Visiting Beautiful Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia
The driftwood beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia is one thing that keeps will keep you coming back to this beautiful barrier island again and again.
The sun-bleached branches sitting inside of the waves make for a hauntingly beautiful place to wander, and they’re a great place to practice your travel photography!
We’ve been to Jekyll Island many times over the last several years, and we start our visits by driving directly to Driftwood Beach, slipping off our sandals, and heading down to this hidden gem on the beach.
Below, find all you need to know about Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach, so you can add it your next trip to the island!
Updated 4/2022 | Written 10/2015
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My husband and I on our first trip to Jekyll Island in 2011
On another visit in 2021
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Where is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island GA?
If you’re wondering what to do on Jekyll Island, Driftwood Beach should rank high!
Yet, this gorgeous place doesn't even have a sign.
To get to Driftwood Beach, you’ll first need to get to Jekyll Island. To do that, you’ll need to take I-95 through Georgia to exit 29, where you’ll turn north onto Highway 17.
From there, follow the signs to Jekyll Island. You’ll need to turn off onto the long Jekyll Island Causeway just before you get on the bridge to Brunswick.
You’ll go through a toll plaza: all of Jekyll Island is a state park, so you’ll need to pay your admission.
The pass is $8 a day, and you’ll need to pre-purchase a pass for each day of your trip. (If you’re staying for 4 days, you’ll be prompted to pay all $28 up front.)
Once you’ve paid the toll, continue on the causeway as you enter the island.
Keep going on his road until you enter the roundabout and take the second exit, essentially making a left turn onto North Beachview Drive.
Stay on North Beachview Drive for just under 3 miles. When the road begins to drastically curve back to the left, you should see several areas of hard packed dirt on either side of the road. Pull off here as you’ve arrived!
As I mentioned before, you won’t see any signs, so follow one of the small sandy paths through the thick maritime forest, and you’ll soon find yourself on Driftwood Beach.
>> Want to visit more driftwood beaches? Check out Bulls Island, South Carolina! <<
Exploring Driftwood Beach
You might be wondering, “How did Driftwood Beach form?”
It wasn’t the specific work on anyone person or event, but rather a low process of time, erosion, and a rising tide.
In general, islands slowly move and change shape depending on the currents in the waters around them, hurricanes, and other natural features, and Jekyll Island is no exception.
Over time, dozens of trees have fallen over onto the beach to create this intriguing place.
Our daughter’s first trip in 2014
>> Need more Georgia travel inspo? Check out my favorite things to do in Macon, GA! <<
Walking down Driftwood Beach is an adventure.
Walking down this stretch of the island's shore involves walking around and under the trees and even climbing over a few depending on the tide level.
In most places on the beach, you can usually find a clear path around the trees and roots, but there are going to be a few tangles where you might have to step up on a tree trunk to continue your journey.
Use your best judgement and watch little ones: this is a natural jungle gym, but it’s also easy to fall off the trees as you’re playing on them.
(I speak from experience!)
What will I see at Driftwood Beach?
There’s more here than just the trees. Little kids—and kids at heart—will also enjoy looking for blue crabs in the small pools that have collected around some of the roots.
When I brought my daughter for the first time as a two-year-old, she loved finding the crabs, minnows, and clams in the tide pools.
There’s also a protected bird sanctuary that runs parallel to the beach for most of the expanse, so you can’t go into the woods behind the beach.
However, you will be able to see some incredible wildlife nesting in the nearby trees. See if you can spot an American kestral or ruddy turnstone!
When is the best time to visit Driftwood Beach?
While the area is especially gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, the scattered dead trees are haunting no matter the time of day.
I’d suggest asking your concierge for a copy of the daily tide schedule as your experience at high tide is going be more restrictive than if you go at low tide.
Depending on the current arrangement of trees, your way forward might be blocked at the peak of high tide.
Can I swim at Driftwood Beach?
Don't attempt to swim here.
The same currents that have caused the trees to die (and some erosion issues in years past) are also incredibly dangerous for swimmers.
In order to save the beach from further erosion, a large rock barrier has been placed at the water's edge.
Don't attempt to cross this barrier for a few reasons:
it will really, really hurt if you fall on the slippery rock, and
the currents can easily catch even experienced swimmers off guard.
Stick to wading in the many small pools along the shoreline.
Which hotels are near Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA?
We’ve stayed at just about every hotel on Jekyll Island at this point, but my favorite—and the one we keep going back to—is the Jekyll Island Club Resort.
>> Read about the Jekyll Island Club Resort history here. <<
I have a real love of historic hotels, so it’s no wonder that I had to try out Jekyll Island Club Hotel a few years back.
It’s about 4.5 miles from Driftwood Beach, which means it isn’t the closest, but it is fantastic, which I think is worth a few extra minutes in the car.
>> Book your stay at Jekyll Island Club Hotel here! <<
The closest hotel is Villas By the Sea, which we didn’t have a great experience at.
However, if you’re looking for a hotel within walking distance to Driftwood Beach, that will be your ticket.
Would you be interested in seeing Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island?
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