Cumberland Island, located in Georgia, is a beautiful destination for a day trip or camping trip. This island is the largest in Georgia’s barrier sea islands and unlike some of the other islands, it’s the only one that can only be accessed via ferry or private boat. Cumberland Island has 17.5 miles of pristine beaches, forests, lakes and marshes. There is plenty to explore as visitors have access to all areas of the island. There are plenty of things to do on Cumberland Island: you can go swimming, hiking, fishing, hunting, and explore the wildlife. It’s a perfect destination if you are seeking solitude, family time or looking for a romantic getaway or a fun adventure
To enjoy Cumberland Island, you’ll need to plan ahead and keep in mind that there is only one option for accommodation: the luxurious – and expensive – Greyfield Inn. If you are planning on a visit of more than a day, there are camping options on the island. You can camp here for up to 7 days. There are no grocery stores or stores of any kind on the island, so you’ll need to plan ahead to make sure that you have everything you will need for your stay.
To get to Cumberland Island you can fly to Savannah or Jacksonville, rent a car and reserve accommodations in the town of Saint Marys, Georgia. Jacksonville is only 45 minutes away from Saint Marys whereas a drive from Savnnah will take approximately 2 hours. Flights from most major cities are also cheaper going into Jacksonville.
There are a number of accommodation options in Saint Marys and the town is a great jumping off point to explore the other barrier islands. From Saint Marys, you’ll be a 10-15 minute drive to the visitor center for Cumberland Island. Visitors show up early in the morning (around 8am) because the ferry can get quite crowded and there is a daily limit of visitors for the island of 300 people. Be prepared to wait or to be placed on a waiting list at this point. The ferry ride to the island takes about 45 minutes and drops you on the south end of Cumberland Island. It is advisable to bring a lot of water and a map. Of course, be mindful of the time to ensure you are able to catch the last ferry off the island.
Ferry Schedule to get to Cumberland Island:
- March through November, the ferry operates twice daily leaving at 9am and 11:45am.
- The ferry departs Cumberland Island at 10:15am and 4:45pm
There are some exceptions throughout the year:
- March 15 through September 30 there is an additional 2:45pm departure from Cumberland Island on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
- December 1 through the end of February there is no ferry service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and there is no 2:45pm ferry leaving the island.
If you are planning on camping on Cumberland Island, there are a couple of options but it is highly recommended that you make reservations in the spring and fall seasons. You can make reservations up to six months in advance. Cumberland Island offers both developed camping and wilderness camping. Visitors must adhere to strict regulations that include: no fires and no alcohol. All visitors are responsible for their own trash and must carry it off of the island when they depart.
For backcountry camping, visitors will have to pay $2.00 per person per night. The three backcountry sites are: Brickhill Bluff, Hickory Hill, and Yankee Paradise. There are no facilities at these sites.
Another option is the Sea Camp Campground where nightly fees per person are $4.00. This campground has restrooms and cold water showers. There are only 16 individual camp sites so a reservation is necessary in peak seasons. In each campsite you will find a fire ring, a grill and a picnic table.
For more information on Cumberland Island click here: http://www.coastalgeorgiaexperience.com/site/502999/page/85387
