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Here's an old saw to keep in mind as you consider a visit to Amelia Island Plantation: Come for the resort, stay for the Watsu. Spa lovers who have experienced the rejuvenating effects of this water treatment won't need convincing. For those looking for their next transcendent spa moment, do yourself a favor and save a slot in your agenda for this popular but hard-to-find water therapy.

The Resort
The 1,350-acre plantation is situated on one of the Atlantic's barrier reef islands just off the northeast coast of Florida, near Jacksonville. Because they take seriously their stewardship to the island's natural beauty, protecting the fragile animal and plant ecology since 1971, nature jaunts of varying strenuousness are incorporated into almost every activity, save perhaps shopping, which, come to think of it, can be happily tuckering when you consider the array of choices.

On my visit I jumped on a Segway, zigzagging and dodging the low-hanging tree canopy while exploring the salt marshlands. On a horseback ride on the beach I multitasked, combing the sand for seashells while taking in the eye-level beauty of the dunes. For golfers, there are 72 championship-level holes, seven of which are ocean-side, as well as guided kayaking trips for owl prowls, sea turtle and birding expeditions organized by the Nature Center. These are all perfect excuses to schedule a spa visit.

The Watsu
The Watsu facility is nestled within the spa's meditation garden. Crossing the bridge surrounded by dazzling Magnolias and sabal palms is a perfect prelude for what's to follow – water lilies even drift peacefully upon the lagoon below.

I'm not a newbie to Watsu — this would be my third session — so I knew to expect a dedicated pool set to about 98 degrees and measuring about four feet deep. (These requirements are what make Watsu difficult for spas to offer.) Compared to my first try, this time I am an eager and willing participant. I'm not a great swimmer and have always found breath control a particular challenge, so knowing my head would never be submerged and all I had to do was relax and let the practitioner do the work was itself pacifying.

Water, long known for its healing properties, provides a natural unwinding of the body. The benefits of Watsu treatments are said to span from arthritis to fibromyalgia. The session begins slowly, both to prepare muscles and to ease monkey minds about giving in to the arms of a stranger. Having entered the warm water, practitioner David Jenkins cradles my neck and torso and leads me in a silent water dance. Sensing my confidence in him, he slowly intensifies the hypnotic movements, swaying legs, arms and torso with graceful motions. Ears submerged, the external world is blocked out, and my breath and heartbeat provide an ethereal musical score to a waltz that I'm no longer sure who is leading.

For those 45 minutes, time and space transformed. Did the session go on and on or end too quickly? It's hard to say. But I do know I'm on the lookout for my next Watsu indulgence.

Want more spa ideas? Try these edible-seeming treatments.