All of Georgia’ Golden Isles have a lot to offer. Jekyll Island is a huge state-owned property with history, beauty and a slower, elegant-but-not-necessarily-expensive lifestyle. There’s something for just about everyone here - and fall lodging specials too. Just about five hours from Atlanta - but a world away. (see map.) Among the activities you don’t want to miss —

7. Croquet. Yes, that game you played in the backyard. There will be a tournament October 23 - 25 with nationally-known players and a clinic in the mornings to help you with your game. Bring your whites.

6.  Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival, October 8- 12. This includes a number of outings with experts to off-the-path places like Ossabaw, Blackbeard, Cumberland and Wassaw Islands as well as a canoe trip in the Okefenokee. There’s a dolphin kayak trip, raptor-watch and other nature walks. A great way to get traffic and city bosses out of your system.

5. Folklore, Rumor & Myth Ghost Tours. The Jekyll Island Museum is holding a special ghost tour Fridays in October for ages 10 and up. Call 912-635-4036 to make your reservations. This is a very old island, and it was developed by wealthy people - so the quality of ghosts you’re going to run into is, shall we say, a cut above the average ghost? See the Jekyll Island Museum Ghost Tour.

4. Golf. For many people, Jekyll Island is synonymous with great golf. This year the weather has been good for the courses, so the four courses are in great shape. And they have a special for the rest of September allowing you to golf all day for $38.

3. Fishing. There are good deep sea fishing guides, among them Capt. Mark Noble. (Check out the others on the CVB’s website.) Or just chill on the beach with a pole.

2.  The Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Yes turtles. Before you skip this, let me say that I went there last year on an assignment. My feelings about turtles weren’t really warm and fuzzy. I was glad they’re around and want them to stay, but I didn’t want to cuddle them. Just passing through the gift shop on the way in, though — I was struck with Cupid’s arrow. Those big, wet eyes and they are so vulnerable to humans on the planet. Go on into the hospital and look at these babies…big and little. Read some of their stories. You will come out of there a turtle hugger. You can adopt a turtle or just follow their stories on the blog. This is not a zoo. The turtles are here to be rehabilitated. On September 20, they plan to release three of the most popular -  Pumpkin, Nightwatch and Skidaway.

1.  The Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival. I just happened on this last year and I’m not going to miss it again. Amazingly, we have a shrimp industry in this state but except for a few stores, the shrimp you buy come from Thailand or somewhere else. You’ve got to taste these delicacies. This will turn you into a shrimp snob.  Lines are long but well worth it.  (Photos courtesy Jekyll Island Authority.)

Tags: georgia beach vacations, georgia coast, jekyll island activities, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island hotels, Jekyll Island vacations, things to do on jekyll island
Posted in Diversions, Festivalgoer, In the News | No Comments »

Jekyll Island Fishing CenterOriginally uploaded by theunquietlibrarian

Found this photo posted on Flickr.com by theunquietlibrarian. I thought it was a great shot of their unique sign.

Go to he Jekyll Fishing Center to get the best fishing supplies used for the coastal area. Baits consist of shrimp, squid, chicken necks, Bonita, finger mullets, pogies, sand fleas, and clams to catch anything from crabs to sharks. Gifts include Captain Larry’s t-shirts, art work, framed or matted fish, and metal artwork created by local artist Tyler Dominey. Book a dolphin tour, catch a chartered fishing trip, or even catch a party boat fit to meet everyone’s needs. 912.635.2205

Tags: flickr, georgia beaches, jekyll island accommodations, jekyll island activities, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island vacation
Posted in Diversions, On the Water | No Comments »

The 2009 JIBE Kite Buggy Rally will be held on a stretch of beach in front of Blackbeards Seafood Restaurant that has become known as Kite Beach. The site is favored by local kiteboarders and power kiters because it is never too crowded to safely launch and fly the large and powerful kites used in the sport. The kinds of kites used in the event are four-line, highly controllable parafoil shaped kites ranging in size from about 9 - 25 feet across, depending on wind conditions. They are highly maneuverable and when pulling a buggy they can achieve speeds of two to three times the speed of the local wind and they can even travel upwind, just like a sailboat.

On Friday and Saturday of the event, there will be free trainer kite clinics open to the public. People are welcome to come and ask questions and weather permitting, try their hands at flying a four line traction kite. The kites used here are easy to fly and are big enough (about 3 sq. meters) to give you a thrill and drag you around a bit, yet small enough not to get you into trouble if you make a mistake. Experienced pilots will be on hand to offer advice and safety guidelines. Suitable ages for participants is about 12 and up.

Angus Campbell of Coastal Wind Sports and event director of the JIBE can often be found flying traction kites or driving his kite buggy on Kite Beach time when the wind is out of the east and the tide is low.

“An east wind gives me long, broad reaches in the buggy of up to four miles and the low tide gives me enough room to safely pass other beach-goers”, says Campbell.

If the beach is crowded, he will generally stick to the quarter mile of Kite Beach where reduced crowds enable him to buggy safely away
from people. Anyone is is encouraged to contact Angus for a demo and a chance to try their hand at flying a trainer kite to experience the thrill of traction kites for themselves.Kiteboarders also like the water conditions at Kite Beach due to the sand bar that offers shallow water that is excellent for training and that generates
favorable currents. Kiteboarders and traction kiters who are visiting the area are encouraged to fly here since there are fewer crowds and more room, plus there will likely be knowledgeable local flyers on hand to assist them. Robb VanWie, local certified kiteboard instructor can often be found here working with students new to the sport.

Ride the Winds on Jekyll Island

Have you ever seen the people surfing or buggying at the beach with the giant colorful kites? Have you ever thought, “I’d like to try that?” Well you can now trykiting right here on Jekyll Island.

Coastal Wind Sports is owned and operated by Angus Campbell and specializes in kite buggying, kite boarding and kite surfing. As Mr. Campbell puts it, “Coastal Wind Sports is committed to getting customers outside and flying with a big grin on their face.” The use of kites to propel boards and buggies really came of age in the 90s and has grown in popularity ever since. Traction kites are used to pull buggies, for kite boarding on wheels and kite surfing. A power kite or “traction kite” is a large kite designed to provide significant pull to the user.

“We like to fly traction kites and drive kite buggies”, says Angus Campbell, “We fly or drive just about everything we sell so that we feel more comfortable talking about our products.” Kite buggies can routinely achieve speeds of over two times the speed of the local wind. “With a 10 knot breeze, you’re doing 25 mph, but with your bottom four inches off the ground, it feels like 50!”, says Mr. Campbell. Buggies can tack and reach across the wind and even point up-wind, so you are not walking back to your starting point. They are not hard at all to drive, once you know how to fly the kite. Traction kites (a.k.a “power kites”), are a lot of fun and provide a great workout. According to Mr. Campbell, the smaller 2-line foils are inexpensive, easy to fly and can provide great enjoyment with good pull for an upper body workout. Full sized four-line kites can pack a lot of energy and really drag you around for an “Xtreme” workout. A fourline kite gives you complete control. You can drive it through the sky to generate power and lift, you can stop it, back it up and land it wherever you choose. Four-line kites are pretty intuitive to fly and just take some practice.

It is important to talk to a professional before getting involved in kiting, because the wrong kite in the wrong conditions can hurt you. Coastal Wind Spots can set you up so you have fun and not frustration. For their customers (Southeast Georgia, Northeast Florida) Coastal Wind Sports is happy to meet on the beach and set up demos for any of their products. If you are in the Southeastern Georgia, Northeastern Florida area, call them to arrange for a free on-the-beach demo of any of their kites or buggies. They almost always have one of every item on hand to play with (not every size). “There is never an obligation. We’re gonna’ be out flying anyway!”, says Mr. Cambell.

You can reach Coastal Wind Sports at 912-265-1149, toll free at (800) 592-1195, or e-mail Angus Campbell at angus@coastalwindsports.com.

Tags: Angus Campbell, beach buggying, beach sports, beach traction kites, blackbeards, coastal georgia buggying, coastal kiting, Coastal Wind Sports, golden isles kite buggy, jekyll island activities, jekyll island beach, Jekyll Island Blackbeards, Jekyll Island Kite Buggy Expo, jekyll island kite surfing, Kite Beach, kite boarding, kite surfing, May events, power kites, south georgia kiting, traction kites, water sports
Posted in January/February 2009 | No Comments »

The Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and Jekyll Island Authority have announced that renovation of the Jekyll Island public boating access site is complete.  Improvements include a larger, resurfaced boat ramp, a larger boating service dock, and more parking area. This $400,000 renovation was one of four projects made possible by a $1.5 million CRD budget enhancement approved by the Georgia legislature in 2007.

The new ramp is 50-ft wide allowing three boaters to launch or load simultaneously.  It is 130 feet long and extends well below the low tide line making it possible for boaters to safely launch and recover their vessels at all stages of the tide. The service dock now provides 200 feet of perimeter providing space for several boats. Two acres of crushed-limestone-surface parking area was added to the site. The lot also includes handicapped parking and space of anglers fishing in the nearby lake, Ski Rixen Pond.

The boat ramp launches into Jekyll Creek, a popular area for fisherman seeking triple tail, redfish and trout. The ramp is also a favored launch site for kayakers looking to explore the vast salt marsh, creeks, and rivers adjacent to Jekyll Island.  These improvements and expansions will allow more fishermen and kayakers to enjoy Jekyll Island’s intrarcoastal waterways.

In addition to the boat ramp, Ski Rixen Pond is rich fishing location for anglers seeking redfish, speckled trout, and Atlantic croaker. For those visitors wishing to explore the area without fishing, Tidelands Nature Center is a wildlife educational facility and canoe/paddleboat rental location sponsored by the University of Georgia. Tidelands is located on the shore of Ski Rixen Pond and also offers guided kayak tours through the intracoastal waterways. These tours are individual lessons in kayaking and up-close encounters with the eco-systems that border Jekyll Island.

The above picture was taken at the December 15 ribbon cutting. Pictured are members of the Jekyll Island Authority Board; staff of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division; and Jekyll Island Authority Staff. Cutting the ribbon (left to right, holding scissors) are Shawn Jordan, DNR Boating Access Coordinator; Spud Woodward, DNR Asst. Director of Marine Fisheries; and Bob Krueger, Chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority Board.

Tags: jekyll island activities, jekyll island authority, jekyll island authority board, jekyll island boat ramp, jekyll island boating, jekyll island fishing, jekyll island revitalization
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »