Welcome Aboard! Here are some Tour Tips and FAQs to make your experience on Amelia River Cruises the best and most memorable that it can be. This page offers essential information for a smooth cruise experience, including:
Reservations: Recommended for all tours; required for BYOB and specialty cruises.
Arrival: Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure to check in, pick up your boarding pass, and safely board for an on-time departure. You may need additional time to find and pay for parking. Why not arrive early, there is plenty to do in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Location: Departures from Alliance Marina at the Fernandina Harbor Marina in downtown Fernandina Beach.
Parking: Paid parking is provided by One Parking in historic Fernandina Beach. Street spaces and surface lots are available for $2.00 per hour plus any applicable taxes and fees they may charge. Our boats depart AS SCHEDULED, PLEASE arrive in time to provide for any parking requirements such as downloading the app, registering, and paying for parking. We board 15 minutes prior to departure and DO NOT provide wi-fi.
Top Questions About Amelia Island Boat Tours
Q: What is the best boat tour on Amelia Island?
A: It depends on what you want to experience. Our Cumberland Island Tour is perfect for wildlife lovers and history fans, while our Cumberland Coastal Tour is ideal for all ages. If you want something magical, our Sunset Cruise is a local favorite.
Q: What wildlife can I expect to see on an Amelia River Cruise?
A: Dolphins, wild horses, manatees (seasonally), sea turtles, coastal birds, and the occasional alligator. Wildlife varies by season, but our captains and guides are experts at spotting what’s out there.
Q: Is the Cumberland Island Tour worth it?
A: Absolutely. You’ll see wild horses, untouched beaches, historic ruins, and one of the most beautiful shorelines in the Southeast. It’s one of the most popular tours on Amelia Island for a reason.
Q: Are your cruises family-friendly?
A: Yes — families love our tours. Kids enjoy the wildlife, the dolphins, and the storytelling. Our Family-Friendly Tour is designed specifically with younger guests in mind.
Q: What’s the best time of day to see dolphins?
A: Dolphins can be seen year-round, but late morning and late afternoon often offer the best sightings. Our captains adjust routes based on conditions to maximize wildlife viewing.
Q: Do your tours include history narration?
A: Yes. Our guides share stories about Amelia Island’s shrimping industry, local legends, Amelia and Cumberland Island history, and the unique culture of the area. It’s entertaining, educational, and never boring. (Our Adult Only Twilight BYOB Tour offers two-hours of live music and NO narration.)
Q: Are your cruises accessible for seniors or guests with mobility concerns?
A: Yes. Our crew is happy to assist with boarding, and our boats offer comfortable seating and stable decks. If you have specific needs, just give us a call before your tour.
Q: What’s the difference between your tours?
A: Each tour has its own personality.
- Cumberland Island Tour: wildlife + history
Cumberland Coastal Tour: wildlife + history” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>Cumberland Coastal Tour: fun, relaxed, great for all ages
Adult ONLY Twilight BYOB Cruise: No narration, two-hours of live music, Adults ONLY, BYO… everything!
Shrimping Eco-Tour: nature-focused, hands-on and educational tours begin in June.
Q: Do your tours run year-round?
A: Yes, weather permitting. Spring, summer, and fall are the most popular seasons, but winter cruises offer incredible birdlife and peaceful views.
Q: What should I bring on the boat?
A: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a light jacket, and your camera. You’re welcome to bring drinks and snacks, too.
Q: What to Bring? What to Bring?
A: If you are wondering what to bring, we usually recommend a light jacket in the fall through early spring for your own comfort. Sometimes a scarf is nice to have, too. You will want to have your phone or camera for pictures, and possibly binoculars, sunglasses, and sunscreen! We have cold water available on the boats for a suggested donation of $1.00. That is all we offer, so you are welcome to bring your own food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Q: What is your Weather Policy?
A: Please check with us before altering your plans due to inclement weather! It may be pouring in Jacksonville and bright and sunny on Amelia Island, in Florida and/or Cumberland Island in Georgia. The barrier islands’ environment creates unpredictable and changeable weather patterns. We sail rain or shine, within reason, and our vessels have a canopy offering protection from the sun and rain.
We check NOAA radar frequently to ensure that you have a safe and fun boating experience, and the captain makes the final call on sailing. All of our vessels and captains are U.S. Coast Guard inspected and licensed.
If a tour is canceled by us due to weather, we will offer to re-schedule your tour, offer you a gift certificate that never expires, or offer you a refund. If you feel you may decide not to come due to potential rain, please consider purchasing the Trip Protection.
Q: Should I tip?
A: Our captains are the best in the business. If you feel they did a great job, tipping the crew is customary.
Q: Are you Accessible?
A: We are Wheel the World verified. We have a wheelchair available in our ticket kiosk for anyone who may be uncomfortable with – or may have difficulties – going up or down the ramp to the boat. Please contact us in advance if this service is required so the captain and first mate can assist you. Like many ramps, the one accessing our boats rises and falls with the tide. For passengers with disabilities, it is easier to get to the boat during high tide.
What About Bringing My Pets or our Bikes?
A: Leashed pets are welcome on board. There are bike racks at the docks.
Q: Can I Take Photos?
A: You are encouraged to take lots of pictures on the cruises! Please tag us @ameliarivercruises and use #ameliarivercruises on social media to share and discover photos. If you have a picture you took and you would like to see it used on our website, newsletter, or social media pages, please email the image(s) of at least 2000 px resolution wide to: judie@AmeliaRiverCruises(dot)com.
Occasionally, we will take pictures for marketing on and around the boat. By continuing the check-in procedure, you are granting your consent to be photographed while you are boarding, underway, or disembarking from our cruise. If you do not want your image to be used, please contact us ahead of time so we may accommodate your request.
Q: What If I need to Cancel my Reservations?
A: Reservations may be adjusted within 24 hours of booking, provided the departure time is at least 24 hours away. After the 24-hour booking window, a bookings are final and non-refundable unless Trip Protection was purchased at the time of booking.
With Trip Protection, guests may cancel or reschedule for any reason up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund, including the cost of Trip Protection and processing fees. Tickets purchased within 24 hours of departure are a final sale and are non-refundable. Trip Protection must be added at the time of purchase and cannot be added later.
If Amelia River Cruises cancels a tour due to weather, safety concerns, or failure to meet the 12-passenger minimum, guests may reschedule (subject to availability), receive a gift card (never expires), or receive a full refund, including Trip Protection.
No refunds are issued once the cruise has departed. If a cruise is cut short due to severe weather, gift certificates will be provided.
Trip Protection is void and no refunds will be issued if:
- Guests check in for the cruise
Guests do not cancel at least 24 hours prior to departure
Guests fail to show without notification
No refunds are given within 24 hours of departure, unless Amelia River Cruises cancels the tour.
Please call us if you need assistance with your reservation, or to cancel your reservation at (904) 261-9972. If you purchase a ticket(s) and you, or a member of your party, do not show up for the tour, you will not be eligible for a refund. We do not give refunds for no-shows or missing the boat.
If you purchase a ticket for a certain day/time and we do not meet our minimum 12-passenger requirement (think of awful weather such as a cold winter’s day, high winds, or a 2:00 p.m. afternoon cruise in the dog days of summer), or we cancel a tour for any reason, we will happily re-schedule your tour, offer a gift certificate, or offer you a refund.
We cruise rain or shine, and year ’round. For your comfort, our boats are covered, and they have clear windows that can be zipped closed during inclement weather. All of our captains are U.S. Coast Guard certified, and our boats are inspected frequently. Our captains have the discretion to cancel a tour for any reason. If we cancel a tour, you will receive the option to rebook the tour or receive a refund. However, if you choose to cancel your reservation after the 24-hour grace period, and we have NOT cancelled the tour, you will NOT be eligible for a refund. Please consider purchasing the Trip Protection if you feel this may be a possibility, or you don’t have the flexibility of rebooking your excursion.
Payments: We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Gift certificates can be purchased here and they never expire!
Confirmation: Your ticket confirmation will be e-mailed at the time of purchase, but you still need to pick up your boarding pass at our Ticket Kiosk located at 1 North Front Street, Historic Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. The staff will direct you to the waiting area. About 15 minutes prior to departure, we will begin the boarding process and let you know which vessel to board.
Paid Parking Information: Text FERNBCH To 44989
Privacy & Security Policies
Your payment and personal information are always safe. Our secure commerce gateway meets or exceeds all industry standards for payment transactions. All of your personal information, including credit card number, name, and address is encrypted so that it cannot be read over the internet. We respect, and are committed, to protecting your privacy. We will not sell your personally identifiable information to anyone.
Other: If you notice a Trip Tip and FAQs we should consider adding to this page, please let us know!
