Skydive Amelia Island

# Skydive Amelia Island

Skydive Amelia Island, located at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport in Fernandina Beach, Florida, is a USPA-affiliated tandem skydiving center operated by the Fortner family since 1998. The dropzone has logged more than 1,390 tandem jumps and specializes in first-time skydiving experiences with personalized instruction and safety as its core commitment.

What distinguishes Skydive Amelia Island from inland alternatives is its unique oceanfront location. Unlike most Florida dropzones that operate over fields, Amelia Island offers tandem skydivers breathtaking views of Fernandina Beach and the Atlantic coastline before parachute deployment. Jumpers descend over ocean rather than farmland, delivering an unforgettable coastal perspective unavailable at other regional facilities. This geographic advantage makes it the closest ocean-view skydiving option for Jacksonville area residents and visitors seeking something beyond the typical inland drop zone experience.

The operation is family-owned and staffed by USPA-certified instructors with decades of collective experience. Founder Randall Fortner began training skydivers in Canon City, Colorado in 1998, and that passion for the sport has shaped the business through three generations. His son Thomas Fortner is an advanced USPA Skydiving Instructor and Coach who manages rigging operations as a Master Rigger. His daughter Kora Fortner holds USPA licensing with over 250 skydives logged. The team emphasizes safe, comfortable experiences designed especially for first-time jumpers, with small-group attention rather than assembly-line processing. Their wives and support staff remain dedicated to customer service.

Skydive Amelia Island operates year-round, seven days a week, and is easily accessible via I-95 North or South to A1A (State Road 200), exit 373. The facility accommodates tandem jumps at $219 per person, available to anyone 18 years or older and under 240 pounds. Online booking costs just $9.95. Tandem skydiving at Amelia Island pairs first-time jumpers with certified professionals in a guided freefall, combining scenic ocean views with professional safety standards and modern parasite equipment.

The dropzone also offers gift certificates, making skydiving an experiential gift option for birthdays, graduations, and special occasions. Its Fernandina Beach location—40 miles north of Jacksonville—provides convenient access for both tourists and North Florida residents seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure without the crowds of larger tourist drop zones.