Famously a winter getaway for the wealthy American elite, today this 5,700-acre island with its 10 miles of beautiful beach—including a stunning and unique maritime ‘forest’—is state-owned and accessible for all.

Find luxurious apartments or cozy condos on FlipKey and get ready for the trip of a lifetime. Terrific for both sea sports and enjoying an idyllic getaway in beautiful surrounds, Jekyll Island should be next on your vacation list.

About Jekyll Island

A national historic landmark, Jekyll Beach was once a club for the richest and most famous in America, such as the Rockefellers, William K Vanderbilt, J P Morgan and Marshall Field. As an exclusive group, it was their own little taste of paradise, where they commissioned the building of stunning winter homes in which they could live in splendid—and elegant—isolation from the rest of the world.

In 1947, the island was declared a state park to be governed by the State of Georgia. Today, it’s managed by the Jekyll Island Authority and open to everyone who cares to pop over on the paved causeway linking it to the mainland, or via ferry.

The island is around seven miles long and 1.5 miles wide, so can easily be walked or cycled around. Wilderness in the north side was flattened in the early 20th century to build plantations.

What to do on Jekyll Island

A visit to Driftwood Beach is a must. This cemetery of waterlogged oak and pine trees twisted into distorted and fascinating shapes is a terrific photo opportunity – and a little eerie.

Rent a bike or walk around the Jekyll Island Trail System. It’s flat and encompasses the entire island. Choose whether you fancy a short or island-wide trail. You might be lucky enough to spot an alligator, sea turtle or various colorful birds en-route.

And on that note, the Georgia Sea Turtle Centre is definitely worth a visit. An education and rehabilitation center, you’ll be able to see a turtle getting a wash and learning how to swim.

If you love period architecture and interiors then a visit to the Island’s Historic District should be on your agenda to see how the rich lived back in the day: devote an entire afternoon.

Top travel tips for Jekyll Island

Expect to pay a toll of $19.95 per person to enter the island (a pass for a whole season is $69.99 and entitles you to a discount on various island attractions).

You'll get the best weather on the island from March to May as temperatures rise considerably in summer—although the sea winds help with humidity.

If you're planning on taking your dog with you, then he or she must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are banned completely between South Dunes Picnic Area and northeast of St. Andrews Sound Picnic Area on South Beach. Just be aware and pay attention to the signs.

It's not difficult to see why the wealthy of America chose to spend their winters on this lovely island paradise. It's complete with beautiful beaches, rugged forest trails, exciting wildlife and pleasant weather much of the year round. Both the historic district and the island itself have been incredibly well-preserved.

Get your vacation off to a good start by booking your ideal vacation rental with FlipKey, today! With such a wide range of options to choose from, you won’t be disappointed.