Sapelo Island is wonderfully wild
For a taste of the wild, windblown Georgian coast, and a medley of intriguing historical sites, Sapelo Island really does come up trumps. It's got 19th-century heritage homes and much older sugar mills that date back to the colonial era. And it's got a beautiful mix of wetland habitats, sand dune hills, salt-washed coastline, and creeks, which together form what some scientists consider the home of ecological science. Then there are Sapelo Island vacation rentals – places at once rustic and cozy, with sea views and direct, doorstep access to the beautiful woodland trails.
Activities and attractions in and around Sapelo Island
Are you searching for top things to see and do in the city? Venture out of your cozy vacation rental and check out everything that makes Sapelo Island a one-of-a-kind vacation spot. Here are some of the major attractions to explore, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Waterfront Park (13.7 mi / 22 km)
- King and Prince Golf Course (14.5 mi / 23.3 km)
- Sea Palms Resort Golf Course (20.4 mi / 32.9 km)
- Altamaha Wildlife Management Area (15 mi / 24.1 km)
- Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (3.3 mi / 5.2 km)
- Darien-McIntosh Visitor Information Center (13.6 mi / 21.9 km)
Nature and heritage combine on Sapelo Island
Birding, boating, and beachcombing are the activities that many a vacationer on Sapelo Island will fill their time with. You'll easily be able to find someone to rent you out a sea canoe, and the guided tours over the waters of Doboy Sound and into the swamps are a great way to get to grips with the unique geography of the Georgian coast. But it's not just natural history. There are also sobering tales of the slave trade to learn about here, and glorious mansions belonging to the erstwhile fat cats of the tobacco trade.
Summer scorchers on Sapelo Island
Sapelo Island might be bathed in the cooling breezes that roll in off the Atlantic Ocean, but it's still located on the edge of subtropical Georgia. That brings some seriously sweltering summer months, which often see elevated rainfall levels, and temperature highs in the 90s between June and August. You can find comfort then by opting for Sapelo Island vacation rentals on the beach, or just choose to travel in the months of April, May, September, or October instead, when the spring is just kicking in or the scorchers have given way to all-round milder weather.
Sapelo Island brims with nature
Wedged into a little enclave of the Eastern Seaboard, Sapelo Island forms a boundary between Georgia's coastal wetlands and the sandy shores. Much of the island is given over to a protected state reserve, aptly named the Sapelo Island Wildlife Management Area. Its backcountry is a patchwork of salt marshes, hardwood hammocks, and grass-threaded sand dunes, all of which eventually spill into the ocean after turning to wide, golden-hued beaches. Keep your eyes peeled for rare seabirds and wild horses as you wander the trails there.
Traveling to and around Sapelo Island
Fly into Brunswick, GA (BQK-Golden Isles), the closest airport, located 20.5 mi (32.9 km) from the city center.