We just returned from our trip and here are my take aways: (These are truly just my thoughts, your opinions may vary
)
1) The high tide situation was weird for us. I've never been to a beach where the tide completely covers the beach to the point you can't even stand on it. This was how the beach was at the access closest to our rental. We adapted but it was a bit shocking at arrival to walk out and there literally be no beach.
2) Maybe it was the weather, or perhaps just the way it is, but I didn't find the ocean in Jekyll Island to be a very pretty one. But my last day at the beach prior to this was at Castaway Cay so...
3) We LOVED how quaint the area is, how laid back and easy everything felt, how easy it was to get 13 people seated for a meal at a restaurant. Those things couldn't be beat!
4) Southern hospitality at its best. Everyone was so so so friendly!
For the specifics, we ate at:
1. Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar - This was a negative for us. It was too expensive for what it was and most of our group didn't love their meal. That said, my SIL chose this one and I had a feeling that might be the case from the menu but she was convinced otherwise.
2. The Wharf - LOVED this one. We were able to make reservations here and were seated immediately. Our meals were good as well.
3. Iguanas at St Simons - Again, this was well received. Of course a free ice cream bar goes a long way right
4. Tortuga Jacks - I really liked my meal here and others really enjoyed their adult beverages too. I would have returned again but the opportunity didn't exist.
5. The Beach House - This one was pretty much a loss for everyone. Food was just average at best. Luckily it was also the least expensive meal of the week. I liked the atmosphere but that's about all I could say about that one.
6. Sunset Bar and Grille - Pretty good, but I had chicken tenders so I'm not sure I'm truly the one to give a review - haha. My DD begged for dessert for the last day of vacation and the key lime pie was phenomenal!
7. I forgot to list it first but the first night, before we were a party of 13 and just a party of 9, we ate at Zackry's Riverhouse. I got chicken tenders here, again, and these were truly the best chicken tenders I have ever eaten. I think most in our party loved their meal here . My only complaint was were were seated inside and it was very stuffy and warm.
For activities, we...
1) My DH and I took a 5 mile bike ride (our rental had 4 bikes) to Driftwood beach. The bike paths on the island are awesome and we truly planned to take more rides but ran out of time.
2. Driftwood beach - AMAZING! I would have gone more often but no one else seemed as captivated as me
We saw it 2-3 times during the week though.
3. St Andrews Beach - Loved the rope swing, just disliked the bugs. We also found a lot of neat shells on this beach but didn't get to keep any of them because they were still inhabited. I had never seen so many in one spot though and enjoyed that. My inlaws got to see a nice pack of dolphins (maybe not the correct term?) at this beach also,
4. Mini Golf - We did this one morning and while it was hot, it was a lot of fun as a group. The connecting park is also very nice for little ones!
5. Historic trolley tour - LOVED this. My DD is 12 and kept talking about how much she loved history. Its fascinating to hear the history of the rich and famous. We got to go inside one house on this tour also.
6. Part of that tour includes the Mosaic museum which was a total surprise for us in terms of how enjoyable that was. The kids loved the hands on things and the adults loved watching them and also the history info.
7. We booked a Dolphin cruise but it was canceled due to weather (we unfortunately booked it the last full day, which turned into a full day of rain and storms)
8. The Turtle Center was a lot of fun. We got to see one of the turtles being fed and also caught the hands on portion at a slightly less busy time and my DD loved those exhibits. I thought she might be a little old but she actually had learned a lot of it in science this year so she liked it a lot.
9. We checked out the Horton House ruins and the Horton Pond. Loved seeing the gators and turtles at the pond!
10. The Lighthouse at St Simons - this was my family of 3's first time to climb a lighthouse. Super neat, super pretty, loved the views.
11. We attempted to see some of the tree spirits at St Simons but were there in the afternoon HEAT and we wore down fast. We saw 2 and they were cool but my group opted not to continue looking for them (we were doing it on foot)
Overall we found that rather than a "beach vacation" we enjoyed Jekyll Island for more exploring than anything
