You’re standing on the pier at St. Simons, looking south. You can actually see it. That low, green strip of land across the water is Jekyll Island. It looks like you could almost swim there. Don't. The currents in St. Simons Sound are notoriously treacherous, and the sharks are very real.
Getting from St Simons Island to Jekyll Island is one of those trips that feels like it should take five minutes but actually requires a bit of a loop. You’ve got to head back to the mainland, cross the big bridge, and then hook back toward the ocean. It’s a drive of about 20 to 30 miles depending on where you start, taking roughly 35 minutes. But honestly? The transition between these two islands is what makes the Georgia coast so weirdly addictive.
St. Simons is the "lived-in" sibling. It’s got the roundabouts, the high-end boutiques, the massive live oaks draped in moss, and a bustling village scene. Jekyll is the quiet, state-protected cousin where the speed limits are low and the deer outnumber the tourists. Moving between them feels like switching channels from a lively sitcom to a nature documentary.
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The Drive: What to Expect on the Road
Most people just hop in the car. It's the only way to do it if you aren't on a private boat. You'll take the F.J. Torras Causeway out of St. Simons. It's a beautiful stretch of road over the salt marshes where you'll see egrets and maybe a kayaker if the tide is right. Once you hit the mainland in Brunswick, you’ll follow the signs for US-17 South.
The Sidney Lanier Bridge is the highlight. It’s a massive cable-stayed bridge that looks like a giant harp reaching into the sky. Driving over it gives you a panoramic view of the Port of Brunswick and the winding waterways of the Golden Isles. It's steep. Some people hate it; others live for the view from the peak.
After you descend, you’ll take a left onto the Jekyll Island Causeway (GA-520).
The Entry Fee Factor
Unlike St. Simons, Jekyll Island is a state park. You have to pay to get in. As of early 2026, the daily parking pass is $10. There are automated kiosks, or you can buy a pass online ahead of time. Don't try to dodge it; there's a gate, and it's the primary way the island funds its conservation efforts. If you're planning on making the trip from St Simons Island to Jekyll Island multiple times in a week, just buy the weekly pass. It saves a few bucks and a lot of fumbling with credit cards at the gate.
Why Bother Crossing the Sound?
You might wonder why you’d leave the comforts of St. Simons.
St. Simons has better food. Let’s be real. If you want a high-end steak or a specific craft cocktail, Mallery Street is your spot. But Jekyll offers something St. Simons physically cannot: Driftwood Beach.
If you haven't seen it, Driftwood Beach looks like a graveyard for giants. Decades of erosion have caused massive live oaks and pines to fall into the ocean, where the salt and sun have bleached them bone-white. It’s haunting. It’s also the most photographed spot in the region. You go to Jekyll for the silence and the scenery. You go to St. Simons for the vibe and the community.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center
If you have kids, or even if you don't, this is the main reason to make the trek. Located in the historic district of Jekyll, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a working hospital. You can see the "patients" in their tanks and watch veterinarians perform procedures through glass windows. It’s not a shiny, corporate aquarium. It’s a grit-and-glory conservation facility.
St. Simons has the Lighthouse and Fort Frederica, which are incredible for history buffs, but Jekyll has that specific, concentrated focus on wildlife that feels very different from the residential feel of its neighbor.
Biking the Bridge? Probably Not.
I get asked this a lot: "Can I bike from St Simons Island to Jekyll Island?"
Technically, yes. Practically? It’s a workout and a half. The Sidney Lanier Bridge has a narrow shoulder, but the wind up there can be brutal. Unless you are a serious cyclist who is comfortable with high-speed traffic zooming past you at 55 mph, I wouldn't recommend it for a casual family outing.
Once you are actually on Jekyll, though, it’s a cyclist’s dream. The island has over 20 miles of paved trails that stay off the main roads. Many people drive their bikes over on a rack, park at the Great Dunes Beach Park, and then spend the whole day on two wheels.
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The Logistics of Boat Travel
If you’re lucky enough to have a boat or want to rent one, the trip is much shorter. You’re looking at a 5-mile hop across the sound. However, you need to be mindful of the tides. The Georgia coast has 6-to-9-foot tidal swings. If you don't know what you're doing, you can easily end up grounded on a sandbar that wasn't there two hours ago.
There isn't a consistent "water taxi" service running between the two islands for public transport. People have tried to start them, but the demand fluctuates and the water conditions are fickle. You’ll occasionally find private charters departing from Morningstar Marina on St. Simons that will take you over to Jekyll for a day trip, but it’s a premium experience, not a commuter shuttle.
Where to Eat When You Get There
If you’re making the trip from St Simons Island to Jekyll Island and you're hungry, Jekyll's options are a bit more spread out.
- The Wharf: This is the spot for sunset. It sits out over the water in the Historic District. The fried shrimp is solid, but you’re really there for the live music and the view of the Marshes of Glynn.
- Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar: A bit more upscale, located at the Jekyll Island Club Resort. Good for a proper sit-down lunch.
- Tortuga Jack’s: It’s right on the ocean with a big tiki-style deck. It’s loud, colorful, and serves Mexican food that hits the spot after a day on the beach.
Contrast this with St. Simons, where you can walk to twenty different restaurants in the Pier Village. Jekyll requires a bit more planning. Pack a cooler with water and snacks, because you won't find a gas station on every corner once you cross that causeway.
Hidden Gems on the Way
On your way back to St. Simons, don't just fly down US-17. Stop in Brunswick for a minute. Specifically, look for the "Lover’s Oak." It’s supposed to be 900 years old.
Also, the rice paddies and old plantation ruins along the marshes tell a heavy, complex story of the Lowcountry's history. This isn't just a vacation spot; it’s a landscape shaped by the Gullah Geechee heritage and the labor of enslaved people who built the dikes and canals you see from the road. Taking a second to acknowledge that history makes the beauty of the marshes feel much more profound.
Weather and Timing
Summer is hot. That’s a given. But the "no-see-ums" (tiny biting gnats) are the real villains of the Georgia coast. They are particularly active at dawn and dusk on both islands. If you’re heading to Driftwood Beach for a sunset photo shoot, bring bug spray with DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
The best time to travel between the islands is honestly the fall. October and November see the humidity drop, the crowds thin out, and the marsh grass turns a stunning golden-brown.
Practical Checklist for the Trip
- Gas Up: St. Simons has plenty of stations. Jekyll has one main station near the center of the island, but it can be pricey.
- The Pass: Have your $10 ready for the Jekyll gate.
- Tide Charts: If you plan on visiting Driftwood Beach, check the tide. At high tide, the beach virtually disappears, and you're left scrambling over logs. Go at low tide to see the full expanse.
- Sunscreen: The reflection off the water on the Sidney Lanier Bridge and the causeways is intense.
Ultimately, the trip from St Simons Island to Jekyll Island is less about the destination and more about the shift in perspective. You leave the bustling, moss-draped streets of a residential paradise and enter a state-protected sanctuary where nature is still the boss. It’s a 35-minute drive that feels like a hundred-mile journey into a different era of Georgia history.
To make the most of the day, start early at the St. Simons Pier to watch the shrimp boats head out, then aim to be on Jekyll by 10:00 AM. This gives you time to hit the Sea Turtle Center before the lunch rush and leaves your afternoon open for a long bike ride or a slow walk through the boneyard trees of the north end. Just make sure you’re back over the bridge before dark if you want to catch the sunset from the top of the Sidney Lanier—it’s the best free show in the county.