In the Jekyll Island vs St Simons decision, choose Jekyll if you want a car-free-feeling, resort-style trip built around a sea turtle hospital, a driftwood beach, and one central historic hotel district; choose St. Simons if you want a walkable pier village, free parking everywhere, and a wider range of restaurants and rental homes. Jekyll charges a $10 per-vehicle daily parking fee to enter the island at all; St. Simons has no causeway toll and free public beach parking island-wide.
Both islands sit in Georgia’s Golden Isles, connected to the mainland near Brunswick, and both are reachable as a long day trip from Jacksonville (roughly 75 miles, 1.5 hours) or a full-day drive from Atlanta (around 300-320 miles, 5-5.5 hours). This Jekyll Island vs St Simons comparison covers costs, kid attractions, dog rules, and lodging character so you can pick the right island — or plan both into one coastal Georgia trip.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which island should you pick? | Jekyll for a resort-style trip around the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Driftwood Beach, and one historic hotel district; St. Simons for a walkable pier village, free parking, and more restaurants and rental homes. |
| What does it cost to get onto the island? | Jekyll charges $10 per standard vehicle per day, or $15 for vehicles over 8 feet tall. St. Simons has no causeway toll and no entry fee. |
| How far is it from Atlanta or Jacksonville? | About 319 miles and 5 hours 6 minutes from Atlanta to Jekyll Island; about 74 miles and 1 hour 30-35 minutes from Jacksonville to either island. |
| How long should you budget? | Two to four days. The islands are 15-20 minutes apart, so two or three nights on one with a day trip to the other works well. |
| When is the best time to go? | Spring or fall for mild weather. Both islands see their highest lodging rates in summer and around major holiday weekends. |
| Are dogs allowed on the beach? | Yes on both. Jekyll requires a leash no longer than 16 feet and closes the stretch between the South Dunes Picnic Area and about 2,000 feet northeast of the St. Andrews Picnic Area; St. Simons bans dogs on East Beach 9 a.m.-6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. |
| Is it stroller-friendly? | Partly. Pier Village, the lighthouse museum grounds, and the Sea Turtle Center exhibit halls are flat, but Driftwood Beach is uneven and the lighthouse tower is a narrow spiral staircase. |
Jekyll Island or St. Simons: which should you pick?
| Category | Jekyll Island | St. Simons Island |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Wildlife, water park, quieter resort feel | Walkable village, dining variety, free parking |
| Island access fee | $10/vehicle/day (or $100/year pass) | Free — no causeway toll |
| Beach parking | Included in island entry fee | Free, public, island-wide |
| Signature beach | Driftwood Beach | East Beach / St. Simons Public Beach |
| Signature attraction | Georgia Sea Turtle Center | St. Simons Lighthouse Museum |
| Water park | Summer Waves (seasonal) | None on-island |
| Historic core | Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District | Fort Frederica National Monument (free, NPS) |
| Dogs on the beach | Leashed, 16-ft max, most beaches (one restricted zone) | Leashed most of the year; banned on East Beach 9a-6p Memorial Day-Labor Day |
| Bike paths | 20+ miles, loops the whole island | 20+ miles, links village and beaches |
| Lodging feel | Resort hotels, historic inn, vacation rentals | Pier-village hotels, condos, and rental homes |
What do you pay for on Jekyll Island?
Jekyll Island is owned and managed by the state through the Jekyll Island Authority, which is why every vehicle pays a per-day parking fee just to cross onto the island — that fee funds the island’s conservation programs and low-density development limits.
What does the Jekyll Island parking fee cost?
- Daily rate: $10 per standard vehicle, valid until midnight; vehicles over 8 feet tall pay $15.
- Annual pass: $100 for standard vehicles, $150 for oversized vehicles — worth it if you’re visiting more than about 10 days a year.
- Exemptions: Disabled veterans with proper VA documentation ride free; bicyclists and pedestrians enter at no charge.
- What it covers: The fee is island entry, not a separate beach parking charge — once you’re on, beach lots don’t charge extra.
Driftwood Beach
Driftwood Beach, on Jekyll’s north end, is a graveyard of sun-bleached live oaks and pines toppled by decades of erosion — it’s ranked among Tripadvisor’s top U.S. beaches and is one of the most photographed spots in coastal Georgia.
- Access: Public parking off Beachview Drive near the north end of the island.
- Kids: The fallen trees make for great climbing and photos, but the ground is uneven and not stroller-friendly — plan to carry younger kids in.
- Tip: Sunrise here draws photographers for a reason; if you want the beach without a crowd, go before 9 a.m.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a working rehabilitation hospital for injured sea turtles, and it’s the single best rainy-day or midday-heat stop on either island for families.
- Cost: $10 for children ages 4-12, $12 for ages 13 and up (plus tax); note this is separate from the island’s vehicle parking fee.
- Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; reduced hours on Christmas Eve, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- Stroller: Indoor exhibit halls are flat and accessible.
- Tip: Check ahead during the annual Shrimp & Grits Festival, when the center runs limited hours.
Summer Waves Water Park
Summer Waves is Jekyll’s seasonal water park, generally running from spring through Labor Day with a wave pool, lazy river, and a dedicated kiddie zone.
- Cost: most recently $30 per person Monday-Thursday and $33 Friday-Sunday and holidays, with children 3 and under at $2.50 and a season pass at $85. Rates change by season, so confirm on jekyllisland.com before you budget.
- Season: It operates seasonally with a shorter spring/fall calendar around its main summer season — confirm the current day-by-day schedule on jekyllisland.com before you plan a trip around it, since it’s closed on many days outside peak summer.
- Tip: The park sits inside Jekyll’s island entry fee area, so you still pay the $10 vehicle fee on top of admission.
The Jekyll Island Club
The Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District is a 240-acre enclave of 34 restored buildings from the island’s Gilded Age era, when the private Jekyll Island Club counted J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, and William K. Vanderbilt among its members.
- What’s there: The Jekyll Island Club Resort (a Historic Hotels of America property) now operates inside the former clubhouse, alongside cottages like Faith Chapel and Hollybourne Cottage.
- Visiting: The district is free to walk on your own; guided trolley and history tours run on a schedule and charge separate admission — check current times and pricing on jekyllisland.com.
- Kids: Better suited to school-age kids who can handle a walking or trolley tour than toddlers.
What do you pay for on St. Simons Island?
St. Simons Island has no causeway toll and no island-wide entry fee — the F.J. Torras Causeway from Brunswick is free, and parking near the beach and Pier Village is free and public except where posted by private businesses.
Pier Village
Pier Village is St. Simons’ walkable commercial core — a compact grid of restaurants, ice cream shops, and boutiques anchored by the fishing pier itself, with public parking a short walk away at 100 Mallery Street.
- Parking: Free public lots at the pier and along Mallery and Beachview.
- Kids: Flat sidewalks, benches, and a playground near the pier make this an easy stroller stretch.
- Tip: Evenings bring live music and a busier crowd in-season — arrive earlier for dinner if you have young kids on an early bedtime.
St. Simons Lighthouse Museum
The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, run by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, pairs a working 1872 lighthouse climb with the adjacent keeper’s cottage museum.
- Cost: $12 adults, $6 children ages 6-12, free for children under 6; a $2 discount applies with valid military ID.
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.; last tickets sold at 4:30 p.m.
- Stroller: The museum grounds are accessible; the lighthouse tower itself is a narrow spiral staircase, not stroller- or wheelchair-friendly.
Fort Frederica National Monument
Fort Frederica preserves the archaeological remains of a 1736 British fort and colonial town, and it’s free — no entrance pass is required.
- Cost: Free.
- Hours: Grounds and trails open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; the visitor center runs Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
- Kids: Flat, walkable ruins and a short film at the visitor center make this an easy 45-60 minute stop, though it’s a history stop rather than a playground.
Where do you park for the beach on St. Simons?
St. Simons spreads public beach access across several free parking areas rather than one central lot, so you can pick your spot based on which beach you want.
- Massengale Park (1350 Ocean Blvd.) has accessible parking and is a good pick for families needing an easier beach approach.
- East Beach, near the Coast Guard Station (Public Beach Access #27), has ample parking and tends to be quieter.
- St. Simons Public Beach (4000 1st St.) has restrooms and showers on-site.
- Cost: All of the above are free.
Can you get around either island by bike?
Both islands maintain more than 20 miles of paved bike paths combined across the Golden Isles trail network, and both make biking a genuinely practical way to get around rather than just a novelty ride.
- Jekyll Island: A paved loop effectively encircles the island, connecting Driftwood Beach, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and the historic district — a family with two kids on rental bikes can realistically see most of the island’s main stops in one loop.
- St. Simons Island: The trail system links Pier Village, the lighthouse, and Cannon’s Point Preserve; hard-packed sand at East Beach is also rideable at low tide.
- Rentals: Both islands have multiple bike rental shops; book ahead in peak summer weekends.
Can you bring a dog to the beach on either island?
Both islands allow dogs on the beach with a leash — a real contrast with Tybee Island’s year-round ban — but each has a specific restricted zone or time window worth knowing before you pack the leash.
- Jekyll Island: Pets are permitted on most beaches and in parks year-round, on a leash no longer than 16 feet and under direct control at all times. One stretch is off-limits: no pets are allowed on the beach between the South Dunes Picnic Area and roughly 2,000 feet northeast of the St. Andrews Picnic Area.
- St. Simons Island: Rules vary slightly by beach, but East Beach bans dogs entirely from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside those hours and dates, dogs are allowed and don’t need to be leashed as long as they stay under the owner’s immediate control.
- Bottom line: Jekyll’s leash-everywhere rule is simpler to plan around; St. Simons is more flexible outside of peak summer daytime hours but requires checking which specific beach you’re headed to.
What is lodging like on each island?
Jekyll Island’s lodging concentrates around the historic district and beachfront strip — a mix of resort hotels, the Historic Hotels of America-listed Jekyll Island Club Resort, and vacation rental cottages, with fewer total rooms than St. Simons because of the island’s low-density development limits.
St. Simons Island offers a broader range: beachfront hotels and condos near the pier, plus a large stock of single-family vacation rental homes spread across the island’s residential neighborhoods. Check current rates and availability directly with hotels or a vacation rental platform, since pricing shifts by season and both islands see their highest rates in summer and around major holiday weekends.
How long is the drive from Atlanta or Jacksonville?
Both islands sit close enough together (about 15-20 minutes apart by car via the Torras Causeway and Downing Musgrove Causeway) that drive times from major cities are nearly identical.
- From Atlanta: About 319 miles / 5 hours 6 minutes to Jekyll Island; St. Simons runs a few minutes shorter along the same I-16/I-95 route.
- From Jacksonville, FL: About 74 miles / 1 hour 30-35 minutes to either island via I-95 — close enough for a long day trip, though an overnight stay makes more sense given the attractions on each island.
How should you plan the trip?
There’s no wrong answer in the Jekyll Island vs St Simons decision if you have more than a couple of days — families who want both should plan two or three nights on one island with a day-trip drive to the other — 15-20 minutes each way makes it easy to see Driftwood Beach and the Sea Turtle Center in the morning, then finish the day in Pier Village. If you’re weighing a third coastal option, our Tybee Island with kids guide covers a very different beach town near Savannah, roughly 90 minutes north by way of I-95, and our 3 days in Savannah itinerary covers the city itself.
For a longer coastal itinerary connecting multiple stops, see our coastal Georgia destinations hub, or browse our Georgia weekend getaways for more trip ideas. Traveling with kids elsewhere on the coast? Check our family guides hub for more verified, kid-specific logistics.
| What you pay for | Island | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island entry (vehicle parking fee) | Jekyll Island | $10 per standard vehicle per day, valid until midnight; $15 for vehicles over 8 feet tall | Annual pass $100 standard, $150 oversized. Disabled veterans with VA documentation, cyclists, and pedestrians enter free. |
| Island entry and beach parking | St. Simons Island | Free | No causeway toll; free public lots at Massengale Park, East Beach, St. Simons Public Beach, and Pier Village |
| Georgia Sea Turtle Center | Jekyll Island | $10 ages 4-12; $12 ages 13 and up, plus tax | Separate from the vehicle fee. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Summer Waves Water Park | Jekyll Island | $30 per person Mon-Thu, $33 Fri-Sun and holidays; $2.50 for children 3 and under; $85 season pass | Seasonal, and the $10 vehicle fee still applies on top. Confirm current rates before budgeting. |
| Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District | Jekyll Island | Free to walk on your own | Guided trolley and history tours charge separate admission on their own schedule |
| St. Simons Lighthouse Museum | St. Simons Island | $12 adults; $6 ages 6-12; free under 6 | $2 discount with valid military ID. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m., last tickets 4:30 p.m. |
| Fort Frederica National Monument | St. Simons Island | Free | No entrance pass required. Grounds daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; visitor center Wed-Sun 9 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Which island fits your situation?
| If you… | Do this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Only have one day for both | Do Driftwood Beach and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center in the morning, then cross to Pier Village for the evening | The two islands sit 15-20 minutes apart by car, and the Sea Turtle Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Want the cheapest island day | Pick St. Simons and pair Fort Frederica with a free beach lot | There is no causeway toll or entry fee, beach parking at Massengale Park, East Beach and St. Simons Public Beach is free, and Fort Frederica charges nothing |
| Get rain, or midday heat | Go to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll | Its exhibit halls are indoors and flat, it is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is $10 for ages 4-12 and $12 for ages 13 and up plus tax |
| Have a toddler and a stroller | Stay on Pier Village, the lighthouse museum grounds, and the Sea Turtle Center exhibit halls | All three are flat; Driftwood Beach is uneven enough that younger kids need carrying, and the lighthouse tower is a narrow spiral staircase |
| Are bringing the dog | Default to Jekyll unless you are on St. Simons outside summer daytime hours | Jekyll allows leashed dogs (16-foot maximum) on most beaches year-round with one closed stretch, while St. Simons bans dogs on East Beach 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day |
| Would rather not pay to bring a car onto Jekyll | Cycle or walk in, and use the island loop | Cyclists and pedestrians enter Jekyll free, and the paved loop connects Driftwood Beach, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the historic district |
| Have teenagers rather than little kids | Walk the Jekyll Island Club district and climb the St. Simons lighthouse | The 240-acre district of 34 restored buildings is free to walk and suits school-age kids over toddlers; the 1872 lighthouse climb is $12 adults, $6 ages 6-12 |
FAQ
Is Jekyll Island or St. Simons Island better for families?
Both work well for families, but Jekyll’s Sea Turtle Center, Driftwood Beach, and water park give it more built-in kid activities in a smaller, easier-to-navigate footprint. St. Simons offers more restaurant variety and a walkable village if your family prioritizes dining options over structured attractions.
How much does it cost to get onto Jekyll Island?
Jekyll Island charges a $10 per-vehicle daily parking fee (valid until midnight) just to drive onto the island, with an annual pass available for $100. St. Simons Island, by contrast, has no toll or entry fee at all.
Are dogs allowed on Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island beaches?
Yes, both islands allow leashed dogs on most beaches. Jekyll requires a leash no longer than 16 feet everywhere except one restricted stretch near the South Dunes Picnic Area. St. Simons’ East Beach bans dogs entirely from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day) but allows unleashed, controlled dogs outside those hours.
Can you visit both Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island in one trip?
Yes. The islands are roughly 15-20 minutes apart by car, making it easy to stay on one and day-trip to the other, or split a longer stay between both.
How far is Jekyll Island from Jacksonville?
Jekyll Island is about 74 miles from Jacksonville, roughly a 1 hour 30-minute drive via I-95, making both Golden Isles feasible as a long day trip or an easy weekend from North Florida.
Which island has better beaches, Jekyll or St. Simons?
It depends on what you want. Jekyll’s Driftwood Beach is a nationally recognized, highly photogenic stretch of fallen trees rather than a typical swimming beach, while St. Simons’ East Beach and public beach offer more standard sand-and-surf swimming with free, plentiful parking.
Is the $100 Jekyll Island annual pass worth it?
Only if you visit often. At $10 per standard vehicle per day, the $100 annual pass pays for itself after roughly ten days on the island in a year, so a single trip is cheaper paid daily. Oversized vehicles over 8 feet tall pay $15 a day or $150 a year. Cyclists, pedestrians, and disabled veterans with VA documentation enter free either way.
Should you base your stay on Jekyll or St. Simons?
Base on Jekyll if the trip is built around kid attractions: the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Driftwood Beach, and Summer Waves all sit there, and a paved loop encircles the island for bikes. Base on St. Simons for free parking island-wide, a walkable Pier Village with more dining, and a larger stock of rental homes. The other island is only 15-20 minutes away.
What should you do if you only have one day for both islands?
Start on Jekyll. Driftwood Beach is quietest before 9 a.m., and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center opens at 9 a.m. daily at $10 for ages 4-12 and $12 for ages 13 and up. Then drive the 15-20 minutes to St. Simons and finish in Pier Village, where parking is free. Budget the $10 Jekyll vehicle fee on top.
What is there to do on either island when it rains?
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll is the best wet-weather or midday-heat stop on either island: a working sea turtle rehabilitation hospital with flat indoor exhibit halls, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10 for ages 4-12 and $12 for ages 13 and up plus tax. On St. Simons, the lighthouse keeper cottage museum runs Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on . Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.
Sources
- Jekyll Island Authority — Parking and Entry
- Jekyll Island — Driftwood Beach
- Jekyll Island — Georgia Sea Turtle Center
- Jekyll Island — Summer Waves Water Park
- Jekyll Island — National Historic Landmark District
- Jekyll Island — Rules and Safety Tips (Pet Policy)
- Golden Isles — Beach FAQ (Pet Rules)
- Golden Isles — Biking Trail Systems
- St. Simons Island.com — Is There a Fee to Get Onto St. Simons Island?
- St. Simons Island.com — Beach Parking
- Coastal Georgia Historical Society — Plan Your Visit (Lighthouse Museum)
- National Park Service — Fort Frederica Fees & Passes
- National Park Service — Fort Frederica Operating Hours
- Distance-Cities — Jekyll Island, GA to Atlanta, GA
- Distance-Cities — Jacksonville, FL to Jekyll Island, GA
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.
