Driftwood Beach sits on the northern tip of Jekyll Island, about 27 miles from the Village on St. Simons Island, roughly a 40 minute drive. The route crosses the F.J. Torras Causeway to Brunswick, runs south on U.S. 17 over the Sidney Lanier Bridge, and turns onto the Jekyll Island Causeway. Plan on an hour or two at the beach. Plan on a full day if you want the Historic District and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center too.

What the beach looks like

A maritime forest once stood along this shore. Decades of erosion took the ground out from under it, and the trees fell where they grew. The tide has been smoothing them ever since.

Trunks lie bleached silver across the sand with their roots lifted toward the sky. Some are wide enough to sit on. A few arch over the shoreline like a doorway. The beach faces east, so the morning light arrives low and long across the wood.

If you have read our post on the Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island, you already know how the Georgia coast shapes its trees. Driftwood Beach is the same story told on a wider stage.

Plan around the tide

The tide decides how much beach you find. At low tide and on an outgoing tide, the sand opens and you can walk between the trunks. At high tide the water reaches the tree line and the walk gets short.

Check the Driftwood Beach tide chart before you leave, and plan to arrive as the water drops toward low. When sunrise and low tide fall close together, the beach is at its quietest.

Getting there from St. Simons Island

Leave the island over the F.J. Torras Causeway and meet U.S. 17 at Glynn Avenue. Head south, cross the Sidney Lanier Bridge, and take the Jekyll Island Causeway to the entry gate.

Every vehicle entering Jekyll Island needs a parking pass. The pass is $10 per vehicle per day, and you can buy it online ahead of time or at the gate. Bicycles and pedestrians enter at no charge. There is no fee for the beach itself.

Past the gate, follow Ben Fortson Parkway to the roundabout and continue north on North Beachview Drive. Parking sits along the entryways off North Beachview Drive. The beach cannot be seen from the road, so look for the short path into the trees.

What to bring

Wear shoes you can walk in over roots and broken shell. Bring water, a towel, and a camera. Dogs are welcome on Jekyll Island beaches, and they must stay on a leash no longer than 16 feet. Leave the driftwood where it lies, since removing it is not permitted.

Make it a full day on Jekyll Island

Begin at Driftwood Beach while the tide is low and the light is soft. By late morning, drive to the Jekyll Island Club Historic District, where the old clubhouse and the cottages line the grounds under live oaks.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center sits nearby and is a good afternoon stop for anyone who prefers shade after a morning on the sand. The ruins of the Horton House, an eighteenth-century tabby structure, stand off Riverview Drive for those who like a quieter detour.

Coming home to St. Simons

The causeway back is an easy drive in the late afternoon. Parking on St. Simons is free and public except where posted, so the evening is simple. Walk out on the pier near the Village as the light goes, and let the marsh air settle the day.

If you are planning more than a day trip, our St. Simons Island vacation rentals give you a home base between the two islands, with a kitchen for a slow breakfast before the drive. For a longer list of ways to fill your days, start with things to do on St. Simons Island.

FAQs

How far is Driftwood Beach from St. Simons Island?

Driftwood Beach is about 27 miles from the Village on St. Simons Island, which is roughly a 40 minute drive. The route crosses the F.J. Torras Causeway, follows U.S. 17 south over the Sidney Lanier Bridge, and continues onto the Jekyll Island Causeway.

Do I have to pay to visit Driftwood Beach?

There is no fee for the beach itself. Every vehicle entering Jekyll Island needs a parking pass, currently $10 per day. Bicycles and pedestrians enter at no charge.

What is the best time to visit Driftwood Beach?

Low tide and an outgoing tide are best, because the sand opens up and the trees stand clear of the water. The beach faces east, so sunrise brings the softest light. Check the Driftwood Beach tide chart before you leave.

Can I bring my dog to Driftwood Beach?

Yes. Dogs are welcome on Jekyll Island beaches. They must stay on a leash no longer than 16 feet.

Can you swim at Driftwood Beach?

Driftwood Beach is better for walking and photography than for swimming. Currents near the north end of the island can run swift as the tide changes.

How long should I spend at Driftwood Beach?

Most visitors spend one to two hours walking the shore. Add time if you want to visit the Jekyll Island Club Historic District or the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on the same trip.