Explore The Differences Of St. Simons And Cumberland Islands

There are well over a dozen prominent barrier islands off the coast of Georgia, and they come in all shapes, sizes and personalities.

- Michael Schuman

There are well over a dozen prominent barrier islands off the coast of Georgia, and they come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. But unlike hors d'oeuvres, these islands are best taken in full doses. To try to see more than one in a day could lead to burnout, information overload and visual indigestion.

A two-day trip is a sufficient amount of time to visit two islands that are mirror opposites. Cumberland Island National Seashore looks about as it did in 1972, when the U.S. Congress designated it as a national seashore. St. Simons Island, which is just an hour’s drive north, has modernized over time but claims a rich colonial-American history.

Cumberland Island National Seashore 

No cars are allowed on Cumberland Island and visitors reach the destination by ferry (ferry reservations are strongly recommended at cumberlandislandferry.com). Once on the island, take a six-hour, guided van tour that reaches all corners of the island, or explore all or part of the 4.3-mile, self-guided Southend Loop trail.