Good Review of Jekyll Harbor Marina and Jekyll Island, AICW Statute Mile 684.5
A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, Jekyll Harbor Marina lies along the easterly banks of the AICW’s passage through Jekyll Creek, immediately south of the 65-foot fixed bridge.
If it were not for the exposure to the weather, I would have given this marina five stars. You are tied up to a face dock and wind out of the south can make things exciting. There can also be a wake problem when one of the jerks who can not understand the “no wake” sign come past.
Aside from the above the place is wonderful. It is right on the ICW, has fuel, a pumpout ($15.00) and the rate is reasonable. The staff is on the ball and will be happy to help you with any questions. There is a restaurant at the marina but for serious dining you want to head for the Jekyll Island Club. In fact, if you have the time a tour of the historic district is a must. You can find out how the rich and famous lived back around 1900.
They have made quite a few changes over the last few years. There is now a high end market available next to the convention center. It is well stocked and also has a few restaurants inside. Be forewarned, nothing on Jekyll Island is cheap.
Public transportation is very limited, so bring your bikes or be prepared to rent a car from Enterprise, in Brunswick, they will pick you up at the marina. If you rent a car, everything that you will ever need is in Brunswick.
If you like to ride bikes, the Island has over 20 miles of trails. The locals will stop for you where the trail crosses the road. Most tourists, not so. They will flatten you ass in a heartbeat.
We arrived in early December and ended up staying for the entire month. We will be back in the spring.
Dave Boxmeyer
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Jekyll Harbor Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Jekyll Harbor Marina
Comments from Cruisers (2)
First, I loved Dave’s comment about tourists and bikers. That cracked me up!
Back to Jekyll Island (JI). I am so glad that more and more cruisers are discovering all that JI has to offer. It is a biker’s paradise with lots of roads and trails and very little vehicle traffic. Groceries are available on JI in the new shopping area, which is a short bike ride from the marina.
If you are looking for beach access, then you are in for a treat with the newly built Great Dunes Park. This beach is near the Convention Center and new shopping area and have excellent facilities. Here’s a map link.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zDiAQ7gKynoI.kW7odN2cr2ao&hl=en_US
Also, as mentioned by Dave, a visit to the Historic District is a must. Photos just don’t do this place justice. My wife and I spend part of our honeymoon on JI 43 years ago, and we visit there several times a year and it never gets old.
http://www.jekyllisland.com/project/historic-sites/
If you are a cruiser looking for a nice layover then JI is just the place. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. From the Turtle Center, to Drfttwood Beach, to Glory Beach, Latitude 31 and Driftwood Bistro restaurants there are treasures to be discovered on Jekyll Island, GA’s “Nearest Far Away Place.”
We were there for 5+ years. The bike trails are awesome! The restaurant is closed (had a kitchen the size of a closet) Better eats at other places on island.
The comment about the bikes and tourist are spot on. Georgia law DOES Not require a motorist to stop for a person on a bicycle in the crosswalk.