From Gilded Age motorcars to dolphin-filled waterways, how to explore Jekyll Island
By Tyra Douyon
Go Coastal Cruising
Hop aboard with Captain Phillip of Jekyll Island Boat Tours for a shaded, open-air dolphin cruise that showcases what makes Jekyll Island so special from the water. Departing from the Jekyll Wharf, these small-group boat tours wind through the island’s scenic estuaries, where you might be lucky enough to spy bottlenose dolphins leaping through the waves. The experience is part wildlife safari, part ecological lesson: you’ll learn about the island’s salt marshes, migratory birds, and maritime heritage. Tours run about 90 minutes and are timed around the tides. Advanced booking is encouraged.
Take a Joyride Through History
For a luxe time-travel experience, get chauffeured around in a replica of a 1903 Model T and explore Jekyll Island the way America’s elite once did. The Millionaire Motorcar Tour departs from Jekyll Island Museum, and offers a private, open-air ride through the Historic District, complete with a personal guide to explain the island’s stint as a winter retreat for the wealthy. The car is a showstopper with vintage styling, leather seats, and all the Gilded Age charm you’ll love. It’s an ideal option for small groups or celebrating special occasions and provides a slower, cinematic way to take in the scenery.
Admire from Above
Take your sightseeing sky-high and see Jekyll like you’ve never seen it before. High Tide Aviation’s plane tours offer a 20-minute, 25-mile bird’s-eye view of the island and include highlights like Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Pier, Shark Tooth Beach, Jekyll Island Club Resort, and more. Your pilot will point out dolphins, sea turtles, and sharks below and give an overview of the area’s history, putting it all into perspective, literally. The plane departs from nearby McKinnon-St. Simons Island Airport and can be booked with a Discovery Flight upgrade to include a mini flying lesson.
Walk the Walk
Sometimes the best way to connect with a place is on foot. The Jekyll Island trail system has over 30 nature and urban trails, including family- and pet-friendly routes. Do the 0.3-mile hike to Driftwood Beach, or stroll the 1.4-mile road from Horton Pond to Horton House. The Jekyll Island North Loop trail offers a comprehensive 18-mile excursion, while the very walkable Historic District makes it easy to wander and get steps in while learning about the Gilded Age. Jekyll Island Museum even has a self-guided walking tour with maps and interpreted signage to help you identify buildings such as Faith Chapel, which boasts an original Tiffany stained-glass window.
Take Trails on Two Wheels
Cycling around Jekyll feels like unlocking a secret level of freedom. With more than 24 miles of flat trails looping through beaches, forests, and historic sites, it’s one of the easiest and most scenic ways to explore. Rent two wheels from one of the many island outfitters like Bike Jekyll, which can provide everything from tandem bikes to four-person surreys to kid bikes. Pepper your route with stops like Driftwood Beach, Horton Pond, and Jekyll Island Sweets, where you can cool off with an icy sweet treat.
Get a Story at Every Stop
Soak up history without breaking a sweat on the Landmark Trolley Tour. This guided ride in a vintage-style trolley offers a front-row seat to the island’s Gilded Age homes. Wind through the 240-acre Historic District, passing by restored cottages once owned by well-known family names like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers. This adventure includes a guide who brings the past to life, sharing stories of the island’s wealthiest families. Tours last 60 minutes and begin at Jekyll Island Museum. Admission includes entry into a historic cottage and admission into the museum gallery and Faith Chapel.
