Jekyll Island, Georgia – The Clever Boater

Location

Region: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
Latitude: 31.03929° N
Longitude: -81.42066° W
Waterway Guide: Jekyll Island

Destination: Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a popular stop on the ICW in Georgia. The Island, once the playground of the rich and famous, is now a Georgia State Park. It offers a lot to see and do, as well as several very good restaurants.

There are excellent bike and walking paths, beaches, a water park, museums, tours, and a small shopping village. You can easily bike the entire island or rent a golf cart if biking is not your thing.

Nestled along the beautiful coast of Georgia, Jekyll Island is a serene destination teeming with rich history and natural beauty. Its story begins long before European settlers arrived when the island was inhabited by the Creek and Guale Native American tribes. These early inhabitants found abundant resources and a tranquil environment, setting the stage for a vibrant community.

In the 18th century, Jekyll Island underwent significant changes as it became a center for cotton production. The island was granted to the English king, and plantation owners soon settled there. By the mid-1800s, Jekyll Island had transformed into a bustling locale, largely due to its lush landscapes and strategic location.

However, it was in the late 19th century that Jekyll Island truly made its mark on American history. In 1886, a group of wealthy industrialists, including the likes of J.P. Morgan and Joseph Pulitzer, established the Jekyll Island Club. This exclusive retreat became a playground for America’s elite, who enjoyed hunting, golfing, and socializing in the splendid natural surroundings. The club’s unique architecture, characterized by its stunning cottages and grand clubhouse, adds a splash of charm to the island’s landscape, inviting visitors to imagine its glamorous past.

As the 20th century ushered in change, the Jekyll Island Club’s glory days began to wane, and by the 1940s, the island changed hands a few times before being acquired by the state of Georgia. In 1947, Jekyll Island was designated a state park, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Today, Jekyll Island is a wonderful blend of history and recreation. Visitors can explore the historic district, stroll along beautiful beaches, and engage with the rich wildlife that calls the island home. The Jekyll Island Museum provides insights into this fascinating past, offering a glimpse into the lives lived during the club’s heyday.

Jekyll Island is one of our regular stops when transiting north or south. At Christmas, the island is transformed into a wonderland as the hotel decorates the trees with millions of lights and decorates the hotel and the many Victorian homes with holiday fare. We have frequently been stalked by the resident deer while walking along the paths, and the Island is home to several pairs of bald eagles, and you may also see military helicopters doing touch-and-goes at the small airport on the island.

Where To Eat

Zachry’s Riverhouse is located right at the marina and has a nice selection of seafood and standard fare. If you go to the Jekyll Island Club, The Wharf is an excellent seafood restaurant located out on the pier in Jekyll Creek. If you are looking for an upscale, elegant experience, the Grand Dining Room at the Club is an excellent choice. Reservations at both are recommended. Also at the Club is The Pantry, which serves sandwiches and lighter fare for breakfast and lunch.

The walk from the marina to the island’s east side is less than 1/2 mile. On the way, there is a Dairy Queen in the Circle K gas station and convenience store. At the Village, near the Convention Center, there are several other restaurants, including an Irish Pub, The Wee Pub, The Reserve, a steak house, Corridor Z with sandwiches and burgers and fresh fish offerings, and Larry’s Giant Subs, and Tortuga Jacks a Mexican restaurant. At the Jekyll Market, you will find Love Shack BBQ and Boardwalk Deli. There is also an ice cream shop.

A bit farther away on the northeast part of the island is Jekyll and Tide restaurant, featuring fresh local ingredients and globally inspired dishes.

Shopping Therapy

Most of the shopping is beach-related, with Jekyll Market being the only grocery store on the island. There are a few gift shops in The Village area as well. At the Jekyll Island Club, there is also a gift shop and boutique. There is also the Jekyll Island Lifestyle Shop located on the grounds of the hotel.

Getting Around On Shore

Jekyll Island is 1.2 miles wide at its widest point and 7 miles from end to end. The main modes of transportation are bicycles and golf carts. The Jekyll Island Marina rents bicycles, and you can borrow a golf cart for short trips. If you plan on exploring for a day, golf cart rentals are available on the island at the airport. They will come and pick you up.

Most of the shopping and attractions are within easy walking distance on paved paths from the marina. Both The Jekyll Island Club and The Village are about a 1/2 mile from the marina. Because the island is a state park and there is an entry fee, Uber and Lyft are not common. There is an errand service on the island if you need something a bit farther afield.

Keeping Entertained

Jekyll Island Club – Tour the hotel, walk the grounds, and see the former homes of the rich & famous!
Jekyll Island Museum – Learn about the history of the island and take a tram tour.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center – Turtle exhibits, demos, and hospital.
Faith Chapel – The Chapel is open to the public and has a large Tiffany Stained Glass Window.
Red Bug Motors – Golf Cart Rental
Horton House – Remains of an 18th-century tabby house
Golden Isles Carriage and Trail Rides – Horse trail riding and carriage rides.
Jekyll Island Mini Golf – with two courses.
Summer Waves Water Park – A water park.
Jekyll Island Golf Club – With two 18-hole and one 9-hole course available!

Getting There

From the south, you will cross into Georgia, just after Fernandina Beach, FL. After passing the Kings Bay Submarine Base and Cumberland Island, you’ll enter Jekyll Sound and Jekyll Creek. The Jekyll Harbor Marina is just before the bridge to the island on your starboard.

From the north, you’ll pass the turn-off to Brunswick, GA, in Saint Simons Sound, and enter Jekyll Creek. Just after passing under the bridge, Jekyll Harbor Marina will be on your port.

If you are taking the offshore route around Georgia and still want to visit Jekyll, you can enter either through Saint Simons Sound or we have heard of people coming through “The Hole” between Cumberland and Jekyll islands. There is no marked channel, and it shoals, so you must plan that entrance carefully.

One other note is that Jekyll Creek, at low tide, can be notoriously shallow. Less than 4 feet in some places, so when transiting, check the tides!

Marinas and Anchorages

Jekyll Harbor Marina– Jekyll Harbor is the only marina on the island. They offer Gas, Diesel, and pump out and can handle larger boats and catamarans on their long face dock.
An excellent anchorage is just across the channel from the marina and another to the south of the docks. You can take your dinghy to the marina dock. Be sure to anchor well out of the channel, and watch for the tide swing (the current is strong) to ensure that you don’t block the channel. There is a fair amount of night-time barge traffic in that area.
Another popular anchorage is on the north end of the island, near the fishing pier. Here, be aware of the large ships coming in and out of the port of Brunswick.