This quiet stretch of Georgia coast is one of the South’s most serene escapes
Here’s where to stay, eat, and explore in the Golden Isles.
The coast of Georgia is quite different than the shores of North Carolina or South Carolina. It’s wilder and quieter, and it’s much less populated with beach towns. Dominated by marshes, tidal creeks, and barrier islands, it’s the type of destination defined by its undeveloped beauty. And while that rawness is a large part of its appeal, there’s a section of the Georgia coast that has managed to grow and develop—with resorts, vacation homes, and modern infrastructure—without losing the rugged character that makes the region so compelling.
The Golden Isles, located about halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, are made up of four barrier islands and one mainland city: Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Brunswick. Among Southerners, the islands have become synonymous with vacations, with Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island each anchored by a namesake resort. But you don’t necessarily have to book a room at these iconic properties to take in the majesty of the Golden Isles (although they’re certainly worth the splurge). To really understand what makes this stretch of coast special, all you need to do is hop on a bike, ride beneath the Spanish moss-draped oaks, and find a spectacular sunset—whether it’s along the beach, over a golf course, or from the deck of a boat.
Where to Stay
Treat Yourself to a Suite at The Cloister
Sea Island is a private, gated community, one that’s centered around its eponymous resort and club. Repeatedly named one of the South’s best resorts, Sea Island has a couple of lodging options across the Golden Isles, but The Cloister is the heart of the brand’s hospitality offerings. This historic, Mediterranean-inspired property somehow manages to be simultaneously expansive and intimate. You’ll find endless peace and quiet wandering through its lush gardens, fishing in the marshes, riding horses on the beach, and finally finishing your book in the light-filled solarium.
Have a More Low-key Weekend at The Grey Owl Inn
You have a few options for overnight stays on St. Simons Island—including The Lodge at Sea Island—but The Grey Owl Inn is on the more budget-friendly end. Rates start at $230 a night, and guests are treated to a made-to-order breakfast every morning. Built in the 1950s, the inn is a five-minute drive to both East Beach and the St. Simons Lighthouse, two of the most iconic sites on the barrier island.
Go Back in Time at Jekyll Island Club Resort
Jekyll Island has a long history as a vacation destination; in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a popular retreat for names like Rockefeller, Morgan, and Vanderbilt. While Jekyll Island Club began welcoming its members in 1887, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the property reopened as a hotel. Many decades later, the 5,700-acre Jekyll Island Club Resort remains a perennial favorite among Southerners, hosting guests at the historic club, the neighboring cottages, and the beachfront Jekyll Ocean Club.
Escape to Little St. Simons Island
If there’s any place that showcases the wild beauty of the Golden Isles to its full extent, it’s the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island. This all-inclusive stay is only accessible by boat, allowing guests to unplug while exploring the 8,000 acres of salt marshes and 3,000 acres of upland. Spend your days fishing, birding, hiking, or kayaking along the waterways.
What to Do
Get Suited Up for a Beach Day
In the summer, the beaches of the Golden Isles are dotted with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and children creating lasting seaside memories. Those staying at Sea Island can take advantage of the resort’s private stretch of sand and all the amenities the Sea Island Beach Club offers. The adult-only pool, a pool with a waterslide, and a family pool with a splash pad—all heated to 82°F year-round—also provide a welcome reprieve from the sand and salt water. Over on St. Simons Island, East Beach is open to the public. Bring your sunscreen, towel, and chair, and set up for an idyllic day in coastal Georgia.
Visit Driftwood Beach
Driftwood Beach is one of the most striking scenes you’ll come across in the Golden Isles. Located on the north end of Jekyll Island, the beach is home to the remains of a maritime forest. Trunks, roots, and branches dot the sand, creating an ethereal landscape that begs for its photo to be taken. Plan to come at sunrise or sunset—when the beach is at its most beautiful—refrain from taking any of the driftwood with you.
Work on Your Golf Swing
Golfing is a favorite pastime of both locals and visitors in the Golden Isles, and there is a plethora of places to play. Sea Island Golf Club has three championship golf courses, which are restricted to guests and members. The courses at Jekyll Island Golf Club, however, are open to the public. On St. Simons Island, anyone can book a tee time at The King and Prince Golf Club, where you’ll tee off with forests and marshes in the background.
Explore the Area by Beach Cruiser or Kayak
There are a few methods of transportation you can take around the Golden Isles, but none is more immersive than a leisurely bike ride or a paddle through the marshes. Those travelers who prefer two wheels should make either St. Simons Island or Jekyll Island their base camp. The barrier islands have extensive biking trail systems as well as several places to rent beach cruisers. Zoom Bike Rental services Jekyll, St. Simons, and Sea Island (if you’re staying at The Cloister, PEDAL Bike Shop will sort you out).
Kayaking, on the other hand, will give your legs a break—and lead you to pockets of natural wonder you might not have otherwise witnessed. SouthEast Adventure Outfitters on St. Simons Island offers daily 2-hour kayak tours along the marsh creeks, and Sea Island has its own salt marsh kayaking and paddleboarding tours for guests.
southeast-adventure-outfitters.myshopify.com; 313 Mallory St St Simons Island, GA 31522
Go Horseback Riding on the Beach
One of the most memorable ways to experience this section of the Georgia coast is by horseback. It’s a great year-round activity, and one that can be tailored to all levels of horsemanship. Guests of Sea Island can inquire about the Rainbow Island horseback tours, but the trail rides booked directly with the Stables at Frederica are open to the public. To the south, Jekyll Island's Three Oaks Farm leads guided horseback rides that head over to Driftwood Beach.
Get a Better Understanding of the Natural World
One of the highlights of a stay on Little St. Simons Island is learning from the property’s various workshops and expert-led programs, conducted throughout the year. Whether you’re interested in sea turtle patrols, the migrating patterns of shorebirds, or shark biology, you’re guaranteed to leave this little slice of Georgia paradise better informed about the region’s native wildlife.
Learn More About the History of the Golden Isles
Each destination within the Golden Isles is deeply connected with its past, and its residents are keen to share the stories with visitors. Start your history lesson at the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum; once you’ve done the reading, climb up the 129 steps to the top of this iconic St. Simons structure. A drive-by tour with St. Simons Trolley Tours will take you by the lighthouse, as well as Fort Frederica National Monument and Christ Church, Frederica.
The St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition, a non-profit that works to revitalize the area’s Gullah Geechee heritage, offers heritage tours of the Harrington School House, a school for Black children during segregation that now serves to share the Gullah Geechee culture. In Brunswick, Brunswick Old Town Tours introduces visitors to the Historic District, the Old Town Residential District, and the monuments, buildings, and stories that are unique to this port city.
Where to Eat and Drink
Feast on Award-winning Meats at Southern Soul Barbeque
When you’re in the Golden Isles, there are three types of food you should have: fresh seafood, barbecue, and Brunswick stew. The latter two are covered with a trip to Southern Soul Barbeque, named one of the South’s best barbecue joints in 2025. If you want to check all the boxes, go with the Southern Soul Sampler, a platter of two or three meats of your choosing, stew, and a side (although with items like fried okra, hushpuppies, and potato salad on the menu, it’s difficult to pick just one).
Chow Down at Mr. Shuck's Seafood
Now about that aforementioned seafood. Brunswick might not be your final destination in the Golden Isles, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the pilgrimage to Mr. Shuck’s Seafood. Oysters, catfish, whiting, and shrimp (in all its many forms) are on the menu at this laid-back eatery, the perfect spot to get a true taste of the flavor of the Golden Isles.
Swing By Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar for Happy Hour
Happy hour at Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar is a delightful affair. From 4 to 6 p.m., the restaurant serves up some of its best dishes and drinks at reduced prices. Come hungry, and ask for Dorothy's Burger & Fries and a dozen raw oysters. Wash everything down with a $8 mojito or margarita. Still a little peckish? The chocolate chip cookie with homemade ice cream is the ticket.
Get Dressed Up for Dinner at River Bar & Lounge
After 5 p.m., The Cloister’s River Bar & Lounge fills with elegantly dressed patrons (a collared shirt is required for men). The menu is infused with both French and Southern flavors—think deviled eggs, seafood rice gumbo, and steak frites. No matter how full you are, the work of the Sea Island pastry chefs shouldn’t go unnoticed. Find a bit of room for the profiteroles or Grand Marnier flaming crème brûlée.
Meet for Drinks and Live Music at The Wharf
There’s hardly anything more quintessential to the Golden Isles than casual dinner and drinks on the waterfront—preferably right as the sun is going down. The Wharf, an open-air restaurant and bar on the pier at Jekyll Island Club, is one of the best places to do just that. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the shrimp rolls, Lowcountry boils, and fried oysters are paired with lively music and dancing.
Take in the Waterfront Views at Zachry's Riverhouse
Zachry's Riverhouse is another solid option for lunch or dinner on Jekyll Island. There’s nothing fancy here, but that’s part of its broad appeal. After a day filled with swimming, bike rides, and exploring the island, you can’t beat the pair of crab cakes and po’boys with views of the Jekyll River.
