Backyard Adventure

Offshore Breezes

BY JULIE SIMMONS PHOTOS BY AMELIA OFFSHORE/NATE PARSONS

On Amelia Island, we’ve experienced a phenomenal spring and early summer. Cool mornings, shining blue skies, and birds serenading have been the norm. I’ve enjoyed time outdoors every single day, but without a doubt my favorite day outdoors this year was sailing our local waters with Amelia Off shore.

Founded and operated by Captain Nate and Amy Parsons, Amelia Off shore is one of the island’s newer adventures. Amy discovered Amelia Island in the early 2000s and decided not to leave! “I loved it so much, I hired movers to deliver my belongings from my home in Beverly Hills, California,” she says. She stayed here until 2013, when she returned to her hometown of Vermilion, Ohio to be near her aging parents, and that’s when she met Nate. Their love story will remind you of a Hallmark Movie, when the hometown girl comes back for a visit and falls in love with a boy from grade school.

“That’s exactly us,” laughs Nate. “We went to kindergarten together and were reacquainted at our town’s annual Festival of Fish, and we have been inseparable ever since.” Captain Nate, who was born to the water and learned to captain a boat before he could drive a car, is a seasoned sailor and has been a quick study on the history of Amelia Island and its geography.

We met at the Fernandina Beach Harbour Marina, where he welcomed me aboard with a smile. Married to a boat captain myself, I am comfortable on the water, but this was my first time on a sailing adventure. Nate could see that I was a bit unsure of myself, and he quickly put me at ease by explaining the principles of sailing and preparing me for what was ahead. As the breeze propelled us north toward Cumberland Island, I was amazed how quiet and peaceful we were. Th e sound of the waves, the smell of the salty air, and the views of Fort Clinch on the starboard side were breathtaking. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, a mother and baby dolphin surfaced right beside us.

“One of my favorite things about sailing is how close we can get to nature,” shares Nate. “Th e sailboat makes such a different sound than power boats, and the dolphins are always curious and want to say hello. There are also hundreds of species of birds that are absolutely fascinating.”

He went on to tell me how much he’s learned about the differing personalities of Amelia Island’s brown and white pelicans, and how the brown pelicans enjoy the company of humans while the white prefer to stick with their feathered friends. It’s just these sorts of details and bits of trivia that make for an extraordinary time with Captain Parsons.

If you are interested in meeting Captain Nate and taking a sail on She Said Yes, a 35-foot Beneteau, he’d love to design an adventure just for you. You can BYOB onboard or leave it to Nate and Amy to provide you with a custom charcuterie box. And don’t forget your favorite playlist for the boat’s Bluetooth speakers.

If sailing isn’t your thing, Amelia Off shore also offers power boat excursions to St. Mary’s, where you can bring your bike sightsee around St. Marys or visit Cumberland Island. To learn more, visit ameliaoffshore.com.