Come Visit Fabulous Jekyll Island
About Historic Jekyll Island Georgia
Jekyll Island is owned by the State of Georgia. It was originally designated as a State Park in 1947, when Georgia bought the island from the Jekyll Island Club group.
This family friendly island is connected by a causeway and is located 6 miles off of the Georgia mainland. It is approximately 7 ½ miles long and varies in width from about 2¼ miles to about 1/2 of a mile. There are upwards of 9 miles of oceanfront and 8 miles of riverfront. It is situated at 31° 05′ North & 81° 25′ West.
It is about 90 miles South of Savannah, 300 miles Southeast of Atlanta and 70 miles North of Jacksonville, Florida.
Jekyll Island was given its name by General James Oglethorpe, founder of the Colony of Georgia, for Sir Joseph Jekyll, a large contributor towards the founding of the Colony.
After the Revolution, Jekyll was owned by Christopher Poulain de Bignons, within whose family it remained until it was purchased in 1886 by a group of wealthy élites who established the Jekyll Island Club.
The “group” in the in The Jekyll Island Club included such names as Rockefeller, Morgan, Macy, Goodyear, and Crane. Not all are household names, but just the same, when they got together, they easily directed America’s and in some cases the direction of the world’s future.
Today, Jekyll Island is managed by the Jekyll Island Authority.
How to Get to Jekyll Island
By Land
From I-95: Take exit 29 to highway 17 and follow the signs to the Jekyll Island causeway (approximately 5.5 miles).
After turning onto the causeway, travel approximately 4 miles to the visitors center and admission gate. The island is 2 miles beyond the entrance gate.
From Brunswick: Take 17 south and cross the Sidney Lanier Bridge.The Jekyll Island causeway is a very short distance from the base of the bridge.
By Air
There are two large airports that service the Golden Isles and the surrounding area.
Locally, there is the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport which is 21 miles from Jekyll Island.
The nearest major airport is JAX, located in Jacksonville Florida. It is approximately 75 miles from Jekyll Island.
Additionally, there is an airport on Saint Simons Island. This airport services private and corporate planes and jets. By land, it is located 19 miles from Jekyll.
Jekyll Island also has a small airport. You can find more information here:
https://www.airnav.com/airport/09J
By Sea
Jekyll Island has a public boat ramp, a marina and wharf.
The public boat ramp and dock is on the intracoastal waterway, just south of the marina.
The Jekyll Harbor Marina is located at: N 31° 02.750′ / W 081° 25.367′
The marina address is: 1 Harbor Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527
The Jekyll Island Wharf is located in the Historic District, 3/4 of a mile north of the marina. The wharf has an on the water restaurant, a dock, and is home to the Jekyll Island Dolphin sightseeing tours.
Get to know Jekyll Island Georgia
Food, family and fun
Attractions for Everyone
Many attractions, including more than 7 miles of hard and soft sand beaches.
FRESH, LOCAL AND DELICIOUS CUISINE
Enjoy the harvest of the Georgia shores
Shell collecting, Gentle climate and weather, The seasons of Jekyll Island, Dolphin watching, Weddings, Festivals, Beach front hotels, Nine miles of sand beaches, Georgia Sea Turtle Center.