tocal guide to Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island.
Just saying the words, do our heart rates not collectively lower? Appropriately named “Georgia’s Jewel”, Jekyll Island is filled with stunning landscapes, rich history, and lively outdoor activities to take advantage of the surrounding beauty. If you’re planning an upcoming (va/stay)cation to Jekyll, we have some suggestions!
1. Driftwood Beach
Escape to another world at Driftwood Beach. A collection of gnarled and weathered trees left behind as a result of erosion, it’s no wonder that Driftwood Beach is ranked one of America’s Most Romantic Beaches. This phenomenon is truly unique to the Jekyll Island, so don’t let your trip pass by without visiting Driftwood Beach. The walk to the beach doesn’t seem like much, but this seemingly-overgrown forest opens up to this stunning landscape.
2. Kayaking
There’s no better way to explore the beauty of Jekyll Island than by kayak! Keep an eye out for dolphins, alligators, exotic birds, and sea turtles. Take a guided, educational tour with 4-H Tidelands Nature Center. Or if you wish to chart your own path, head south from the Nature Center to Jekyll Point or north along the Jekyll Island Club coastline. For more information on 4-H Tidelands Tours, check out https://georgia4h.org/4-h-centers/4-h-tidelands-nature-center/.
3. GA Sea Turtle Center
If you’ve been to Jekyll before, you’ve probably noticed that the sea turtle is Jekyll Island’s unofficial mascot. This is in large part due to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility. Witness sea turtle rehabilitation in action! Learn more about sea turtles and how to better protect them with a host of interactive exhibits and experiences. For tickets, click https://www.jekyllisland.com/activities-category/sea-turtle/.
4. Bike rides
With over 25 miles of paved biking trails, a bike ride is the perfect way to explore Jekyll. Ride alongside the Atlantic Ocean to the shade underneath the giant, hundred-year-old oaks. Be sure to grab a free bike path map at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center. Bike rentals are available at most of the island’s hotels and at Beachside Bike Rentals. http://www.beachsidebikerentals.com
History buffs, welcome to paradise!
4. Horton House
Jekyll Island was first settled by General James Oglethorpe and the British in 1733. General Oglethorpe named the island after his friend and financier Sir Joseph Jekyll. He then appointed Major William Horton in 1735 to build an outpost on Jekyll Island to protect nearby Fort Frederica on St. Simons. The first house that he built was destroyed by Spanish soldiers during the Revolutionary War. In 1743, with the help of indentured servants, he rebuilt his home that stills stands today.
5. Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Almost a century later, the island was purchased by the the Jekyll Island Club. Club Members included such prominent figures as J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, William K. Vanderbilt, Marshall Field, and William Rockefeller. In 1904, Munsey’s Magazine called the Jekyll Island Club “the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world.” Now renovated and opened as a hotel, anyone can access and enjoy the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
For a more exhaustive list of must-see history, check out https://www.jekyllisland.com/history/. And be sure to visit Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum. Learn more about, not only British settlers, but also the story of the Native Americans and African Americans that shaped Jekyll Island’s history.
It’s no wonder Jekyll Island has been dubbed “the nearest far away place”! Whether your trip is a week long vacation or a quick weekend getaway, Jekyll Island is the perfect place to reset and recharge. Jekyll Island’s mix of venues and activities provide an entertaining getaway and its natural charm will leave you relaxed and inspired. Before you even reach the Mainland, you’ll already be ready to plan your next trip to Jekyll Island.