strong currents run parallel to the shore, so watch the wind and your drift before approaching.
    Glenn

    Reply to Glenn
29. Pete & Mary Ann -  November 17, 2009 - 9:11 pm

    Stayed here yesterday night. Staff was very helpful and the showers were open, nice and functioning. After walking the town (great antiques) we had a fine dinner at Gennaros which was just 2 blocks from the marina. Very good Italian food.
    Will stay here again on the way back North.
    Pete & Mary Ann
    s/v MicMac

    Reply to Pete
30. Beverly Feiges -  October 31, 2009 - 7:07 pm

    Tied to the dinghy dock for some essential shopping, and buying fresh shrimp, (Atlantic Seafood) right by the dinghy dock. Shrimp was superb, but so was dinner at the on site restaurant in the marina. It renewed my faith in “eating out” after our disaster meal at Fishy Fishy in Southport, Friends went there for lunch and said it was top notch also. Highly recommend.

    Reply to Beverly
31. Sarah & Ted Pongracz -  July 23, 2009 - 1:26 pm

    They are doing lots of work on the marina [Fernandina Harbor Marina], dredging the harbor, building new docks, and remodeling the bathrooms and showers.
    Sarah & Ted Pongracz

    Reply to Sarah

• Share:

Reviews from Cruisers (11) Review Marina

1. Alex Bryant -  April 5, 2017 - 11:31 pm

   Good things happening at Amelia Island Marina. Refurbishment of the bathrooms is underway, docks damaged by hurricane Matthew are scheduled to be replaced, and best of all dredging is underway. I draw 4 1/2 feet and have been solidly aground at low tide. That will soon be a thing of the past. The entrance canal and the entire basin are being dredged to at least six feel at low tide. Finally, hamburgers and beer at the galley restaurant while watching sunset can’t be beat.

   Reply to Alex
2. Charles Ridley -  April 5, 2017 - 1:13 pm

   Spent night- 4-1-17- here. Came in about 1/2 tide- could not get in (or out) at low tide. Draw only 2 1/2′. Docks in great repair – E dock. Easy docking as no current. Strong wifi. Easy access to showers, and walk dog. Did not go to Galley grill but able to grill on back of boat. At low tide in slip had no water under keel. When left 4-2 had to wait about 1 1/2 hours after low tide and still kicked mud till got into entrance channel. Will have to be dredged before we return. Other than that issue, is a vary nice marina.
   Charlie and Jackie on Traveler

   Reply to Charles
3. AIYB Staff -  June 30, 2014 - 10:22 am

   Come help us celebrate Patriot Boating Days! July 5th from 11am until 6pm. We are raising money for a great cause, The Folds of Honor Foundation. 87 cents of every dollar raised goes to scholarships for families of fallen and wounded soldiers. Hope to see you there!
   Amelia Island Yacht Basin Staff

   Reply to AIYB
4. John Wild -  April 26, 2013 - 1:22 pm

   Spent 1 night 2 years ago – friendly, helpful staff. Nice docks. Walking distance to great crab place. Entrance channel was very shallow, but we were there at an exceptionally low tide.
   John Wild

   Reply to John
5. Joe Blanchard -  April 26, 2013 - 9:13 am

   Amelia Island Yacht Basin, there is a sill at the entrance that at low tide is less than two feet. The entrance channel is no deeper than 5.5 at mean high water. The marina has a ship’s store that is stocked by West Marine and their diesel fuel has an anti foaming agent that facilitates fueling. Management is friendly but water depth is the main problem. There is a small grill on the property but anything more is at least ½ mile away.
   Joe Blanchard

   Reply to Joe
6. Jeff Moore -  April 25, 2013 - 4:03 pm

   Stayed there in November. First class! Jeff and his crew were professional and helpful and the marina was clean and neat. Good restaurant on site, clean laundry and fuel. I had five feet at low tide in the entry channel.
   Jeff Moore

   Reply to Jeff
7. Terry Bieker -  April 24, 2013 - 5:46 pm

   We visited the Amelia Island Yacht Basin in the spring of 2010. The entrance depths were 3.5 to 4.0 ft at MLW. The marina was nothing to write home about, but adequate with nice people. Amelia Island was fun exploring via auto.
   Terry Bieker

   Reply to Terry
8. John Winter -  April 24, 2013 - 9:00 am

   It is shallow going in and if you draw over 5′, then check it out. We loved the place, first time we stayed there ever. Owner is on top of things. If you go to fuel dock in a larger boat (say 45’+) and there is another boat tied up to the face dock as you enter, and the wind is blowing, be aware that turning around can be difficult. Fortunately there is no current. Price is a little high, but this place is first class.
   John Winter

   Reply to John
9. Lawrence Zeitlin -  March 12, 2013 - 2:41 pm

   Amelia Island is just like New Orleans without the sin. Worth a stay for members of the Moral Majority. Bring your own sin.
   Lawrence Zeitlin

   Reply to Lawrence
10. Amber -  November 23, 2011 - 10:14 am

    I’m sorry to hear of your grief. The marina has switched management, and is now owned by Suntex. Our prices have changed, and so has our staff.
    30amp/50amp
    Daily: $2.00 per foot $7.50/10.00
    Weekly: $10.00 per foot $40.00/60.00
    Monthly: $17.00 per foot $52.00/72.00
    Annual: $14.00 per foot $52.00/72.00

    Our fuel prices are: Gasoline-$4.56 Diesel-$4.15

    Our new gerneral manager is Tom Moore; you can email him at tom@aiyb.net.

    I’m Amber, one of the newer members employeed by this company. We’ve refashioned the ship store, we’ve painted the fork lift, we’ve added scenery to the front enterance, and soon we will be remodeling the bathrooms, fixing the docks completely, and creating a much livelier ambiance over all. I can assure you that if you ever decide to give this marina another shot, you will be more than pleased.

    Reply to Amber
11. Peg and Jim Healy -  March 30, 2010 - 1:14 pm

    Sanctuary and crew did not care for Amelia Island Yacht Basin. It is well protected, but the basin is very shallow. We stayed there Sunday, 3/29/2010, and we were in the mud at the tee head at low tide. They charge $1.60/ft for the boat, which is competitive for the area, and $20 for 50A electric, which is theft. Anyway, we couldn’t use the heat pump because of the low water levels, and they griped but finally gave back $5.36 for that. And, you’re a very long walk from the office, too.
    Net is, for comfort and convenience, you’re better off at Fernandina Beach.
    Just Jim’s opinion…
    Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary

    Amelia is very protected, but you are a distance from town. Fernandina is not as protected, especially if you are on the outside dock, but you are right in the middle of town with many great restaurants and quaint shops.
    Glen Moore
    Last Dance

    Reply to Peg