Reviews: Windward at Amelia Island Marina

Reviewed by: Kari Garber , Carried Away, on Feb 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

They may have dredged it in the past but as of 2024 it has filled back.... in the fairway and entrance. DO NOT COME IN AT LOW TIDE OR MID TIDE. High tide ONLY!! We draft 3 5 and ran aground. Feb. 2024. Marina and staff are great.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Thomas Schlehuber on May 7, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Great marina in a well protected hurricane hole. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Courtesy car was available and necessary as marina is a bit secluded (only reason we didn't give it a 5). We were on their J dock- wall - for one night. Our quest traveler was able to get an Uber to Jacksonville airport to head home. We would go back.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: William Tighe on Sep 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 28'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 4

Hooray! Dredging is underway at Amelia Island Marina; located just north of the Thomas Shave Bridge at ICW Mile Marker 721, and approx. 4.5 miles south of St. Mary's inlet. The marina sits protected from the main waterway and is accessed by a channel offering approx. depths of 3' MLLW (deeper after dredging) to 11'. Offering 132 wet slips for long and short-term stays and accommodating boats up to 100 feet, it is a full-service marina. You'll find gas and diesel, a ship's store, shower and laundry facilities, 50-ton lift, and an awesome 'Restaurant 251' onsite.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Lauren And Todd on May 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

We were so lucky to be nearby this marina when a severe storm rolled through. While we did not stay here, we did drop our anchor nearby and took the dinghy over there the next day to top off our diesel cans and pick up some rotella. The staff was super friendly all around, the ship store was well stocked, and the fuel prices were very reasonable compared to many of the other marina prices we've seen and heard about. We're keeping this one on the books for the next time we're in the area. Would absolutely stop in for dockage next time now that we know. Docks were nice and seemed like a safe place to be tied up in inclement weather.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Joe Nord , Shamrock, on Jun 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Nice place, nice people, free courtesy car and I left my drivers license behind. Kendall in office mailed it to me with no headaches, thank you! I see comments here on shallow. Access canal was narrow, but worked. We had no issue with depth and boat draws 4 feet.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Jan 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Friendly staff. Nice courtesy car to explore the area or restock. Nice areas to walk the dog. The face dock we stayed on was slanted fairly significantly. Time arrival and departure for high tide. We saw 7 foot in the channel and basin at high tide.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: PaulFromRI on Dec 1, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This place is a hidden gem. Facilities and service are great and a good restaurant at the marina. It is not close to the town but a rental car is available. I agree with others that the entrance channel is shallow (stay in the center). We draw 4’ and arrived very close to dead low water. Our depth finder registered 6” of water at one point. We went very slow. The owner said that he has had a few people anchor until the tide was higher. This is an excellent place to hole up for a storm and to avoid the inevitable ICW wakes.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Edward Nyberg on Apr 28, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 5

Stopped here on southbound trip to Jacksonville, FL in Jan 2020. Dock hand was very helpful and friendly. Kitchen 251 restaurant (on location) was good. As everyone mentioned the approach can be difficult, you must watch the tides and plan accordingly. We left at sunup with very low tide and crept through the channel without hitting bottom. Stay in the center. Overall, very happy with this marina.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: FloridaVic on May 26, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

Alternative while Fernandina is closed. Friendly, helpful staff. No restaurant. Courtesy car. However failed to mention channel is impassable with more than 3’ draft for 2 hrs either side of low tide. That’s 8 hrs/ day. Plan well. Otherwise good marina.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Cliff Knowles on May 21, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Highly recommended. Great dock hands. Have a courtesy car with no hassle. Good stop while Fernandina repairs itself. YES it has ‘skinny water’ but manageable. The bath/shower areas are very clean and tidy.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Terrance Godbold , Magic, on Apr 29, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

This is an excellent marina when the tide is high. At low tide the only tie for a boat with 4' plus draft is on the t's at the end of the docks. I observed many boats in the mud. That is the bad news. The good news is that the folks are very friendly and the marina is being remodeled. We were availed the opportunity to use the courtesy car and took advantage restocking the Magic and then using the car to go to town for dinner. All in all a very good experience.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Henry Thorpe , Beryl W., on Apr 25, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

We have stopped here several times on the snowbird run. The personnel are friendly and responsive. Depth has been a problem but they are presently dredging. We would recommend this marina.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer