Jekyll Island Activities , Travel Information

Jekyll Island Activities

Jekyll Island is much more than just sun and beach. Although, that does not mean that you cannot enjoy the whole day walking by the seashore or feel delighted with its many watersport activities, but the island has also a rich historic heritage that artists Rosario and Florence Fiore have featured in their famous artwork and sculptures.

The Friends of Historic Jekyll Island (FOHJI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1987. Formerly known as the Jekyll island Museum Associates, it was renamed after Fiore donated sculptures to this group, the local authority provided the gallery space in Mistletoe Cottage, a historic cottage designed in 1900 by Charles Alling Gifford.

If you prefer cultural activities, this is a good opportunity to visit more than 100 pieces in bronze, clay, limestone, and marble, including, of course, the famous Fiore Dolphin. Rosario Fiore was a New Yorker who moved to Jekyll in 1967 with his wife Florence, a place they loved and where they died, in 1994 and 1999 respectively.

Continuing with the historic setting, travelers to Jekyll Island can visit the archaeological evidence suggesting a history tracing back to 4,500 years, being the Native Americans tribes of the Timucua and later the Guale, the first settlers as early as 2,500 years BC.

In fact, Native Americans were also the first inhabitants that used this land as a seasonal retreat when not Morgans, Rockefellers, Astors or Vanderbilts had come with this idea. Today, you are invited to enjoy leisure time anywhere at Jekyll Island.

Whatever you want to do, Jekyll Island has a wide range of activities for all family members, excursion groups, couples seeking a romantic getaway, and even solo explorers. Jekyll is the smallest Georgia's barrier island with only 5,700 acres, giving you the opportunity to enjoy most of the activities it has to offer when your stay is longer than just a weekend.

Combining rich history and exhilarating recreational activities in the frame of unspoiled natural beauty, visitors can have plenty of fun and sun, including a large number of sports facilities that enables you to participate in your favorite.

In June, July and August, the Summer Waves Concerts are held at the Summer Waves Water Park, giving all teens the chance to become DJs spinning tunes and stirring up the fun to become the Island’s hottest stars. In addition, the Summer Olympiad sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club (BGC).

Jekyll's Summer Olympiad is the largest sporting event in the United States for kids ages 8 to16. The two-day Olympic event is held in early August, gathering over 500 children from 9 states of the southeast region, and includes track and field events, such as tennis, golf, beach tug o'war, 3v3 soccer and flag football.

Visitors to Jekyll are invited to participate as well. However, it is necessary sign up in advance and pay a player fee to enable kids to participate in all the Olympic sporting events, admission to Summer Waves Water Park and hotel (accommodation based on 4 per room) with breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Back to the historic context, the Jekyll Island Museum, located on Stable Road, features extraordinary activities that reveal the past of the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, with a collection of over 7,000 historic photographs highlighting Jekyll's unique heritage.

Jekyll Island Museum displays artifacts from archaeological research on early Native American inhabitants, as noted earlier in this article. This museum also houses items related to the Jekyll Island Club Era and from the island's Colonial past, including a gift shop with reproduction memorabilia and souvenirs.

From the Jekyll Island Museum, you can take a tram or carriage tour around the historic district, embarking on a journey of discovery. Presented as interpretive tours lead by professional guides, visitors are involved into different kind of adventures related to past eras.

More than just a fun illustrative and yet pleasant tour, the visit to Churches in Jekyll Island is an original activity, serving as continuity facilities for those visitors who do not want to skip the religious services during vacation time. Visitors are welcome to worship through the several denomination services offered.

All churches are located on Riverview Drive north of the Historic District, providing a unique setting for pray or simply just to visit them. Churches, denomination and corresponding scheduled are as follows:

- Episcopal Church of Saint Richard

Services: Holy Eucharist 8:30 am daily

- Saint Richard Episcopal Church

Services: tel. (912) 634-8228, Ray Worthington, Vicar

- Presbyterian Community Church

Services: tel. (912) 635-2123

- Baptist Chapel

Worship service 11:00 am, Sunday school 10:00 am

Other Services: tel. (912) 635-2355

- Parsonage Church

Services: tel. (912) 635-2492

- Saint Francis Xavier Catholic