Comprised of 31 square miles, St. Simons Island is the second largest of Georgia's 18 barrier islands. An operational lighthouse is open for tourists to climb. There are several miles of public beach as well as golf courses and tennis courts. Shrimping and fishing expeditions are offered or fishing from the pier.
Shrimping and Fishing Excursions
For those who want more of a challenge than fishing from the pier at Neptune Park, the Lady Jane offers a variety of excursions. Two-hour shrimping and dolphin cruises include fresh shrimp that is boiled and served on board with bottled water. Shrimping excursions take place only in protected waters to reduce the chance of rough waves and accompanying sea sickness. The refurbished shrimp trawler is the only one along the Atlantic Coast certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. A large, air-conditioned cabin with a restroom also are on board. Even in bad weather, the Lady Jane can traverse the protected waters of Saint Simons Sound. Public cruises board at 3:45 p.m. and depart at 4 p.m.
Lasting six or eight hours, private bottom fishing charters are available---with 53 rods and reels supplied. Also included are bait, licenses and bottled waters. An all-you-can-eat shrimp boil or low country boil can be added. Bag lunches also are available for purchase.
Golf and Tennis
Among the golf course options are the King and Prince Golf Course at The Hampton Club on the island's north end. The 18-hole course also has a practice facility. The Sea Palms Golf and Tennis Resort has three golf courses, three tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Practice areas include a driving range, chipping green and putting green. Public tennis courts on the island are at Epworth Park and Kings Park.
Putt, Plunge, Play
The Neptune Park Fun Zone Center has swimming pools and a free state-of-the-art playground. For miniature golfers at this park, The Links course is open year-round. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. At a discounted rate, group reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Neptune Park also has a public pool with a wading pool and a water gym for children. The pool also has lap lanes and zero-entry access. All areas are monitored by lifeguards who are certified by the American Red Cross. They also give swimming classes and private swimming lessons. Discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more. Following Labor Day, pool hours are limited to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Other parks on the island are Demere, Gascoigne, Mallery and Postell Parks. For all ages and skill levels, a free, unsupervised skate park can be found at Demere Park. Only skateboards and in-line skates are allowed. Helmets with chin straps and elbow/knee pads are required. Not allowed are abusive language or behavior, smoking, alcohol, drugs, food, drinks, earphones, headsets, amplified music, pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, motorized vehicles, additional obstacles and pets. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily but 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time.
Also, a disc golf course is located at Gascoigne Park along the Frederica River. The course covers 18 holes or 21 holes.
Saint Simons Lighthouse
Beaming 18 miles every night and during stormy weather, this working lighthouse will give tourists a workout. The 129-step cast-iron spiral staircase leads to the top of the 104-foot tower. Don't expect air conditioning or an elevator. Built in 1810 and destroyed during the Civil War, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1872 and has undergone renovation.
Closing at 4:45 p.m. each day, the lighthouse is open for the last climb at 4:30 p.m. Around 30 to 45 minutes is recommended for a complete tour of the lighthouse and its museum on 12th Street. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
For group tours, advance reservations are required and admission discounts may be provided. Lower-cost combination tickets are available for admission to both the Lighthouse Museum and the nearby Maritime Museum. Discount tickets also are available for a family of four.
Masengale Park's Public Beach
You can find several miles of public beach off Ocean Boulevard between East Beach Causeway and Arnold Drive to the north and south of the former U.S. Coast Guard Station. Masengale Park on the beach has picnic and restroom facilities. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Besides the traditional sandcastle building---mainly for the children---activities vary from horseshoe pitching to kite flying and kite surfing to bike riding.
Insect Warnings
Visitors should come prepared to battle the insects with appropriate clothing and insect repellent. Also called "yellow flies" or "deerflies," biting flies are most active in late spring and appear again in August. Look out also for chiggers, which are small red mites that live inside Spanish moss. You can reduce the chances of being bit by mosquitoes by wearing repellent with DEET in it. Sand gnats, also called the "sand fly" or "no see-um," appear in large numbers during mild seasons. There are many species of ticks in this area. Recommendations include wearing insect repellent, tucking pants into socks and checking for ticks after outdoor excursions.
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