Jekyll Island
A Georgia barrier island where a private club of the very rich wintered from 1888, and where erosion has left a beach of dead oaks.
Updated 30 August 2026
The Jekyll Island Club opened in 1888 as a winter retreat whose membership included Morgan, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Pulitzer; at one point its members were said to represent a substantial fraction of the world's wealth. The 1910 meeting on the island that drafted what became the Federal Reserve system was held in secret, with participants travelling under false names. The club closed in 1942 and the state bought the island in 1947. Driftwood Beach at the northern end is the striking natural feature: erosion has undercut a maritime forest and left the trunks and roots of dead live oaks standing in the sand and surf. Sea turtles nest on the island and a rehabilitation centre treats injured ones.
What's there
- The club village - hotel and cottages from the 1888 retreat.
- Driftwood Beach - dead live oaks standing where the forest eroded.
- The 1910 Federal Reserve meeting site - held here in secrecy.
- A sea turtle centre - rehabilitating injured animals.
When to go
March to May and September to November. A full day.
Before you go
A parking fee applies per vehicle per day. Summer heat, humidity and insects are heavy. Driftwood Beach is best at low tide - check the table. Turtle nesting season restricts beach lighting and some access.
Nearby
St Simons Island is north; Cumberland Island is south.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q1573938, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Jekyll Island
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
- Binoculars - The single best wildlife tool - even a compact pair transforms a sighting. Find on Amazon
- Strong insect repellent - DEET or picaridin; the jungle is where bites and disease risk are highest. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.