Top Things to Do in Jekyll Island for the Perfect Getaway

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Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s southern most barrier islands and makes for a perfect getaway from the bigger cities like Atlanta, Savannah, or Athens and even a romantic getaway in Georgia for couples! I recently spent 5 days there getting to know the area, relax, and discover all the great things to do in Jekyll Island. And trust me, you can get a lot done in that amount of time since it’s such a small (but mighty) island.

Jekyll Island is a great spot for families, couples, and exhausted students who haven’t taken a vacation in 7 months…oh just me? Add Jekyll Island to your Georgia bucket list and let’s go through all the awesome activities this island has to offer!

Summary of this Jekyll Island guide

Where is Jekyll Island?

Located on the Southeastern coast of Georgia, you’ll find Jekyll Island. It’s about an hour and a half from Savannah, 5 hours from Atlanta, an hour and 15 minutes from Jacksonville, Florida, and 3 hours from Orlando, Florida!

The closest mainland city is Brunswick, Georgia located 12 miles away, or about 25 minutes of driving time.

Jekyll Island borders the Atlantic Ocean so you’ll be greeted with warm water, unlike the Pacific Ocean!

How to Get to Jekyll Island, Georgia

From Savannah: Take the I-95 South toward Brunswick/Jacksonville. Take exit 29 toward Brunswick/Jekyll Island. Turn left onto GA-520 E, continue for 5.5 miles, then turn right onto GA-520 E (just before the giant white, bridge) and continue until you reach the Jekyll Island gates.

From Atlanta: Get on I-75 S and follow signs for Macon. Take exit 165 for I-16 E toward Savannah. Continue on I-16 E and take exit 157A to merge onto I-95 S toward Brunswick/Jacksonville. Continue your journey with the directions above.

From Jacksonville: Take I-95 N to exit 29 and continue on GA-520 E for 5.4 miles. Turn right onto GA-520 E and continue to the Jekyll Island gates.

Jekyll Island Map

Top Fun Things to Do in Jekyll Island

1. Visit Driftwood Beach

If you do nothing else on Jekyll Island, go to Driftwood Beach. This beach is unlike any other in the world due to these HUGE pieces of driftwood that have been washed ashore. I’m not talking about pieces of wood or logs. These are full on trees (very ent-like for Lord of the Rings fans)!

You can visit Driftwood Beach for free at any time. Park along Beach View Drive, then take one of the paths through the jungle-esque barrier that leads directly to the beach. There aren’t really any clear signs that I saw, but there will mostly like be other people to follow. If not, you can take any path and you’ll end up on the beach.

You can relax for the day at the beach, arrive for sunrise or sunset to take some killer photos, or even stop by in the dead of night for incredible night photography.

2. Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Did you know that Georgia has a large population of sea turtles? Because, I sure didn’t! In fact, 5 different species of sea turtles nest in Georgia, some of which are passing through the Georgia coast during their migrations.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center rehabilitates injured and sick sea turtles, while educating the public in the process. At the Center, learn about how humans affect sea turtles in the wild, how you can help, and even meet some of the sea turtles! Admission is $11 for adults and $9 for children, which goes directly to helping the turtles!

If you find an injured sea turtle on the beach, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-2SAVEME so they can transport it safely and begin treating it.

While you’re at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, ask gift shop employees for a piece of red cellophane. They are free! Use them over any light sources on the beach at night to protect the sea turtles! You can also purchase turtle-safe flashlights at the Center for about $20.

3. Rent bikes

Jekyll Island is the smallest of Georgia’s barrier islands at only 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. With over 20 miles of trails weaving through the beautiful marshes, biking is a popular activity. You can rent bikes from three main places:

• Beachside Bike Rentals serves the Days Inn, Seafarer Inn, and Villas by the Sea.
• Jekyll Island Bike Barn at 100 Great Dunes Ln has a wide selection of bicycles including some that are kid-sized, tandem, and designed for 4 people!
• Jekyll Wheels at the Jekyll Island Club, which can also store your own bikes overnight.

Bike rentals cost approximately $6 an hour for regular bikes, or $12 an hour for tandem bikes.

4. Golf at Jekyll Island Club Hotel OR Mini Golf for the kiddos

For adults, you can go golfing at the Jekyll Island Golf Club at the center of the island. There are two 18-hole courses, Indian Mound and Pine Lakes, where the former costs $75 riding or $50 walking and the latter costs $95 riding or $70 walking. There are also 9-hole courses and options for those 17 years old and younger.

Families and kids can mini-golf over two 18-hole courses at Jekyll Island Miniature Golf. Mini-golf tickets cost $8 per person per game. Alternatively, play all day for $20 per person. You’d need to play 3 games to make that price worth it.

5. Go on a ranger-guided nature walk

Jekyll Island is full of incredible wildlife so one of the best ways to learn and witness it, is by taking a ranger guided walk.

Currently, ranger walks take you through a diverse habitat and even have viewing of a bald eagle nest!

Tickets cost $10 for adults and are free for kids 3 years old and under.

Walks last one hour and meet at The Old Infirmary (101 Old Plantation Rd.).

6. Explore the island by Segway

You’ve no doubt seen them when traveling, but have you actually been on one! I swear every time I spot them, I vow to try it next time. If that’s you too, then congrats, it’s “next time”!

You can take a Segway tour on Jekyll Island which showcases the highlights of the island.

They do operate seasonally, as the weather needs to be optimal to ride.

Jekyll Island Activities on the Water

7. Enjoy the beaches

Aside from Driftwood Beach, there are a number of great beaches lining Jekyll Island (naturally).

My favorite beach for swimming in the ocean was Great Dunes Beach Park because it had a sandbar! This meant you could walk hundreds of feet out into the ocean and still be at knee level. You could easily sit on the sandbar and relax in the ocean for a little relief from the heat, without struggling to tread water. Be careful that you don’t go too far as the sandbar does end eventually and drops off into the current of the ocean (watch ya kids!).

St. Andrews Beach is for the naturalists looking for wildlife. There is a raised platform for birdwatching plus a shaded picnic area from where you can try to spot some dolphins!

Oceanview Beach Park has an ADA-approved deck to overlook the beach plus restroom and shower facilities.

One of the most popular beaches is Cosair Beach, as it is located right next to downtown Jekyll Island (called Beach Village). If you’re out shopping or grabbing a bite to eat, this is an easily accessible beach. It also has picnic tables, restrooms, and showers.

Glory Beach has a long boardwalk leading to the iconic filming location of the movie Glory about the first black battalion in the Civil War. To get there, park near the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex (700 South Beach View Dr) and walk through to the boardwalk. This beach usually is less crowded than the others.

A final note about the beaches. Hotels on the water usually have a private beach that you can access. I stayed at the Days Inn & Suites and we enjoyed their beach every day. We brought our own beach towels, but they did have rental equipment like umbrellas, chairs, and towels. Check with your hotel for specific beach information.

If you don’t like the beach conditions at your hotel, try one of the beaches listed above! On the last day at the Days Inn beach, it was super muddy for some reason (maybe because of the short burst of rain the day prior). That’s when we discovered Great Dunes Beach and the water and sand were perfect! No mud!

8. Horseback Riding on the Beach

Ahhhh, nothing more romantic and beautiful than horseback riding on the beach. I am extremely allergic to horses so once again, my allergies limit my travel experiences. However, this looks like such a fun time! If this is your thing, do it for me and report back!

The main company that does horseback riding is Three Oaks Farm with hour-long rides starting at $68.

9. Water activities

You can’t talk about island activities without mentioning those on water. Try kayaking or paddle boarding, available for rent or by tour from the following places:

• 4-H Tidelands Nature Center ($5 admission at 100 S. Riverview Dr. — open 10 am – 4pm daily, closed Sunday)
• Golden Isles Paddle Company ($65+ depending on the tour)
• Turtle Tides Jekyll (price varies by activity, Boat Ramp, Jekyll Island off S Riverview Dr.)

10. Take a boating tour

What better way to get out on the water than with a boating tour.

This is perfect for off season (winter) when paddleboarding and kayaking may be too cold. It’s also great for more wildlife viewing.

Jekyll Island has a number of boating tour options including:

• fishing trips (1 Harbor Rd.)
• dolphin sightseeing, shrimping, and general sightseeing, view all their options here (366 N. Riverview Dr.)

Best Jekyll Island Attractions

11. Summer Waves Water Park

Tired of the ocean, but still need a break from the heat? Visit the Summer Waves Water Park, only $28 per person! Enjoy the lazy river, wave pool, water playground, and numerous water slides.

Note that they are a seasonal park and open in May each year and close after Labor Day in September.

12. Jekyll Island Museum, Mosaic

Learn about the history of Jekyll Island at the Mosaic Museum. With many interactive exhibits and rotating exhibitions, like that about the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, you’re sure to learn a thing or two about Jekyll Island!

Admission is $10 per person.

13. Tour a cottage

Jekyll Island was originally established to be an exclusive winter retreat in 1886. It was known as a little paradise with elegant leisure by its “members” who included J.P. Morgan, Marshall Field, and Joseph Pulitzer. The Jekyll Island Club grounds include numerous dwellings that you can admire for a fun, historic walking tour. You can’t go inside most of them, but the architecture is beautiful! Notable homes include:

• Dubignon Cottage
• Goodyear Cottage
• Hollybourne Cottage
• Indian Mound Cottage
• Mistletoe Cottage
• Moss Cottage
• Villa Marianna
• Villa Ospo

Rather than a self-guided walking tour, the best bang for your buck would be the Landmark Historic Trolley Tour that includes admission to the Mosaic museum, Faith Chapel, and Moss Cottage for $20 for adults and $15 for children. For more historic tour options, click here.

14. 4-H Tidelands Nature Center

To learn about the ecology and wildlife on Jekyll Island, visit the 4-H Tidelands Nature Center. There are a number of exhibits with live animals from the Georgia coast including touch tanks, aquariums, and displays. Admission is $5 per person.

You can also rent kayaks and paddle boards from here!

Season Jekyll Island Events and Activities

15. Go camping

I visited Jekyll Island in the dead of summer and was originally thinking of camping. The campgrounds are absolutely beautiful with massive Spanish moss covered oak trees and across the street from Driftwood Beach, I thought it would be perfect. Until I remembered August in Georgia is hot and buggy (that’s a word right?)…we booked a hotel.

If you have an RV or are visiting in any other season besides summer, camping looks awesome! Plus, it’s incredibly budget friendly with camp sites starting at only $36. Reserve your spot here.

16. Attend an exclusive Jekyll Island event

Many events take place throughout the year on Jekyll Island. Some examples include:

• Treasure hunts in January and February
• Turtle Crawl, a set of races in March
• Shrimp and Grits Festival in November
• Georgia-Florida Golf Classic during the last weekend of October every year
• Holiday Celebration in November and December

Check the official event calendar for the most up-to-date info!

17. Have a hands-on gator experience

Jekyll Island’s marshlands are also home to gators! From April to September, you can book a gatorology experience to see some up close while learning about their biology and conservation.

Check for tickets here.

The gatorology tour lasts 1 hour and welcomes kids.

Things to do near Jekyll Island

18. Explore the Golden Isles

Jekyll Island is actually part of four barrier islands on Georgia’s coast, called the Golden Isles. They include St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island.

Each of these make for fun excursions from Jekyll Island. I recommend seeing the lighthouse and lighthouse museum at St. Simons Island. There is also a notable World War II Home Front Museum.

Tickets to each museum cost $12 for adults and $6 for children. If you plan to visit both, get a combined ticket for $20 for adults and $10 for children (saving you $2-4 per person). There is a $2 military discount with ID.

If you’re not in a museum mood, check out Avenue of the Oaks for a picturesque path of oak trees. Also, Fort Frederica National Monument is farther north and inland at 6515 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island. It has a rich history dating back to 1742 and is free to visit.

19. Take a day trip to Cumberland Island

Before I moved out to Georgia, a co-worker told me of this island that had wild horses (uhhh…what?!)! This is Cumberland Island! It’s another barrier island off Georgia’s coast, although not considered a Golden Isle.

This island is fully detached from the coast, so you can’t drive here. You need to take a ferry that departs from St Marys, Georgia. The ferry costs $20 per person each way (so $40 total), and takes approximately 45 minutes. It only departs from St Marys twice a day so you’ll absolutely need reservations.

Once on the island, try a self-guided tour by foot or bike, for a budget friendly option. Alternatively, take the Lands and Legacies Tour, which is a 6 hour tour in a small group that covers everything to see on Cumberland Island including parts only accessible by tour. It costs $65 per person.

FAQs about visiting Jekyll Island

Best time to visit Jekyll Island

The best time to visit Jekyll Island is April through October, if you want to lounge at the sunny, beaches.

Temperatures can reach the upper 90’s (degrees F) in July, August, and September, while the lows will be in the mid-70’s. April, May, June, and October see sunny weather with more mild heat, and less people.

For fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation, visit in the off season – November through March. In the winter months, expect high temperatures to be in the mid-60’s and lows in the mid-40’s. You can still enjoy beach activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and photography.

The summer months do bring rain usually in the form of afternoon storms that clear up quickly every day. Expect a little rain and don’t forget to look behind you on occasion if you’re sitting at the beach staring at the ocean. There might be some doomsday looking clouds creeping up on you from behind.

How much does it cost to visit Jekyll Island, Georgia?

Jekyll Island is great because it is pretty accessible financially for budget travelers, families, and has options for luxury travelers.

I’ll give a cost run down for mid range travelers like myself where the main difference is that you’ll be staying in a hotel, rather than the cheaper choice, which is camping. I’ll also assume that you will cook some of your own meals, whether that is having the free breakfast at your hotel or bringing/buying groceries or frozen meals and cooking it yourself.

One important note: Jekyll Island has a parking cost for the whole island at $10 per day. There is only one way on/off the island so when you enter, you have to pass through ticketed gates that require a fee. This fee pays for your parking across Jekyll Island. When you enter, select the number of days you will be on the island so you don’t need to purchase a new ticket each day. Also, note that Jekyll Island is not considered a state park so the Georgia State Park pass is not valid here.

This budget is per day with added activity expenses!

What to Bring to Jekyll Island?

In the summer you absolutely need bug spray. If you plan to sit outside at your hotel, walk/bike/tour through the island, or even if you need to cross some jungle area to get to the beach (like at Driftwood Beach), you absolutely NEED bug repellent. It’s an essential. I use Buggables and they work really well. Bring a spray as well just in case!

Like I mentioned above, Jekyll Island often gets afternoon rains. Bring a rain jacket or poncho.

Bring a turtle-safe flashlight if you plan to be on the beach for sunrise, sunset, or at night. You can’t use your regular phone flashlight as it is harmful to the sea turtles that populate the island.

One more thing to pack is a day bag. I bring my favorite camera backpack everywhere since it has a compartment for my camera + gear, tripod, water bottle, and other miscellaneous things.

Best Hotels on Jekyll Island

While you can go camping, hotels are the best accommodation you’ll find on Jekyll Island.

The best hotels on Jekyll Island for budget travelers are:

• Days Inn & Suites located on the Southern end of the island and costing $125+ a night on average, but can be as low as $115 per night.
• Seafarer Inn & Suites in the hub of the island (Beach Village) costing $185+ a night
• Jekyll Island Club Resort for $180+ a night
• Villas by the Sea Resort for $160+ a night

I stayed at the Days Inn & Suites and highly recommend! We got a 2^nd story room with an ocean view for $130 per night. They have areas to sit outside to look at the ocean, although this area joins the outdoor “hallways” that everyone uses to access their rooms. We still found it nice to sit out there and we could see the ocean from the 2^nd floor. You cannot see the ocean from the first floor due to large sand barriers.

They provided free breakfast and the hotel room had a full size mini-fridge (not the tiny ones that many hotels have), so this was perfect for storing and heating many frozen meals.

I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive guide to Jekyll Island and it’s best attractions!

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• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
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