After years of studying and listening to about Georgia’s famed Golden Isles together with Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Sea Island, I lastly had an opportunity to go to for a protracted weekend. After all I needed to see the historic downtown and go to the Georgia Sea Turtle Middle, however what I actually needed to do was discover Jekyll Island seashores.
I’ve seen so many photos of the extensive, flat seashores of the Georgia coast and comprehend it to be a spot for us Northerners to flee our rocky coastlines and colder temperatures. However seeing photos and experiencing it your self are two various things. So when the chance arose to go to, I seized the prospect to lastly discover this space.
Visiting within the low season for a weekend getaway is ideal for avoiding crowds and benefiting from decrease charges. However if you’re visiting within the hotter months, you should definitely give your self not less than 4 to seven days to chill out and luxuriate in all of the island has to supply, together with the beautiful Jekyll Island seashores. And don’t go away something behind with this helpful seaside packing checklist!
Information to Jekyll Island Seashores
There are seven essential public seaside areas on Jekyll Island. Every has its personal character and completely different ranges of services and accessibility so if you’re a first-time customer, use this information to select which Jekyll Island seashores you need to go to.
First up, there are some things you must find out about visiting Jekyll Island seashores:
- There’s a $10.00 day by day parking price required to enter Jekyll Island. This may be paid on the tollbooth when coming into the island utilizing money or bank card. An annual cross can also be obtainable.
- Jekyll Island experiences two excessive tides and two low tides per day, with roughly 12 hours and 25 minutes between excessive and low tide.
- There’s a six to nine-foot distinction between excessive and low tide so you might need to verify the tide charts earlier than heading to the seaside. Relying on the seaside, there might not be a lot sand seen at excessive tide. You’ll be able to verify tide charts right here.
- The ocean water off Jekyll Island is brownish. Don’t fear, it isn’t soiled. The big tides pull water from the marshes into the ocean, bringing alongside microscopic plant and animal life from the marsh, which might make the water somewhat murky. It isn’t polluted.
- Pets are allowed on the seaside, so long as they’re leashed and cleaned up after. The one exception is between South Dunes Seashore Resort and St. Andrews Seashore Park.
- At sure occasions, areas, notably within the dunes, might be marked off for the protection and preservation of sea turtle nests.
- You will discover and gather empty shells, and even sand {dollars}.
- If you’re coming from past driving distance, you may fly into close by Brunswick Airport, or each Jacksonville and Savannah are solely about 1.5 hours away and provide extra flight choices.
Driftwood Seashore
Essentially the most well-known seaside on Jekyll Island is Driftwood Seashore. It has been voted certainly one of America’s most romantic seashores, but it surely isn’t for the lengthy sweep of sand or ultra-romantic seclusion. Driftwood Seashore is romantic due to its lovely, otherworldly backdrop.
While you consider driftwood, you usually take into consideration random logs swept up onto the seaside by storms, weathered and gnarly and considerably mysterious. On Driftwood Seashore, you’ll discover much more than logs. There are whole uprooted timber strewn throughout the seaside.
The complete place appears to be like like a large pure jungle gymnasium of downed timber to crawl round and discover. It’s exhausting to cease taking image after image of the superbly twisted roots and weathered trunks. Whereas it isn’t a spot the place you’ll pack a picnic, unfold out a blanket, and play within the ocean all day, you’ll want to go away yourselves loads of time to discover. If you’re feeling formidable, verify the tide schedule and decide a day to go to at dawn for some actually spectacular picture ops.
What you must know:
There may be not a parking space or any services at Driftwood Seashore. Actually, when you had been simply driving by on Beachview Drive and didn’t see any automobiles parked alongside the facet of the highway, you’ll doubtless drive proper on by.
This lack of parking could make entry tough if you’re visiting at a busy time so attempt to go off-hours. While you head to the north finish of Jekyll and see some small pullouts on both facet of the highway, begin in search of a spot. Parking on the highway is prohibited so when you don’t see a gap in these pull-outs, you might want to show round and take a look at once more. A small paved parking space can also be obtainable close to the bike path bridge on N. Beachview Drive.
Clam Creek Fishing Space
Whereas not likely a seaside, I assumed it was price mentioning Clam Creek Fishing Space, which is simply north of Driftwood Seashore and proper throughout from the Jekyll Island Campground. The drive into the realm is gorgeous, with its huge oaks dripping in Spanish moss, like one thing from a Southern novel.
What you must know:
On the grounds, you’ll discover an ample car parking zone, lined picnic pavilions, and public restrooms. From right here you may stroll out onto the fishing piers that provide you with a view of St. Simons Island. There may be additionally a nature path to comply with and entry to a small seaside.
Oceanview Seashore Park
As you drive south previous the Villas by the Sea, you’ll come to the Oceanview Seashore Park within the mid-island. The park reopened in Could 2019 after in depth renovations and now consists of an ADA-accessible seaside entry level, together with 4 household and two group pavilions with picnic tables and grills. There may be an overlook with bathe services and a big parking space with electrical automobile charging stations. It is a nice alternative for households!
Nice Dunes Seashore Park
Persevering with south you’ll arrive at Nice Dunes Seashore Park. Nice Dunes Seashore Park is Jekyll Island’s hottest seaside for households, with a wide-open seaside for taking part in and all of the services households want. There may be loads of room on this lengthy, extensive seaside, particularly at low tide. The waves are excellent for physique browsing however not so intense to scare away households.
What you must know:
There’s a giant parking space, lined picnic pavilions, grassy play areas, and even bocce ball and volleyball courts.
The bike path that wraps alongside a lot of the island passes proper by this widespread seaside. Additionally, you will discover public restrooms, showers, and wheelchair-friendly seaside entry. (Seashore-going wheelchairs can be found at no cost by calling 912-635-2368.)
Corsair Seashore Park
Simply throughout from the purchasing and eating choices in Seashore Village, and in entrance of the Westin Jekyll Island, you’ll discover public seaside entry at Corsair Seashore Park. The seaside right here is similar to Nice Dunes Seashore Park, good and extensive with enjoyable waves.
What you must know:
Parking is restricted in Seashore Village and this seaside could also be finest for these staying on the accommodations close by. Nevertheless, there are additionally showers and restrooms for public use. You’ll simply must navigate a brief boardwalk to realize entry to the seaside.
South Dunes Seashore Park
The South Dunes picnic space is wooded and shaded, with loads of lined picnic pavilions and grill areas. Nevertheless, it’s also possible to take a brief stroll out to the seaside. There may be an elevated boardwalk that crosses 20-foot sand dunes.
The seaside itself is a large, flat seaside that’s nice for taking part in, though households might have issue getting all of their stuff on the market.
What you must know:
There may be ample parking at South Dunes Seashore Park, however not as a lot as at Nice Dunes. You will have to climb down stairs from the elevated boardwalk to the seaside (and again up once more on the best way residence), so it’s not preferrred for households with younger kids or carrying quite a lot of seaside gear and counting on wagons or trolleys. Additionally, this seaside is a sanctuary for resting and nesting birds so pets aren’t allowed.
Glory Seashore Park
Glory Seashore is on the south finish of Jekyll Island, providing lovely views of sea oats and pristine sand dunes. Its extensive seaside was additionally used to movie parts of the film Glory.
What you must know:
It’s straightforward to drive previous Glory Seashore (I positive did), so search for the Soccer Advanced. There’s a car parking zone on the again, previous the soccer fields, with a pathway entrance to the seaside.
St. Andrews Seashore Park
On the very southern tip of Jekyll Island, a brief stroll from Jekyll Level, you’ll discover St. Andrews Seashore Park. It’s a widespread spot for fowl watching and likewise recognizing dolphins.
The small picnic space affords restrooms and entry to a two-story wildlife viewing platform and the Wanderer Reminiscence Path. The seaside is de facto higher for strolling and wildlife viewing than spending the day swimming.
What you must know:
Parking is considerably restricted and at excessive tide, there won’t be a lot seaside seen. I’d positively advocate checking the tide schedule earlier than heading out.
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged knowledgeable in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.