St. Simons Island Beaches

St. Simons Island has glorious beaches that can stretch out for hundreds of yards at low tide. East Beach and the Coast Guard Station area are one of the most popular beaches on the island, with high tides that offer ample beach for body surfing and a low tide that expands the beach to couple of hundred yards wide. There's plentiful parking, public beach access, restrooms and seasonal concession facility. Before you hit the beach, check out our live Tides Chart and UV index, and be sure to read the St. Simons Island beach rules and dog and pet rules. We've also compiled a complete interactive map highlighting all of St. Simons' public beach access points.

St. Simons Island Restaurants

St. Simons boasts a number of favorites among locals and visitors alike, including Sal's Neighborhood Pizzeria, ZuZu's in the Pier Village (the best cheeseburger you've ever tasted), Southern Soul BBQ, and Iguanas' delicious seafood is not to be missed. Coastal Georgia is home to infamous Wild Georgia Shrimp that are renowned for their jumbo size and sweet flavor infused from the local marshes. A favorite breakfast spot among locals is Cafe Frederica, voted Best Breakfast by Elegant Island Living magazine. And don't forget to tell them you heard about them on ExploreStSimonsIsland.com.

St. Simons Offers Timeless Charm and So Much To Explore

St. Simons is Georgia's Hidden Treasure

There's something for everyone to Explore on St. Simons Island - pristine, natural beaches and marshlands, abundant wildlife, historic sites and monuments, parks and outdoor recreation, world-class accommodations, fishing, watersports, boutique shopping and delectable dining. Yet you'll feel like you've stepped back in time to your own private beach town getaway, a hidden gem of a casual coastal paradise that has remained untouched by overzealous development and commercial activity. Surrounded on all sides by historic Southern Oaks draped in Spanish Moss that have survived for hundreds of years, expansive marshlands and waterways, sandbars, and the Atlantic ocean in the background, St. Simons Island will capture your heart and imagination like nowhere else on Earth. What are you waiting for - start Exploring!

St. Simons Kayaking, Canoeing, Tours, & Outdoor Adventure

The best way to get up close and personal with the natural beauty and wildlife habitats that make St. Simons such a wonderful place. And of course there are trolley tours, ghost tours, dolphin tours, canoeing, kayaking and much more to do on St. Simons Island! The outdoors were made for Exploring and St. Simons is a nature-lover's paradise.

Bike Rentals and Bicycling on St. Simons Island

One of the best ways to see St. Simons and the Golden Isles is by bicycle, whether maintaining a leisurely pace through the resort areas near the south end of St. Simons or pushing oneself faster along open roads at the north end. Bike paths wind around the airport, through the Pier Village and along the marsh at East Beach as well as the entire length of Frederica Road. The wide, flat beaches of St. Simons are perfect for bicycle riding and bicycle rentals, purchases or equipment are available at a number of locations on the beach and around the island.

Golfing on St. Simons Island

If not for the beach, golf would be king on St. Simons Island and the surrounding area. St. Simons Island is home to three golf clubs on the Island and 234 holes of golf in the immediate area.  

Book Your Golf Tee Times Online

You can now SAVE UP TO 65% and easily book your tee times at local St. Simons and Coastal Georgia golf courses right here on ExploreStSimonsIsland.com. Featuring golf courses on St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Brunswick, Savannah, and coastal Georgia golf courses and country clubs.

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Neptune Park

Located on Beachview Drive in St. Simons' Pier Village district, Neptune Park is an oceanfront public park that families flock to each night during warm weather months. Neptune Park features picnic tables under stately oak trees, a children's playground, a miniature golf course, swimming pool, lots of benches for relaxing by the sea, a fishing pier, and a bandstand where events are held throughout the year. Call 912.265.0620 or visit the Neptune Park web page for more information.

St. Simons Lighthouse Museum

First constructed in 1807 by James Gould on Couper's Point, this towering, 104 foot lighthouse was reconstructed in 1872 on the same site to replace the original which was destroyed by retreating Confederate forces in 1862. A beautifully restored 1872 lighthouse keeper's home complements the lighthouse. Located at 101 12th Street, near Neptune Park in the Pier Village. Call 912.638.4666 or visit the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum web page for more information and hours of operation.

The Pier Village

Located on the south end of the Island, this is a popular destination and the social hub of the Island, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Here you'll find expansive views of the ocean around you, as well as the St. Simons Lighthouse and Museum, Neptune Park with its oceanside pool and facilities, miniature golf course, playground, and an oak shaded picnic area, public library and theatre. And of course the St. Simons Pier on the waterfront causeway overlooking Jekyll Island across the way and the port of Brunswick just around the way. The Pier is always bustling with activity, and you can cast a line or a crab trap here or just sit back and enjoy the show.

St. Simons Fishing & Charter Fishing Tours

You can get your rod and bait at St. Simons Bait and Tackle near the St. Simons Pier and drop line at the pier or you can charter a boat for in shore or off shore fishing for Grouper, Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Redfish, Sea Bass, Whiting, Flounder, Tarpon, Shark and King Mackerel. We highly recommend Captain Richie Lott with Georgia Sport Fishing Charters or Captain Richard Latham with Creekside Charters as the best fishing guides in the Golden Isles.

Sailboats, Catamarans & Watersports on St. Simons

On the beach, under the gold umbrella, just a three-minute walk from Atlantus, Barry’s Beach Service rents catamarans, sailboats, kayaks, boogie boards and windsurfing boards. Sailboat rides and lessons are also available. The best way to experience the Golden Isles and Georgia's beatiful coast is up close and on the water. Visit oceanmotion.biz for more information.

St. Simons is Steeped in History

St. Simons Island has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, starting with its indigenous inhabitants and continuing through European exploration, colonization, and the growth of the United States. St. Simons Island, Brunswick, Georgia and the Golden Isles are located in the center of an area rich in natural beauty and history. Historic sites, monuments and artificats dating back hundreds of years are well preserved and easily accesible to visitors today, with a legendary story to be explored around every turn.

Fort Frederica National Monument

Established in 1936 to preserve and interpret the history of the site. Visitors to the national monument can explore the remains of the fort, including its defensive walls, barracks, and other structures. The visitor center offers exhibits, audio-visual presentations, and guided tours that provide insights into the history and significance of Fort Frederica. The site also features a nature trail that winds through the surrounding marshes and maritime forest, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The monument is managed by the National Park Service and serves as an important educational resource for understanding the colonial history of Georgia and the role of Fort Frederica in shaping the region.

Fort Frederica National Monument is a popular destination for history enthusiasts, offering a chance to step back in time and learn about the colonial era in coastal Georgia. Built in the 1700s and 1800s, these island treasures provide an historical perspective of colonial and Civil War era Georgia. Take a trolley tour to learn more about the area's unique history and its American legacy.

Check out our interactive online map of St Simons Island historical sites with information on local St. Simons Island historic sites and monuments, including the infamous St. Simons Island Lighthouse and Museum, Avenue of Oaks, Bloody Marsh Battle Site, Christ Church Frederica, the World War II Home Front Museum at the Historic Coast Guard Station on East Beach, First African Baptist Church, A.W. Jones Heritage Center, Hamilton Plantation Tabby Slave Cabins, and Gascoigne Bluff. All recommended sites during your visit to the island.

Bloody Marsh Battle Site

Located off Demere Road, the battle fought here on July 7, 1742, when Spanish troops landed on the south end of St. Simons Island, proved to be the turning point in the Spanish conquest of Georgia. The marsh ran red with Spanish blood and the battle was a decisive British victory which ended forever the threat of Spanish invasion into this important colony.

Gascoigne Bluff

Overlooking the Frederica River, this former Native American campground became Georgia's first naval base during Colonial times. Named for Gascoigne, who first surveyed the Georgia coast for England. Live oak timbers milled here in 1794 were used in building "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution, in 1874, and timbers were also cut here for the Brooklyn Bridge.

Little St. Simons Island

Renowned for its unspoiled natural habitats and serene beaches, Little St. Simons Island is a private barrier island located just north of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Here you'll find 10,000 acres of natural, undeveloped maritime forests and marshlands, 7 miles of pristine beaches and plenty of natural wonders to explore and discover.

Accessible by a private boat that departs from Hampton River Marina on the north end of St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island first opened to the public more than 3 decades ago and has since earned numerous accolades and award from various travel publications and writers. Day trips depart from St. Simons Island at 10:30am and return by 4:30pm, advance reservations are required.

The Marshes of Glynn

Made famous by poet Sidney Lanier, these natural treasures are the first thing you'll see as you cross the marshes approaching St. Simons Island. The birthplace of much of our sea life, a kayak or canoe trip offers you the best way to experience the area's natural beauty. The Golden Isles takes its name from these marsh wetlands, which turn a wonderous golden hue during the colder months of the season.