St. Simons Island Lighthouse, Keeper’s Dwelling Museum and Maritime Museum at the Historic Coast Guard Station. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 1:30-5 p.m. Last climb 4:30 p.m. The Maritime Museum closes from 12-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Fees to all Museums, Galleries and Exhibits, Lighthouse and Watch tower. $8 for Adults, $4 for Ages 6-11. No admission […]
214 Stable Road | Jekyll Island | 912-635-4444
217 Mallory Street | St. Simons Island | 912-634-9261
106 Island Drive | St. Simons Island | 912-638-8770
101 12th Street | St. Simons Island | 912-638-4666
100 Stable Road | St. Simons Island | 912-635-4036
One of the many creatures you are sure to encounter on St. Simons Island is the Great Blue Heron. A Golden Isles treasure and a beautiful example of nature at her finest, this giant bird stands up to 39 inches high and is an illustrious predator.
Often, these magnificent birds can be seen on the banks of lagoons either fishing or warming themselves in the sun. The Great Blue Heron is a master fisherman and uses its long, colored toes to entice fish. When prey ventures too close, the heron uses its razor-sharp beak to strike with deadly accuracy and rarely misses its quarry. While you are bound to see a variety of other birds out on the water, the Great Blue Heron is a special treat.
The Great Blue Heron is one of the largest birds in the heron species, with a range encompassing all of North America and some of Central and South America. They mate and nest from December through March, so this time of year is the perfect opportunity to see one.
Their diet consists mostly of fish; however, they have been seen eating eels, snakes and frogs as well. The Great Blue Herons are indigenous to St. Simon’s Island and live here year-round. They are an integral part of our area’s ecosystem and exciting for families and guests to witness while visiting the area. Many other birds share the preserve with Great Blue Herons, including Egrets, Storks, Night Herons, Green Herons, Ospreys, Bald Eagles and more. However, the sighting of a Great Blue Heron is sure to be an unforgettable encounter for all who experience it.
On St. Simons Island, art is truly a way of life. Many artists find inspiration in the area’s sun-drenched beaches, tidal marshes and spectacular moss-draped Live Oaks. Discover a masterpiece by established and emerging artists or explore local museums and historical sites. You’ll be inspired the island’s creativity, history and charm.
Throughout most of the year on St. Simons Island, butterflies can be seen gathering nectar or flying along roadsides and waters’ edges. The fall in particular is a great time to spot butterflies along their migrations. These beautiful creatures come in a spectacular range of colors and the gulf fritillary is no exception, with its bright orange wings and […]
One of the favorite pastimes of St. Simons Island residents and visitors as they walk the beach or cruise the local waterways, is watching dolphins as they play, fish or simply swim on by. Many people don’t realize, however, that they are actually whale watching. Most of us think of whales as large marine mammals, up to 90 […]
The aquatic ecosystem of Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry is home to a wide variety of animals working in harmony to create the beautiful natural places we enjoy. By Jessie Renew, Outside Hilton Head Among these is the abundant fishery comprised of hundreds of species of animals, all of whom are woven into the food web. Close to the […]
St Simon’s Island is a magical place to getaway on a romantic trip, a relaxing vacation or seaside wedding. With pristine and quiet beaches, world-class and spas, rich history and fantastic dining options, St. Simons is an ideal vacation destination for couples. ~Beaches and Waterways: East Beach is the most popular site for a beach […]
Until the Civil War, coastal Georgia and South Carolina thrived as the country’s premiere rice growing region. Many of the South’s great rice plantations were destroyed during the Civil War, but a few still stand today. Located between Darien and Brunswick, Georgia, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation offers a fascinating window into the Lowcountry’s 19th-century rice culture. Situated […]
Each year Southern Living releases several lists boasting “The South’s Best,” including everything from accommodations to bookstores, breakfast spots, BBQ joints, beaches and so much more. In their 2017 accolades, St. Simons Island landed the #2 spot in The South’s Best Islands! Who stole first place from the Golden Isles? North Carolina’s barrier islands, the […]
By Jim Becker! Seniors Drawn To St. Simons Island! St. Simons Island was recently named one of the “Most Romantic” places to visit in the country. St. Simons Island, the seat of Glynn County, is the largest of the four barrier islands in Georgia’s Golden Isles. The Island offers senior visitors a variety of outdoor […]
The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) hosts “Island Treasures on Jekyll Island,” a unique treasure hunting experience on Georgia’s most popular public beach. The treasures are hand-crafted glass floats, called Island Treasures. The glass floats have been sought after by Jekyll Island guests since 2002. Each is unique and stamped with the year to be a […]
The First Lighthouse (1810) On October 17, 1804, John Couper, a plantation owner on St. Simons Island, deeded four acres of his land, known as “Couper’s Point,” at the south end of the island for one dollar to the Federal government for the construction of a lighthouse. James Gould of Massachusetts was hired in 1807 […]
Here is the story of how the original sweet onion was developed in America beginning in the 1930’s until today: What is now a deeply-entrenched summer tradition started out as a fluke. During the tough days of the Great Depression, farmers had high hopes of a new cash crop. These hard-working men had grown everything […]