1. Amelia Island Plantation Links Course
City: Fernandina Beach, FL
Category: Golf
Telephone: (904) 261-6161
Address: 4700 Amelia Island Parkway
Description: Consistently named a Silver Medal Golf Resort by Golf Magazine, Amelia Island Plantation stands as one of the best golf resorts in America. Amelia Island Plantation’s 72 holes of championship golf capture the natural elements of the island’s terrain while preserving the near-pristine habitat. Situated beneath a canopy of moss-covered oaks, the greens and fairways, which were designed by Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, and Tom Fazio, border the ocean and coastal marshes and are lined with live oaks, sabal palms, pines, and wax myrtle.
2. Baptist Medical Center Nassau
City: Fernandina Beach, FL
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (904) 321-3500
Address: 1250 South 18th St.
Description: To the north of Jacksonville in Fernandina Beach, Baptist operates a 54-bed acute-care center that serves Nassau County and Southeast Georgia residents. Services include an emergency department, a critical care unit, a small maternity unit, and three surgical suites. The center also recently opened the Betty and David Berkman Building for Patient Care, which includes an advanced intensive care unit and 48 private suites.
3. Windward Sailing School
City: Fernandina Beach, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (904) 261-9125
Address: 714 Beech St.
Description: Named Outstanding School of the Year in 2008 by the American Sailing Association, Windward Sailing School retains its position among the top five sailing schools nationwide. Located in Fernandina Beach, about a 40-minute drive from Jacksonville, Windward Sailing School offers basic and advanced sailing instruction and navigational lessons. Windward also operates out of an Ortega River location for those who prefer to stay close to Downtown. If you’re already an experienced sailor, you can rent a boat at Windward or book an overnight sail on their Hunter 28- or 27-foot Beneteau 265. Each boat holds a maximum of six people, including your captain, and your bareboat qualifications must be verified by a Windward Sailing captain. Rental rates range from $250 for four hours to $700 for two days and two nights, with each additional day at $200.