We are so excited you are headed to St. Simons Island! This is one of our favorite places in the world and we just know you’ll fall in love with it.
Whether you like to be hitting the town, relaxing at the beach, learning about history, or anything else, there are tons of things to do on St. Simons Island, the largest island in the Golden Isles. We live here, and this is the list we give friends and family when they come to visit.
Planning a trip to St. Simons Island? Start here for all the basic information you’ll need to get started. This is St. Simons Island at a Glance.
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Our Top Picks at a Glance
Short on time? Here’s where we’d start.
- Best first stop: A trolley tour from the Pier Village
- Best beach day: East Beach
- Best sunset: Fort Frederica or Gould’s Inlet
- Best on the water: A dolphin tour or sunset cruise
- Best with kids: Crabbing on the pier and the Tree Spirit Scavenger Hunt
- Best rainy day: The World War II Home Front Museum
- Best off the beaten path: The Farm SSI and Cannon’s Point Preserve
Have a Day at the Beach
No trip to the Georgia coast would be complete without a day at the beach, right? When people first get to St. Simons, the most common thing that I hear is that they walk through the pier village, walk toward the water, and look down and say, “Where’s the beach?!”
Well, the pier area only has a beach at very low tide, and even then it’s just wide enough to take a walk on. It won’t be there long, so I definitely don’t recommend laying down towels and bringing a cooler. This area is more for those who just want a quick stroll to feel the sand between their toes.
Luckily you have several other options where you can truly spend a whole day on the beautiful beaches.
See how all of the St. Simons beaches measure up in Georgia Beaches Ranked by a Local and our St. Simons Island Beach Guide.
East Beach
Also known as “Coast Guard Station Beach” because of the historic coast guard station onsite, this is the largest and most popular beach on the island.
This beach is huge. That means that even in peak season, you’ll have no problem finding a great spot. There is plenty of parking, bathrooms, and a concession stand near the parking lot. From there you’ll walk down a pathway to the beach, which is absolutely gorgeous with light-colored sand and beautiful views.
Insider Tip: The beach here is wide and flat, which means plenty of places to lay out. That also means that the water is going to come way farther up the beach than you think. Keep an eye on the tide chart, and if you’re setting up your umbrella closer to low tide than high tide, you’ll want to be pretty far back away from the water.
Massengale Park
This is another public beach access point with a playground, bathrooms, and a picnic area.
Again, be mindful of the tides. In 2022 a large tidepool between the park and the water formed. Glynn County recently built an awesome floating bridge over the tidal pool, so you no longer have to walk around it.
Insider Tip: Dogs are welcome on St. Simons beaches all day from Labor Day to Memorial Day. In the summer, dogs aren’t allowed between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on the stretch from East Beach down to the pier, so plan on early morning or evening walks. Massengale Park has a dog water fountain for your fur babies!
Gould’s Inlet
We love Gould’s Inlet for taking the dog for a stroll before dinner- It is truly gorgeous and much less crowded than East Beach. We often see dolphins playing in the water here, and at low tide, there are sand bars that reach far out into the water.
Beware, though! The rip tide is strong here, so it’s not a great place for swimming. I also don’t recommend setting up your chairs on the sand bars, as tempting as it is. I know they look like private islands out in the water, but when high tide comes, you’re going to be trapped, and the sand bar may disappear entirely.
Explore the Pier Village
At the end of Mallery Street, you’ll find the pier village, which is the center of life here on the island. You can park once and spend a whole day here. The lighthouse, the pier, the trolley, shops, restaurants, and bars are all within a few blocks of each other.
Climb the Lighthouse
The St. Simons Island Lighthouse has been standing tall since 1872, guiding ships safely along the coast. It replaced the original 1810 lighthouse, which was destroyed during the Civil War, and it still tells the story of the island’s maritime history.
Step inside the keeper’s dwelling next door, and you’ll find the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. Simple exhibits and displays bring the history to life. Models of ships, tools, and artifacts tell tales of the St. Simons Sound and the lighthouse itself.
Now, let’s talk about the exciting part: climbing to the top! Ascend the 129 winding steps, and as you reach the top, the reward is breathtaking. The view from the top of the lighthouse, where you’ll see Jekyll Island and the Saint Simons Sound, is definitely a moment to capture in your memory and with your camera.
Go on a Trolley Tour
One of the best ways to take in all the beauty of the island is to go on a trolley tour! You’ll see all the best places on the island with 36 points of interest, including the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, Fort Frederica, Christ Church, and the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh.
When traveling anywhere new, we love to start out with an organized tour. It’s a great way to get oriented and see highlights that you may want to revisit in more detail later.
Reservations are highly recommended, and you can make them on the tour website. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for children 4-12, and are free for children under 4.
Catch the trolley tours under the big live oak by the pier and take in all the sights on the 1.5 hour tour.
Prefer to go at your own pace? Try this Audio Driving Tour Around St. Simons Island and explore by car. If you’re up for something spooky, an evening ghost tour by trolley is a fun way to hear the island’s legends after dark.
Go Fishing or Crabbing on the Pier
The pier on the south end of the island is the most popular place to soak in island life. One thing that is unique about this pier is that it never closes! You can find dedicated fishermen and crabbers on the pier 24 hours a day.
If you want to try your hand at fishing or crabbing, go right ahead! If you need any equipment, just walk on over to St. Simons Bait and Tackle, just steps away from the fishing pier.
If you want to come prepared, you’ll want some bone-in chicken (crabs especially love chicken that is past it’s sell-by date or that you’ve left outside overnight if you can stomach the smell), a crab pot, and some zip-ties for holding the chicken in place.
Even if you don’t want to fish or crab yourself, there is nothing like watching the pros bring in their crab pots and huge catches on the St. Simons Island pier. The whole family will love peeking in coolers to see what has been brought up today and seeing the hermit crabs discarded from the crab pots roaming around the pier.
Insider Tip: Be sure to get a fishing license before you cast your line. You can do it right from your phone on the pier by going to the Department of Natural Resources website and creating an account. Georgia residents can get a one-day Combo Hunting/Fishing License for $5, plus $1 for each day after that. If you’re visiting from out of state, it’s $30 for the first day and $10 for each additional day.
Go Shopping
In addition to the bars, restaurants, lighthouse, and the famous pier, you’ll also find lots of unique shops in the village.
Island Couture, Island Republic, and Hope’s are fantastic clothing stores, and you can find the perfect souvenirs at Frederica Station or Nature Gifts. If you want your shopping dollars to support an amazing cause, check out Rahab’s Rope. Don’t forget to stop for a sweet treat at St. Simons Sweets!
For the full lineup, you’ll want to check out Shopping at St. Simons Island.
Grab a Drink
You’re on vacation, so it’s never too early to grab a drink! The Pier Village is packed with patios and bars within walking distance of each other. Check out the best bars on St. Simons, and if you time it right, you can save a little with our list of Happy Hour Deals at St. Simons.
Explore Redfern Village
Inland, you’ll find Redfern Village, another bustling oasis of places to eat, drink, and shop.
Explore unique boutique shops like Crystal Earth, Viola’s Market, and Two Friends for the perfect gift for anyone, including yourself!
Redfern is also a great place to start your morning. Check out our favorite Great Breakfast Spots on St. Simons Island before a day of exploring. Keep your eyes open while you’re here, because two of the island’s tree spirits are hiding in Redfern Village.
Throughout the island (and the entire Golden Isles) you’ll find a vibrant art scene with galleries, events and classes.
Dig Into St. Simons History
Explore Fort Frederica National Monument
Fort Frederica is one of our favorite places to visit on St. Simons Island. This fort was built as a military outpost and defensive structure in the 18th century. It was established by the British in 1736 on St. Simons Island in what is now the state of Georgia, USA. The primary purpose of constructing Fort Frederica was to protect the southern boundary of the British colony of Georgia from potential Spanish invasions.
Today, you’ll find well-preserved structures and opportunities to learn about colonial America’s military and social history.
The monument includes a museum and artifacts and exhibits throughout the grounds. This is also an active archaeological site, so don’t be surprised if you see new structures being uncovered by groups of students during your visit.
This is also my favorite spot on the island because it is just gorgeous! The cannons look out over the salt marshes and the Frederica River beyond. Sunset is absolutely perfect from here.
This is one of the stops we recommend if you’re here on a St. Simons Island Day Trip from Savannah.
Visit Christ Church
Near this site, nestled under huge oak trees on the north end of St. Simons Island, John and Charles Wesley preached in the 1730s before returning to England, where their work gave rise to the Methodist movement.
The first structure, built in 1820, was partially destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War. The current structure was built in 1884 and still houses an active congregation today. On a personal note, they also hold weddings. My brother was married here!
The most interesting part of visiting Christ Church is the beautiful cemetery on the grounds. Here you’ll find the graves of early settlers and many famous Georgians, including author Eugenia Price and historian Lucian Lamar Knight. The oldest tombstone is from 1803!
Insider Tip: Move quietly and keep your eyes peeled. Deer love to graze in the cemetery here, so you’re likely to spot a deer family or 2.
World War II Home Front Museum
Located in the old Coast Guard Station at East Beach, you’ll find this amazing museum. It tells the story of this area’s part in the war, including two American ships that were torpedoed by a German U-boat just 13 miles offshore from St. Simons.
My mother-in-law, who is in her 90s and has lived in this area most of her life, recognized people in the photos and videos. This is a great activity for all ages on a rainy day at St. Simons Island.
Get Outdoors
Hike at Cannon’s Point Preserve
This maritime forest is not only gorgeous, it’s also full of the area’s rich history! The preserve has more than 6 miles of salt marsh and tidal creek shoreline, and paths that are perfect for hiking or biking.
Take the path straight to the end of the preserve if you’re a history buff. Here you’ll find the remains of the large plantation home and slave quarters owned by John Couper in the 1800s.
If you want to get off the beaten path, walk or bike the winding path along the river to see shell middens dating back to 2500 BC.
Insider Tip: Cannon’s Point is only open Saturday through Monday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and pets aren’t allowed. Bring your own water and put on bug spray liberally and often! It’s wilderness out here, and the mosquitos and ticks are a fact of life. Do a thorough tick check of yourself and your family when you get home.
Walk the Trails at Guale Preserve
If Cannon’s Point isn’t open during your visit, head to Guale Preserve in the middle of the island. It has about three miles of hiking and biking trails through maritime forest and old dune ridges, and it’s open every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. There’s no water, restroom, or trash can on site, so pack in what you need and pack it out.
Visit The Farm SSI
While you’re on the north end at Cannon’s Point, stop in for a visit at The Farm (formerly The Farm at Oatland North). It’s an animal sanctuary, and they have horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, and more. The Farm is a place where animals in need are cared for.
They may be retired from a life of work or in need of rehab or hospice care. The Farm is run by volunteers and has an open house most Sundays from 2 to 4pm. The animals love having visitors, and the volunteers will guide you on what treats are acceptable for them.
The Farm is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and welcomes your donations. These animals eat a LOT and require lots of care.
The dark brown guy below is Tex, and he’s a personal favorite of ours. Tex is blind, and he loves hearing his name called to come for a rub.
Each animal has a sign to tell you their name and the story about how they came to live at The Farm. This is a wonderful, but off-the-beaten path way to spend a couple of hours on St. Simons.
You can find the farm at 70 Cannons Point Rd. on the north end of St. Simons Island. If you can’t make it for their Sunday open house, you can call 912-580-6774 and they will make every effort to arrange a visit.
Go for a Bike Ride
One of the best ways to explore the island is by bicycle! There are more than 20 miles of bike paths throughout the island that connect popular spots like the pier to more off-the-beaten-path places like Cannon’s Point.
You can even ride on the beach at low tide!
Insider Tip: Get your Biking Tail Systems Map and then go rent a bicycle from Island Bicycle in the pier village or Zoom Bike Rental across from Redfern Village. Staying a few days? Some companies will deliver bikes right to your rental. For the full rundown, see our St. Simons Island Bike Rental Guide.
Tree Spirit Scavenger Hunt
Stop by the Golden Isles Welcome Center on Beachview Drive to get the map and see Cora, the mermaid tree spirit carved right outside. There are 11 tree spirits on public property that you are welcome to find and take photos of.
Bicycling is a great way to do the hunt. Several are within an easy walk of each other in the village, but there are a few a little further away.
Tee Off in Paradise
There are very few prettier places to play golf than here on St. Simons Island under the moss-covered live oaks. There are several golf courses to choose from on the island, so check out the overview below or check out our complete article on Where to Play Golf in St. Simons Island.
The King and Prince Golf Course
Note: As of this writing in Fall of 2026 the King & Prince Golf Club is temporarily closed as it is undergoing an expansive renovation to include the course itself and the clubhouse restaurant space. At the completion and reopening it will become fully private with only members and resort guests having access.
Sea Palms Resort & Conference Center
This course is 18 holes, just under 6,500 yards total. It can be a bit of a difficult course because of the pines, palms, and palmetto trees lining the fairway. You don’t want to lose your ball in there! The water-lined 18th hole is a fantastic way to end the round.
Also open to the public, you can call the pro shop for a tee time or make your reservations on Golf Now. Sea Palms Resort also has a clubhouse with a small bar.
Sea Island Golf Club
The Plantation Course is 18 holes and has beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and lush natural beauty.
The Retreat Course is also 18 holes and is known for its complex greens with plenty of slopes and sand bunkers that will challenge any golfer.
The Seaside Course is an oceanside 18-hole course, and it and the Plantation Course host the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic every November.
All three of these courses are located on the southern tip of St. Simons Island at The Lodge at Sea Island.
Insider Tip: Sea Island courses are for members and hotel guests only, so if visiting you’ll only be able to make a tee time if you’re staying in one of the Sea Island properties. For the most affordable option, stay at the Inn at Sea Island. More details can be found at Best Places to Stay at St. Simons Island.
Hit the Island’s Restaurants & Bars
Saint Simons Island might be a small island, but we have more restaurants and bars than you can shake a stick at! In fact, two of the spots on the Coastal Georgia BBQ Trail are right here on the island!
Check out our list of our favorite St Simons Island restaurants, where you’ll find everything from fine dining to southern home cooking, Thai food to pizza, and everything in between.
You’re on vacation, so it’s never too early to grab a drink! On our list of the best bars on St Simons Island you’ll find classy piano bars, grungy dive bars, and places to watch the UGA game. Traveling as a couple? Don’t miss the Best Date Night Spots on St. Simons Island.
Insider Tip: If you ask us, the best oysters are at The Half Shell, the best peel-and-eat shrimp on the island are at Catch 228, and the best nightlife can be found at Murphy’s Tavern.
Get Out on the Water
Some of our favorite views of St. Simons are from the water. Here are the best ways to get out there.
Sunset cruises: Anchor Excursions boat tours leave from Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons and cruise through the sound and the marsh rivers, where dolphins are almost a sure thing. A sunset cruise is one of our favorite ways to end a day.
Kayak tours: Paddling through the marsh is the most peaceful way to see the island. Guided kayak tours explore the creeks around St. Simons, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons, and you’ll spot birds, crabs, and maybe a dolphin or two.
Fishing charters: If the pier isn’t enough, book a charter for inshore or deep sea fishing. Your captain handles the gear and knows where the fish are.
Planning to hop over to Jekyll too? This Jekyll Island Dolphin Tour is one of the most popular tours in the Golden Isles.
Attend an Island Event
For fun for the entire family, attend an event on the island! There is always something going on around here.
Check the Golden Isles CVB website for a list of events happening during your trip, including festivals, live music, farmers markets, and even beach yoga! Golf fans should plan around the RSM Classic each November.
Give Back
Volunteering while on vacation is an increasingly popular idea in travel. Be sure to read Voluntourism on the Georgia Coast for opportunities.
Where to Stay on St. Simons Island
Where you stay shapes your whole trip. If you want to walk to dinner, the beach, and the pier without moving your car, stay near the Pier Village. See our picks for walkable places to stay on St. Simons Island and the overall best places to stay on St. Simons Island.
Haven’t booked your stay yet? Plug in your dates and the number of guests in your party to see the best deals on hotels and private vacation rentals!
St. Simons Island FAQs
St. Simons is known for its historic lighthouse, wide beaches, live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and the lively Pier Village. It’s also full of colonial history, from Fort Frederica to Christ Church.
The beaches, the pier, the Tree Spirit Scavenger Hunt, Cannon’s Point Preserve, and Guale Preserve are all free. Walking through Christ Church’s grounds and watching sunset from the marsh cost nothing either.
Head to the World War II Home Front Museum or the Lighthouse Museum, or spend the afternoon shopping in the Pier Village and Redfern Village.
Not if you stay near the Pier Village. You can walk to restaurants, bars, the beach, and the lighthouse, and rent a bike for everything else. You’ll probably want a car to reach the north end spots like Fort Frederica and Cannon’s Point.
Yes! Dogs are allowed on the beach all day from Labor Day to Memorial Day. In the summer, they can’t be on the beach from East Beach to the pier between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Currently planning a trip? Here are some helpful resources:
- Find the best hotel options here.
- Book the cheapest flight here.
- Find tons of tours and activities here.
- Book your rental car here.
Before You Go…
If you’re planning a trip to St. Simons Island (or you’re already here!) you’ll want to check out these other articles about the area:
- The Best Date Night Spots on St. Simons Island
- Great Breakfast Spots on St. Simons Island
- Where to Play Golf in St. Simons Island
- 12 Best Seafood Restaurants in St Simons Island GA
- St. Simons Island Beach Guide
- Best Places to Stay at St. Simons Island
- The Best Sea Island, GA Places to Stay
- 14 Best Bars on St Simons Island (Nightlife Guide)
- Eat Like a Local (this is where we take friends and family when they visit)
- St. Simons is one of the 15 Must Visit Barrier Islands Off the Coast of Georgia
- Happy Hour Deals at St. Simons
- Walkable Places to Stay: St. Simons Island
- Bike Rental Guide
- Golden Isles Itinerary: 3 Days at St. Simons, Jekyll and Brunswick
Do you know if ZU ZU’s in the pier village still open?
It is! We love their burgers and chicken salad.