Near St. Simons Island: Notable Sights & Cities

Several unique spots near St. Simons Island offer a variety of exploration options, ranging from the ultimate in luxury to a virtually uninhabited preserve.

St. Simons is one of Georgia's "Golden Isles" - a group sea islands which include Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Cumberland Island, and Sea Island. This cluster of barrier islands sits off the coast of Brunswick, Georgia.

From the luxurious hotel The Cloisers on Sea Island to the protected natural habitat of Little St. Simons Island, you have a variety of unique places to explore during your St. Simons Island vacation. Here's what you'll find near St. Simons Island:

• Brunswick, Georgia

  Photo by normanack

  is the closest city near St. Simons Island and the other "Golden Isles." This historic coastal town, founded in 1771, boasts a bustling waterfront and marina as well as a downtown filled with historic Victorian buildings and plenty of options for dining, shopping and cultural activities.







• Cumberland Island hosts only one hotel, the Greyfield Inn, recently rated by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the best seaside inns in the country.

  Photo by Linda N.

  With no internet or cell phone service, this private island offers instead 17-miles of pristine beaches and lush native flora and fauna. Guests can search for prehistoric sharks' teeth all over the island!







Photo by Hyku

• Jekyll Island is home to the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The island offers a unique Historic District, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and the Tidelands Nature Center. With four golf courses to play and a rich, coastal habitat to explore, not to mention mini-putt and a water park for the kids, Jekyll Island has something for every member of the family. Check out our page on discovering Jekyll Island!





• Little St. Simons Island: A tiny, private island accessible only by boat, Little St. Simons Island is pristine coastal paradise and one of the last private islands off Georgia's coast. To get there, take a 20 minute ferry ride from St. Simons Island.

  The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island is the only hotel on the island and accommodates no more than 30 guests at a time in 15 rooms in both the lodge and small cottages. The homey feel of the hotel's rooms and the small number of guests lets you feel like you're vacationing on your own private island. The Lodge is a beautiful and cozy hotel that has operated for over 100 years.

  While on Little St. Simons, your main activity options involving explore the island's pristine natural environment. Paddle your way through the islands waterways in a kayak or canoe, take a guided wildlife tour, or relax on a beach that feels like it's your very own. The Lodge will also provide you complementary fishing equipment and bikes to explore the island on wheels. Hike along the maritime forest trails or borrow some binoculars to view the spectacular migratory and coastal birds.

  Little St. Simons is a beautiful place to get away form the hustle and bustle and explore serene and undisturbed nature.

  
  

  • Sea Island: While the entire chain of islands off Southeastern Coast makes up the Sea Islands, one tiny island also gets the honor of bearing the name, Sea Island. Near St. Simons Island - just across a causeway - this small, resort island is a world of luxury unto itself featuring the famed 80 year old hotel, The Cloister (where rates start at a $750 per night).

    Guests can stay in one the 175 elegant rooms of the Cloister itself and enjoy the spectacular pool as well as the river and ocean views or stay at The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club. The Lodge, resembling an old English country manor, overlooks the fairways and the ocean and all rooms come with 24-hour butler service.

    Guests looking for more privacy or vacationing with a larger group can rent a Sea Island Cottage. All of these exquisite cottages come fully furnished and many have their own pools.

    Resort guests can enjoy:

    • Golf - The Cloister is ranked #1 among the "50 Best U.S. Golf Hotels" by Gold Digest Index with two 18-hole courses boasting spectacular scenery.

    • Tennis – The Sea Island Tennis Club offers 16 Har-Tru® courts (eight lighted) and instruction for both adult and junior players.

    • Beach – A 5-mile private beach lets visitors relax in a private cabana, or rent a Hobie Cat® sailboat or body board among other beach toys. A sailing school also offers instruction.

    • Inshore, nearshore, & offshore fishing and crabbing.

    • Cruising about the 71ft vintage yacht, the Cloister Belle.

    • Nature tours, Sea Turtle walks, and seining.

    • Horseback Riding – An equestrian center offers daily beach rides, ring riding for all levels, a wooded trail ride upon request and both private and group instruction in English balance seat, hunt seat, and Western style riding.

    • Shooting School – Offers lessons in skeet, trap and clay-target shooting.

    • Camps for Children & Teens.

    The Cloister offers an elegant retreat with plenty of activities to help you and your family relax, have fun, and enjoy this beautiful little island.

  
  

  During your vacation, explore some of these unique and wonderful spots near St. Simons Island to make your stay even more memorable!

  
  Return to the St. Simons Island main page to discover where to stay, play and dine on the island while you explore the sights near St. Simons Island.

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