Recently updated on December 17th, 2024
We are so excited you are headed to St. Simon’s 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 the largest island in the Golden Isles. Here are the best things to do on St. Simons Island.
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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.
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: Like all beaches on St. Simons, dogs are allowed on the beach all day between Labor Day and Memorial Day and in the summer after 6:00 pm. 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.
Climb the Lighthouse

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse has been standing tall since 1872, guiding ships safely along the coast. Though rebuilt over the years, the lighthouse still tells the story of the island’s maritime history.
Step inside the lighthouse, 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 winding staircase, 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 here. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for children 4-12, and are free for children under 4.
Catch the trolly tours under the big live oak by the pier and take in all the sights on the 1.5 hour tour.
Visit Christ Church

Near this site, nestled under huge oak trees on the north end of St. Simon’s Island, John and Charles Wesley preached before returning to England to begin the Methodist Church and later the Episcopal Church.
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 and 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 Lucien 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.
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 The King and Prince Golf Course
This 18 hole championship course is known for its old forests, vast salt marshes, and lagoons. Located on the north end of the island, it is open to the public. If staying at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort you can request transportation through the hotel. There is a clubhouse where you can grab lunch or a beer after your round. 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. 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 are the host venues for the PGA TOUR’s McGladrey Classic. 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. 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. There are two main villages on the island, and they are both bursting with shopping opportunities. At the end of Mallery Street, you’ll find the pier village, which is the center of life here on the island. In addition to the bars, restaurants, lighthouse, and the famous pier, you’ll also find lots of unique shops. 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! 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! 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. 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. Each person will need a Combo Hunting/Fishing Short Term License, which costs $5 for the first day and $1 for each day after that. Saint Simons Island might be a small island, but we have more restaurants and bars than you can shake a stick at! 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. Insider Tip: If you ask us, the best oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp on the island are at Catch 228 and the best nightlife can be found at Murphy’s Tavern. This maritime forest is not only gorgeous- it’s also full of the area’s rich history! The area has more than 6 miles of salt marshes and tidal creeks, 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. Her,e 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: 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. 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! One of the best ways to explore the island is by bicycle! There are 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. At The Visitors Center on Beachview Drive you can get the map and clues. There are 11 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. 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. 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! 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:Sea Palms Resort & Conference Center
Sea Island Golf Club
Explore Fort Frederica National Monument
Go Shopping in the Villages
Pier Village
Redfern Village
Go Fishing or Crabbing on the Pier
Hit the Island’s Restaurants & Bars
Hike at Cannon’s Point Preserve
Attend an Island Event
Go for a Bike Ride
Tree Spirit Scavenger Hunt
World War II Home Front Museum
Before You Go…
Do you know if ZU ZU’s in the pier village still open?
It is! We love their burgers and chicken salad.