The Golden Isles of Georgia

The Golden Isles of Georgia which include St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Cumberland Island, Sea Island and Jekyll Island are the most beautiful barrier islands to visit. They are all unique in they're own ways, and they are all perfect places to bring the whole family to relax enjoy the beaches, and just have fun.

St. Simons Island has miles of natural beauty. From the sandy beaches to the moss draped oak trees, St. Simons Island truly is a wonderful vacation spot. You can always start by checking into any of their moderately priced inn and motels to resort hotels and beach front condos. Then take the kids over to Neptune Park. There's a playground, lots of picnic tables and the band stand where events are held throughout the year. The park is surrounded by the pier, St. Simons library, Little theater, and the St. Simons lighthouse and museum.

By now I'm sure your hungry so you can chose from many of the small sandwich shops and restaurants located on the island, and there's more to choose from after a short drive off the island. For the afternoon shoppers there are a whole lot of beautiful antique store to brows through. There are also are galleries, book stores, clothing, gifts and so much more.

If its nature your looking for St. Simons Island has it. Go hang out on the beautiful beaches or take a salt marsh nature tour. The tour is a popular boat ride which takes you through some narrow tidal creeks. It's a 2 hour narrated tour of the marsh. Narration includes the tides, the cord grass, birds, mammals, fish and whatever else you may see on your tour. This is also a 1 hour tour which is just as fun and exciting but not as much exploration. There are also dolphin tours, a 3 hour salt marsh tour and bird watching trips. St. Simons Island also offers ghost tours and trolley tours.

For even more privacy you can visit Little St. Simons Island. Its a privately owned 10,000 acre Island thats practically untouched. It has beautiful beaches, tidal creeks, and forests filled with the natural world. The owners welcome guests to lodge on their island, and they offer bird watching, bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding on their 7 miles of undeveloped beach.

Cumberland Island is 17.5 miles long, and there is no bridge to the island. The most popular way over there is a ferry from St. Marys, Ga., but it doesn't run on Tuesday or Wednesday. This is a beautiful island but don't expect hotels or motels with all the amenities. Cumberland Island has beautiful deserted white sand beaches with the exception of shells and wild horses.

The remoteness of this island and the visitor restrictions make Cumberland Island a unique place to visit. There are no bicycles allowed on the island, there are no stores, and you can only walk on specific trails. They hold a very strick leave no trace policy that must be followed. Cumberland Island offer complete silence and beautiful scenery. There are however campsites that are limited to only 120 campers, and they offer running water, bathrooms and cold showers.
If you do hike through Cumberland Island you can pass Dungeness mansion and the cemetery where Harry Lee is laid to rest. You should also watch for wildlife such as raccoons, swamp rabbits, deer, armadillos and bobcats.

Check out Sea Island next where you can stay at the Cloister hotel in one of their many rooms and suites. Or for the golf lovers you can stay at the lodge. There are also many beach front cottages to choose from, or you can also stay at Cabin Bluff. Once your all checked in you should check out one of Sea Islands tours such as the Cloister kitchen and wine cellar tour or the cloister garden walk. The Sea Island Beach Club offers swimming pools, snorkeling, scuba classes, sailing, kayaking and so much more.

Sea Island also offers professionally supervised age appropriate children's programs. They're special team of college students offer fun, imaginative and interactive activities for you kids while you enjoy a little quiet time. If you want to keep the kids with you then you can enjoy horseback rides on the beach which are offered 3 times a day. Both English and western style riding are taught for all ages and all levels of experience. Sea Island also offers clay target shooting. Private and group lessons are offered for beginners and novices.

If you do choose to take a little alone time go check out Sea Islands spa. They offer many different services such as massages, body and bath treatments, fitness classes, manicures, pedicures and you can get your hair cut or colored. You can also dine in one of the wonderful restaurants and bars located on the island.

Last but not least is Jekyll Island which is my personal favorite. Enjoy Jekyll Islands 10 miles of unspoiled beaches. You can also enjoy all the nature, watching birds and other animal species or by taking a guided nature walk. But not before checking into one of its 206 campsites available on 18 wooded acres, or stay in one of the many hotels that offer rooms and suites. You can even rent a cottage that range anywhere from 1 to 6 bedrooms.

When your hungry Jekyll Island offers 16 restaurants to dine in or you can order pizza from you room with free delivery. After eating you can visit the Pier Roads shops, the historic district shops or the beach side shops. Either way there's something for everyone. If exploring is your forte then you can do it by horseback on a guided tour or take a self guided bike ride on the more than 20 miles of paved trails.

Golf lovers are welcome to Jekyll Island too. You can enjoy 63 holes on Georgia's largest public gold resort. Or if you prefer tennis you can play on one of Jekyll Islands 13 clay courts. In addition to the beach, kayaking, fishing, mini-gold, and hiking you and the family can splash it up at Summer Waves Water Park. Weather your riding the waves in the wave pool, flying down one of the water slides, enjoying the kiddie pool or splashing in the kids splash zone, everyone is sure to have a blast.

Jekyll Island also has 8 churches which off several denomination's services. After church head to the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District which covers 240 acres and is one of the largest ongoing restoration projects in the Southeaster United States. The museum there contains over 7,000 historic photo's showing the islands history. It contains a gift shop and they also provide tours of the island and the historic district.

Each of these islands have so much history, beauty, nature, relaxation, and so much more to offer. All of these islands also offer accommodations for beautiful wedding services. From all islands you can take a day trip to Kingsland, Okefenokee, Darien, and Waycross. You can stay at one of the islands or all of them but which ever one you choose you will not be let down. So pack up yourself or your spouse and kids and check out Georgia's Golden Isles, its a vacation you will never forget.