Helpful tips when planning a trip to St. Simons Island, Georgia
FAQs about St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island (SSI) is a beautiful year-round beach destination tucked away on the Georgia coast of the United States. Having grown up there and written about it for years, I thought I’d put together a list of questions I get asked frequently via email to help people better plan their ideal trip to St. Simons Island.
Top tips for St. Simons Island
How to get to St. Simons Island
There are two ways to get to SSI–flying or driving. If you want to fly there are a few options. There is a small airport in Brunswick, Georgia that has a small Delta terminal that only flies to and from Atlanta Hartsfield Airport. Flying in and out of Brunswick is generally more expensive but it’s the most direct way to travel to SSi outside of having a private jet fly you to the airstrip in St. Simons.
Flying to Jacksonville Airport
The next closest options are the Jacksonville International Airport JAX and Savannah International Airport. I’ve had the most luck with affordable flights in and out of JAX over the years but if you want to find the best price, look at all three airports. Jacksonville and Savannah are about 1-1.5 hours from St. Simons Island so you will need to rent a car or take a shuttle service. All of the airports have car rentals available but if you don’t need a car, I’d recommend using Max Transport Company to shuttle you to and from the airport. They’re very reliable and prompt–just make sure you schedule your shuttles in advance.
If you’re driving, 1-95 is easy to hop on and off in Brunswick, Georgia. Once you’re in Brunswick, follow the signs to St. Simons and Sea Island Georgia. You’ll go over a series of bridges and then voila–you have arrived.
What’s the best time of year to visit St. Simons Island?
St. Simons is a great place to visit any time of year so it really depends on the kind of trip you want to have.
Christ Church on the north end of St. Simons Island in February
Spring in St. Simons Island
This season is lovely with warm temperatures and blooming flowers. It can be a bit rainy during this season so pack a rain jacket, trench, or umbrella.
Summer in St. Simons Island
This is by far the most popular season in St. Simons and the busiest. It’s also the hottest. If you’re not afraid of the heat, then summer is a great time to visit. Get a place near the beach or hotel with a pool and you’ll have somewhere to cool off during the day. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in St. Simons. If you’re more of a hotel person, the King and Prince Hotel is on the beach! Hotel Simone is a newer boutique hotel that’s a short walk from the beach located on Ocean Boulevard.
St. Simons Island
Fall in St. Simons Island
Visiting St. Simons in the fall is so much fun. There are still warm days when you can visit the beach but generally, the temperatures and weather are milder. Fall is also hurricane season so be aware that the weather can cause travel issues quickly. August, September, and October are generally the worst months for hurricanes and can cause interruptions to your trip.
St. Simons Island sunset over the marsh
The annual University of Georgia and University of Florida game is another event to keep in mind. Thousands of people make the trip to Jacksonville, Florida for the game every year and many of them stop or stay in St. Simons for the weekend (typically the last weekend in October). It’s a lot of fun but just be aware of the crowds at restaurants, bars, and beaches.
Winter in St. Simons Island
Winter is my favorite season to visit St. Simons Island because it is much slower than warmer months and it's a lot less buggy. I got married right before Christmas and it was very chilly and I’ve been to the beach on New Year’s Eve. So no matter the season, always pack a bathing suit!
Our wedding in December at Frederica Boathouse
Safety at St. Simons beaches
St. Simons Island is on the Atlantic coast on the “shark bite” of Georgia. There are lifeguards present from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend but it’s really important to be mindful of potential rip currents. Do not swim or walk to sand bars that you might be able to see from the shoreline. The tides change quickly and you could easily get stranded in deep water. Glynn County (home of St. Simons) has a full list of tips and rules to keep you safe at SSI beaches.
How many days should you spend in St. Simons Island?
If you’re doing a romantic trip with a loved one, you can easily get away with a weekend or long weekend. Enjoy some really great seafood at one of my favorite St. Simons Island restaurants and some beach time, maybe a trip to the spa, and head home. If you’re traveling with kids, you might want to make a week of it! There’s so much to do in the outdoors, that it’ll be hard to fit everything in over a weekend. From kayak tours to bike riding to beachcombing, there’s a lot to do in St. Simons.
What should you pack for a trip to St. Simons Island, GA?
Coastal Georgia uniform - Maxi dress, sandals, and jean jacket
St. Simons is a flip-flop-friendly beach destination so you really don’t need to pack a ton of stuff. If you’re coming in the warmer months, I’d lean heavily on athleisure and coverups during the day because it is HOT. In the fall and winter months, you can get away with jeans or joggers. Definitely pack a few options for the beach. I usually pack 1-2 bathing suits and 1-2 coverups or sarongs. If you plan on going to dinner at one of the nicer restaurants in St. Simons, add a few dresses that are easy to dress up or down. If you’re traveling in fall or winter, add in a trench, sweater, and denim jacket for layering. In terms of shoes, I usually pack one pair for the beach and one pair for going out to dinner. If you have more room in your bag then by all means pack more! Shop some of my must have items in St. Simons.
Having grown up in St. Simons, I love helping people plan trips to the Golden Isles and St. Simons. If you’re looking for the best things to do in SSI, I’ve got you covered. I’ve got a list of my favorite places to eat in St. Simons and the best places to stay too. Find me on Instagram if you have questions or shoot me an email.
