Jekyll Island's abundance of unspoiled natural beauty – from its richly preserved maritime forests to its pristine dune systems to its 10 miles of tidal beaches – is perhaps best appreciated with the assistance and guidance of an experienced guide.
Nature Walks
From UGA 4-H Tidelands Nature Center join an experienced guide for a 1 1/2 - 2 hour walk through the beach, forest, and marsh, on Jekyll Island.
Time: Walks begin at 9 a.m. Please meet your guide at the site.
March- October: Daily Nature Walks beginning at 9 a.m.
November-February: Nature Walks are by appointment only.
Price: Adults - $5.00, Ages 8-18 - $3.00, $25.00 max per family.
For more information about nature walks call the Tidelands Nature Center at 912-635-5032.
Monday - Clam Creek Picnic Area
Marsh and north-end beach walk. Meets at the Clam Creek parking lot, north end of island, opposite campground. (Year-round)
Wednesday - St. Andrews Picnic Area
Marsh, maritime forest, and south-end beach walk. Meets at the St. Andrews parking lot. (Year-round)
Friday - South Dunes Picnic Area
Maritime forest and beach walk. Meets at South Dunes parking lot. (March - September only)
Turtle Walks
RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING (912) 635-4444
What is a Turtle Walk?
Explore the beach at night, and learn about the amazing journey of loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the Georgia Coast. These popular programs begin with a 30-45 minute presentation at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center about the natural history of sea turtles, followed by a guided beach tour in search of a nesting turtle.
When are Turtle Walks scheduled?
Turtle walks will be conducted June 1 – July 31* (*Except July 4th) with two nightly programs at 8:30 and 9:30 P.M. Reservations are required as group size is limited by DNR permit restrictions (25 per group maximum) and programs fill quickly.
What is the cost of a walk?
Walk Only:
$6 per person (Members)
$12 per person (Non-members**)
**Price does not include general admission into the Georgia Sea Turtle Center)
COMBO TICKETS:
$15 per person
Includes 1 day general admission to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center & 1 Turtle Walk. Turtle Walks are based on availability and reservations are required due to space limitations.
Additional Information:
* Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Due to the time and nature of these walks, we require that children be at least 4 years of age.
*Doors will open for Turtle Walks at 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. for their respective walks. You are more than welcome to arrive early and wait outside until the appointed time.
* Participants must provide their own transportation from the GSTC to the beach. You may follow your walk guide via caravan to ensure that you reach the meeting location.
* During the Turtle Walk presentation the hospital area will not be accessible. However, you are welcome to visit the Center during its normal visiting hours with a general admission purchase or combo ticket!
* While we try our best to find a nesting turtle on the beach, we cannot guarantee that you will see one.
* For the safety of the turtles and compliance with the Jekyll Island Lighting Ordinance, flashlights, camera and video camera lights are not allowed on the Walks. Infrared night vision cameras are allowed at the discretion of the walk guide and/or GSTC Staff. Walk Guides will have a special, turtle-friendly, approved flashlight.
All proceeds Turtle Walks help to offset operational costs, including the rehabilitation of our patients.
Bird Rambles with Artworks by Lydia
Wednesday and Friday mornings: 9 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.
Price: $20 per person
These rambles are a brief introduction to Jekyll's natural areas. Perfect for beginning birders and families. Loaner binoculars available upon request. Call 912-634-1322 for more information.
An advanced, three hour bird ramble is available every Thursday morning from 8-11 a.m. The price is $30 per person.
Nature Adventure from Jekyll Island Fun Tours
The eco-friendly Fun Tour on the Segway® PT allows you to glide along the trails and personally witness this truly unique area. Our educated guide will point out the plant and animal life as you stop to observe the sights.
Riding the Segway® PT feels like nothing you've ever experienced because there's never been anything like it. Step on and your instinct will be to steady yourself, as you would on anything with two wheels. But almost immediately you'll realize that the Segway® PT is balancing for you, almost like it has become an extension of you. Just lean forward a little and you'll see that the Segway® PT isn't moving you on its own; it's moving in response to you and what you tell it to do. It all feels natural and really cool.
Call 912-635-9704 to book a reservation.
Jekyll Island Golf Cart Nature Tours
Discover a birding and nature adventure that only the local golfers know about. Jekyll Island's three eighteen-hole golf courses are a natural playground for deer, raccoon, and nesting birds. Come explore by golf cart to find the flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and alligators that call these courses home.
Time and Cost: Join Birder and Naturalist Lydia Thompson on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a Golf Cart Nature Tour starting June 16th thru September costing only $20 per person. Reservations can be made with the Jekyll Island Golf Course at 912-635-2368. Drop-ins welcomed. Times subject to change.
Bring your camera and binoculars to witness nature "Fore" yourself.
Geocaching
Discover hidden treasures and "gems" in this high-tech game of hide and seek. Geocaching is a popular game on the island where people use GPS devices to locate hidden containers, which are called "geocaches." Visit this map to see where some of the "geocaches" were located on Jekyll Island.
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Photo Credits: David Fisher