Jekyll Island Outdoors

Jekyll Island Outdoor

More than one hundred years ago a millionaires' resort island, today a unique vacation destination where people can enjoy a large number of activities outdoors, from coastal biking to exciting golf tournaments, or hiking around the marsh creek.

In communion with nature, you can enjoy Bird Watching by observing the vast variety of birds that make Jekyll Island home. However, this unique island serves also as a stopping place during spring and fall for migrating species on the Atlantic Flyway resting here.

Catalogued as one of the 18 most interesting bird habitats along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, designated as an “Important Birding Area” (IBA) by the Georgia Audubon Societies. Jekyll features several significant birding sites, including those near the Welcome Center.

Other viewpoints include the Clam Creek on the northern side of Jekyll Island, and at the Glory Beach near the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex... and talking about soccer; this is another exciting activity to enjoy outdoors as a watcher or player.

The Jekyll Island Soccer Complex is reputed for both quality-playing and amazing ocean-side atmosphere, making of it a fast-growing favorite among soccer enthusiasts. Jekyll is home to the Golden Isles Soccer Association, and the Soccer Complex is the host of different exhibitions and tournaments running from fall through spring.

Tennis is another outdoor option, with 13 clay courts nestled among the impressive Jekyll Island landscaping, including the Jekyll Island Tennis Center designated by the Tennis Magazine as the “25 Best Municipal Tennis Facilities” in the country.

The Tennis Center hosts 6 USTA-Sanctioned tournaments every year, as well as junior camps held throughout the summer, and clinics and round-robin tournaments for adults from fall to spring. Reservations can be booked by calling (912) 635-3154.

Golf is another must-play when visiting Jekyll Island, paying a visit to the different golf course available in the region, or visiting some of particular interest such as these:

The Golf Zoo, Tel. 1-800-929-7300

Scorecards and interactive course layouts.

The Bird Golf Academy. Toll Free: 1-877-4-BIRDGO (1 877 424-7346)

An academy considered the ultimate golf learning experience.

U.S. Kids Golf, Toll Free: 1-888-3-US KIDS (1 888 387-5437)

A favorite on Jekyll Island, featuring the Jekyll Island Cup U.S. Kids Golf Tournament, with children of all ages having fun and competing to take home a trophy.

The Golf Course & Clubhouse, Tel. (912) 635-2368

This is the largest public golf resort in Jekyll Island, founded in 1898 as part of the private club settings for the wealthy elite. Today, near to the airport, this course is boasting 63 golf holes on one 9-hole course and three 18-hole courses; the newest designed and built in 1968 and completely renovated in 2002.

This course is actually the Pine Lakes course, designed by Clyde Johnson in a way that incorporates what is called Family-Friendly tee boxes, that makes of this Jekyll's course the only one in the United States that allows players of all ages to compete evenly. In fact, the annual US Kids Golf Jekyll Island Cup is officially hosted here, at Jekyll Island.

The natural settings of Jekyll Island allows the visitor to enjoy nature walks, thanks to the abundance of lush vegetation, and unspoiled natural beauty tidal beaches, resulting from the well preserved maritime forests and pristine dune systems.

Outdoor activities at beach settings include bird watching, shell collecting, and sea turtle patrolling, in addition to usual beach activities, such as swimming, sunbathing, fishing or sailing. There are also guided tours that include nature walks, the Historic District Landscape Tours, or Turtle Walks, part of the island's Sea Turtle Project, available from May through August.

Kayaking and Canoeing grant visitors the opportunity to explore its protected natural beauty. This unique opportunity is best appreciated when visiting Jekyll Island’s salt marshes and estuarial waters. Although there are guided tours through the marshes, you can also go alone.

Self-guided exploration may start at Jekyll Island’s Rixen Pond, where there are convenient canoe rental facilities. Canoe rentals are available through the Tidelands Nature Center, where they also offer a 3-hour guided tour along Jekyll Creek.

A great outdoors experience is grabbing your paddle and taking a canoe or kayak out into the inland waterways revealing Jekyll Island's intriguing ecosystem, observing unique fish, beautiful native birds and impressive coastal creatures in their natural habitat. For further information on the Tidelands Nature Center, call (912) 635-5032.

Kayak tours are only available from March to October. Apart of canoe rentals, you can try a Sea Kayak, considered as a more maneuverable and stable alternative to a traditional kayak, particularly useful for saltwater excursions.

The list of activities to enjoy outdoors includes many other activities, including visits to the island's main attractions. However, the best ways to find them is by going to Jekyll Island on your next vacation and discover them for yourself.
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