Jekyll Island, Georgia

The Beach

While not the clearest of water or breeziest of beaches, Jekyll fulfilled our family’s checklist of what we hope to gain out of a beach vacation. There was reading and snacking and fishing and napping. Best of all, our little Addie J was oozing with enthusiasm for swimming in the waves and digging in the sand. She made the entire experience sparkle. She always does.

Leading up to our trip, I had heard someone say the water at Jekyll is dirty. They ain’t wrong. Because of its proximity to intercostal waterways, the coast lining Jekyll Island doesn’t boast the gorgeous blue hues of the Gulf of Mexico. And while the wildlife was so fun for the boys to reel in on a line, it was a little unnerving to realize you were just standing where a stingray or shark took their bait. Two jellyfish stings later, and I was content seeing the small waves from my chair.

PRO TIP: Make sure your rental has access to a swimming pool so that you can cool off without risking life and limb.

The Food

Jekyll isn’t known for its cuisine, but the neighboring areas have some incredible restaurants.

St. Simons Island (25+ min) was home to Bryce’s “favorite meal of his entire life,” a heaping plate of shrimp étouffée. Regardless of a very strong margarita maybe or maybe not influencing his zeal for this meal, Fiddler’s was a great find with large portions and decent prices. Being on the marsh gave it a unique vibe compared to other tourist-driven seafood spots.

PRO TIP: Get there early if you’re not up for hanging out. While 2 hours for a party of 9 is to be expected at 6:00 pm, that may not be the move for your evening. There is ample seating inside and outside that makes the wait time feel like an elongated cocktail hour.

Brunswick (20 min) was home to my “favorite sweet potatoes fries of my entire life.” Indigo Shanty is an inconspicuous gem that has high quality ingredients and menu items in an extremely unassuming part of town. Think Caribbean flavors with a Southern emphasis on comfort food favorites. Charleston Sauté, shrimp and grits topped with fried okra. Plantains with guacamole. Jerk-style Mahi tostadas. And a sweet potato dish topped with a savory concoction of the coastal south’s strongest ingredients. I had the best time watching my mom’s self-proclaimed “neglected sense of taste” come to life in this intimate restaurant. I can “Mmmm” with the best of them after each bite and she joined in on the fun.

PRO TIP: If you’re in a big group, you guessed it…get there early. While the restaurant has shaded, outdoor seating, the dining room has only about 10 tables. With heat indexes climbing over 112 degrees, we weren’t interested in eating anywhere without AC.

The Attractions

We didn’t explore a wild amount on this trip. Mostly because there isn’t a wild amount of attractions on Jekyll Island. Towards the end of the week, we did go and check out the historic district and visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center with Addison. The biggest “ooh” and “ahh” from that excursion was the entry stamp Addie received on her hand at the ticket counter. And somehow, it’s those moments that are all the more memorable.

Shopping at Pier Village in St. Simons was a great way to spend our morning while the boys golfed, and catching the sunrise at Driftwood Beach was a worthwhile early wakeup call.

Prior to arriving at Jekyll, we caught a Braves vs. White Sox game in Atlanta and spent a couple hours in Savannah on the way down. Having the chance to explore Savannah’s parks and live music, visit a museum with the most adorable tour guide, and eat at a cherished seafood spot made the lack of attractions in Jekyll much less noticeable.

As always, the time together with my family is my most cherished vacation experience. The quality time with my parents, my siblings, our spouses, and Addie J are pure magic to me. I hope we never tire of each other’s company.