Jekyll Island Georgia: Secluded Island In The US That’s Bucket List Worthy

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Can I admit to you that I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made an excuse to visit Jekyll Island, Georgia? I honestly have lost track of how often we’ve been to the Golden Isles of Georgia for day trips and family vacations. Who wouldn’t love a Jekyll Island beach in three unique spots, a beach side shopping village, many Jekyll Island things to do, fabulous restaurants, Jekyll Island camping, and a handful of Jekyll Island hotels, resorts, and cottages to choose from?!

view of Jekyll Island Georgia Entrance

JEKYLL ISLAND GEORGIA HISTORY & ME

Yes, Jekyll Island history stories about the famous tycoons of the 1880s that had fancy and exclusive winter vacays on this beautiful SECRET ISLAND are pretty intriguing – especially the spooky stories, and the one about the secret meetings that sprang the Federal Reserve into action. But my favorite Jekyll Island, Georgia story is how the hubs and I had a love-at-first-sight moment on a Jekyll Island beach boardwalk, were engaged at that same spot, and have brought our own family to visit for years now. The rest, as they say, is history… our Jekyll history.

As a travel journalist, I’ve stayed at the incredible Jekyll Island resort called The JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB, several Jekyll Island hotels, cottages, and the Jekyll Island Campground. We’ve also visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and have eaten at almost all Jekyll Island restaurants.

BEST TIME TO VISIT JEKYLL ISLAND

You would think that the best time to visit Jekyll Island, Georgia would be during the warm weather season. I mean, it is an island with beaches and all, right? While it is GORGEOUS in the spring and summer, many locals don’t want you to know about the Jekyll Island things to do during the fall and winter season that are over-the-top wonderful!

Don’t tell anyone about these JEKYLL SECRETS though, OK? We can’t have the whole world on to our secluded island!

THINGS TO DO ON JEKYLL ISLAND 

I could literally write a novel about all of the family friendly things to do on Jekyll Island Georgia like visiting Driftwood Beach, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, world-renowned golf courses, and the Jekyll Island water park.

Every time we visit, we have a new experience. Sometimes we come for the food and shopping, while other times we want a beach vacation. Other times, we don’t want to miss the wonderful, family friendly festivals that make this paradise so special.

I’ll make it easy for you and share all of our favorite secret island activities HERE.

JEKYLL ISLAND HOTELS, COTTAGES, & CAMPING

If you are looking for a fabulous place to stay, I have reviews on hotels like the Jekyll Island Club, JEKYLL ISLAND WESTIN, a FAMILY GETAWAY in an adorable cottage, and how we had a blast at the JEKYLL ISLAND CAMPGROUND. One of the things that I love most about Jekyll Island, Georgia is that there are not high-rise hotels lined down the coastline or commercialism busting at the seams.

Fortunately, Jekyll Island is protected by a law that protects 35% of the island to remain untouched. However, there are just enough accommodations, luxuries, restaurants, and Jekyll Island shopping opportunities to make it the perfect island getaway! We simply can’t get enough of the way the stress literally melts away as our car cruises onto the causeway.

The legend MUST be true because we can’t get enough!

JEKYLL ISLAND FAQS

      1. Why is it called Jekyll Island?

This barrier island off the coast of Georgia was named by General James Oglethorpe who founded the colony of Georgia. He decided to choose the name in honor of Sir Joseph Jekyll, his friend and financier from England.

      2.  How’s the weather?

One of the main reasons that Rockefeller, Vanderbuilt, J.P. Morgan, and the other iconic wealthy men of their era chose this island was because of the sublime and mild Jekyll Island weather. The average winter temperatures from December through March have highs in the 60’s and lows in the 40’s. Summertime brings lots of humidity with averages that sit at around ninety degrees from June until August.

      3. How much does it cost to get on the island?

There is a $6 Jekyll Island State Park fee for one day, $28 for a seven-day pass, and a 12-month AVI option as well.

      4. Can you share Jekyll Island directions?

When driving from the Jacksonville International Airport and head toward I-95 North to Georgia exit 29 /Jekyll Island/Brunswick. You’ll the turn right onto US-17 North and then turn right onto the Jekyll Island Causeway.

When driving from the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, it’s a 80-ish mile distance. Merge onto I-95 S/GA-405 S and then take US-17 N/GA-520 E exit, EXIT 29, toward Brunswick/Jekyll Island. Turn left onto US-17 North until you turn right onto Jekyll Island Causeway.

YOU MAY NEED…

If you can’t get enough of Jekyll Island’s grandeur and beauty, you’ll enjoy this lovely book. I remember being on the island back when the author released it and every page is breathtaking!

Jekyll Island: The Nearest Faraway Place Hardcover 

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HAVE YOU BEEN TO JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!


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Shan

Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.

☕️ It’s THE REAL DEAL around here ☕️

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14 Comments

  1. Mimi
    April 4, 2019 / 11:24 am

    Such a gorgeous post, I’d love to visit!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 4, 2019 / 11:47 am

      You should! It’s a super unique place I can’t get enough of!

      shan

  2. Paula I'm Busy Being Awesome
    April 4, 2019 / 11:25 am

    Sounds amazing, maybe for my next trip

    • Shan
      Author
      April 4, 2019 / 11:48 am

      Yay! Let me know if I can answer any questions about it!

      shan

  3. Stephanie
    April 4, 2019 / 12:21 pm

    I had no idea this existed! You guys keep your secrets pretty well, haha! I’ll have to check it out the next time I travel through Georgia!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 4, 2019 / 8:04 pm

      We are good at it. I like spilling the beans about those lesser-known places. Just don’t tell anybody. 🙂

      shan

  4. Stephanie
    April 4, 2019 / 11:14 pm

    Oh wow, I’ve really never been to the South but this place looks amazing. I’ll add it to my list of must sees.

    • Shan
      Author
      April 5, 2019 / 6:31 am

      I am a little biased but the south is gorgeous and has so many hidden gems!

      shan

  5. Vanessa
    April 4, 2019 / 11:50 pm

    It sounds like such a great trip! I would love to go with my family.

    • Shan
      Author
      April 5, 2019 / 6:31 am

      It’s super unique and great for families for sure. Hope you can visit soon! 🙂

      shan

  6. Laura
    April 5, 2019 / 10:04 am

    What a beautiful post! This makes me want to start planning a trip! Thanks for the inspiration!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 5, 2019 / 4:01 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind words! It makes all the work worth it! Let me know if I can help.

      shan

  7. Marta Rivera
    April 10, 2019 / 11:22 am

    I’m glad you explained why it’s named so, because my first thought was that it was haunted or something! Now I’m more inclined to visit, LOL!

    • Shan
      Author
      April 10, 2019 / 1:23 pm

      Well….. there ARE some haunted stories in certain places. haha

      shan

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