Georgia’s Secret Beach Island Has Ancient Oaks, Colonial Forts, and No Tourists – For Now

St. Simons Beats 1,500 Destinations Worldwide

Most Americans have never heard of St. Simons Island.

That changed in June 2025 when US News and World Report named this Georgia barrier island the most underrated travel destination in the entire country.

The ranking evaluated 1,500 destinations worldwide on culture, food, adventure, and crowd levels. St. Simons came out on top, and the reasons go way beyond just another pretty beach.

Georgia Locals Kept This Secret for Decades

The largest of Georgia’s Golden Isles has been a summer staple for Georgians, but out-of-state beachgoers have consistently overlooked it in favor of Florida and South Carolina.

The island sits about 80 miles south of Savannah and 70 miles north of Jacksonville, which means millions of vacationers drive right past it every year on I-95.

Unlike crowded destinations like Nantucket or the Hamptons, St. Simons offers a rare blend of luxury and small-town charm.

Spanish Moss Drapes Every Street

The island is home to stately live oaks, dune-lined beaches, maritime forests, and quaint shopping villages.

Massive oak trees arch over nearly every road, their branches heavy with Spanish moss that sways in the coastal breeze. Moss-draped oaks line the winding island streets, creating a picture-perfect image.

Locals call it the kind of scenery you expect in a Southern novel, and they are not exaggerating.

Three Beaches and No Tourist Crush

St. Simons Island is home to three popular public beaches: East Beach, Massengale Beach, and Goulds Inlet. East Beach stretches widest and draws families for swimming and sunbathing.

Massengale Park Beach offers a more tranquil and family-friendly setting with picnic areas, shaded pavilions, and convenient beach access points.

Goulds Inlet is a favorite spot for birdwatching and fishing, providing stunning views of the marshes and tidal creeks.

129 Steps to Panoramic Island Views

First constructed in 1807 and reconstructed in 1872, the towering 104-foot lighthouse was rebuilt on the same site to replace the original, which was destroyed by retreating Confederate forces in 1862.

Today you can climb 129 steps to the top for stunning views of the St. Simons Sound.

A beautifully restored 1872 lighthouse keeper’s home complements the lighthouse and houses a museum with interactive exhibits about the island’s maritime history.

Mysterious Faces Carved Into Oak Trees

In the 1980s, artist Keith Jennings decided to make his mark on St. Simons Island, carving faces from the island’s famous oak trees.

Keith estimates the total number of tree spirits to be around 60. Legend has it the images immortalize sailors aboard the mighty sailing ships once made from St. Simons Island oak.

Today, families turn the hunt for these carvings into an island-wide scavenger hunt, with seven spirits located on public property.

608 Acres of Untouched Wilderness

Cannon’s Point Preserve has some of the last intact maritime forest on St. Simons Island and is rich in cultural and natural history.

Shell middens dating back to 2500 BCE are on the site, as are the remains of the large plantation home and slave quarters owned by John Couper in the 1800s.

The hike or bike ride to the plantation house ruins is roughly five miles round trip, taking people an average of two hours hiking or 40 minutes biking. The preserve is free and open Saturday through Monday.

Dolphins Hunt in the Salt Marshes

The magnificent Marshes of Glynn are the perfect place for exploring the wetlands of coastal Georgia, with abundant wildlife at every turn.

Kayak tours paddle through tidal creeks where you could see dolphins, blue herons, bald eagles, horseshoe crabs, and the occasional manatee.

Made famous by poet Sidney Lanier, these natural treasures are the first thing you see as you cross the marshes approaching St. Simons Island.

Award-Winning BBQ in a Gas Station

Named one of the best barbecue restaurants in the country, Southern Soul Barbeque is an essential stop, featuring pork, turkey, and brisket smoked for more than 12 hours.

The restaurant operates out of an old gas station in the heart of St. Simons Island and has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Homemade barbecue sauces pair with sides like Hoppin’ John, collard greens, award-winning Brunswick stew, and cast iron skillet cornbread.

Pier Village Keeps It Local

Located on the south end of the island, St. Simons’ Pier Village district serves as the downtown social hub and is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and gathering.

You will not find chain restaurants or big-box stores here.

Around the midpoint of the island, the popular Redfern Village district offers shops, restaurants, and eclectic storefronts tucked away in a shady village setting.

Ice cream shops and local boutiques line oak-shaded sidewalks.

Every Beach Welcomes Your Dog

Each of St. Simons Island’s beaches are pet-friendly.

Dogs are allowed on the beach all day between Labor Day and Memorial Day, and in the summer after 6:00 pm.

Fido will love to play frisbee at Frederica Park’s dog park, jump in the gentle waves at East Beach, or explore the area’s hiking trails. Several restaurants offer dog-friendly outdoor seating too.

Still Quiet, But Maybe Not Forever

The 2025 ranking put St. Simons on the national map, but the island has managed to stay true to its character.

The dreamy barrier island lends itself a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere even during peak season. No high-rise hotels crowd the shoreline.

While St. Simons might indeed be underrated, it neighbors Sea Island, Georgia, home to Sea Island Resort, which frequently makes appearances in World’s Best Awards. For now, the secret is still mostly safe.

Explore St. Simons Island, Georgia

St. Simons Island sits about 80 miles south of Savannah and is accessible via the F. J. Torras Causeway from Brunswick.

The nearest commercial airport is Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, with alternate options including Jacksonville and Savannah. The island has no public transportation, so a car or bike rental is recommended.

Beach access is free at all three public beaches, and most attractions charge under $15 admission. Peak season runs May through September, but mild winters make it a year-round destination.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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