Visit St. Simons Island – Georgia’s Best Kept Secret

When you visit St. Simons Island, you’ll wonder how you’ve never heard of this peaceful town on the Georgia Coast. But once you visit, you know you’ll be back time and time again!

This post has been sponsored by The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort but all opinions are my own and honest. 

Where is St. Simons Island?

“Located on the southeast Georgia coast, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville, St. Simons Island is both a seaside resort and residential community. It is the largest of Georgia’s renowned Golden Isles.”

Before you visit St. Simons Island, Georgia, take a look at a map of the US. St. Simons Island is the westernmost point on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, which puts it directly underneath Ohio if you draw a straight line. Go ahead and look, I did.

Where is the best place to stay on St. Simons?

When I visit St. Simons Island, my first choice of accommodations is the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. 

You’ll also find some great B&Bs as well as Airbnb listings on the island.

What Kind of Rooms do they have at the King and Prince Resort?

Having an oceanfront room is always my first choice when I stay at a beach resort. The King and Prince Golf & Beach Resort have accommodations to suit your needs, whether it’s a romantic getaway or a family vacation.

• Oceanfront Suites: Choose from the two-story Governor’s Suite, St. Simons Suite and connecting Junior Suite, or one of eight oceanfront Cabana rooms (each with its own parlor and a private patio), all located in the Historic Main Building.
• Premium Oceanfront Rooms: Choose from three oceanfront Tower Rooms, and many more oceanfront rooms, available in king or double queen-bedded accommodations. These rooms are located in both the Historic Main Building and the Oceanfront Building.
• Deluxe Rooms: Located in the Main Historic Building and Oleander Building, these rooms have spacious balconies and are available with either one king or two queen beds.
• Resort View Rooms: Located in the Historic Main Building, these rooms feature either one king or two queen beds with views of the resort grounds and gardens.
• Standard Rooms: These are the Resort’s most economically-priced accommodations and are available in the Oglethorpe Building. Rooms have two queen beds and a kitchenette.
• Beach Villas: Choose from two- or three-bedroom villas with a patio or balcony. All are either oceanfront or offer pool views.
• Resort Residences: Choose from one of our six private guest houses, ranging from one to five bedrooms. Great for families or small groups!

Where Can I eat on St. Simons Island?

The first and obvious choice is the King and Prince signature restaurant, Echo. The restaurant’s name is a nod to the work that was done at the property during World War II as a radar station and training facility.

I do love a good breakfast and the Low Country Scramble was one of my favorites!

You can find their full-service restaurant ready for all your meals as well as room service. If you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, you’ll find it at Echo. 

While we’re talking about fresh seafood, just a short walk away you’ll find two of the area’s iconic seafood restaurants. On our first night, we enjoyed dining at Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grille. I loved their Blackened Grouper with a Cajun Crayfish Sauce.

Lisa enjoyed this bowlful of deliciousness with their seafood pasta.

Another seafood restaurant I recommend is the Crab Trap, which is right down the street from Crabdaddy’s. A bit more rustic, but you’ll enjoy a great nite sampling the fresh seafood options. We started with fresh local oysters before deciding upon our entrees.

Not far from the King and Prince is St. Simon’s Island Pier, where you’ll find a thriving downtown.  One of my favorite restaurants in town is Palmer’s Village Cafe, where you can get breakfast and lunch all day! I absolutely loved their Huevos Rancheros; it was one of the best I ever had!

And if it’s on the menu, make sure to order at least one (if not a full stack) of their legendary oatmeal pancakes with pecans and blueberries.

And when you’re looking for a local favorite, Gnat’s Landing is the place to go. They’ve got fresh local seafood and a variety of other delicious choices that will satisfy any appetite.

Just make sure to order a basket of their legendary fried pickles; you’ll thank me later.

And no trip to St. Simons would be complete without dinner at the Georgia Sea Grill. This is the premier seafood restaurant on the island and is not to be missed.

Of course, there are many other delicious restaurants to enjoy on the island as well as grocery stores if you’d like to cook your own meals. The only chain stores you’ll find on the island are pharmacies, grocers, and gas stations. It’s refreshing to see locally owned businesses thrive in this day and age.

What is there to do on St. Simons Island?

When you visit the island, you can be sure of finding just about every type of water sport and activity imaginable. Kayaking, paddleboards, sailboats, and fishing are just some of the water activities available on the island. You can find rentals and guided tours for all of the activities. Bike rentals, ghost tours, guided trolley tours and helicopter tours are also available. If you’re a golfer, you’ll also find world-class golf courses on the island.

My favorite tour company on the island is Lighthouse Trolleys and Boat Tours. They provide tours on St. Simons and Jekyll Island by land and sea. 

Owned and operated locally for 45 years, Lighthouse Trolleys is the best way to see and learn about the island and its history. And no one knows more about St. Simons Island than Cap. Fendig, owner of Lighthouse Trolleys. No one tells a story like Cap Fendig!

And you can’t have lighthouse tours without a lighthouse. The original lighthouse built in 1810 was destroyed by fleeing confederate troops in 1862 and rebuilt by the federal government in 1872. The Lighthouse is said to be haunted by the ghost of lightkeeper Frederick Osborne, who was killed in a duel with assistant keeper John Stephens in early March 1880.

You can climb the 129 stairs to the top of the lighthouse for the best views of the island.

The remains of Ft. Frederica and the town that once occupied this area can be found at the Fort Frederica National Monument. Dating back to 1736, this fort was instrumental in the early wars between England and Spain. Some say the defeat of the Spaniards at Bloody Marsh in 1742 was a pivotal turning point in our nation’s young history.

The old Coast Guard Station is also a great place to visit when you’re on the island. You’ll also find the World War II Home Front Museum, where you can find out how life on the island was during the war. Nazi U-boats were a constant threat to the waters of coastal Georgia, and the residents of the island played a big part in its defense and security. It’s a very moving experience to hear and read accounts of that time.

Walking on the beaches of St. Simons will take you back to a time when nature’s beauty was undisturbed and miles of pristine coastline was your own personal treasure to enjoy. Life is still simple on the island, and the beach is the perfect place to enjoy nature’s beauty.

Low tide exposes sand bars and tidal pools along the beach that the kids always enjoy playing in. Here you can see me standing on the ocean floor during low tide. It’s also important to remember that tides change and if you walk too far out, you stand the chance of being swept up and unable to get back when the tides come back in. It can happen rapidly, and tragedy can occur, so make sure to know the tide schedules and be aware of your surroundings.

With miles of pristine beaches to explore, you’ll find your happy place on St. Simons Island.

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