Sapelo Island Visitors Guide
As Georgia’s 4th largest barrier island, the idyllic Sapelo Island reached only by boat, is rich in natural history and is made up of marshlands, maritime forest and beach dune areas. It is a coastal plain estuary and is protected by a Pleistocene barrier island. It is home to the recently renovated Sapelo Island Lighthouse. While on the island, you can hire a local guide or go exploring this quaint island on your own. Keep in mind that there are few choices for lodging on the island.
At the Visitors Center you will learn about the natural and cultural history through the display and exhibits.
Spirit of Sapelo —Book your seat on one
of the bus or wagon tours of the island.
Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve —Providing tours of the Sapelo Lighthouse, the African-American Hog Hammock community and the UGA Marine Institute.
Sapelo Island Reserve —this is a large salt marsh reserve of maritime forest where you will find slash, longleaf and loblolly pine trees as well as bayberry, brooms edge, wax myrtle and Spanish bayonet (Yucca). The marsh is home to egrets and herons, fiddler crabs, raccoon, mink and otter. Its dune areas are inhabited by mice, moles and marsh rabbits as well as hawks and, large rattlesnakes. The Sapelo Island reserve is home to a number of endangered species such as the southern bald eagle, peregrine falcons, ospreys, brown pelicans, wood storks, Wilson's plovers, American Alligators, loggerhead sea turtles, the northern right whale and manatees.
Reynolds Mansion - A historic mansion surrounded by Spanish moss covered trees, live oaks and beach areas and is used today as hotel. You will find assorted activities, fine dining, and island services/tour guides.
Hog Hammock -A private community of some 75 residents whose
ancestry is traced back to a 19th century plantation. It
is a Gullah village and the remaining group of African Americans
on the Georgia coast which speak the Geechee dialect of
their fore bearers. You can find islanders who are willing
to give you a tour and tell the tales of the island.
Learn more about other great Georgia
coastal islands and towns.
Photo Credits: Photos by K-1000
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