Steve Ellis Tours Jekyll Island Destination Guide
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Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Georgia Sea Turtle Center
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island is home to coastal Georgia's only medical treatment and rehabilitation for sick and injured sea turtles. The Center features an array of exhibits that discuss sea turtle life, ecology, environmental threats and more. Through a large picture window and video monitor, visitors can watch as Turtle Center veterinarians and staff treat and care for their "patients." The Turtle Center also features a large rehabilitation/hospital area..


Insider Tip
 

Jekyll Island Rivitalization



The highly-anticipated revitalization of Jekyll Island kicked off with great fanfare in late 2009 with a grand community-wide celebration. The event, attended by hundreds of area business leaders, government officials, dignitaries, guests and residents, was headlined with a groundbreaking and tree planting ceremony and hosted by Georgia’s Governor Sonny Perdue and the board of the Jekyll Island Authority. Signifying an exciting future for Jekyll Island, Governor Perdue was joined by board members and dignitaries to plant a commemorative tree at the future site of Great Dunes Park -- which one day will be a beautiful and central welcoming area for all Jekyll Island guests. Today's event marked the first official groundbreaking for the highly-anticipated public revitalization project planned for the island.


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Reviews
 
Travelmedia

I suppose it was about 1981 when I first discovered Jekyll Island. It was a family vacation -- and I'll admit I wasn't really looking forward to it. Going to a beach with the folks was bad enough, but to a Georgia beach?! Why not Destin or Hilton Head or one of the other high profile resorts in neighboring states. The trip caught me by surprise and I fell in love with the island. I've been visiting her ever since.Jekyll is a family island, with man-made attractions for those tired with the beach. Whether you're looking for romantic, starlit walks along the beach, or just a quiet place to escape the city, you can find it here. trip.com

What has wide, empty, packed sand beaches, a variety of accommodations, a historic district of winter "cottages" built by the likes of JP Morgan, a church with a stained glass window made and installed personally by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and a peaceful beauty that will enchant you -- all in one island about 7.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide? We found it on Jekyll Island. And, ironically, we can thank the incredibly rich families of America in the late 1800s for it. Offbeat Travel

Once a winter playground for the Rockefellers, Pulitzers, Goulds, Morgans, and Cranes, Jekyll Island is the smallest of the state's coastal islands, with 5,600 acres of highlands and 10,000 acres of marshlands. Today it's no longer the exclusive enclave it once was, and is open to all those attracted by its miles of beautiful, white-sand Atlantic beaches and holes of championship golf. It also has far better tennis complexes than St. Simons Island. Families come here for a wealth of outdoor activitiesFrommer's


Online Traveler

Millioniare's Row is the showcase of the island other than the natural beauty that is Jekyll Island. The evening carriage ride was very romantic! The beaches and modern part of the island is an area, we didn't spend much time at but from what I saw...I LIKED IT! IgoUgo User

When we came to Jekyll Island, we wanted a good way to explore the natural areas of this beautiful place. We found the perfect way to do this is by kayak. My sister had kayaked before, but my mom and I had not. We had an experienced guide show us how to get around in the kayaks well, and then he took us out around the salt marshes, giving us a lesson on the local ecology while allowing us to explore where we wanted. It was a great experience and we have since went kayaking in other places we've traveled to. I recommend kayaking for anyone who doesn't mind getting a little sun and getting wet to see the natural side of Jekyll Island. Virtual Tourist User

Go to the north end of the island, park and walk through the woods 50ft and on to the beach, hang a left and head up the beach, look over to the north toward St Simon Island for the lighthouse. Virtual Tourist User



Overview
 

Welcome to Jekyll Island, Georgia’s Jewel

Guale Indians, Spanish missionaries, English and French immigrants and some of America's wealthiest families all have one thing in common: they were once residents of Jekyll Island. The Island is best known for the Jekyll Island Club era (1886-1942) when it served as the exclusive retreat for American millionaires including Rockefeller, Morgan and Gould. The Club era is relived through the on-going restoration of the Historic Landmark District anchored by the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. In 1947, the state of Georgia purchased the island from the Jekyll Island Club members and created the Jekyll Island Authority to manage the public land while preserving the beauty of the island, making it an affordable vacation destination.


Must See
 

The Jekyll Island Museum

The Jekyll Island MuseumThroughout its history, Jekyll Island is a place where people have imagined an alternative. People have come here to be different, and they still do. The Jekyll Island Museum represents the people that come from near and far to one of Georgia's most beautiful islands. Exhibitions at the museum feature objects and photographs from extensive collections and introduce you to the rich heritage of Jekyll Island. At the Jekyll Island Museum you can embark on a journey of discovery, through exhibits, tours and programs that are adventures into a bygone era.

The Beaches of Jekyll Island

The Beaches of Jekyll IslandJekyll Island’s 10 miles of unspoiled beaches are perfect for sunbathing or swimming, for leisurely walks or invigorating jogs. Perhaps best known for their natural bounty, Jekyll Island’s beaches offer shell collecting for guests young and old. As a barrier island, Jekyll Island’s beaches feature unique formations and are ever-changing. The ebb and flow of the tide many times determine the size and unusual characteristics of the beach. Each year, due tidal changes, wind and water currents, sand and silt from the marshlands of the northern coast are deposited on the beaches of the southern coast causing the entire island and ecosystems to evolve..

Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District

Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark DistrictAt first, it was the farm and home of John Eugene duBignon. But, with the help of his brother-in-law Newton Finney, it became what Munsey’s Magazine called “the richest, most inaccessible club in the world” – the Jekyll Island Club. At a time when the idea of a modern seaside resort was still a novelty, members experienced levels of luxury and service that were remarkable, even by today’s standards. Today, the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District is a one of the largest, ongoing restoration projects in the southeastern United States. Come see this world renowned attraction! .


Must Do
 

Fishing & Boating on Jekyll Island

Fishing& Boating on Jekyll IslandMake the Island your gateway to a fishing paradise or just a heavenly day of sightseeing or Dolphin spotting. The island’s knowledgeable fishing captains, know all of the best spots to catch a variety of fish. For a relaxing day of beautiful scenery along the Georgia Coast, Jekyll Island offers Dolphin tours, Fishing Charters and Sailing trips. The Jekyll Harbor Marina and Jekyll Wharf offer additional options for boat owners to enjoy Jekyll Island’s off-shore waterways and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean, including slip rentals and daily boat launching services. Make the most of your trip and fish on Jekyll Island! .

Dragonfly Copters

Dragonfly CoptersLet Dragonfly Copters change the angle of your view! Climb on board for tours of the Golden Isles, the beautiful Marshes of Glynn, the Okefenokee Swamp and more. Dragonfly tours originate and terminate from either the main airport terminal at the McKinnon airport on St. Simons or the airstrip on Jekyll Island. Our air-conditioned helicopter seats three passengers. The St. Simons Tour requires a minimum of two passengers; other tours accommodate 1-3 passengers for the listed price. Reservations are required. We recommend booking at least 2 days in advance, but reservations may be made the morning of your tour on a first come – first served basis.

Bicycling on Jekyll Island

Bicycling on Jekyll Island BYOB... that's "Bring Your Own Bike!" Or rent one! Then park your car and throw away your keys. Jekyll is just perfect for biking with over 20 miles of paved paths that allow for exploration of a broad range of scenery, from beaches to forests to Jekyll Island's own Historic Landmark District and campgrounds. With its level terrain, abundant scenery and miles of paved paths, Jekyll Island is a cyclist’s dream. Challenge yourself with a ride along the Jekyll Island Causeway and its bridges or, for a more leisurely ride explore the bike paths Jekyll Island. Local bike shops are great resources for rental bikes, equipment, repairs and information. .


Must Experience
 

Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours

Jekyll Island Dolphin ToursDiscover the coastal waters of Brunswick and the Golden Isles and one of its most beautiful inhabitants during a Dolphin Tour. These tours are a great way to spend time with family and friends while taking in the pleasures of the surrounding areas. Make sure to bring a camera becaus you never know what you may see! The waters and surrounding marshes of the Golden Isles are thriving with wildlife. Each tour is about 90 minutes and narrated by a personable captain. All tours depart from the Historic Jekyll Island Wharf Marina. Enjoy nature at its best with a Dolphin Tour!

The Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival

October 7th- 11th, 2010

Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival Started in 2002, this marks the eighth year of the Georgia Coast Birding and Nature Festival. Annually this event brings bird watchers from around the world to Jekyll Island and the Brunswick-Golden Isles area to view the numerous migrating bird species. The Georgia Coast Birding & Nature Festival features numerous field trips, exhibits, and educational sessions related to birding, wildlife viewing, and environmental awareness. Experienced guides show visitors how to spot various birds, learn their calls, and identify their species. Quick field trips are also offered to young bird watchers to introduce them to the hobby and instill an appreciation for the environment..

Dining on Jekyll Island

Dining on Jekyll IslandWhere better to taste the freshest of seafood than at one of Georgia's gorgeous islands. Come hungry for island cuisine at its best! Jekyll Island offers a wide range of delicious dining options. With sucha a wide array of choices visitors can enjoy anything from a savory steak to the most scrumptious shrimp in the sea! There really is something for everyone, and it very well could be under the same roof! Regardless if you are looking forward to a romantic dinner for two or a casual dinner for four, Jekyll Island establishments offer a wonderful, island-dining experience. Remember to save room for dessert! .


Contact Info
 
Steve Ellis Tour & Receptive, LLC
PO Box 383
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868-0383
 
Toll-Free: (800) 953-7469
Phone: (865) 429-5070
Fax: (865) 429-8028
Email: steve@discountours.com
Website: www.discountours.com

Activities
 

Summer Waves Water Park



Slide on in, the water's fine at the end of one of these wild slide rides! Take a leisurely float in an inner tube boat. Cool off under the giant tipping bucket in the Splash Zone. Your little ones can play in their very own pool with fountains and slides just the right size! Or just kick back and relax and soak up the rays. It's a great way to pass a summer's day. What's the best part of all? That's easy - no sand in your suit! There's fun for everyone in the family, from the youngest all the way up to those in their second childhood... not to mention those who never grew up! So come see for yourselves... it just doesn't get any better - or wetter!
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