Looking for the perfect blend of rugged nature and indoor comfort on your next vacation? On Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia, humans, and nature co-exist in harmony. The island is a state park with individual homeowners interspersed throughout. With a variety of Jekyll Island vacation rentals, vacationers can spend their evenings in luxury before heading out to explore the pristine beauty of the island. From the soft sandy beaches to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, there is plenty to experience, whether you go birding, golfing, or dolphin touring. Among the island’s main attractions are the pods of bottlenose dolphins that dwell on the Jekyll Island coast.
Bottlenose Dolphins
These beautiful, intelligent creatures can be found around Jekyll Island for most of the year. In fact, the island is home to one of the largest populations in the world! During the cooler months of October and November, many will head south to warmer waters in search of food and return to the Georgia coast in the spring, lingering in the same 20 miles of coast every year.
This mass return to Georgia is nicknamed “Bottlenose Dolphin spring break” and is the perfect time to see them interacting in family groups. Bottlenose dolphins are incredibly social and retain close-knit ties throughout their lives. You might be fortunate to see mothers with their young or playing with their peers!
The observation deck at St. Andrew’s Beach Park is a good place to spot dolphins. Additionally, dolphins are known for trailing fishing boats, so if you set sail on the water, there’s a chance they might find you! However, if you’re intent on the full bottlenose dolphin experience, consider booking a Jekyll Island dolphin tour with professionals who are sure to know all the best viewing points.
Captain Phillip’s Dolphin Tours
Captain Philip’s Dolphin Tours will take you along Jekyll Island’s intra-coastal waterways, salt marshes, and wildness beaches. You’ll cruise along with the dolphin’s natural habitat while learning about dolphin social behavior, feeding habits, and many other interesting facts from expert guides. You are nearly guaranteed to observe dolphins feeding, playing, or simply swimming along, and you will certainly get a sense of the vast biodiversity of the region with chances of also spotting sea turtles, manatees, egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, and osprey.
Private and Group Tours
Fully narrated 90-minute tours are held throughout the year. Comfortable tour boats are US Coast Guard certified and offer a sun cover, bathroom, and MP3 stereo. Seasoned captains boast vast knowledge of the local coastline, its history, and ecology. Guides are friendly and known for making the journey more enjoyable with a great sense of humor that is sure to keep you entertained throughout the tour! Both private and group tours are available. Private tours can be booked any time during regular hours, and group tours may include 6 to 49 people.
Tickets and Info
Reservations are recommended and can be made in advance online. Tours take place daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. For group tours, adult tickets cost $25, children (ages 3 to 15) cost $15, and children younger than three are free. Private small group tours for up to 6 people are available year-round for the price of $225. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early for your tour!
Jekyll Island Vacation Rentals
If you can’t resist the idea of visiting Jekyll Island and witnessing these beautiful aquatic creatures firsthand, consider booking a vacation rental with Parker-Kaufman Realtors. We provide a wide variety of cottages, homes, and villas by the sea. Our Jekyll Island Villas by the Sea offer incredible vistas with easy access to the rest of the island. We provide a range of rentals to meet your family’s needs and budget, and our friendly staff is available to assist you to make the perfect booking. Are you prepared for an unforgettable time on Jekyll Island? We invite you to explore our wide array of Jekyll Island vacation rentals.
The Cottages