Golf carts in Fernandina Beach: rentals, dealers, and where you can drive on Amelia Island

Renting a golf cart on Amelia Island

Tidal Wave Golf Cart Rentals on S 8th Street is the island's dedicated rental operation. The company offers street-legal E-Z-GO gas carts in 4- and 6-seat configurations, with delivery and pickup throughout Fernandina Beach and the surrounding resort communities. Booking online is available through their site. Across Florida, 6-seater rentals typically run $120–$250 per day or $500–$1,000 per week during peak season; confirm current rates directly with Tidal Wave.

eWheelz Golf Carts on S 8th Street also lists rentals alongside its sales and service operation, which may suit visitors who want a cart for a longer stay or who are also considering a purchase. Because the two rental sources are close together on the same street, it is worth calling both to compare availability, especially during busy holiday weekends when island demand is high.

Florida law requires rental drivers to follow the same rules as cart owners: golf carts may only be used on locally designated streets, generally those posted at 30 mph or less, between sunrise and sunset. Riders under 18 have needed a learner's permit to operate a golf cart on public roads since October 2023. Adults 18 and older must carry a valid ID while driving.

Florida golf cart rental guide · Florida golf cart laws

Buying a golf cart in Fernandina Beach

eWheelz Golf Carts at 501 S 8th Street carries new and pre-owned inventory, handles financing and insurance, and accepts trade-ins. Their keyword list includes LSV and street-legal configurations, so buyers looking for a cart that can travel on roads posted up to 35 mph should ask specifically about titled, insured LSV models. New basic 4-seaters typically start around $8,000–$12,000; lifted or 6-seat models run $12,000–$18,000; a street-legal LSV is typically $18,000–$35,000.

Roadshark Powersports at 515 S 8th Street is listed as a dealer, but the website was unreachable at the time of our last check. Call (904) 775-5146 before visiting to confirm what inventory and services are currently available.

If the local selection does not match what you need, dealers in nearby Yulee — Budget Golf Carts of Yulee and Icon Golf Cars of Yulee — are a short drive north on A1A and US-17. Jacksonville has the largest dealer concentration in the region, with more than a dozen businesses covering sales, service, and mobile repair.

What golf carts cost in Florida · Golf cart dealers in Yulee · Golf cart dealers in Jacksonville

Where you can drive a golf cart in Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach has adopted a city ordinance permitting golf carts and LSVs on many local streets. The historic downtown district is cart-accessible, making it practical to park once and explore Centre Street and the surrounding blocks by cart. Amelia Island Plantation and the Omni Amelia Island Resort both maintain private cart-path networks that connect accommodations, amenities, and beach access points within their grounds.

On public streets, a standard golf cart is limited to roads designated by the city, typically those posted at 30 mph or less, and may only be operated between sunrise and sunset. A titled and insured low-speed vehicle (LSV) follows different rules: it can travel on any road posted at 35 mph or less at any hour, but it must meet federal safety equipment standards and carry a license plate. Nassau County rules apply in unincorporated areas just outside the city limits, so check local signage if you plan to travel beyond the Fernandina Beach city boundary.

Since October 2023, Florida law requires anyone under 18 to hold a learner's permit to operate a golf cart on a public road. Drivers 18 and older must carry a valid ID. Neither age group may drive a standard golf cart on roads posted above 30 mph — for that, an LSV is required. If you are unsure whether your cart qualifies as an LSV, the difference matters legally and for insurance purposes.

Florida golf cart laws · Golf cart vs LSV in Florida

Batteries and maintenance in a coastal environment

Salt air accelerates corrosion on terminals, connectors, and battery cases. On Amelia Island, lead-acid packs typically last only 3–4 years before capacity drops noticeably, compared with about 4 years in drier inland areas. A replacement lead-acid pack runs $900–$1,800; a lithium conversion typically costs $2,000–$4,500 but extends battery life to 8–10 years and eliminates the watering and equalization maintenance that lead-acid requires. For a cart kept year-round on the island, the math often favors lithium.

Annual service — including cleaning connections, checking the charging system, and inspecting brakes and tires — typically runs $150–$300 at a dealer. Controller or motor repairs, if needed, generally fall in the $300–$900 range. eWheelz on S 8th Street lists service among its offerings; for mobile repair or if you need work done quickly, the Jacksonville market has mobile technicians who serve the Nassau County area as well.

Lithium battery guide · Golf cart repair cost guide