Beautiful Cumberland Island is a barrier island located off the east coast of Georgia. Separated from the mainland by the Cumberland Sound, there’s currently no bridge or direct road crossing to the island. Given the island has increasingly been handed over to the National Park Service (NPS) and with both the maritime forest and spectacular Atlantic beaches designated as protected areas, there’s no possibility of a bridge or direct road connection to the island being built in the future. Therefore, the only way to get to the island is by using the local ferry service.
The ferry service runs throughout the year with daily departures every month except December, January, and February. On sailing dates, the ferry travels in each direction at least twice daily. The ferry service departs from St. Marys, Georgia, and arrives at Cumberland Island National Seashore 45 minutes later. The small ferry only caters to passengers and cannot carry vehicles onboard. You’ll need to make alternative arrangements if you need to bring your vehicle onto the island for any reason. You can find scheduled times and book tickets using the Cumberland Island Ferry website.
There’s no bridge or road connection between mainland Georgia and Cumberland Island, and there’s no chance of one being built any time soon. Therefore, you can’t drive to Cumberland Island, and the only way to reach the island is by ferry.
Cumberland Island is a barrier island off the east coast of Georgia. Situated just north of the state border with Florida, the island measures 17.5 miles in length and 3 miles in width. It covers 56 square miles and is the largest of Georgia’s Sea Islands. The closest city on the mainland is St Marys, GA, often called the gateway to Cumberland Island. The city is also the embarkment point for the Cumberland Island Ferry. The city is is easily reached from the north or south by using the I-95, which runs just to the west of the city.
Cumberland Island tends to attract visitors who are either in pursuit of its long sandy beaches or looking to explore the island’s scenic and historic inland area. Whatever your reason for visiting, there are plenty of things to see and do on the island:
Beaches – The island is home to a long, beautiful stretch of sandy coastline along its eastern side. There’s no development along the coast, making it one of the most unspoiled stretches of coastline in the U.S. Stafford Beach and Dungeness Beach are the best-known areas, and both have associated campsites nearby.
Hiking – The wild island’s unique ecosystem and geography make it a great place for hiking. There are over 20 official trails with plenty more paths you can follow. You’ll see historic ruins, maritime forests, dunes, freshwater lakes, beaches, and plenty of wildlife on the various trails.
Take in the wildlife – Cumberland Islands protected status has made it a haven for wild animals. On the island, you’ll find wild horses, alligators, armadillos, wild turkeys, sea turtles, manatees, and plenty more mammals and amphibians. There are also over 300 different species of birds that have made the island their home.
Visit Dungeness Mansion ruins – The Dungeness Mansion was built in the 1880s by Thomas Carnegie, brother of the famous Scottish industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Built on the site of a former mansion, it met the same fate as its predecessor when it was burned down in 1959. You’ll discover a fascinating and eerie site with wild horses often found grazing on the surrounding lawns.
Tour Plum Orchard – Built in 1898 by the Carnegie family, this Georgian Mansion is a fascinating place to visit and tour. Tours are conducted daily and leave from the Sea Camp area daily at 9:45 a.m.
Ice House Museum – It’s only a small museum, but it includes some interesting pictures and artifacts relevant to the island’s history. Located next to the ferry dock, it’s worth stopping by for a few minutes to understand the island’s history.
Cumberland Islands’ proximity to the Florida border ensures a warm year-round climate. Much like the Sunshine State, there is rain throughout the year, with more during the Atlantic hurricane season. This means plenty of rain during the summer months of June through September. A visit during this period can be particularly humid, with many bugs, particularly mosquitos. The so-called shoulder months of May and October are fine times to visit with great weather, less rain, and not too many crowds. A visit during the winter months is ideal if you’ve not come for the beaches. During this time, you can enjoy pleasant weather for hiking, and the insect life is much more subdued.
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national
The Albanian port city of Vlore is one of Albania’s spectacular coastal highlights. Situated at the northern end of the Albanian Riviera and overlooking the beautiful Bay of Vlore, the city is blessed with a wealth of attractions. The home of Albanian independence and the gateway to the Riviera, the
