Fernandina Beach, Florida
About Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach is a town on Amelia Island, Florida, with a population of 13,869 (2025). It is known as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in the United States. Its nickname is the Isle of Eight Flags.
Fernandina Beach at a glance
- Population
- 13,869 Census Population Estimates, 2025
- Nearest city
- Jacksonville, FL · 35 miles by road OpenStreetMap routing
How Fernandina Beach became Fernandina Beach
- 1562French Huguenots claimed the island, the earliest European contact.
- 1811Old Town, the original Fernandina, was platted and named for King Ferdinand VII.
- 1853The historic downtown grew when the town moved to the railroad.
Fernandina Beach, Florida, 1979
- 1853–1861Yulee's Florida Railroad was incorporated, began construction from Fernandina in 1856 and reached Cedar Key in 1861.
- 1863A Freedmen's Bureau school began a long history of African American education and community life.
- 1902Sicilian immigrant Mike Salvador pioneered modern shrimping at Fernandina.
- 1937–1938Container Corporation and Rayonier began operations in Fernandina.
- 1951Fernandina merged with the nearby town of Fernandina Beach and took its name.
- 1976Nassau Fertilizer & Oil Co., the last remaining menhaden reduction plant, closed its doors.
Then and now
Fernandina Beach today
Downtown has a Victorian historic district, a waterfront and yearly festivals. The island also has trails, parks and wildlife to enjoy.
- Fernandina Beach Historic DistrictA 50-block Victorian district centered on Centre Street, where the Shrimp Festival is held.
- Amelia Island Museum of HistoryHoused in the former Nassau County Jail, it runs walking tours of downtown.
- Welcome Center and Shrimp MuseumThe waterfront starting point of the official historic walking tour.
- Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp FestivalHeld downtown on the first weekend in May, it celebrates the shrimping heritage.
- Dickens on CentreDowntown becomes a Victorian holiday village each December.
- Amelia Island TrailIt runs over 7 miles from Peters Point County Park to the south end.
Coming up
Shop local: Fernandina Beach’s locally owned favorites →
Did you know?
The city's logo shows a lighthouse and eight flags.
Amelia Island Light is the oldest existing lighthouse in Florida.
The oldest newspaper in Florida was started in Fernandina.
A New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop is held each December.
Sea turtle lighting inspections run each month from May 1 through October 31.
Fort Clinch's beaches are highlighted for shark tooth hunting.
Egans Creek Greenway lists seasonal Painted Buntings among its highlights.
In March 2026 a right whale mother-calf pair was sighted off Amelia Island.
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Sources and photo credits
- Census Population Estimates www2.census.gov
- OpenStreetMap routing router.project-osrm.org
- Fernandina Beach, Florida | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation achp.gov
- Original Town of Fernandina Historic Site (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.org
- Historic District Tour Brochure www3.topproducerwebsite.com
- Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail - Preservation - Florida Division of… apps.flheritage.com
- Peck Center Historic Marker Dedication - A proclamation - Fernandina Observer fernandinaobserver.org
- Five historical facts about Fernandina Beach thejaxsonmag.com
- Rayonier and Container in Fernandina - A brief history and reflection - Fernandina Observer fernandinaobserver.org
- Britannica: Fernandina Beach britannica.com
- Treasures of Nassau – Fernandina Beach News‑Leader (PDF) ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu
- / (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.org
- OpenStreetMap: OpenStreetMap: Welcome Center and Shrimp Museum (910715058) openstreetmap.org
- Dickens on Centre festival returns to Amelia Island December 11-13 actionnewsjax.com
- Bike Trails | Nassau County - Official Website nassaucountyfl.com
- Fernandina Beach, Florida (U.S.) crwflags.com
- Florida's Historic Places: Fernandina and Amelia Island fcit.usf.edu
- New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop fbfl.us
- Sea Turtle Lighting and Beach Friendly Tips | Fernandina Beach, FL - Official Website fbfl.us
- Shark Tooth Hunting | Florida State Parks news4jax.com
- Egans Creek Greenway - Florida Birding Trail floridabirdingtrail.com
- North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season 2026 fisheries.noaa.gov
- Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor: No plan to toll Shave Bridge to Amelia Island wokv.com
- RON SAPP Egans Creek Greenway | Fernandina Beach, FL - Official Website fbfl.us
- Evacuation | Fernandina Beach, FL - Official Website fbfl.us
- Understanding Area Codes | Verizon verizon.com
Every photo’s author, licence and source: Photo credits.