Shrimping Eco TourThe 1.5-hour Shrimping Eco Tour departs Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays in June and July. Friday and Saturdays in August and September. Available for special charters and field trips year ’round.
What’s In The Net?
- Shrimp
Blue crabs
Horseshoe crabs
Pufferfish
Stingrays
Flounder
Mullet
Sea stars
Jellyfish
… and dozens of other fascinating species
No two tours are ever exactly alike.
Fernandina Beach earned its reputation as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. On this tour you’ll experience the same style of net that helped build the area’s rich maritime heritage and made shrimping a way of life for generations of local families.
Join our naturalist and crew for Amelia Island’s most hands-on eco tour. Help deploy a real shrimp trawl, sort through the catch, and discover the incredible creatures living beneath the surface of Florida’s salt marshes.
Every trip is different. One day you might find shrimp, blue crabs, pufferfish, stingrays, or dozens of other fascinating marine animals.
After identifying and safely releasing the catch, we’ll explore the scenic backwaters and tidal creeks of Amelia Island in search of dolphins, birds, and other wildlife.
Perfect for families, homeschool groups, nature lovers, and anyone curious about life beneath the water.
Discover the Birthplace of Modern Shrimping
Our Location
Amelia Island, surrounded by untamed wilderness, is a nature lover’s paradise. To the south lies the Timucuan Ecological Preserve, encompassing Big Talbot, Little Talbot, and Fort George. To the north, you’ll find Fort Clinch State Park and in Georgia, the Cumberland Island National Seashore. Towards the west, the captivating Tiger Islands and Tiger Basin await, many of which are part of the Fort Clinch Aquatic Preserve, a mesmerizing backdrop for our Shrimping Eco Tour.
The backwaters and tidal creeks of this estuary also connect Tiger Basin to the Okefenokee Swamp through the St. Mary’s River Basin. The vital oyster beds, mud flats, and vast expanses of marsh grass in Tiger Basin play a critical role in our local environment. These salt marshes are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, acting as a nursery for native sea creatures and offering a bountiful food source for others. During the summer months, these waters teem with life, presenting a thriving spectacle of nature’s wonders.
Our Ecosystem
The captivating display of life intensifies in these waters. Local dolphins give birth, and as the winter’s waters warm, manatees migrate from central Florida springs into the saltwater to mate and give birth. Sea turtles visit and nest on our sandy shores, while a myriad of shore birds elegantly wade and feed along the coastline. Egrets, herons, spoonbills, ospreys, and various other species form an integral part of this pristine wilderness.
At Amelia River Cruises, we take pride in our deep understanding of this critical habitat and its delicate balance. By sharing our knowledge with our cherished visitors, we aim to protect and sustain the incredible diversity that thrives in this captivating corner of our world.
Limited Summer Schedule
These are our other tours:
| Cruise | Departing |
|---|---|
| Cumberland Island Tour (2.5 hours) | |
| —– | —– |
| Cumberland Coastal Tour | |
| —– | —– |
| Cumberland Sound Sunset Tours | |
| —– | —– |
| Adult Twilight BYOB Cruises | |
| —– | —– |
| Specialty and FUN-draising Tours |
We also do private parties and corporate events!
