Jekyll Island, GA

Jekyll Island is a small barrier island on the Georgia coast, part of Glynn County and one of the four Golden Isles that line the Atlantic just south of the South Carolina border. Its year-round population is tiny, with only a few hundred full-time residents, but the island swells with visitors drawn to its sandy beaches, live oak groves, and the lingering air of Gilded Age glamour. Best known as the former winter retreat of America's wealthiest families—including Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers—Jekyll Island today functions as a quiet, nature-rich getaway within easy reach of the Southeast's larger cities. It sits roughly 80 miles south of Savannah, Georgia, and about 75 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, both connected to the island by Interstate 95 and a short causeway from the mainland city of Brunswick.

The centerpiece of any visit is the Jekyll Island Historic District, a leafy cluster of late-19th- and early-20th-century cottages, clubs, and outbuildings that once served as the private compound of the Jekyll Island Club. The area is now preserved as a National Historic Landmark, and the clubhouse operates as a museum where visitors can tour opulent "cottages" built by some of the era's most powerful families. The historic district is a short, easy drive from nearly every point on the island and anchors much of the cultural and architectural interest that draws guests year after year.

Just a few minutes north of the historic district, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers a quieter, more educational counterpoint to the beaches, combining a working rehabilitation hospital for injured sea turtles with aquariums, touch tanks, and nature programs for families. It is the only facility of its kind operated by a state park in Georgia, and the center is open to the public year-round.

Driftwood Beach, on the island's northern tip, is among the most photographed stretches of coastline in the Southeast. Known for the gnarled remains of ancient oaks and pines washed onto the sand, it attracts casual strollers, photographers, and even small weddings. The beach is a short drive from the island's main hotel and convention area and is part of Jekyll Island State Park, Georgia's only state park accessible by causeway.

For guests willing to venture just off the island, the neighboring town of Brunswick and the larger St. Simons Island—both connected by a brief drive across the causeways—offer additional dining, lighthouse views, and marsh-front scenery that round out the coastal experience.

Jekyll Island's blend of preserved Gilded Age history, accessible wildlife and beach experiences, and proximity to both Savannah and Jacksonville makes it a particularly strong base for short-term rentals. Visitors tend to arrive seeking slow-paced coastal time rather than high-volume tourism, and the island's compact layout, year-round mild climate, and well-defined set of attractions give rental owners a reliable audience of returning beachgoers, family travelers, and history-minded tourists.