Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Darien is a small shrimping town on the Altamaha River delta, halfway between Savannah and Brunswick. Scottish Highlanders founded it in 1736, and before that the British built Fort King George here in 1721. Union troops burned the town in 1863, but its waterfront, churches and squares survive, and it is the jumping-off point for Sapelo Island and some of the best birding on the coast. It is about 291 miles from Atlanta. Here are the best things to do in Darien.
- From AtlantaAbout 291 miles, 5 hours 20 minutes without traffic
- CountyMcIntosh County
- Known forFort King George, shrimp boats, the Altamaha River and the Sapelo Island ferry
- Getting thereExit 49 off I-95, about an hour south of Savannah
Top Things to Do in Darien
1. Fort King George State Historic Site
A reconstructed 1721 blockhouse on the river marks the southernmost outpost of the British Empire in North America, with a museum on the fort, the Guale people and Darien’s Highlanders.
2. Sapelo Island
The ferry from Meridian, a few miles north, takes about 30 minutes. Public tours visit the Reynolds Mansion, the lighthouse and Hog Hammock, a Gullah Geechee community. Start at the visitor center.
3. Darien Waterfront Park
Docks, a pavilion and picnic tables under palms and oaks, looking out on the shrimp fleet tied up along the Darien River.
4. Butler Island
Just south of town on U.S. 17, the brick chimney of an 1850 rice mill and the old dikes of a rice plantation, part of the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area.
5. Rhett’s Island
Old rice-field impoundments in the Altamaha delta, managed for ducks and wading birds. One of the best places on the coast to see wood storks and roseate spoonbills in summer.
6. Ansley-Hodges M.A.R.S.H. Trail
A 1-mile trail and observation tower over a managed wetland on the Altamaha WMA, good for wading birds, shorebirds and ducks.
7. Historic churches and squares
The First Presbyterian Church traces its congregation to the Highlanders of 1736. Walk on to Vernon and Columbus squares and St. Cyprian’s, a tabby church built by freedmen.
8. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
About 15 miles north near Townsend, a former World War II airfield turned refuge, with a driving loop and big summer rookeries of egrets, herons and wood storks.
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Events and Seasons
Shrimp season brings boats in and out of the Darien River from summer into winter, and the town’s blessing of the fleet is a spring tradition. Birding at Rhett’s Island and Harris Neck is best from late spring through summer for nesting wading birds and in winter for ducks. Check the Sapelo ferry schedule in advance; tours run on set days and need reservations.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair this trip with Brunswick, St. Simons Island or Savannah, or see every stop in our 20 best things to do on the Georgia coast. Our McIntosh County page and Darien history page fill in the background. For a ready-made route, follow the perfect 3-day Georgia coast itinerary, and see our best beaches in Georgia, Georgia lighthouses guide and lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
What is Darien, GA known for?
Darien is known for its shrimping fleet, Fort King George, the Altamaha River delta and as the gateway to Sapelo Island.
How far is Darien from Atlanta?
Darien is about 291 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 5 hours 20 minutes by car without traffic.
How do you get to Sapelo Island?
Take the state ferry from the Sapelo Island Visitor Center in Meridian, about 8 miles north of Darien. The ride is about 30 minutes, and visitors go on a scheduled public tour or with a reservation; there is no bridge.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Georgia State Parks: Fort King George State Historic Site
- Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve: Sapelo ferry and visiting
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.