Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Jekyll Island, Georgia
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
Off the coast of Georgia lies Jekyll Island, a coastal paradise with 10 miles of beaches, 20 miles of paved bike trails, four golf courses and many of the fishing piers in the state of Georgia. The island's inland marshes are full of wildlife, and the area is rich in natural and historic areas to explore, from beaches and forests to the Historic Landmark District.
Jekyll Island's marinas are a great place to start exploring the area. Fishing charters and trips are available that specifically focus on dolphins and eco-tourism. You can also find canoe rentals and kayak tours from March through October, and small motorboats, jet skis, and even yachts can be rented or chartered to explore the waterways and miles and miles of marsh. On Jekyll Island beaches, sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Jekyll Island boasts the most piers in the state of Georgia. You'll be able to catch croaker, spot, whiting, sea trout, spots, croaker, whiting, red drum and black drum, weakfish, sheepshead, cobia, grunts, false albacore, mackerel, bluefish, king mackerel, flounder, and bonito. In Georgia there is no required license to fish in the Atlantic, but you'll need a license to fish in the freshwater marshes. Deep-sea fishing and sport-fishing in the Atlantic Ocean is possible from a myriad of outfitters on the island. Speak to the locals on these piers, since they know the ins and outs of the area.
Bird watchers will love Jekyll Island since it's a major resting place in the spring and fall for migrating species on the Atlantic Flyway. It is so significant a habitat, that it has been designated an Important Birding Area by the Georgia Audubon Societies. The island also is one of eighteen sites along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail and has significant birding sites near the Welcome Center on the Jekyll Island Causeway, at Clam Creek on the northern side of the island and at the Glory beach near the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex. From May through August, female loggerhead sea turtles swim ashore, make their way across the sand, dig their nests and lay their eggs. You can learn more about the sea turtles at the brand new Georgia Sea Turtle Center, located in the Historic Landmark District.
The district is a 240-acre, riverfront compound of museums and historic sites, and one of the largest, ongoing restoration projects in the southeastern United States. Tram tours of the district begin at the Island History Center on Stable Road, where you can also enjoy museum exhibits that reveal the fascinating story of Jekyll Island. The Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road has over 7,000 historic photographs showcasing the island's unique heritage. It houses artifacts from the Jekyll Island Club Era and from the archaeological research conducted on the island's Native American and Colonial past.
During the summer, cool off at Jekyll Island's water park, Summer Waves. Located on South Riverview Drive, this park has a family-friendly wave pool, a children's section, a 5 story waterslide and some super fast rides.
There is no shortage of shopping in Jekyll Island. visit the Pier Roads Shops, the Historic District shops, the Jekyll Island Welcome Center or the Beachside Shopping area. There are many restaurants serving the good ol' "soul food" that Georgia is known for. There are also many other cuisines offered at the restaurants in the Historic District.
Enjoy the beauty of Jekyll Island by staying at a beachfront resort or hotel, whether it's the Days Inn or the Island's beautiful resort that stretches for 15 acres along the beach. It's also a treat to stay in the Historic District at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, once an exclusive retreat for America's wealthy elite. Rated among the top 500 resorts in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine, this Victorian-style hotel is now a National Historic Landmark and affordable vacation resort. If you prefer not to leave the outdoors, Jekyll Island has 206 campsites available on 18 wooded acres, offering a variety of camping experiences – from tent sites to full hook-up, R-V sites with all of the modern amenities. The campgrounds offer restrooms, showers, pay phones, laundry and a full-service store with food, ice, bait, propane, supplies and bike rentals.
Jekyll Island is a barrier island located on the Georgia coast, 90 miles south of Savannah, Georgia and 74 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. A six-mile causeway separates Jekyll from the mainland and the city of Brunswick. Once you're on the island, the most preferred way to get around is by bike. Rentals are available adjacent to the island's miniature golf course, batting cage and children's playground. Free trail maps are available at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center.