Sailing Vacations Amelia Island Sailing Vacations Amelia Island Why go further than northeast Florida, when there are great sailing vacation opportunities right here. Now you can charter Now & Zen, a 42 foot sailing catamaran, from Jacksonville or Amelia Island for sailing vacations, or schedule day trips and sunset cruises to explore these fabulous unspoiled and historic destinations. Now & Zen makes its homeport in Ortega, just 10 minutes from downtown Jacksonville for most of the spring and fall. In July and August we are stationed in Fernandina on Amelia Island. Both are great starting locations for a sailing vacation. Fort George and Little Talbot Islands Enjoy the beach, sandbars, and ocean swimming at Talbot Islands State Park. This is a great overnight destination from either Jacksonville or Amelia Island. The Fort George River provides a protected anchorage nestled among the salt marshes and sand flats. This remote area of the park is only accessible by boat. Here you can bird-watch or play and swim off the extensive sandbars that appear and disappear with the tide. It is a captivating dinghy ride winding your way through the back waters and dunes of the Fort George River arriving at a beautiful flat sandy almost private ocean beach of Little Talbot Island. Here you can swim in the ocean waves as the roll over the sandbars off the island. Explore the Quaint Seaside Village of Fernandina Whether your a departing from Fernandina or sailing up from Jacksonville, you will want to spend some time exploring this historic town. Founded in 1562, the town we see today was largely built after the civil war. The tree lined streets are dotted with Victorian homes, interesting shops and many excellent restaurants. It’s easy to spent an afternoon (or 2) exploring the town and dinning out. Fernandina Harbor Marina makes a great overnight stopover if you are on a 2 or 3 (or more) day vacation from Jacksonville. Jekyll Island, The Crown Of The Golden Isles Of Georgia Another 3-4 hours north of Cumberland is Jekyll Island, GA. In 1886, a group of millionaires purchased the island and converted it into the country’s most exclusive club. You can visit the Millionaires’ Village and see the beautiful restored homes formerly belonging to the Rockerfellers, Macys, Goodyears, J.P. Morgan & more. There are many beaches accessible by boat along St Andrews Sound if you are looking for some beach time. You can sail there going out the St Marys inlet for a ocean trip and come back on the ICW that allows you to circumnavigate Cumberland Island. For more information please visit our website http://www.nowandzensailingcharters.com