Carefree Boat Club of Amelia Island

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Fernandina Beach, you can boat the Amelia River and Intracoastal Waterway, Cumberland Sound, St. Marys River, Egans Creek, or the Atlantic through St. Marys Inlet. The Amelia River is the local ICW corridor, with slow speed needed along the harbor waterfront to limit wake. Cumberland Sound connects the ICW, Amelia River and St. Marys River. The St. Marys is winding, with sharp turns and unpredictable currents, while Egans Creek has less boat traffic and current. St. Marys Inlet is the open-water option, with strong currents and an active shipping channel. Common put-ins are Fernandina Harbor Marina, Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp and Egans Creek public ramp.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Fernandina Beach, boaters can make day trips to Dungeness Dock, Sea Camp Dock and Plum Orchard on Cumberland Island. Dungeness provides access to the historic district, with the mansion ruins and Ice House Museum nearby; Sea Camp offers a forest trail and boardwalk to the beach; and Plum Orchard has a public dock near the Carnegie family mansion, where tours explore the historic home. These Cumberland Island docks are available during daytime hours on a first come, first served basis.

Source: National Park Service (nps.gov)