![]() But consider her a bit of a wallflower this island is the epitome of pristine seclusion due to its National Park designation. Access is only available by ferry from the languid town of St Mary’s. Reserving in advance is wise and all visitors must check in 30 minutes prior to boarding. The largest of the bunch, the stretch ends with Cumberland Island, the barrier island belle of the ball. Cumberland Island: unwind in remote resplendence The bare bones of ocean-washed trees create otherworldly silhouettes against the sunrise for a positively prehistoric vibe. Rise early so you don't miss dawn on Driftwood Beach. The massive Victorian-era Jekyll Island Club resort ( ) is a posh testament to that past, but sixty-five percent of the island is undeveloped and the Jekyll Island Campground ( ) is a great place to snooze under the stars. Jekyll Island, with 10 miles of splendid beaches and lush, private woodlands, was once the premier private isle for America’s elite. ![]() Barry’s Beach Service ( ) offers rentals and tours. Kayak serene marshes, bike along the coast, or catch waves on a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard. Though half of it is relegated to resorts and residential areas, the water is just fine here – head to Massengale Park for access to East Beach, the island’s best. Surfing is a great way to get active on Georgia's beaches © bjones27 / Getty ImagesĪs the most developed of the Golden Isles, there’s no shortage of activities on St Simons Island. Tours of the island’s extensive system of estuaries must be booked in advance through the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR) Visitors Center ( ) and ferry service runs from the nearby mainland town of Meridian, accessible from I-95. Camping is also available for groups of 15-25 on close-by Cabretta Island. Sapelo Island sits right in the middle of Georgia’s string of barrier islands and is well worth a visit for die-hard naturalists. Charter services can be booked with eco-conscious outfitters like Savannah Coastal EcoTours ( ) or Wilderness Southeast ( ). Wassaw is open daily from sunrise to sunset and only accessible by boat. Ensure wildlife here continues to thrive by adhering to all signage and don't venture beyond areas marked off-limits. Wassaw’s live oak and slash pine trees converge to form canopies where rookeries of herons, egrets and other local birds dwell, and endangered loggerhead sea turtles swim ashore to lay eggs on summer nights. Visitors can explore diverse wildlife in their unique habitats year-round and national refuge regulation ensures all species are protected. What it lacks in development is made up for by an experience of primitive grandeur while birding, hiking and biking along 20 miles of trails and seven miles of seashore. These tucked-away natural treasures take a little more effort to get to but their unmarred and primordial beauty is worth the trek.Ĭoastal Georgia features a rich, complex system of rivers and estuaries © Edwin Remsberg / Getty Images Set southward to see under-the-radar islands that get overshadowed by big hitters like Tybee, St Simons or Jekyll. The only animals allowed are the ones who dwell here, so leave your pups at home. A bit of island kitsch awaits at the end, where you’ll encounter an oak tree adorned with buoys, flags and trinkets. The trailhead is just off US Highway 80, 15 miles east of Savannah – keep your eyes peeled for the Fort Pulaski National Monument ( nps.gov) sign and park along the road or at the fort for free. Spot native wildlife like dolphins, turtles and the occasional bobcat or alligator. These are great resting areas for a deep breath of sea salt-air and a glimpse of the river’s impressive breadth, where massive ships drift out to sea. Paralleling the Savannah River, the trail takes you right up to its marshy banks at some points. The McQueen's Island Trail, also known as the 'Rails to Trails' path, runs along the marshes near Savannah © Joseph Shields / Getty Images
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