Best Beaches on Jekyll Island

Recently named one of the best beaches in the U.S. by “Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice Awards,” Driftwood Beach is unique for its incredible scenery thanks to the massive gnarled pine and oak trees left sun-bleached and exposed in the white sand. Erosion along the coastline causes the trees to to fall and decay creating what seem like driftwood sculptures. You’ll want to bring your camera for these gorgeous photos opportunities!

Driftwood Beach is a true hidden gem on the north side of the island. It’s about 1.5 mile walk from the north fishing pier. If driving, look for a parking area on Beachview Drive North that offers a direct path to the beach.

Ideal for the whole family, including your four-legged friends, the 20-acre Great Dunes Beach offers easy access with plenty of parking and amenities at the Jekyll Island public beach. Pack a picnic for your day at the ocean to enjoy at the many pavilions which provide shade and can even be reserved in advance. Take a simple stroll to find the nearby market and restaurants.

Groups of all ages will enjoy the activities deck with play areas, bocce ball, and volleyball courts. The waterfront is a pet-friendly beach year-round, as long as you keep them on a leash. ADA accessibility is also available at the public beach access point at crossover #32.

South Dunes Beach area is also nearby whether you want to take a walk along the sand or take the South Loop Trail perfect for cyclists. The paved portion of the trail runs for 2 miles of a gorgeous stretch of ocean between Great Dunes and South Dunes beaches.

St. Andrews Beach offers a favorite location to see the ample wildlife and partake in the bounty of the ocean. The beach is protected from the elements thanks to the Jekyll Sound. It’s therefore ideal for spotting sea birds and dolphins frolicking offshore. St. Andrews Beach is arguably one of the best beaches on Jekylll Island to find sea shells.

Parking is easy at the St. Andrews Picnic Area with direct access to the beach. You can even catch an affordable seafood dinner for your group since shrimp and crabs are readily available on the quiet section. High tide brings the water right up to the tree line, so plan to go during low tide to explore the shoreline.

History buffs will want to stop by the Wanderer memorial on St. Andrews Beach honoring the survivors of the last slave ship smuggled onto Jekyll Island’s shores. The nearby Jekyll Island Museum offers additional insight and active research into the fate and legacy of the survivors.

Located on the south end of the island, Glory Beach Park offers unspoiled sand dunes on a wide-open oceanfront. Portions of the 1989 civil war movie, Glory, were filmed here leaving behind a boardwalk built for the crew in order to easily access and cross a multitude of sand dunes and freshwater pools.

Wildlife viewing is popular in Glory Beach due to the varied terrains, including sloughs that trap water. This Jekyll Beach nature area is an oasis for alligators, deer, birds, raccoons, marsh hare and more. Catch a glimpse of the wildlife while walking along the many trails traversing both the shrub forest and dunes. Pets aren’t allowed on this section in order to protect the migratory birds that come to nest at the sanctuary.