Must-See Georgia Day Trips Include a Visit to Raccoon Key

There are many great Georgia day trips you can take while visiting Jekyll Island, but one of the best can't be reached by car.

Georgia tourism has benefited by the opening of Raccoon Key, a 1750 acre outlying island just south of Jekyll. Raccoon Key is a pristine undeveloped island noted for it's fantastic ecological diversity and excellent Georgia bird watching opportunities - now open for eco-touring and Georgia day trips.

The island used to be owned by Marineland Farms, a commercial fishing outfit who, in the 1940's, built a fish harvesting farm on the island. Marineland constructed six fresh water lakes, along with a lake that was rotated between fresh and saltwater, and for years harvested lobster, crab, shrimp, crayfish, fresh water bass, perch, brim and catfish from the ponds.

The fish farm operation has long since been abandoned, and now the island has been opened to the public for eco-touring.

Perfect Family Adventure -

Okay. You've taken the charter boat from Jekyll Island Wharf Marina across St. Andrews Sound (even spotting a family of dolphins frolicking off the starboard side). You docked at the pier, and were greeted by a sign painted on the bottom of a blue boat (which has been propped on it's side). The sign says

"Welcome to Raccoon Key Adventures!"

So - Just what will you find on Raccoon Key?

• The Lodge - Built adjacent to the island's largest fresh water lake, the Lodge offers kitchen facilities, meeting and entertainment space, and bathrooms, as well as a large deck built over the lake.
• Beach - a beautiful beach covered with shells
• Birds - a diverse population of beautiful feathered friends will take your breath away.
• Views - gaze across St. Andrews Sound and see Jekyll Island from a different perspective. You can also see Little Cumberland Island and its lighthouse. Look further southeast and you'll see Cumberland Island, another jewel of the Georgia Golden Isles. And everywhere are the rivers and marshes of the Georgia coast.
• Fishing - the lakes are still full of bream and largemouth bass
• Wildlife - look for alligators. Manatees susposedly have been sighted in the surf along the beach. Not surprisingly, Raccoon Key also provides great raccoon habitat. Salt marsh raccoons like to hang out here.

Birds Galore!

Raccoon Key is one of the best Georgia attractions for bird lovers. Simply put, it's a winged paradise. Bird watching is excellent, with sightings of over 200 species on record.

Migratory birds love to visit Raccoon Key (it's a rest stop on the Atlantic Flyway). Rare birds spotted here include the American oystercatcher, Wilson’s plover and least tern. It's Georgia bird watching at it's finest!

Within and around the fresh water lakes, avid birders can spot white ibis, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, black skimmers, various species of herons and egrets, and numerous species of ducks.

Upland species perch within the shrubs and trees - buntings, doves, woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, warblers, and wrens.

Walk the beach, and keep an eagle eye out for bald eagles, peregrine falcons, ospreys, and white and brown pelicans.

The Georgia Coastal Birding and Nature Festival also offers tours to Raccoon Key in October.

Point of Departure -

Georgia day trips to Raccoon Key depart from the Jekyll Wharf Marina. Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours operates large and smaller tour boats that hold up to 40 people.

The boats are sturdy, sea-worthy and fairly comfortable. Sun roofs provide much-needed shade on hotter crossings. The boats are also equipped with restrooms.

Tour Rates -

Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours offers several eco-touring packages to Raccoon Key.

Their most popular Georgia day trips to Raccoon Key include the boat trip and a two to four hour visit to the island. Rates range from $50/person to $65, depending on group size.

• $65 each for 4 to 6 guests (smaller boat)
• $50 each for 7 to 40 guests
• There's a minimum price of $750 per tour (large 40 passenger boat)

Prices may change for these Georgia day trips, so be sure to check with Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours before booking your trip to see what current rates are.

Want to enjoy the Georgia outdoors, stay longer on the island, and do something different? Don't fret. Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours will work with your to customize your Raccoon Island experience to meet your individual needs.

For further information, reservations and quotes call 912-635-3152.

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