Most people come to Jekyll Island for Driftwood Beach, snap a few photos, and head home. We get it. Those twisted old trees on the sand are stunning. But we live here in the Golden Isles, and we can tell you that Driftwood is only the beginning of the things to do on Jekyll Island.
This little state park island has more than 20 miles of bike paths, a sea turtle hospital, a Gilded Age historic district, maritime forest trails, and stretches of beach where you might not see another person all morning. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a long weekend for two, or a day trip from Brunswick, here are our favorite Jekyll Island activities, from the famous spots to the ones only locals tend to know about.
If you’re just starting to plan, begin with our Jekyll Island Hub for ideas, tips, and every Jekyll article
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A Few Things to Know Before You Go
- There’s a daily parking fee. Jekyll Island is a state park, so every vehicle pays to come onto the island. The current rate is $10 per day or $100 for an annual pass, with higher rates on some special event days. You can pay at the gate or online before you arrive. If you’re staying overnight, you pay for each day your car is on the island, no matter where you’re staying.
- Check the tides. Several beaches on this list, including Driftwood, are best at low tide. Keep our Jekyll Island Tide Chart handy.
- Plan for the season. Some attractions, like the water park, only open in summer. Others, like the Sea Turtle Center and the historic tours, run all year. Fall and spring are our favorite times to visit: smaller crowds, cooler bike rides, and fewer bugs.
Top Things to Do on Jekyll Island
Visit Driftwood Beach
We’ll start with the one everyone asks about. Driftwood Beach is on the north end of the island, where erosion has left dozens of bleached, sculptural trees scattered along the shoreline. It’s beautiful at sunrise, a favorite spot for photographers, and a popular place for weddings.
Go at low tide, when you can walk the beach and explore around the trees. At high tide, the water comes right up to the tree line and there’s not much beach to speak of.
We have a whole post covering parking, timing, and photo tips in our Driftwood Beach guide.
Go on a Dolphin Cruise
Seeing bottlenose dolphins up close is one of the most memorable Jekyll Island activities, and you don’t have to go far to do it. Dolphin and nature cruises leave from the historic Jekyll Island Wharf and spend about 90 minutes cruising the Jekyll River and the marsh. Along with dolphins, you might spot pelicans, ospreys, and, in warmer months, manatees.
Kids love it, and the captains share plenty of local history along the way. Sunset cruises are a favorite for couples.
For more options, see our roundup of the best Jekyll Island boat tours.
Camp Under the Live Oaks
There’s something special about falling asleep under live oaks draped in Spanish moss. The Jekyll Island Campground sits on the north end, within walking or biking distance of Driftwood Beach, the fishing pier, and the Clam Creek Picnic Area. Forgot something? The camp store has the basics.
Get all the details in The Ultimate Guide to Jekyll Island Camping.
Eat Fresh, Local Seafood
There are more good restaurants on Jekyll Island than most people expect. For gorgeous views and fresh seafood, we love Zachry’s Riverhouse. The Wharf, a casual spot at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, has a big deck over the river and live music on many weekend nights. And for a cocktail after the beach, Wee Pub Beach in Beach Village is our pick. Our dog Nala loves that she can join us on the patio.
For our full list of favorites, see the best seafood restaurants near Jekyll Island.
Try Your Luck on the Emerald Princess
For an adults-only night out, the Emerald Princess Casino Cruise Ship sails from the dock at the base of the Sidney Lanier Bridge, at the end of the Jekyll Island Causeway. Once the ship reaches international waters, the casino opens with slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps. There’s dining on board and an open-air deck for taking in the ocean breeze.
Hit the Beaches
Driftwood gets the attention, but Jekyll has miles of shoreline, and some of our favorite beaches are the ones visitors skip.
Great Dunes Beach Park is the easiest beach day on the island. It’s accessible at any tide and has restrooms, showers, a pavilion with grills, and plenty of parking. It’s also right by Beach Village, so lunch is a short walk away.
Glory Beach takes a little more effort. Turn in at the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex and drive to the small lot at the back. From there, a boardwalk leads through the maritime forest to the beach. It gets its name from the movie Glory, which filmed scenes here.
St. Andrews Beach on the south end is peaceful and great for birdwatching. It’s also home to the Wanderer Memory Trail, which honors the enslaved Africans brought to Jekyll aboard the Wanderer in 1858. The trail is a moving, important stop, and we encourage everyone to spend time there.
Dogs are allowed on Jekyll’s beaches, so bring your pup along. For the rules and our favorite spots, see Pet Friendly Jekyll Island. To see how Jekyll stacks up against the rest of the coast, read Georgia Beaches Ranked by a Local.
Go to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
One of the iconic Jekyll Island things to do is to visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center! Here you’ll find a rehabilitation facility for sea turtles, complete with interactive exhibits and visits with the turtles in their tanks.
The Sea Turtle Center does amazing work with rehabbing and releasing their patients and providing sea turtle education for visitors, and the cost of admission goes directly to supporting these efforts. Visiting the center is one of my favorite things to do on a rainy day on Jekyll Island!
If you’re here during nesting season, check out the summer beach programs, which include riding with the dawn or night patrols to check on local nests as well as evening and sunrise turtle walks.
Cool Off at Summer Waves Water Park
If you’re visiting with kids in summer, plan a day at Summer Waves. The park has a wave pool, a lazy river, big slides, and a splash area for little ones. It opens in May and runs through Labor Day, with a reduced schedule late in the season, so check the calendar before you go.
Visit Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum
To really understand what you’re seeing in the historic district, start at Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has interactive exhibits on the island’s natural and cultural history.
Mosaic also runs the island’s guided tours. The Landmark Trolley Tour lasts about an hour and includes entry into one of the historic cottages, plus admission to the Mosaic gallery and Faith Chapel. Other options include a private Millionaire Motorcar tour, a tour covering the island’s Black history and musical history, and an evening ghost tour.
Tours can sell out, especially on weekends, so book in advance.
Wander the Jekyll Island Historic District
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Jekyll Island was a private winter retreat for some of the wealthiest families in America. Their “cottages” are really sprawling mansions, and today they make up Jekyll’s National Historic Landmark District, one of the largest ongoing restoration projects in the Southeast.
Take your time walking under the live oaks and admiring the architecture. Stop for lunch or a drink at the Jekyll Island Club Resort, and look for the Goodyear Cottage, which now houses an art gallery. For more on local galleries, check out our post on the Art Scene in the Golden Isles.
Visit Horton House and the DuBignon Cemetery
Just outside the historic district, on the north end of the island, stand the tabby ruins of Horton House. It’s one of the oldest standing structures in Georgia, built in the 1700s by Major William Horton. Across the road you’ll find the small DuBignon family cemetery. Both are easy stops on the north loop bike path, and history lovers shouldn’t miss them.
Play a Round of Golf
Jekyll Island Golf Club is Georgia’s largest public golf resort, with 63 holes across four courses. There are three 18 hole courses, Oleander, Indian Mound, and Pine Lakes, plus the historic 9 hole Great Dunes course near the beach. The courses wind past lakes, marshes, and maritime forest, so don’t be surprised to see alligators, deer, or ospreys during your round.
Pine Lakes has family tees, which makes it a good choice if you’re golfing with kids.
Go Fishing
Jekyll has fishing for every level, from dropping a line off the pier to booking a full day with a charter captain.
The Jekyll Island Fishing Pier on the north end is a local favorite, and the nearby fishing center sells bait, ice, and supplies. When you need a break, the Clam Creek Picnic Area has picnic tables in the shade of the live oaks.
For inshore fishing for redfish, trout, and flounder, or a trip out to deeper water, book a local charter. Many captains also offer fly fishing trips through the marsh.
Explore the Island by Bike
If you only do one thing on this list besides Driftwood, make it this. Jekyll has more than 20 miles of paved paths that loop the entire island, winding through maritime forest, along the beach, past the marsh, and right through the historic district. Riding is the best way to see the island at your own pace, and it’s flat enough for kids and casual riders.
Our favorite stretch is the north loop, which takes you past Horton House, the fishing pier, and Driftwood Beach. For something quieter, take the south loop down to St. Andrews Beach and the Wanderer Memory Trail.
- Jekyll Island Bike Rental, at the corner of N. Beachview Drive and Shell Road, with adult and kid bikes, tandems, surreys, and trailers
- Jekyll Wheels,, behind the Jekyll Island Club Resort in the historic district
- Beachside Bike Rentals, which rents from several beachfront hotels
Grab a bike path map before you set out!
Trek to Shark Tooth Beach
We didn’t include Shark Tooth Beach in the section on spending a day at the beach because, well, this isn’t that kind of beach. It’s still a unique experience and a great spot to take in the natural beauty of the area.
There’s no sign for Shark Tooth Beach and you won’t really find it on a map, so this is a place for true nature lovers. To get here, you need to hike or bike about a mile through the maritime forest, beginning just south of the entrance to Summer Waves Water Park.
Park near the gate on the side of the road and follow the trail to the beach. Here you’ll find a beach that is covered with not sand, but millions of oyster shells. Look carefully and you’ll find prehistoric shark teeth hidden among the shells.
Be aware that you won’t find amenities here and that between the hike and the sharp shells on the beach, wearing pants and closed-toe shoes is highly recommended.
Paddle the Marsh
For a quieter way to see the water, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or join a guided paddle tour through the salt marsh. Gliding through the tidal creeks early in the morning, with egrets in the grass and dolphins surfacing nearby, is one of our favorite ways to start a day on Jekyll.
Guided tours are a good idea if you’re new to paddling here, since the guides know how to work with the tides and currents.
Spend a Day in Downtown Brunswick
If you drove in from the north, you came right through Brunswick, and it’s worth a stop. Downtown has come alive in recent years, with locally owned restaurants, shops, and a lively bar scene. Don’t miss Indigo Coastal Shanty.
For a fun night out, call Reid’s Apothecary between 1 and 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday to get the password for The Study, the speakeasy hidden inside. And if you’re here on the first Friday of the month, check out First Friday downtown.
See our full list of the best things to do in Brunswick, GA.
Hop Over to St. Simons Island
St. Simons is the largest of Georgia’s barrier islands, about a 25-minute drive from Jekyll. Our family calls it home, so we’re a little biased, but we think it’s one of the most magical places anywhere.
Climb the St. Simons Lighthouse and learn about the island’s maritime history at the museum, visit Fort Frederica, or take a trolley tour. The food scene is fantastic, from breakfast on St. Simons Island to our favorite St. Simons restaurants, and the bars on St. Simons Island range from old dive bars to piano lounges.
Get the full list in our guide to the best things to do on St. Simons Island.
Where to Stay on Jekyll Island
Staying on the island lets you catch sunrise at Driftwood, bike to dinner, and skip the daily drive across the causeway. You’ll find everything from the historic Jekyll Island Club Resort to beachfront hotels near Beach Village, plus vacation rentals and the campground.
We break down our favorite hotels and rentals by budget and travel style in Where to Stay on Jekyll Island.
Jekyll Island FAQs
Vehicles pay a daily parking fee of $10, or $100 for an annual pass. The fee helps maintain the island’s roads, grounds, and conservation programs. Bikes and pedestrians enter for free.
You can see the highlights in a day, but we recommend two or three days so you can bike the island, visit the Sea Turtle Center and historic district, and still have time for a slow beach day.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum are both indoors and open daily. A historic trolley tour is another good choice, since tours run rain or shine unless the weather becomes unsafe.
Yes! Dogs are welcome on the beaches and on many restaurant patios. See Pet Friendly Jekyll Island for the details.
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…
Be sure to check out all of these posts about Jekyll Island to help make sure your trip is amazing!
- Pet Friendly Jekyll Island
- Jekyll Island Tide Chart
- Your Guide to Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island
- The Ultimate Guide to Jekyll Island Camping
- Best Seafood Restaurants Near Jekyll Island, GA
- Jekyll is a stop on the perfect Road Trip Itinerary Through Coastal Georgia
- Jekyll Island is one of the 15 Must Visit Barrier Islands Off the Coast of Georgia
- See how the Jekyll beaches measure up in Georgia Beaches Ranked by a Local
- Dog Friendly Beaches in Coastal Georgia
- Giving Back: Voluntourism on the Georgia Coast
