Jekyll Island in Georgia

Trip Overview

My brother and 16-year-old son put in our kayaks at the pier on the north side of the island at 8:30 am. I paddled my 17' CD Storm, my brother paddled a Wilderness Systems Woodsman (14.5') and my son paddled a Wilderness systems pamlico tandem (15'). Our route took us south and along the backside of the Island in St. Simons Sound and up Jekyll Creek to the public boat ramp just south of the Jekyll marina. We launched and proceeded south under the pier toward the mouth of Jekyll Creek. Watch out for ships-Brunswick is becoming a major east coast harbor. The weather turned out to be a booger as it was overcast with the wind picking up and was blowing pretty strong in our faces as we reached the mouth of Jekyll Creek. The marsh here is beautiful and passing the millionaire's village provides a unique vantage point of this one time playground of the idle rich. This trip would have been awesome without the wind - as it was it was work paddling into the wind with no time to stop and enjoy the scenery without losing ground.

Accommodations:

There are numerous motels and houses for rent on the island. There are restrooms and changing facilities at most of the public beaches.

Fees:

$3.00 parking fee to get on the island.

Directions:

From I-95 take the South Golden Isles Parkway East(GA 520, US 17). If you are coming north from Jacksonville, you will turn right at the bottom of the ramp - if you are coming south from Savannah then you will turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Proceed until you see the sign for Jekyll Island on your right. Take a right here and the causeway will take you to the entrance of the island. It'll cost you $3.00 to get on the island per vehicle. To get to the takeout point (public boat ramp) take a right on S. Riverview Drive which is just past the toll booth. You will turn right at the Tidelands Nature Center and follow the shell and dirt road to the end. The ramp is nice and there is an abundance of parking. To get to the launch point - backtrack to Fortson Parkway (where the toll booth is) turn right and proceed to the stop sign. Turn left on N. Beachview drive past the convention center to the north end of the island. I do not have a specific mileage distance for you, but you turn into the pier entrance on your right (it is well marked). There is a paved road that winds back to the pier. Park in the parking lot ant portage across the walking bridge to the sandy beach that is just past the bridge to the left. This is where you can launch.

Resources:

Map of island provided at the toll booth.