Sea Island: Golf, Nature and History

Sea Island is one of four barrier islands in the Golden Isles on Georgia’s southeastern coast. The island covers a total of 2,000 acres, including marshland. It is connected to St. Simons Island by a causeway. Access is also an important consideration when choosing a destination: because the island is privately owned, there is no public access to Sea Island’s beach from the mainland. The island and its facilities are accessible exclusively to resort guests and members of the Sea Island Club. Keep this access rule in mind when choosing Sea Island as a destination for your stay.

Golf Between the Coast and the Salt Marsh

The three 18-hole golf courses are set among the coastal salt marshes, where sea oats grow. Tom Fazio redesigned the Seaside Course to resemble a Scottish links course. It is also the venue for the annual PGA TOUR RSM Classic. The course design and tournament schedule offer golf enthusiasts two different perspectives on the same course.

Another golf facility is the Speedway Putting Course at The Lodge: the putting course has 18 holes and was designed by Mark Love and Davis Love III. The Sea Island Golf Performance Center is a state-of-the-art, 17,000-square-foot facility. In addition to the three main courses, visitors can explore a dedicated putting course and a performance center as distinct aspects of the golf offering.

Nature Experiences and Wildlife

The Sea Island Eco Tour explores the habitats of a barrier island by golf cart with a naturalist. The Birding Tour on Golf Cart also takes visitors with a naturalist to birdwatching spots and scenic locations on Sea Island. Wildlife sightings may vary. The two tours have different focuses: one explores the island’s habitats, while the other centers on birdwatching and selected scenic spots.

At Coastal Encounters at the Sea Island Nature Center, participants learn about native animals and their importance to local ecosystems. Some educational animals may be touched. The Sea Turtle Education and Night Walk combines a presentation at the Nature Center with a beach search for hatchlings or nesting sea turtles. The seasonal offering may vary by month, so check the specific dates if you’d like to include it in your trip plans.

Loggerhead sea turtle nests have been recorded on Sea Island’s beaches for the years 1990 to 2017. Loggerhead sea turtle nests have been recorded on Sea Island’s beaches for the years 1990 to 2017. As reported in a 2018 account, the Sea Island Sea Turtle Program had monitored sea turtles for more than 20 years and offered educational programs for residents and visitors. These historical details add a longer-term perspective on the island’s sea turtles to its nature experiences.

Beach, Water, and Excursion Cruises

The Sea Island Beach Club includes a private beach on the Atlantic, three swimming pools heated year-round to 82°F, a waterslide, and a splash area. Kayaking, sailing, and swimming are also among the activities offered there. The Beach Horseback Ride travels along the southern end of the beach through Georgia’s coastal marine-beach habitat. The options therefore range from activities on the water and in the pools to a horseback ride through a specifically described coastal habitat.

The multilevel Sea Island Explorer is 71 feet long and offers excursions along marsh-lined waterways for wildlife viewing. The excursions are seasonal; check the dates if you’d like to plan a trip. The format differs from the land-based tours: the Explorer travels along waterways, while the Eco Tour and Birding Tour explore habitats and locations on the island.

History and Seasonal Cuisine

The Cloister Hotel opened in October 1928. Offered year-round, “The Cloister Hotel History Walking Tour” explores nearly 100 years of Sea Island and Golden Isles history through the art, architecture, and antiques at The Cloister. Tour dates may change, so check the specific date before your visit. Another historic event: Sea Island hosted the 2004 G8 Summit of heads of state and government.

The Rainbow Island Suppers are a culinary tradition on Sea Island that has been observed for more than 50 years. They are offered on various dates in spring and summer. Dishes mentioned include roasted oysters, shrimp, Brunswick stew, collard greens, fried chicken, and Georgia pecan pie. Visitors choosing Sea Island based on their interests will find a range of options: golf and coastal scenery, guided nature experiences, history at The Cloister, or seasonal cuisine.

Discover more destinations: Brunswick, Country Club Estates, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island.

For the broader travel overview: Glynn.