Fernandina Beach Birding & Photography Boat Tour
Private Trip
Adventure
Twohour boat tour spotting birds and wildlife around Amelia IslandFlexible scheduling from 7am to 7pm for up to four guestsIncludes dolphin watching, wild horses, and manatee sightings
Picture this: you're gliding through calm waters around Fernandina Beach with your camera ready, watching wild horses graze on Cumberland Island while dolphins play in your wake. This 2-hour birding and photography tour with Amelia Island Charters delivers exactly that kind of magic. Whether you're a serious photographer hunting for that perfect shot or a family looking to see some amazing wildlife up close, this top-rated tour hits all the right notes. The best part? You get the boat all to yourselves – just your group of up to four people and an experienced captain who knows exactly where to find the good stuff.
Your captain will pick you up right from the dock in Fernandina Beach, and from there, you're in for a real treat. This isn't your typical crowded tour boat experience – you've got a private charter that moves at your pace. The boat is perfect for photography, with plenty of room to move around and get those angles you're after. You'll cruise through the salt marshes and around Cumberland Island, where the scenery changes from pristine coastline to wild maritime forests. The captain knows the local hotspots like the back of his hand, so you'll hit the areas where birds are actively feeding and wildlife is most active. Since you can choose any start time between 7 AM and 7 PM, you can plan around the golden hour for photography or catch the early morning bird activity when they're most vocal and visible.
The tour covers some of the most wildlife-rich waters along the Georgia-Florida border. You'll navigate through tidal creeks where herons and egrets hunt in the shallows, then head out toward Cumberland Island's shoreline where those famous wild horses often come down to drink and graze. The captain positions the boat strategically for the best viewing and photography opportunities, keeping enough distance to respect the wildlife while getting you close enough for great shots. Bring a telephoto lens if you have one – the 200-400mm range works beautifully out here. The boat moves slowly and smoothly, so you don't have to worry about camera shake from engine vibration. Polarized sunglasses help cut the glare off the water, and don't forget extra batteries since the salt air can drain them faster than usual.
The bird life around Fernandina Beach is absolutely spectacular year-round. Great blue herons are the showstoppers – these four-foot-tall birds with six-foot wingspans fish the shallow waters with incredible patience and precision. They're most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and watching them strike at fish is pure poetry in motion. Snowy egrets are the elegant dancers of the marsh, bright white against the green spartina grass, and they're not shy about fishing close to the boat. Brown pelicans put on quite the show too, especially when they're diving for fish – their wingspan can reach over seven feet, and they hit the water with surprising force. The ospreys here are fishing machines, and if you're lucky, you'll see one pluck a fish right out of the water and fly off with it clutched in their talons. Winter months bring different visitors like pintails and redheads, while summer means you might spot magnificent frigatebirds soaring overhead. The real stars, though, might be the Cumberland Island wild horses – descendants of horses that have roamed free for generations. Dolphins are regulars in these waters, often curious about the boat and happy to put on a show. Manatees are the gentle giants you might encounter, especially in the warmer months when they move into the shallower, warmer waters around the island.
This customer-favorite tour books up fast, especially during peak birding seasons and weekends. The flexibility to choose your own start time means you can plan around the weather, tides, and lighting conditions that work best for your group. Whether you're a photographer looking to build your portfolio, a birder adding to your life list, or a family wanting to create some amazing memories, this private charter delivers an experience you simply can't get on a crowded tour boat. The captain's local knowledge combined with the intimate group size makes this one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Amelia Island. Don't wait – secure your spot and get ready for two hours of world-class wildlife viewing in one of Florida's most beautiful coastal areas.
Fernandina Beach, FL