Jekyll Island Clubhouse and other Jekyll Island, GA Things to Do Tips

The 'Clubhouse' of the old time millionaires is visible from the ICW (photo 2). It is now a luxury hotel. Thirty-three of the original buildings still stand.

I have not been on any tours of the island, but it sounds as if that is the thing to do here.

The tours start every hour from 10 am to 3 pm at the National Historic District Welcome Center every day except Christmas and New Year's Day. This is a problem for us when we are traveling by boat, because we normally arrive after three and leave before 10.

Inside the welcome center, there is an 8-minute video presentation on Jekyll Island's history (photo 4). The narrated tram tour lasts about 90 minutes and takes you around the village, stopping at least 4 of the restored cottages. (photo 3)

The tour is $10 for adults, and $6 for children 6-18. You can also do a self-guided walking tour of the 240 acre village and/or wander around the village on foot visiting the small shops and houses not on the guided tour.

The Goodyear cottage has monthly exhibits by local artists may be viewed from 10 am to 4 pm daily (photo 5). Entrance to this cottage is free. Separate tours of the Moss cottage are sometimes offered for $3 per person

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Phone: 912-635-4036
Address: Shell Road
Directions: Visitor's center is a short distance from the wharf.
Website: http://cruises.about.com/cs/northamerica/a/jekyll_2.htm

Jekyll Island has three sites on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail. More than 300 species of birds (75 percent of the total species of birds seen in Georgia) have been seen along the birding trail.

The three sites in Georgia are the Causeway (two different sites), the North End Beach and the South End Beach. Free for the Causeway, although if you go to the island beaches you will have to pay the $3 parking fee. Available 24 hours/day.

Types of birds on the Causeway are shorebirds, wading birds, birds of prey, waterfowl (especially in the winter)

Specific birds at the causeway sites: Osprey, bald eagle, clapper rail, northern harrier, roseate spoonbill, red knot, black-necked stilt, white ibis, wood stork

Shorebirds are best seen at low tide from mid-summer through spring. Look for nesting ospreys in spring and summer. Listen for clapper rails and marsh wrens in the salt marshes. Watch for northern harriers flying low over the marsh in winter. Look for roseate spoonbills in summer.

Unfortunately, I did not have time to go birding here, and all the photos were taken at other locations.

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Phone: (912) 264-7218
Directions: Take Exit 29 at the junction of I-95 and US 17. Take US 17/SR 520 north to the SR 520 split. Turn right onto SR 520 and begin looking for the Colonial Coast Birding Trail signs that mark the two birding sites identified along the causeway
Website: http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=85&txtPage=11

We did not get to look at the ocean side beaches of Jekyll Island until we drove north in 2007 because when we go offshore, we are too far away to even see land at this point. Jekyll Island is one of Georgia's major resort areas. It has a 10 mile beach for surf fishing and swimming, and the islands sand dunes form a natural buffer from the ocean.

Shell collecting is a popular Island pastime for guests young and old. The bounty depends on the tides, wind, water currents and time of year. Its not unusual to find buckets of specimens ranging from polished "olives" to knobbed whelks. You may even find live creatures like hermit crabs and sand dollars. Though its tempting to collect these interesting creatures, you can help preserve our shoreline by leaving them as you find them

If you want other activities, there is are golf courses (Three 18-hole courses and a historic 9-hole course), tennis courts, minature golf, soccer, a water park, camp sites, sea kayaking, canoeing and a bike path.

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Website: http://www.jekyllisland.com/what/recreation.html