Both a seaside resort and residential community, it is the largest of Georgia's renowned Golden Isles known for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and its natural environment
General Information
How to Get There
Overview
St. Simons Island is the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles, a barrier island on the southeast coast near Brunswick, and it is known for its beaches, its moss-draped live oaks, its historic lighthouse, and its relaxed resort atmosphere. The island combines Southern charm with a rich history, from Native American settlements and colonial forts to plantations and a small village with shops and restaurants. It is a popular destination for families and golfers, connected to the mainland by a causeway.
Visitors come to St. Simons Island for the beaches, for the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, and for Fort Frederica National Monument. They also come for the Pier Village, for biking and kayaking, and for fresh seafood, and it is a good base for exploring Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island.
History
The island was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years, and in 1736, General James Oglethorpe built Fort Frederica here to defend the Georgia colony against the Spanish, and the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742 ended the Spanish threat. In the 1800s, the island was home to large cotton plantations, and in the late nineteenth century lumber mills operated here. The St. Simons Lighthouse was built in 1872, and in the twentieth century the island became a resort and residential community, helped by the opening of a causeway in 1924. The Sea Island resort on neighboring Sea Island opened in 1928.
Sightseeing and Popular Landmarks
The St. Simons Island Lighthouse, built in 1872, has 129 steps to a view of the island and the Atlantic, and the Museum of Coastal History is in the keeper's house. Fort Frederica National Monument preserves the ruins of the town and fort, and Christ Church Frederica is a historic church from 1884. The Pier Village on the south end has shops, restaurants, and a fishing pier, and the Avenue of the Oaks, a canopy of live oaks, leads to the ruins of a plantation.
Culture and Museums
The Museum of Coastal History tells the story of the island, and Fort Frederica has a visitor center with exhibits. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society operates the lighthouse and museum, and the Island Players theater and the St. Simons Art Association offer cultural activities.
Parks
East Beach and Massengale Park offer beaches with facilities, and Gould's Inlet is a quiet beach at the south end. Neptune Park is near the pier and lighthouse, and the Cannon's Point Preserve has trails through maritime forest. Cumberland Island National Seashore and Jekyll Island are nearby, reached by boat or by road.
Seasons and Weather
St. Simons 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. The beach season runs from May to October, and hurricane season runs from June to November.
Things to Do
Climb the St. Simons Lighthouse
Climb the tower for panoramic views of the coastline and St. Simons Sound, then visit the adjacent museum for the area's maritime history.
Visit the Historic Sites
Fort Frederica National Monument, Christ Church Frederica, the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, and the Avenue of Oaks tell the story of colonial and coastal Georgia.
Spend a Day at East Beach
Swim, beachcomb, and walk for miles along the Atlantic shoreline.
Get on the Water
Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and dolphin tours are available around the island.
Bike the Island
More than 30 miles of paved paths connect beaches, parks, historic sites, and restaurants.
Top Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Simons Island Trail System | 30+ miles | Easy | Paved paths linking beaches, parks, and historic sites |
| East Beach Walk | Varies | Easy | Long beach stroll with tidal pools and shells, best at low tide |
| Cannon's Point Preserve Trails | About 6 miles | Easy | Maritime forest, shell middens, tidal creeks, and salt marsh |
| Frederica River and Marsh Walks | Varies | Easy | Riverside routes with coastal marsh views |
This article uses material from Wikipedia as well as information from official tourism and institutional sources. Key references include Golden Isles Tourism, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, National Park Service Fort Frederica National Monument, Georgia Tourism, and National Weather Service Jacksonville. Wikipedia material is from the articles "St. Simons Island, Georgia" and "Battle of Bloody Marsh", and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
