Jekyll Island Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Jekyll Island is a place where time seems to slow down, suspended somewhere between the roaring 1920s and the eternal rhythm of the tides. Once the private winter retreat for America’s wealthiest families, the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Pulitzers, this barrier island has maintained a delicate balance between its opulent history and its wild, untamed nature. Walking beneath the canopy of ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, you can almost hear the clinking of crystal glasses from a bygone era.

Beyond the historic cottages, the island offers a landscape of haunting beauty. From the skeletal remains of trees on Driftwood Beach to the salt marshes teeming with wildlife, Jekyll Island is a sanctuary in the truest sense. It is a destination that invites you to unplug, breathe in the salt air, and discover why this slice of the Georgia coast was once the most exclusive club in the world.

The Millionaire’s Playground

What sets Jekyll Island apart from other beach destinations is its fascinating pedigree. In 1886, it was purchased by a group of tycoons who formed the Jekyll Island Club, creating a hunting and recreation retreat that was described as “the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world.” Today, the entire island is owned by the State of Georgia and managed by a conservation authority, ensuring that development is limited and the history is preserved.

Visitors can tour the Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, where the grand cottages (some the size of mansions) still stand. You can even stay in the original clubhouse, now a resort, and walk the same halls as J.P. Morgan. But the history goes back further; the tabby ruins of the Horton House date back to 1743, offering a glimpse into the colonial struggles between the British and Spanish on this frontier coast.

The Icons You’ll Want to See

Driftwood Beach - Located on the north end of the island, this is a photogenic graveyard of trees created by erosion. It is free to visit and accessible year-round, though parking can fill up quickly at sunset (0 mi from north end, Free).

Georgia Sea Turtle Center - A working hospital for ill and injured sea turtles. Visitors can watch surgeries through a glass window and explore interactive exhibits. Located in the Historic District (Central, $10 USD).

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum - This modern museum offers an in-depth look at the island’s cultural and natural history, featuring everything from Native American pottery to a 1940s Studebaker. (Historic District, $9 USD).

Summer Waves Water Park - The perfect spot to cool off in the summer, featuring a wave pool, lazy river, and several high-speed slides. Open seasonally from May to September. (South End, ~$25 USD).

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Jekyll Island is straightforward, but there is a catch: the island is a state park, so you must pay a parking fee at the entry causeway. The pass is currently $10 USD per vehicle per day, though multi-day passes are available. The island is connected by causeway to the mainland near Brunswick, Georgia, about an hour drive from Jacksonville, Florida, or Savannah, Georgia.

Once on the island, the pace slows down. While you can drive everywhere, the best way to experience the local vibe is by bicycle. The island boasts over 20 miles of flat, paved trails that connect the beach, the historic district, and the marshes. Bring plenty of bug spray, specifically one that targets “sand gnats” (no-see-ums), which can be prevalent in the mornings and evenings near the marsh.

Jekyll Island is a destination that rewards those who respect its quiet dignity. Whether you are hunting for shark teeth in the sand, sipping tea on a porch where presidents once sat, or simply watching the sunrise through the twisted branches of a driftwood oak, you will leave with a sense of peace that is hard to find elsewhere.