Golden Isles Issue 1 | Page 15

AMONG THE MILES OF PRISTINE COASTLINE, what’s the best beach for you? Let this guide to the area’s amenities lead the way. FAMILY FUN If you’re taking the whole family to the beach and making a day of it, you might be looking for more than just sun and sand. St. Simons Island’s Massengale Park has a shaded picnic area and playground with easy beach access, while Coast Guard Station offers plenty of parking and facilities, plus a wide section of beach. On Jekyll Island, Great Dunes is conveniently located near playgrounds, mini-golf, bike, and Segway rentals. Oceanview Beach Park offers pavilions with picnic tables and grills. FISHING & WILDLIFE If your idea of a good time at the beach is more about observing our ecosystem and interacting with nature, head to St. Simons Island’s Gould’s Inlet for fishing, bird watching, and spectacular sunrises; explore Jekyll Island’s beautiful Driftwood Beach ; or take in the sights at South Dunes Beach ’s observation deck and freshwater pond. If you’re on the beaches at low tide, explore the tidal pools for hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, and sand dollars—but please leave them where you found them. PEACE & QUIET These picturesque beaches are popular among locals and visitors alike, but if you are looking for a little more solitude, Gould’s Inlet , Driftwood Beach , and Glory Beach are known as quieter spots. For the ultimate in privacy, resort guests enjoy Little St. Simons Island and Sea Island. DISABLED ACCESSIBILITY Jekyll Island has beach accessibility for people with physical disabilities at St. Andrews Beach , Great Dunes (crossover No. 32), and Beach Village (crossover No. 38), as well as free delivery and pick-up of beach-going wheelchairs. Coast Guard Station at East Beach and Massengale Park on St. Simons Island also offer beach access via ADA accessible mats. BEACH SAFETY Lifeguards are present from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Coast Guard Station and Massengale Park beaches on St. Simons Island. Swim at your own risk. Do not swim to visible sand bars. The tide changes quickly and will submerge the sandbar, stranding swimmers in deep water. Rip currents can occur in most ocean environments at any time. Find tide charts and more information at Goldenisles.com . Goldenisles.com 13