6 Best Islands in Georgia (2024)
Familiar with the Islands in Georgia? The Peachy State, Georgia, is a prominent tourist destination in the South. This part of the nation enjoys seasonably warm weather, beautiful beaches, and pristine islands. An hour south of Savannah lies the Golden Isles, a group of sunny barrier islands. These barrier islands off the coast of Georgia originally were a result of geologic activity and sea-level shift. All of this happened during the end of the last Ice Age, 5,000 years ago, and those geological changes are yet to serve some of the finest natural creations for humans and animals.
The State of Georgia is home to multiple islands, of which some are as great as to be claimed as the best in North America. These islands are even recognized and are within proximity to the urban appeal of Georgia. Beyond serving as a beautiful tourist destination, Georgia Islands offers a sense of years-long history and unique geology/geography. They also offer an incredible diversity of adventure and recreational opportunities that every age group can enjoy. Here are some of the finest and most popular islands in Georgia.
6 Best Islands in Georgia
We hope you will find at least one to add to your itinerary.
1. St. Simons Island
An Island off the Georgia coast, the St. Simons Island is the largest and possibly the best-known Island in Golden Isles. Simon is popular for its sandy stretches, salt marshes, and historical landmarks. The quaint villages and moss-draped oaks lining the streets draw visitors here the most. From exploring the breathtaking beauty during the day hours to enjoy the night under stary skies, enthusiasts absolutely love spending time at St. Simons. The region is home to fabulous beaches, its distinctively charming beach lifestyle, and unspoiled beauty. Visitors often enjoy swimming, lodging at the beach, sunbathing or playing in the gentle surf of the Georgia Coast. Particularly the East Beach at St. Simons Island calls up for ultimate beach recreation. For ensuring ultimate fun and comfort for vacationers, the Island also boasts a number of hotels and Inns, plenty of shops and restaurants, golf courses, and hiking and biking trails. It is also a great place for spotting a wide array of birds and wildlife.
2. Jekyll Island
One of the must-visit Islands in Georgia, the Jekyll Islands are the southernmost of the Golden Isles. The Island boost 10 miles of scenic coastline and more than 5000 acres of explorable land. It has been operating since the 19th century, and through these years, Jekyll has become an exclusive tourism spot. However, unlike other human exploited Islands in Georgia, Jekyll Island has of largely untouched expanse. This also makes it one of the best places for wildlife enthusiasts and rough nature lovers. In the name of the beaches, the most popular one here is Driftwood beach. It boasts a variety of driftwood of all shapes and sizes and is known for its mesmerizing sunset views. Jekyll’s other engaging attractions include a beautiful historic district with homes from the Gilded Age. For an ideal combination of rehabilitation as well as learning, the Island boasts the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, an incredible animal home. Other popular tourist attraction in the place includes Jekyll Island Museum, the Wanderer Memorial, and Summer Waves Water Park.
3. Little Tybee Island
Little Tybee Island is an explorer’s dream and one of the top-rated islands in Georgia. Its name may mislead for its size; however, the Island isn’t actually little. Instead, it is spread over 6,780-acre featuring an unspoiled nature preserve, long stretches of sand, and salt marshes. Tybee Island is only 20 miles from the city of Savannah and is ideal for a quick day trip or weekend getaways. It is ideal for enthusiasts who are keen to enjoy a beach vacation while enjoying views and history as well. The Island is home to a thriving service economy that directly comes from an array of restaurants and resorts on the shore. It is where one can get the taste of some finest southern seafood. Enthusiasts often get down on the Atlantic water for kayaking, jet skiing, and paddleboarding. However, since tides here change four times a day, it is better to go for a chartered boat tour unless you are well versed with watercraft skills. Some of the popular attraction on Little Tybee Island includes a museum, a historic lighthouse, and camping places.
4. Cumberland Island
The largest of Georgia’s barrier islands, the Cumberland Island, is close to the Florida Border. The Island is home to a diverse ecosystem featuring oak forests, undeveloped white sand beach stretches, and salt marshes. It also serves as a National Park and is famous for introducing a wide array of native and distinct wildlife. The region is also a prominent historical range and thus attracts several buffs across the year. On Cumberland Island’s shore, one can still find some remains of Spanish and English settlements today. The Island is accessible via National Park Service ferries, which appears as an exciting adventure to the visitors. For visitors who want to stay here overnight, the Island boasts a number of designated campsites and Greyfield Inn. Besides enjoying the beach, one can go searching for native flora and fauna. Some of the popular ones to spot here include loggerhead sea turtles, feral horses, waterfowl, and other sea birds. Periodically, the Island rangers also organize birdwatch excursions, hiking, and stargazing activities.
5. Sea Island
Sea Island is a part of the Golden Isles of Georgia, though it is a privately owned, unincorporated area. It is basically an Island resort located within Glynn County. The Island is accessible through a causeway from St. Simons Island. Inside its range are a few public resorts and a gated community for nearly 500 residents. Since the early 1900s, Sea Island has been a hot spot amongst individuals who seek luxury and an island lifestyle off Georgia’s coast. Some of the popular places to stay at Sea Islands include the Lodge, the Cloister, and several cottages for rent. Even the Inn at Sea Island, which is actually a part of St. Simons Island, offers access and amenities to visitors of both regions. Besides accommodations, Sea Island boasts five miles of private beach stretch, a yacht club, and three championship golf courses. The golf fields here even host the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic tournament. Other popular activities one can try here include sailboating, kayaking, and horse-riding across beautiful marshes and sandy beaches.
6. Ossabaw Island
Ossabaw Island is the third-largest barrier island and one of the best Georgia Islands. It is spread over 26,000 acres, of which 16,000 acres are marshlands, while the 9,000 acres include a wooded upland area. For the last 4000 years, Ossabaw has been home to diverse tribes ranging from Guale indigenous to the 16th-century Spanish explorers. Today, the Georgian government owns the Island and is a Heritage Preserve ensuring great conservation of the land. Since Ossabaw is blessed with a rich array of native Georgian species, visitors can enjoy a different kind of experience here. For instance, individuals often visit the Island for archaeological digs, pig roasts, and other such activity-based tours. Or, some opportunities allow individuals to witness loggerhead turtle hatchlings navigate from nests to the ocean. Visitors who wish to stay overnight can camp at one of the three primitive campsites (across the Island) or two distinct lodges on the Island’s north end. Ossabaw Island is nearly 20 miles from Savannah, though it is accessible only via boat rides. Take the Tybee Island and Savannah’s charter boats for easy and hassle-free access.
