The Golden Isles, islands off the coast of Georgia, offer a great escape from the humdrum of daily life.   Whether you're relaxing on a beach or spotting dolphins from a boat, you're guaranteed to be entertained.  Read on for more information! 

Dolphin Tours

 St. Simons Transit Company offers dolphin tours from St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. During the tours you¹ll explore the marshes and rivers surrounding the islands where you¹ll see dolphins, manatees and other marine life. Often, the captain will drag a net to capture various types of fish, shrimp, etc. which they place in a clear tank on board for close-up viewing. The critters are returned to the water unharmed.

Times: Tours are offered year-round. 
Contact: St. Simons Transit Co: 912-638-5678 

Nature Centers & Eco-Activities

There are several very good nature centers in the Golden Isles: Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island and Driftwood Nature Center on St. Simons Island. Both feature aquaria filled with local marine creatures, touch tanks and walking tours. Driftwood on St. Simons Island offers special day camps for kids during the summer months.

Times: Both centers are open year-round. 
Contact: Tidelands Nature Center: 912-635-5032 
Honey Creek Coastal Encounters Nature Center: 912-638-3849  

Sea Turtle Walks: From June to mid-August, nightly beach walks on Jekyll Island offer opportunities to sea nesting loggerhead sea turtles. Any age is welcome with a parent; children over age 12 can participate unattended with parental permission;  

Times: June to mid-August 
Contact: The Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Project: 912-635-4053

Touring Kayaks and Canoe Trips: Kayaks and canoes are a great way to explore the creeks and marshes of the Golden Isles. Most local outfitters offer instruction and can tailor custom outings to fit family needs and interests. 

Times: Outings offered spring through fall. 
Contact: Ocean Motion, St. Simons Island: 912-638-4749
Barry's Beach Service, St. Simons Island: 912-638-8053
Southeast Adventure Outfitters, St. Simons Island: 912-638-6732 or Brunswick: 912-265-5292

Art, Culture & Camps

Brunswick & The Golden Isles are blessed with several local arts associations, some of which sponsor art classes in a variety of media for kids of all ages.

Art:  Glynn Art Association on St. Simons Island offers children's art camps during the summer months.  Specializing in pottery, Teacher Debi Craig is especially good with children and frequently offers special classes for scouts, church groups and others.

Times: Vary depending on program.
Contact: Glynn Art Association: 912-638-8770 

Historic Sites and Museums: There are a bunch of interesting museums and historic sites including St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, (912/638-6609) Mary Miller Doll Museum (912/267-7569) in Brunswick, Fort Frederica (912/638-3639) on St. Simons Island, Hofwyl Plantation (912/264-7333) near Brunswick and Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District.  Check their websites prior to your vacation so you can enroll the kids in some of the wonderful summer workshops and day camp programs that are usually geared to local families.

Outdoor Fun

Bicycling: Because of its level terrain, Brunswick & The Golden Isles are a great place for exploration by bike. Jekyll Island offers 20 miles of paved bike paths that traverse salt marshes, maritime forest and beach as well as the island's National Historic Landmark District. Bike maps are available at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center and most island hotels.

Times: Year-round 
Contact: Jekyll Island Welcome Center: 877-453-5955

Beaches: Great beaches to explore on all the islands. Because of offshore sandbars, the surf on both St. Simons and Jekyll Islands is especially gentle, making these gold sand strectches indeal for families with infants and toddlers.

Sweet treats: No family vacation would be complete without ice cream and other goodies. Sweet Mama's (912/638-9011) on St. Simons Island is a local landmark and a favorite among visiting families.
 
 

Our thanks to the Brunswick & Golden Islands Visitors Bureau, Georgia for the information they provided.