Things to Do on St Simons Island
Fill your St Simons Island vacation with adventures! From the beaches to the golfing and everything in between, there is something for everyone to enjoy on this Golden Isles island.
Coast Guard Station Beach
The most popular beach on St Simons Island is Coast Guard Station Beach, named after the historic coast guard station that still stands at the entrance today and serves as the present home to the World War II Home Front Museum. This St Simons beach offers the widest sand section and the most parking. Great for a day at the ocean, visitors will find public restrooms, shady picnic areas, and a concession stand in the summer.
Massengale Park Beach
Massengale Park is a beautifully shaded beach access point off of Ocean Blvd and just down the road from Coast Guard Station Beach. With a playground, picnic tables, and grills available, this is a popular beach on St Simons Island for families and friends to gather. As an added bonus, Jimmy Johns, Dominos, and DoorDash deliver to this popular park.
Crabbing on the St Simons Pier
For less than $20 you can have hours of enjoyment and maybe even take home a tasty dinner. The St Simons Island pier is a great spot to head to for a supply of Blue Crab and endless memories. If you need to purchase an inexpensive crabbing net stop into the St Simons Bait & Tackle shop, located less than a block from the pier.
Fishing in the Surf or Tidal Rivers
Fishing on St Simons Island and the surrounding area is plentiful! Head to the end of the St Simons Pier with live shrimp to lure in Redfish, Shark, or even some amazing SSI Trout. If surf fishing sounds like something you want to try your hand at, the surf around Goulds Inlet is a great spot and local favorite, but any surf along the St Simons beaches will work for your needs—there are, after all, plenty of fish in the sea! Didn’t bring a pole? No worries! The Bait & Tackle Shop in the Village offers pole rentals!
Bennie's Red Barn
This cozy restaurant is located on Frederica Road on the north end of St Simons Island. The oldest restaurant on St Simons, Bennie’s is constructed from a real barn. Southern hospitality and great food is a priority at this St Simons steakhouse that offers up tasty eats for all to enjoy. Learn the history of Bennie’s Red Barn here.
Sunset Cruise with Spirit of St Simons Sailing Charters
Climb aboard the 36-foot sailing catamaran, Spirit of St Simons. Sailing out of Morningstar Marina, this St Simons sailing charter is the only Coast Guard Certified sailing vessel in Georgia and is certified for up to 24 passengers. They offer regularly scheduled sunset charters and private cruises. Learn more at http://charlysboat.com/charter.
Kayaking the Marsh
The waterways in and around St Simons Island offer up some great kayaking for those seeking adventure, views, and fun on the water. Dolphins, sea turtles, and beautiful marsh birds are all common sights to see. There are plenty of guided tours available, or you can rent a kayak for a few hours and explore the St Simons waterways on your own. Important side note: the tides change F A S T in the Golden Isles. Please check the tide charts for the Golden Isles and stop by a local outfitter for a map before venturing out on your own.
Tree Spirits of St Simons Island
Embark on an adventurous treasure hunt like none you’ve experienced before! St Simons Island is home to seven tree spirits scattered around the island and can make for a day of fun, adventure, shopping, and good local eats! Learn more about this fun treasure hunt here.
The King and Prince Golf Course
Practice your swing at the award-winning King and Prince Golf Course on St Simons Island. The 18-hole, Par 72 course offers spectacular salt marshes and towering ancient oaks nestled among the lakes and lagoons. Considered one of the south’s finest golf courses, this is a must for any golfer visiting St Simons.
Lighthouse Museum
Located near the pier, the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum is the perfect place to learn about lighthouse history and culture. The lighthouse and other buildings present in the museum were built in 1872 to replace the previous lighthouse which was destroyed by Confederate forces during the civil war. The St. Simons Island lighthouse is still active and guides ships sailing through the St. Simons Sound. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM and on Sunday from 12PM to 5PM. Ticket sales end at 4:30PM every day and can be purchased at a price of $12 for adults. Children’s entrance tickets to the museum are $6.
Dolphin Boat Tour
Visitors embarking on a St Simons Island dolphin boat tour will get to spot dolphins, coastal birds, manatees, and other endangered wildlife species present on the Georgia coast. Dolphins frequently approach the dolphin tour boat to entertain its crew. As an added bonus, a St. Simons dolphin boat tour also offers fabulous ocean views. Tickets for the tour cost $27 for adults, $20 for teens, $15 for preteens, and $5 for children age 2 and under.
This company also offers Sunset Cruises around St Simons, fishing charters, and private boat tours.
Lighthouse Trolley Tour
The St. Simons Lighthouse Trolley Tour boards at the Pier on St Simons Island and is 90 minutes in duration. The tour provides extensive information on the island's various historic sites and cultural relics as well as sightseeing opportunities. The tour is perfect for any visitor trying to learn more about the island’s unique culture and history. Tickets for the lighthouse trolley tour are available for purchase online.
Casino on Emerald Princess
Jump aboard the Emerald Princess for some gaming fun on the Atlantic Ocean. This St Simons Casino is a two hundred foot cruise ship containing a dining room, cocktail lounges, and a full casino. The ship offers visitors the opportunity to play blackjack, dice, roulette, poker, and slot machines. The third floor of the ship features an open observation deck, perfect for soaking in views of the open sea. Visitors must be 21 or older to board the ship.