The Barrier Islands in Georgia are a magical place where the lands meet the sea. They are separated from the mainland by tidal creeks, bays, and lagoons. The island contains ocean and sand dunes that face the ocean. However, the side that faces the ocean contains marshes, tidal flats, and maritime forests. Therefore, at the Barrier Islands, there is a taste for everyone.
The Barrier Islands in Georgia are a great escape for you and your family. Spend your family vacation at the most luxurious place in the United States. The Golden Isles are filled with pristine beaches and natural attractions, which you can enjoy with your family and friends.
The Barrier Island in Georgia is brimming with water sports activities. The high tides make it a good place for bodyboarding and surfing. You can also enjoy kayaking and hydro biking. Whatever water sport you are into, you can find it in the Barrier Islands.
The Best Trip To The Barrier Island In GA (Georgia):
1. Tybee Island:
Do not miss out. You must add Tybee Island to your list of the best Barrier Islands in GA. It can surely take your breath away with its sandy, pristine beaches. It is the kind of place where the coastal charm meets the beach vibes. Therefore, you can enjoy beach activities like swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and dolphin cruising.
The Restaurants in Tybee Island are not only delicious but offer unique experiences near the beach. The Best restaurant in Tybee Island that I would recommend is Sunrise Restaurants. It remotely serves three locations in the Barrier Islands: Savannah, Tybee, and Wilmington Islands.
There are many hotels on Tybee Island, but one stands out. I highly recommend staying at Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort. It is close to many tourist attractions and has plenty of things to do, such as Coligny Beach Park, Harbout Town Lighthouse, Burkes Beach, and Harbour Town Golf Links.
2. Cumberland Island:
To reach Cumberland Island, you must cruise with the St. Marys ferry. You can book a round-trip ferry to Cumberland Island from downtown St.Marys Ferry. On this island, nature is all around you. Make sure to visit the Dungeness ruins of the old Carnegie home.
You can find protected sandy beaches, wide marshes, and maritime forests in every corner. This is why it should be on your bucket list for the best trip to the Barrier Island in GA. It comes as no surprise as it is one of the most beautiful places in Georgia. When it comes to the beauty of nature, this place stands out.
You have several accommodation options, including campgrounds, hotels, and lodges. The best hotel on Cumberland Island is the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kingsland.
What is special about the hotel is that it is only 38 km from Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary and only 40 km from Amelia Island Historic District. Therefore, you can visit them when you have the time. It is also within distance from the Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach and Amelia Island Lighthouse.
3. Jekyll Island:
Jekyll Island is another amazing island in the Barrier Islands in Georgia, and it is one of the most beautiful spots. You can visit the Sea Turtle Center and contemplate those amazing creatures. Another beautiful spot on the island is Driftwood Beach, where the land meets the sea.
Enjoy some water activities at Tidelands Nature Center, such as canoeing and kayaking. Your kids will thank you if you take them to the Summer Waves Water Park.
It is brimming with water slides and lazy laps around the Turtle Creek. You can enjoy a high-speed slide Pirate’s Passage. At Summer Wave Water Park, the fun never stops, and the thrilling adventure begins.
The Beachview Club Hotel is luxurious and close to many attractions. It is within walking distance from Jekyll Island Oceanview Beach Park. It features an outdoor swimming pool, lounge, and Garden.
4. Sea Island:
Sea Island is easy to get to. You can drive to it or fly to the Brunswick Golden Isle airport. It is a small island and easy to navigate. You can plan a road trip around the island and visit its important landmarks. For starters, Sea Island contains St. Simons lighthouse, which is about 18 miles from the airport.
You can choose to stay at Sea Island Resort. It is the only hotel in the world that has received 4 five-star awards in Forbes for 10 consecutive years. It is a four-mile private beach surrounded by a river. Furthermore, it contains some trees and lush meadows that are the perfect spot for the gulf. You can visit their golf performance center.
5. Little Saint Simons Island (Lodge At Little St Simons Island):
The Little Saint Simons Island is another amazing island in the Barrier Islands in Ga. It is easy to navigate this island because you can get there by car. On the plus side, parking is free to plan a road trip around the island.
Little St. Simons Island contains 11,000 acres of wilderness, where the adventure never ends. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is good for wildlife photography.
Birds watching is one of the most common activities on the island. You can discover more than 250 species of birds migrating every year. In addition, there are plenty of things to do on the island, such as fly-fishing in the creek, exploring its hiking trails, and beachcombing along the shoreline.
The lodge at Little St Simons Island is surrounded by moss-draped oaks and golden marshes. It is an escape where you can relax and have the adventure of a lifetime. You can cool off at the saltwater pool and enjoy their delicious food.
6. Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge:
Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge protects many wildlife animals’ habitats, such as nesting sea turtles and seabirds. It is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy life and reconnects with good-given nature.
This Barrier Island in Georgia has plenty of things to do, such as hiking forest trails, fly-fishing, hunting during hunting season, and mountain biking trails. Be careful of American alligators, which swim around you.
The Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge does its part to protect wildlife animals and exotic plants on the island as they have undergone some threats. Whether it is in the sea or land, they keep an eye on them. If you visit, try to maintain that by doing your job. Don’t try to harm or pick plants.
7. Cockspur Island:
Because of its long and thin shape, Cockspur Island is called Long Island by locals. Back then, the island was called Pepper Island in colonial times. Therefore, it has a military history during World War 2. You can learn more about the history by visiting the Fort Pulaski National Monument
There are historical buildings on the island, including the Cockspur Island Lighthouse and Fort Pulaski. Fort Pulaski has a deep history during World War 2. It is where the Union Army tested rifled cannons during the war. Nowadays, it is a tourist destination and museum where tourists come from all over the world to learn about its hidden history.
Cockspur Island is located on the south bank of the Savannah River near Lazaretto Creek. Therefore, you can enjoy a hike along the river, or you can have a picnic close to the water. You can swim in the ocean or enjoy kayaking if that does not suit you.
8. Sapelo Island:
Sapelo Island is the fourth-largest island in the Barrier Islands in Georgia and the Georgia coastal islands. You can visit the University of Georgia’s Marine Institute and the National Estuarine Research Reserve Center and learn about the histories of the Hog Hammock people.
You can also visit the Reynolds Mansion. It is uniquely designed and contains some divine architecture. It has a library where you can rent a book and read in its beautiful space. There are also game rooms where you can play billiards and table tennis.
You can also visit the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. This reef habitat is good for scuba diving and snorkeling, and fishing is another popular activity there.
9. Ossabaw Island:
It is the third-largest island in Georgia’s Barrier Islands, only 20 miles away from Savannah, Georgia. Therefore, you can visit from Savannah by renting a boat.
There are undeveloped pristine beaches to enjoy the fresh air cooling your skin. The island does not allow vehicles or pets to enter the island. Therefore, the air is clean and fresh. Therefore, you can enjoy 13 miles of paradise beaches.
This Atlantic Ocean contains 26,000 acres of maritime forest, wide beaches, and tidal wetlands. Ossabaw Island is also a nest of loggerhead turtles and endangered birds. If you enjoy bird watching, then you will enjoy this island.
10. Skidaway Island:
Skidaway Island is one of the most beautiful islands in Georgia’s Barrier Islands. Rivers and creeks encircle it, and it is well-known for its golf courses. You can visit Skidaway Island State Park to enjoy its richness of flora and fauna. This amazing place attracts loggerhead turtles, wood storks, and migratory birds.
There are campsites available. To learn what to bring, visit our article on camping gadgets and gear. You can also visit our other article to learn some tips and hacks for camping safety.
More places to see and discover are on the Barrier Island of Georgia. The list does not stop here. It can surely give you the adventure of a lifetime. The Barrier Islands in Georgia are not something you hear about in the news but something you live and explore.
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