Exploring the Incredible Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island, Georgia

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We had the amazing opportunity to visit coastal Georgia and fell in love with Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island. This coastal gem is located along the gorgeous southeastern coast of Georgia. Jekyll Island is one of four barrier islands collectively called the “Golden Isles” of Georgia. Many people who plan a trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia, do so because they want to visit Driftwood Beach, and this includes us! 

I am sure that you have come across some photos of Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, as it’s a hugely popular location known for its haunting dead trees, sparse ambiance, and apocalyptic atmosphere. Visiting this amazing beach could be the perfect family trip for 2025.

Visiting Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island

The huge driftwood trees, branches, and root wads that dot the coast in this area are something to marvel at, and the whole vibe is surreal. We didn’t know what to expect during our trip to Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, but we were really impressed! Seeing Driftwood Beach is #1 on my list of Fun Things To Do On Jekyll Island With Kids!

To be honest, in this Instagram world, I was expecting maybe 2-3 downed trees and a lot of people taking selfies across a small area. But in reality, the beach is long, filled with lots of massive dead trees, and so much fun to explore! I can confidently say that Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island is a MUST-DO on your Georgia travel bucket list!

In this post, I’ll cover topics like:

• What is Driftwood Beach?
• Why does Driftwood Beach have dead trees?
• Getting to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
• Photography on Driftwood Beach
• The best time to visit Driftwood Beach
• Tips for visiting Driftwood Beach
• FAQ about Driftwood Beach

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia

Maybe people are so enamored by this gnarly driftwood-covered setting because it’s quite imperfect and not made for tourists. Most vacation destinations would quickly “clean up” the beach, making room for another hotel or some Southern Living-inspired vacation rentals, but Jekyll Island is different.

This unique barrier island is owned and managed by the State of Georgia.

So, while this popular Georgia beach may seem out of place, it’s actually the untouched coast and nature at its best.   Maybe that’s something everyone is looking for because Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island continues to be rated one of America’s most romantic beaches year after year.

Driftwood Beach ranks No. 8 in the United States by Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Beaches as part of its annual Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. Tripadvisor reviewers say Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island is “Fascinating and almost otherworldly.”

History of Driftwood Beach

Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island actually started over a hundred years ago as a maritime forest. After years of erosion, many of the trees were no match to the sand and saltwater.  They now lay scattered on the beach, a weathered and beautiful mess. This masterpiece of nature is the outcome of an entire low-lying forest being at the wrong place at the wrong time, as natural water and tidal forces eroded the substrate beneath the trees.  

The term “driftwood” may be a bit misleading. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is interesting because the landscape is simply a result of natural processes over time. These trees didn’t wash up on the shore, so Driftwood Beach is not technically filled with driftwood. The trees were deeply rooted here on the coast for hundreds of years before finally succumbing to coastal storms and erosion.

Location Of Driftwood Beach On Jekyll Island

Driftwood Beach is the most popular beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia, which is part of a barrier island system called the Golden Isles of Georgia. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is nestled against the Atlantic Ocean on the northeastern corner of the island.  

It’s located not far from the Jekyll Island Campground and the Clam Creek Picnic Area.  It is situated near St. Simons Sound, and if you look to the northeast from Driftwood Beach, you can see St. Simons Island, another one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, and its beautiful lighthouse. 

Jekyll Island is small, so if you head north on Beachview Drive (the main drag), you will end up there. You can also put Driftwood Beach into your Apple or Google Maps.

Getting To Driftwood Beach

There are two ways to access Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island.  The most common way is to use one of the multiple beach access points off of North Beachview Dr.  Designated parking areas are located along the road, next to each beach access point.  If you want some exercise, you can also walk along the beach until you get there.  Many hotels and vacation rentals on the northern end of Jekyll Island are within walking distance from Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island.

Driftwood Beach Parking

There are a limited number of parking spots located on North Beachview Dr. adjacent to the beach access points.   We were able to grab a parking spot on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend without issue. But I imagine spots fill up pretty quickly at sunrise and during peak season.   Also, please be aware that all vehicles entering Jekyll Island must pay a daily entrance fee upon arrival ($10 for standard vehicles as of 2024).

You can also ride your bike to Driftwood Beach using the bike path that runs along Beachview Drive.

Once you’ve parked at the parking lot, you will need to walk along a designated path for about 6-7 minutes before reaching Driftwood Beach.

Photography On Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island

This beach is a really beautiful place to capture starkly contrasting and hauntingly beautiful photographs. As my family explored the knarled trees, looked for crabs, and waded into the cool water, I snapped many great shots. It’s a photographer’s dream!  

Because Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island is situated along the eastern end of Jekyll Island, it’s a fantastic place to get photos at sunrise.  I’ve seen many magical images showing the sky lit up in the most beautiful colors, with the driftwood trees in the foreground.  But sunset is gorgeous, too, with the fading orange sun illuminating the jagged driftwood in hues of red and yellow set against the clean lines of the sandy shore.

Driftwood Beach Tides & What To Know

When visiting Jekyll Island Driftwood Beach, you need to consider the tides. Low tide is the best time to visit because it leaves more of the beach exposed. At high tide, the water covers quite a bit of the beach, leaving less room for visitors to explore.  

The tides change over periods of 6 hours. Two high tides and two low tides happen each day. Tidal heights vary between 6 feet and 9 feet. The tides change daily, so make sure to check out a tide chart before your visit.

I will point out that some of the most beautiful Driftwood Beach photos I’ve seen seem to have been taken during sunrise and at high tide, as the driftwood seems to be floating magically on the water.

Swimming At Driftwood Beach

You can swim at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island. Obviously, there are a lot of downed trees and driftwood dotting the beach, but you are more than welcome to swim. I recommend you swim only at low tide or at least wear form-fitting water shoes just to be safe! The water is generally shallow and calm most of the time.

The water at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, does appear kind of brownish, but it is totally safe to swim in.  The water’s brown color is because of two nearby rivers. The Altamaha and Savannah Rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean near the beach. As these rivers make their way toward the ocean, they churn up small plant life from the local marches, as well as lots of silt and sediment. So, the water will not be crystal clear like you’d see on 30A or the Gulf of Mexico.

Hotels near Driftwood Beach On Jekyll Island

The closest accommodations to Driftwood Beach will be the campground and vacation rentals, as most of the hotels are located more toward the center of the island. However, Jekyll Island is small, and you should be able to get there via a short 5-15-minute drive from any hotel. If you are looking for the best place to stay on Jekyll Island, I have another blog post full of useful information and first-hand experience.

While Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island is amazing, most people will prefer to find lodging closer to restaurants, shopping, and other main attractions, such as the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  

Read my blog post called 9+ Fun Things For Families To Do On Jekyll Island!

I recommend that you stay at the Jekyll Island Club Resort on your trip to Jekyll Island.

Movies Filmed At Driftwood Beach In Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows. The diverse look of the area, including lush vegetation, beautiful beaches, vintage gold courses and hotels, historic places, and many secluded hideaways, makes it a perfect movie set.

Here’s a list of the modern movies and shows filmed on Jekyll Island.  

• Glory (1989)
• X-Men: First Class (2011)
• Magic Mike XXL (2015)
• Live by Night (2016)
• The Tomorrow War (2021)

Scenes for the 7th and 10th seasons (2017 and 2019) of the hit show The Walking Dead were filmed on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island. The beach’s stark, forboding, twisted dead trees provided the perfect set for the post-apocalyptic thriller.

FAQ About Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island

I wanted to provide you with some helpful tips and answers to practical questions regarding your trip to Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island. Hopefully, this list will make your trip easy and fun for the entire family!

Are Pets Allowed At Driftwood Beach?

Yes. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is pet-friendly. You can bring your dog or adventure cat with you. Pets need to be on a leash and under control at all times. However, it’s illegal for people or pets to go onto the dunes as they are protected by state law.

Does Driftwood Beach Have Bathrooms?

There are no public restrooms available at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll. The closest available public restroom is located at the Clam Creek Picnic Area, about one mile away.

When Is Driftwood Beach Open?

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is open all day and does not technically “close.” If you are walking along the beach at night, be sure to look out for seat turtle nests so you won’t disturb them. Use sea-turtle-friendly flashlights only!

Can I take Driftwood Home?

You are prohibited from taking driftwood from Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island. However, you can take shells and other small items, as you would on most beaches. It’s best to “take only memories and leave only footprints.”

Is Driftwood Beach Handicap Accessible?

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is not handicap accessible. Unfortunately, there is no ramp or paved trails to allow access to someone using a wheelchair or a walker. Getting to the beach requires walking short distances across soft sand and navigating some undulating, unimproved terrain.  

Do People Get Married On Driftwood Beach?

Yes! A permit is not required to conduct a wedding ceremony on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island. However, no permitting process reserves the beach for your ceremony or other events – so aspiring newlyweds, beware! Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, would be an amazing location for a unique, gorgeous, and memorable wedding ceremony.  

Can you Camp On Driftwood Beach?

Camping on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is not allowed. However, Jekyll Island Campground is located only 1/2 mile away. It offers primitive tent sites and full hook-up RV sites.

What About Sea Turtles?

Jekyll Island is the nesting ground for many loggerhead sea turtles. It’s incredibly important to the conservation of this species that the turtles’ nests in the beach sand are left undisturbed. Sea turtle season starts in May, and nests are usually laid during midsummer. Jekyll Island alone may have as many as 200+ loggerhead nests on its beaches.

Here are some rules and conservation tips related to sea turtle nests:

1. Do not disturb turtle nests or turtles.

2. Use only turtle-safe RED flashlights on the beach at night. Red filters or red cellophane are not turtle-safe.

3. Stay out of the dunes.

4. One simple way to keep the beach safe for sea turtles is to keep the sand smooth. Please be turtle-safe by knocking down sandcastles and filling in holes before you leave the beach.

5. Remove all trash and beach accessories (chairs, umbrellas, tents, toys).

6. Pets must be on a leash at all times.

7. Should you see sea turtles or their nests, call the Georgia Sea Turtle hotline at (912) 215-5046.

Can We Picnic At Driftwood Beach?

Yes. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, is a great place to picnic with your family!  We visited Driftwood Beach on a holiday weekend, and we saw many families gathered together with full beach setups, coolers, and frisbees.

Is Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island Worth It?

Absolutely! This Jekyll Island beach is a fantastic 2-3 hour excursion for the entire family. Kids will enjoy exploring the driftwood trees and the beach. Adults can walk the magical shores of this haunting, otherworldly place and get some great pictures. It’s a memorable way to experience the natural world, get some exercise, and see one of the world’s most highly-rated beaches.  

More Pictures Of Driftwood Beach

My photos here were all taken between 8:30 am and 10:30 am. If you want to see the magical sunrise and evening Jekyll Island Driftwood Beach photos I mentioned above, make sure to check out Driftwood Beach’s TripAdvisor page!  

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PIN: Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island Georgia