Golden Isles

coastal adventures | georgia flavors | historic golden isles | beach vacations

The Golden Isles

The Golden Isles might seem a place far removed, what with its pristine natural beaches, oaks dripping with romantic Spanish moss, year-round welcoming weather and tendency toward tranquility. But in fact, these barrier islands are located just off the coast of mainland Georgia, midway between Jacksonville and Savannah, and they are easy to reach by car, plane or even boat. Once you've made landing in St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island or Brunswick, you'll be greeted with a healthy dose of Southern hospitality and miles of sun-kissed shores. As you explore each unique isle, you'll discover intriguing histories and seafaring traditions that spill over (deliciously) onto present-day plates. All in all, you'll find the Golden Isles much easier to reach than it is to leave. Scroll on for a proper introduction.

The Golden Isles is a place deeply rooted in seafaring traditions, and where reading the skies and the waters are among the skills passed down from one generation to the next. Given this inextricable connection with its beautiful sounds, estuaries and Atlantic Ocean waters, it makes sense that one of the best ways to get to know the Golden Isles is by sea. Paddle a kayak through tidal creeks and marshes, spying abundant birdlife, fiddler crabs and — if you're lucky — dolphins and sea turtles along the way. Anglers can charter a fishing boat at a local marina for a chance to hook kingfish, tarpon, cobia or snapper, or pull on some waders for a day of fly fishing in the peaceful marshland. Or kick back with a scenic cruise, whether aboard a former shrimp trawler, a dolphin tour boat or a floating casino.

With abundant eastern- and western-facing waterfronts spread across the Golden Isles, you can catch skies lit up in a rainbow of hues at both both ends of the day. Early risers can spot the sun’s arrival from almost any local beach. Then, after hours spent in nature, relax with a view of the sun setting on the water. Pack a blanket and a picnic basket for an evening on the only west-facing beach in the Golden Isles: serene St. Andrews Beach on Jekyll Island. Or catch a view of the marsh set aglow from your balcony at Sea Palms Resort on St. Simons Island.

Out on the water

Spectacular skies

Biking and hiking

A soul-stirring Georgia escape

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You can make Golden Isles culinary traditions the centerpiece of your vacation by planning around one of the over-the-top food festivals that take place throughout the year. The Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival in early November combines every imaginable variation of the dish with family-friendly entertainment and a lineup of craft beers. The Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee at Mary Ross Waterfront Park (Jan. 28) is the go-to spot for fans of the pork-, chicken- and beef-infused one-pot meal. (Tip: You can also see the pot rumored to have contained the first-ever batch of Brunswick stew on display in the park.) Or sidle up to the fire at an oyster roast, like the St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast (Jan. 21) for live music, cocktails and delicious food under the stars.

Foodie fests

Southern coastal cuisine

As you might imagine in a place that enjoys a steady stream of fresh-caught seafood, the eating alone is worth a trip here. Mix in a generous helping of Southern and unique regional influences, and the "net" result is a dining scene like no other. Shrimp and grits — a dish that originated in the breakfast bowls of coastal Georgian fisherman — is a ubiquitous favorite. Local oysters (whether raw or roasted), low country boils, spicy fried chicken and Brunswick stew are all dishes you'll want to tuck into at local restaurants while you're in town.

Seafaring traditions

For centuries, coastal Georgians have made their living on the waters here. You can see this at the shrimp docks in Brunswick, where wild Georgia shrimp — a huge point of pride in the Golden Isles — are still pulled in by the literal boatload today. These flavorful crustaceans are prolific spawners and their populations are closely monitored, making them a sustainable local delicacy. The longstanding traditions of shrimp trawling, oyster raking, crabbing and fishing are essential parts not just of the culinary scene in the Golden Isles, but also of the culture, since many social gatherings, businesses and even local architecture (the St. Simons Lighthouse, the picturesque Sidney Lanier Bridge and the islands' numerous piers, for example) are all interconnected to the water and its bounties.

Before the dawn of the Gilded Age; before the plantations; and before the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the 16th century, the Golden Isles were visited by nomadic Guale and Mocama Indians, thought to frequent the area from 2500 B.C. These Native Americans traveled the coast, fishing, hunting and gathering oysters for subsistance. Some of the best evidence of their inhabitance of the area exists in the form of middens, or large piles of discarded shells. You can find examples at Cannon's Point Preserve on St. Simons Island and on the Tailbone Trail on Little St. Simons Island. (Little St. Simons is a privately-owned island and reachable only by boat. Make a reservation for a day trip or an overnight stay if you'd like to explore its wilds.)

Earliest inhabitants

African American history

Evidence of the region's rich African-American history can be found throughout the Golden Isles, including the First African Baptist Church, built by former slaves of the St. Simons plantations; and the Wanderer Memory Trail on Jekyll Island, an UNESCO Slave Route Site of Memory that traces the journey of a young African boy who arrived on the last known slave ship to (illegally) reach U.S. shores. Local cultural performance group the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters continue to perform songs and stories that once gave hope to the enslaved people of coastal Georgia.

An icon of the Gilded Age

Jekyll Island was also the site of a secret meeting in 1910 that ultimately led to the creation of the Federal Reserve; and one end of the first transcontinental phone call in 1915 (AT&T president Theodore Vail was a Jekyll Island Club member). Much of this history is preserved in the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District, and ready for curious travelers to discover.

On St. Simons Island, the beachfront King and Prince Resort attracts many repeat guests, not least for its excellent restaurant and five oceanfront pools. Or escape to complete seclusion at the Lodge on Little St. Simons, an all-inclusive eco-retreat on an otherwise uninhabited island.

Relaxing resorts

Coastal conservation

If you're visiting in the spring or summer months (nesting season), you may notice turtle nests and tracks on the sand. During this time, you can also take a guided evening walk led by experts from the Center in search of a nesting mother. However you encounter them, make sure not to disturb or touch these protected animals. (Attention runners: Jekyll Island also hosts a road race calle the Turtle Crawl (April 29) that benefits the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.)

Gorgeous shores

Jekyll Island's Driftwood Beach is scattered with weathered tree branches and trunks, the visually stunning result of decades of erosion of what was once maritime forest. Great Dunes Beach Park is another must-visit on Jekyll Island, with ample sand and access to restrooms, showers, picnic tables and grills. Those staying on Sea Island or Little St. Simons Island will be lavished with literal miles of unspoiled beaches as well (only guests of the hotels and resorts on these private islands have access).

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Coastal adventures

Georgia flavors

Historic Golden Isles

Beach vacations

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Hotel Simone, St. Simons Island

The Cloister at Sea Island

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island

Every step in the Golden Isles comes with something lovely to see, and this is even more true when you're exploring the hiking and biking trails that criss-cross the region. Jekyll Island features 22 miles of paths that wind through beaches, forests, historic areas and campgrounds. The half-mile John Gilbert Nature Trail on St. Simons Island is a must-visit for serenity seekers. The 40-acre property includes a sprawling 200-year-old live oak and a viewing deck on the eastern marsh overlooking Sea Island. East Beach on St. Simons Island has a broad stretch of hard-packed sand that's ideal for bike rides with epic vistas. For an extra dose of coastal charm, you can also explore the region's trails and beaches on horseback.

Golfers get a bonus treat when they play the links at the Sea Island Golf Club (open to members and resort guests only) as it’s one of the best places in the area to see the sun disappear on the horizon. Even if they’re not driving and putting, Sea Island guests can cozy up in an Adirondack chair and take in the view, made even more memorable by the accompaniment of a local bagpiper’s music.

Once upon a time, some of the richest people in the world discovered Jekyll Island as a haven for natural beauty, wonderful weather and utter seclusion. Soon, members of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan and Goodyear families (among others) signed on as members of the exclusive Jekyll Island Club, opened in 1888, building private homes for themselves on the grounds as well. The state of Georgia purchased the island in 1947, so now the public can enjoy the beauty and leisurely activities (golf, beaches, tennis, trails and fishing, for example) once reserved for tycoons.

From the arrival of the first slave ships from West Africa, African culture has been deeply intertwined with the story of Coastal Georgia. Enslaved Africans brought knowledge of rice production from their homelands, labored in the cotton fields vital to the region's growth, and carried forth their tribal languages, songs and traditions with fortitude down through the generations. The Golden Isles is part of the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, designated by Congress to memorialize the contributions of African Americans on the lower Atlantic coast.

East Beach on St. Simons Island is a perennial favorite, with its broad shore, strollable pier, great shelling and proximity to shops and restaurants at Pier Village. (Try the corn-battered shrimp at Georgia Sea Grill, followed by a sweet treat from St. Simons Crepes.)

If "beaches for days" is what you seek, look no further. The Golden Isles is a perfect destination for island hopping, and each of the four isles tempts travelers with stunning sands and calm seas.

In a place this gorgeous, preservation of its beauty becomes top of mind, well, naturally. In addition to following the conventional wisdom of leaving no trace, wearing reef-safe sunscreen and respecting local wildlife, you can support the fragile ecology of the region by purchasing admission to The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. The state's only rehabilitation, research and education facility provides care for sick and injured sea turtles. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to meet the adorable, and in many cases, critically endangered patients, and get an up-close look at the Center's veterinary services in action.

Or follow in the footsteps of American icons with a stay at the Jekyll Island Club Resort (yes — it's housed in the same building the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts once frequented, now fully restored). The Club also has a beachy sister hotel — the all-suite Jekyll Ocean Club.

So you know you want to go, but where to stay? Luxury lovers will want to opt for one of the Forbes 5-star awarded hotels on Sea Island (The Cloister, with a 5-mile private beach; or The Lodge, set steps from two private golf courses). With a menu that includes hot stone massage and sea mineral body masks, The Sea Island Spa (also a Forbes 5-star award winner) is also not to be missed.

coastal adventures | georgia flavors | historic golden isles | beach vacations