American Beach

Sandy beach
5460 Gregg St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA
253 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
Cleanliness
Water quality
Crowded
Impressions
Overall
Grades suggested by our reviewer
Water Quality

Beach amenities

  • WCPublic restrooms nearby
  • ParkingCar parking nearby
  • ShowerPublic showers available
  • Pet friendlyBring your little friends!
👉 Download a FREE PDF map

About this beach

Warnings and hazards

Sometimes there are vehicles with loud music parked on the beach.

American Beach is a beach community with a nice uncrowded beach and a historic district including a museum, many old buildings, and some abandoned houses dating back to the earlier years.

A trip here can be not only relaxing but also educational since you can learn a lot about the history of this place and the life of past generations. Founded in 1935 by Florida’s first black millionaire, this was the first African-American beach in Florida. In 2002, American Beach Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Location and Access

American Beach is located north of Jacksonville on Amelia Island. Parking is free and ample. There is a large parking lot at the intersection of Burney Boulevard and Gregg Street. You can also drive your vehicle directly onto the beach provided that you have a permit or park across the street on the grass.

Beach Facilities

There are clean restrooms and a shower facility near the main parking lot. It’s better to bring your own food and drinks since there aren’t any restaurants or bars on site. Nevertheless, sometimes you can get some freshly cooked barbecue in the parking lot. If you need to hide from the sun for a while, there is a covered gazebo.

Swimming Conditions

The beach is flat, wide, and spacious. The sand is fine and dark in color. Overall, the area is very clean and the water is clear and beautiful. However, there are no lifeguards so you should be careful if you decide to swim.

Other Activities

The beach is a great place to watch sunrises. It’s also good for those who are interested in wildlife – there are various seabirds and you’ll have good chances to spot sea turtles. In the sand, you can also find protected turtle nests during the turtle season. Another good option to entertain yourself is looking for shells. You can even find some shark teeth!

Historic District

American Beach was founded in 1935 for African Americans to have a place to relax and recreate. The area had restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, some businesses, and homes.

Now it’s a historic district of about 40 acres, which includes Ocean Boulevard and Lewis, Gregg, Main, James, and Leonard Streets. There are 67 buildings and one structure here. This district was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in January 2002.

Dog Policies

The beach is dog-friendly so you can take your furry friend with you.

Driving Time

  • 45 minutes from Jacksonville, FL
  • 1 hour 10 minutes from Brunswick, GA
  • 2 hours 40 minutes from Orlando, FL

Hotels and rentals

If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near American Beach which you can visit:

Beach reviewed by:
Phil R.
Photos from Google Maps
Seagull flying over the seaAmerican BeachSeagullsAmerican Beach shieldTurtleCars on the beach
Show rooms near this beach×

Visitor questions:

Question: What are the opening hours of American Beach? Thank you!
Asked by Laura Haffecke about 1 year ago
Answer: American Beach is open 24/7.

American Beach videos

Flight over the roofs of Amelia Island
A peaceful drone made video of the picturesque island landscape
American Beach Florida
A fascinating video of the beach and of the nearby community

Weather conditions

Current weather at the beach and 3 day forecast

Best times to visit

Average temperature (°F)
Beach map and directions
The beach is located in American Beach, Florida 5460 Gregg St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA (Open on Google Maps)
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
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American Beach reviews and photos
Reviewed on: November 7, 2019