Photo: Dsdugan, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Jekyll Island is the southernmost of the Golden Isles that you can drive to, and it is owned by the State of Georgia, which bought it in 1947 from the millionaires’ Jekyll Island Club. State law keeps most of the island undeveloped, so you get about 10 miles of beach, maritime forest and bike paths alongside a restored Gilded Age historic district. It is about 289 miles from Atlanta. Here are the best things to do on Jekyll Island.
- From AtlantaAbout 289 miles, 5 hours 55 minutes without traffic
- Island fee$10 per vehicle per day, valid until midnight (higher on some event days)
- Known forDriftwood Beach, the Jekyll Island Club, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and bike trails
- Visitor infoJekyll Island Authority, 912-635-3636
Top Things to Do on Jekyll Island
1. Driftwood Beach
Bleached, fallen oaks and cedars on the sand at the north end, where the shoreline is eroding into the forest. Come at sunrise or low tide, and watch your footing.
2. Jekyll Island Club historic district
From 1886, the Rockefellers, Morgans, Pulitzers and Goodyears wintered at the club and in their “cottages.” The district is a National Historic Landmark; see our historic district page for the buildings.
3. Georgia Sea Turtle Center
A working sea turtle hospital in the club’s old power plant, with patients you can watch through the windows and exhibits on nesting and rescue.
4. Faith Chapel
The club’s small wooden 1904 chapel in the historic district, known for its stained glass, including a window from the Tiffany studios.
5. Horton House and the brewery ruins
Tabby walls of the house built by Oglethorpe’s officer William Horton in the 1740s, near the site of Georgia’s first brewery on the island’s marsh side.
6. Ride the bike trails
Paved paths loop most of the island through forest, marsh and the historic district. Rent bikes near the historic district or at the beach village and ride to Driftwood Beach.
7. Tidelands Nature Center
Hands-on exhibits for kids, plus guided marsh walks and kayak tours of the tidal creeks.
8. St. Andrews Beach and the Wanderer Memorial
At the island’s south end, a memorial tells the story of the Wanderer, which illegally landed enslaved Africans on Jekyll in 1858, one of the last such voyages to the United States.
Advertise in Jekyll Island
Own a rental, inn, restaurant, charter or outfitter in Jekyll Island? Put it in front of visitors planning their trip. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Events and Seasons
Summer is beach and water park season, and sea turtles nest on Jekyll’s beaches from May through October (no lights on the beach at night). The island hosts a shrimp and grits festival in September and lights up the historic district for the holidays in December (see coast and islands Christmas lights). Parking fees can be higher on big event days.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair this trip with St. Simons Island, Brunswick or St. Marys, or see every stop in our 20 best things to do on the Georgia coast. 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
Do you have to pay to go to Jekyll Island?
Yes. Jekyll Island charges $10 per vehicle per day to drive onto the island, valid until midnight. Rates can be higher on some special event days, and annual passes are available.
How far is Jekyll Island from Atlanta?
Jekyll Island is about 289 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 5 hours 55 minutes by car without traffic.
When is the best time to see Driftwood Beach?
Sunrise and low tide. At high tide much of the beach is underwater, and the morning light behind the trees is what makes the famous photos.
Can you swim at Jekyll Island?
Yes, at the island’s public beaches, but there are rip currents and no lifeguards on most stretches. Avoid swimming at Driftwood Beach, where submerged trees and currents are hazards.
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:
- Jekyll Island Authority: daily parking fee and phone
- Georgia Sea Turtle Center: hours and exhibits
- National Park Service: National Historic Landmark program
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.