One of the Sea Islands, one of the Golden Isles of Georgia barrier islands and a popular tourist destination with beaches frequented by vacationers
General Information
How to Get There
Overview
Jekyll Island is a barrier island off the Georgia coast, the southernmost of the Golden Isles, and it is known as a state-owned island with a unique law that keeps at least 65 percent of it undeveloped. Once an exclusive retreat for America's richest families, including the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Vanderbilts, it is now a state park with miles of beaches, bike paths, and a National Historic Landmark District. The island is quiet, uncrowded, and natural, with a famous driftwood-strewn beach and a sea turtle rescue center.
Visitors come to Jekyll Island for the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, for Driftwood Beach, and for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. They also come for bicycling on 20 miles of trails, for golf, and for fishing and kayaking, and it is about 70 miles south of Savannah and 70 miles north of Jacksonville.
History
The island was home to Native Americans and was named in 1734 by General Oglethorpe for his friend Sir Joseph Jekyll. In 1886, a group of wealthy industrialists purchased it and created the Jekyll Island Club, an exclusive winter retreat for members such as J. P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, and Joseph Pulitzer, who built "cottages" there. In November 1910, a secret meeting at the club by bankers and a senator drew up the plan that became the Federal Reserve System. The club closed in 1942 because of World War II, and the State of Georgia bought the island in 1947 to open it to the public as a state park.
Sightseeing and Popular Landmarks
The Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District has restored mansions and the grand Jekyll Island Club Resort, with tours that tell the story of the Gilded Age elite. Driftwood Beach, at the northern end, has dramatic bleached trees on the sand and is a favorite of photographers. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a hospital and education center for injured sea turtles, and the Horton House ruins, a tabby house from the 1730s, are on the north end. The Faith Chapel, with Tiffany windows, is also notable.
Culture and Museums
The Mosaic Museum tells the story of Jekyll Island's history, including the Gilded Age, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center has exhibits and a rehabilitation hospital. The island also has the Jekyll Island Arts Association and the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The Wanderer, a slave ship that landed illegally on Jekyll Island in 1858, is an important part of the island's history, and is covered in exhibits.
Parks
The island has 10 miles of beaches, including Driftwood Beach and Great Dunes Park, and the state park has more than 20 miles of bike trails through maritime forest and along the marsh. The Clam Creek Picnic Area and fishing pier, the Summer Waves water park, and the campground are other attractions, and kayaking tours of the salt marsh are popular. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center runs beach walks in summer to watch sea turtles nest.
Seasons and Weather
Jekyll Island has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s°F, and winters are mild, with highs in the 60s°F. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons, and sea turtles nest from May to August. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Things to Do
Tour the Historic District
Tram tours leave several times daily from the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road, or explore the cottages, museums, and galleries on a self-guided 1- to 2-mile walk.
Visit Driftwood Beach
Weathered trees and driftwood sculptures line the northern shoreline, making it one of Georgia's most distinctive coastal landscapes.
Relax on the Beach
Eight miles of wide, flat beach are ideal for swimming, beachcombing, and walking or biking on the hard-packed sand.
Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
This rehabilitation, research, and education center lets visitors see recovering sea turtles and learn about coastal conservation.
Bike the Island
More than 20 miles of paved, mostly flat trails link beaches, historic sites, maritime forest, and marsh. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and golf are also popular, and Summer Waves water park is open in season.
Top Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jekyll Island Trail System | 20+ miles | Easy | Paved multi-use paths connecting beaches, landmarks, forest, and marsh |
| Historic District Walking Tour | 1 to 2 miles | Easy | Club buildings, cottages, and museums with interpretive signs |
| Driftwood Beach Walk | Varies | Easy | Stroll among sculptural driftwood on the north end |
| Clam Creek and Maritime Forest Trails | Varies | Easy | Quieter routes through maritime forest and salt marsh |
This article uses material from Wikipedia as well as information from official tourism and institutional sources. Key references include Jekyll Island, Jekyll Island Authority, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia Tourism, and National Weather Service Jacksonville. Wikipedia material is from the articles "Jekyll Island" and "Jekyll Island Club", and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
