Located in southeastern Georgia, Sea Island is one of four barrier Islands in the Golden Isles — along with St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Marshes of Glynn on the other, Sea Island has natural beauty and a long history: the island was formed over 5,000 years ago when the last Ice Age struck. Enjoy the five-mile-long strip of beach that’s suitable for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, or even going on a hunt for a conch shell. Fun fact: These shells are known colloquially as the knobbed whelk, and are the state shell of Georgia.

Sea Island also has miles of trails that run throughout its live oak forests, estuaries, and tidal marshlands, and offers plenty of space for all types of recreation, including golfing, sailing, bowling, and fishing.

Spring is a great time to visit Sea Island, with warm temperatures rising before the heat truly strikes in the summer. Sunscreen, hats, and glasses are advisable to bring along if you’re booking a summer getaway, when the weather can spike with high temperatures.

In fall temperatures tend to cool off a bit and plenty of festivals come alive. The Glynn Visual Arts Fall Arts Festival hosts numerous artisans in tents filled with locally-crafted works. Winter temperatures remain relatively mild, and holiday cheer can be felt at the Mistletoe Market at St. Simons Island or the Brunswick Christmas Parade in December.

Fort Frederica National Monument

Indulge in a bit of history at the Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. These are the remnants of a fort and town that were built during the island’s colonial past. You can check out old oaks and stone blocks surrounded by an array of willow trees that droop from above, or the out-of-use cannons that guarded the island against conflict in prior centuries. The grounds are open to visitors year-round and don’t cost a dime.

Island Waterways

Life revolves around water on Sea Island, whether you’re casting a line for blackfin tuna in Black Banks River or setting sail off the beach for a sunset cruise and dolphin-spotting. The island’s mineral-rich marshes make it a haven for birdlife, including ospreys, and you can explore on conventional kayaks or individual catamarans.

Tree Spirits on St. Simons Island

There are over 30 miles of bike paths on St. Simons Island. One popular cycling activity is to search for “Tree Spirits,” faces that appear in the knots of the majestic oak trees. These were carved by a local artist in the 1980s, and legend claims these carvings have immortalized the fallen sailors who have lost their way in the surrounding waters. Searching for these carvings along the bike trails is an island treasure hunt in itself.