A SUMMER PICK 6
Beyond the beach, there are so many things to do, places to go, and attractions to see
Benjamin Galland
here in the Golden Isles. Summer is the perfect time for visitors to take advantage of some of the unique offerings here that set us apart from other vacation destinations. The St. Simons lighthouse and other area historic sites are well-known, shopping can be found anywhere, and the beach, mini-golf, and the water park are no-brainers for vacationers, so here’s our “Pick Six” for a visit that scores big with the home team!
CAST OUT YOUR NETS
How often do you get the chance to trawl nets and sort the catch on a working shrimp boat or to learn about history as you float along watching dolphins play nearby? Captain Larry Credle and his crew at Credle Adventures are all about having safe, fun, and educational cruises where you can learn about coastal Georgia marine life and the history of the Golden Isles. From shrimping and crabbing to birdwatching and dolphin watching, they offer several types of cruises on different vessels so you can tailor just the kind of adventure you’d like.
The Lady Jane shrimp boat is a United States Coast Guard certified passenger steel shrimping vessel that has been refurbished to give you and your family a comfortable and interesting journey. On board, you and your children can become deckhands and learn all about the creatures you might bring in with the net. There could be horseshoe crab, puffer fish, amberjack, crockery, spot, whiting, blue crab, skate, and what we, of course, think is the best catch: Georgia white shrimp. Each shrimp cruise takes place in the calm, protected waters of St. Simon Sound where you’ll see beautiful skies and enjoy the gentle breezes that will keep you cool on your trip. The Lady Jane is equipped with an air-conditioned cabin, restroom, and a large open covered deck with ample room for you to walk around and enjoy the view. Passengers six years old and up are $39.95, and passengers under five years old are $35. You will be required to arrive by 3:45 p.m. for the 4:00 p.m. departure. Soda is available for sale and small coolers are allowed. You can also rent the Lady Jane for private parties of up to 49 guests with your own supplied or catered food. There is also a two-hour Low Country Boil cruise offered. Pricing information is available on their website.
Another excellent excursion with Credle Adventures is to go crabbing aboard the Blue Dolphin. You will travel the creeks of the beautiful marshes of Glynn and drop anchor, set up crab traps, and learn how to cast a net from the first mate. Here, dolphins might frolic and fish nearby, and you’ll see many different variety of shorebirds such as pelicans, gulls, skimmers, and black legged kittiwakes flock around close by while you listen to the crew talk about some history of the Golden Isles. This is a great way to try your hand at the net and, who knows, you might even catch your own south coastal Georgia supper! $49.95 per passenger.10:00 a.m. departure, or call for special departure times at 912.230.4018. The Blue Dolphin is also available for charter fishing tours, for more information about that, click the charter tours link on their website.
Another popular option is the 90+ minute, narrated historic Brunswick tour by water on their sightseeing dolphin tour. On board, you will learn about the different kinds of Spartina (marsh grass) that grow here and what an important role it plays in our marshland habitat. You’ll learn about the 98 Liberty Ships that were built in Brunswick for World War II. You’ll pass by and view the tremendous freight ships as they offload and reload for sea and you will cruise by all the local shrimp boats along the docks. On the way, you will see downtown Brunswick’s Mary Ross Waterfront Park from the water and travel under the majestic Sidney Lanier Bridge, where you’ll definitely want to capture a photo. These are just some of the highlights of the things you will see and learn about on this narrated cruise. Credle Adventures utilizes their smaller vessels with smaller groups to enhance your learning experience, allowing you to enjoy an intimate and scenic educational tour while keeping your eyes on the water to look for dolphins. $39.95 per person. Departs at 1:00 p.m. daily.
You can book the all the cruises online at shrimpcruise.com. The website has as extensive frequently asked question page. You can call 912.230.4018 if you would like more information or to book a private cruise. All Credle Adventure cruises leave from their dock on Rt. 17, located in the same plaza as Marshside Grill. Credle Adventure’s office is right next door to the Grill. Make sure you arrive early for your cruise so you’ll have time to check out their gift shop for the perfect souvenirs of your trip.
BECOME A ROCK STAR
You’ll want to keep your eyes open and your mind alert while you’re on St. Simons Island, because there’s something special going on here and you can be part of it! If you’re lucky, you’ll spot painted rocks while you visit popular locations on the island. These cool creations are part of SSIROCKS, a social media fueled community project that EIL voters chose as the “Best New Thing About St. Simons Island.”
It all began in late December 2016, when Joy Elliot saw a post of a cute, excited child holding a painted rock on her sister’s Facebook page. She explains, “The post she had shared was from a page called Lakeland Rocks. Intrigued, I went to the page and found post after post of rocks people had painted and were about to hide, and people—many of them kids—finding and posting pictures of the rocks, then re-hiding the rocks for others to find.” Joy says because she has grandkids is am always looking for different things to do with them when they come to St Simons Island, she thought that would be a fun idea to try here. So, she took the idea to social media, posting the pictures on a local group page suggesting that it might be something we could try here. The concept was a huge hit, so using tips, rules and guidelines from the Lakeland Rocks group, Joy created the Facebook group and SSIROCKS was born. The group has since discovered that many of the rock groups across the US are part of the Kindness Project (kindnessrockproject.com), which they have also joined. Joy says, “It’s great fit with the original reason I started SSIROCKS, which was to Spread the JOY!”
At the time of writing, the group has more than 3,200 members, but you don’t have to be one to participate. Just look for these fun and fantastic rocks or paint some of your own and hide them! By posting photos of the rocks painted, hidden, or found on Facebook or Instagram with the #SSIROCKS tag, the members of the group can show off their creativity, leave clues, see where “their” rocks are, and learn who’s enjoying them. Joy says, “Managing all of this is quite a task and would not be possible without the help of Ruby Leanne Henderson and Autumn Roberts who act as page monitors and event coordinators. The success of SSIROCKS can be credited to the incredible members who actively paint and hide hundreds and hundreds of rocks each month and those members who do not paint, but re-hide most of what they find to continue to Spread the Joy to others.”
You do not need to be an artist to participate! Families are painting, hiding, hunting and re-hiding rocks together as an activity. Grandparents, Singles, and Sunday School classes are painting rocks. Art, Science, and Business teachers are using rock painting as a teaching tool in their classrooms. There have been community painting and rock hunt events. Many local businesses are creating and hiding “prize rocks” for finders to bring in for a special treat. Parents are using the re-hiding part as a way of teaching kids to share. It is a unique kind of pay-it-forward.
People have posted so many sweet stories of how finding a rock motivated or inspired them, or of children who found their first rock and it was the initial of their first name, or their favorite character or color. Joy says, “The faces of the children when they have found even the plainest rock is just so heartwarming! I think many members who are not painting joined the group just to see those adorable little happy faces—and that’s just another way we’re Spreading the JOY!”
Ruby also shared her excitement about SSIROCKS and its continued growth and success. She’s the one who keeps track of all those #SSIROCKS social media tags, and acknowledges each and every one. As she puts it so well, “Who doesn't want to be called a rock star?!” She and Joy both agree that it's been an amazing journey, they’re making wonderful new friends, and are excited to have more people join in to Spread the Joy and the Kindness. So, take a little time to look around and see what YOU find. An SSIROCKS rock would be a perfect souvenir of your time on the island and as part of our community.
MEET MR. CREAMER
A summer vacation simply wouldn’t be complete without ice cream, so we’re steering you to St. Simons Sweets in the Village on St. Simons Island. When you open the door, the first things you’ll notice are the brightly colored candies and sweets in the canisters and display cases and the delicious aroma of baking treats that fill the air. But don’t let that distract you from making your way back to the ice cream counter. Once you’re there, you’ll discover that it’s not quite as simple as vanilla or chocolate, cake or sugar cone! The array of flavors is mind-boggling and owner Sharon Clark is proud to brag about their creator, a man whose name alone suggests that he’s the perfect fit for the job: Adam Creamer.
About two years ago, St. Simons Sweets began making their ice cream in-house, and Adam is at the helm of that endeavor, with the able assistance of master dipper Bradley Gardner and culinary craftsman and baker Drew Covington. They now use fresh ingredients which include most of the baked elements that go into the flavors. Pecan bars and key lime pie, and candies like pralines and buckeyes, are all made on site from Sharon’s family recipes and folded into the ice cream. Fresh fruit makes their classic strawberry, Amaretto Peach, and Blueberry Delight stand out from store-bought flavors. A couple exceptions exist with “outside” ingredients, like Coffee and Donuts, made with Krispy Kremes, and Samoa, featuring the popular Girl Scout cookie. When asked if she bought out Glynn County’s stash of Samoas from the Girl Scouts to still have this one in the freezer, Sharon chuckles, “Probably! It all started because I wanted to help a little girl get to her goal of an 800-box order. I asked Adam if there was something we could do with the cookies if I bought up her boxes. He said, ‘Samoa cookies?! Sure!’ and came up with the flavor using the crumbled cookies. I ended up buying more from other girls too. All total, we probably bought 1200 boxes of cookies!” It’s that kind of brainstorming that Adam and Sharon and the other sweet shop staff do to come up with all these delicious flavors, many inspired by Southern fare, like Praline, Banana Pudding and Red Velvet Cake. Even the Birthday Cake ice cream starts with cake handmade from a cherished family recipe.
And once you pick out your flavors, we suggest putting it in one of the waffle cones they bake themselves. For extra decadence, have one that’s hand-dipped in chocolate and embellished with sprinkles or nuts. The cone is almost as much of a treat as the ice cream itself! Of course, you can always indulge in a milkshake or a sundae too. Don’t be surprised if the shop is busy. Sharon says they sell about 150 3-gallon tubs of ice cream per week. They also supply about 15-20 buckets of signature flavors to the Jekyll Island Market and can do that for other local restaurants or stores, if requested. The process of making the ice cream generally takes about 3 hours from kitchen to freezer. Adam says best sellers include Cookies & Cream and Banana Pudding. One of their more creative creations, Lucky Charm Cheesecake, was a big hit too, and they plan to bring that back, along with more new flavors that incorporate favorite treats or seasonal fresh ingredients. Stop by 229 Mallery Street to satisfy your ice cream cravings the next time you’re in the Village. Whether you’re visiting the island or a longtime local, Sharon, Adam, and the rest of the staff will treat you like part of the family, and your experience is sure to be a sweet one.
CRUISE WITH THE DOLPHINS
A twilight cruise to enjoy the incredible sunsets of the Golden Isles is another way to have a great time on the water while you’re here. Captain Phillip and Captain John of Jekyll Island Boat Tours run US Coast Guard certified boats that hold up to 49 passengers and offer dolphin tours, private group tours, group shrimping & ecological tours and sightseeing tours.
Captain John’s Twilight Cruise is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. This cruise is designed especially for adults and is one of the calmest and prettiest ways to end a Golden Isles summer night. You’ll see sunsets you’ll never forget that paint the sky in colors from cotton candy pink to deep orange and gold. During the month of July, the boat departs 90 minutes before sunset on Fridays and Saturdays nights for a two hour long journey. The view from the tour boats is spectacular! Enjoy a glass of your favorite BYOB beverage and listen to music from some of the Golden Isles finest entertainers while board. Spend time with your best friends, your sweetest love, or even with your workmates. Who says team building can’t be fun? What could be better than an enjoying your weekend with a glass of pinot on the deck of a seafaring vessel? You’ll smell the sweet salt air and be able to wash the troubles of your week away. If you are on vacation, watching the sun go down in the Golden Isles is a magic experience you will want to see again and again. Small coolers are allowed for your libations and remember to bring your own cups, flatware, corkscrews, etc. This is an adult only (21 years and up) cruise. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased online. Reservations are required.
Once you’ve had time to relax without the kids, or if you’d prefer to bring your children along for adventures on the water, all ages are welcome on the fully narrated 90 minute dolphin/sightseeing tour. The captains are master mariners with years of experience in the history and ecology of the pristine Georgia Coastline. They will steer you through the scenic waterways of beautiful Jekyll Island to observe the magnificent bottlenose dolphins feeding, playing, or simply cruising about in their natural habitat. Learn all about dolphin’s social behavior, feeding habits, and much more. The waters around Jekyll Island are known to be home to one of the world’s largest populations of these magical creatures and other species as well. Jekyll Island Boat Tour will take you past the intracoastal waterway, salt marshes, and beach wilderness. In addition to seeing dolphins, there is a good chance you might spot some sea turtles, manatees, egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, and osprey, not to mention all the local shrimp boats and luxury yachts. The boat is equipped with a sun cover and a restroom. The tour is $25 for passengers 16 years and up, and $15 for children 4-15 years old. There is no charge for children 3 years and under accompanied by adults.
Jekyll Island Boat Tours also offers private boat tours for birthdays, engagement parties, graduation parties, so when you are planning a special group event or private party they have you covered. Whatever your group size or preferences from 6 to 49 passengers they can take care of your needs. They also can assist you in the spreading the ashes of a loved one at sea. To make reservations or inquire about a private boat tour, email jidolphintours@gmail.com or call them at 912.635.3152 to work out all the details for your fabulous party.
All cruises leave from the Jekyll Island wharf across from the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Please be 15 minutes early for your departure time. You can book all the tours and see other special opportunities and events at captainphillip.com or call 912.635.3152.
TAKE THE REINS FOR A BEACH RIDE
The Stables at Frederica offer several out-of-the-norm activities for families, singles, and couples. The pinnacle experience is the Sea Island Beach Ride, a 90-minute ride which winds guests through the marshes and banks of the Black Banks River and empties onto the private south beach of Sea Island. The trail (open to riders 10 years and up) also traverses extensive beach dunes, untouched by dune buggies and human traffic. The beach ride offers a glimpse into the raw natural beauty of our barrier islands from the unique vantage point of horseback. Younger riders (ages 7 and up) can also enjoy a 45-minute Marsh Ride. The Marsh Ride follows the Black Banks River past Rainbow Island and deep into the marshes. Guests commonly spot dolphins, crabs, and tons of coastal birds, making this ride an animal lover's dream! As with the Beach Ride, no experience is necessary to participate. All rides offered by The Stables at Frederica are held three times a day, seven days a week. Private rides can be arranged, as well as special event and group rides.
The main Stables at Frederica location on the north end of St. Simons Island offers activities for younger riders and their families. Visitors to the Golden Isles can brush up on their riding skills with a 45-minute riding lesson from one of The Stables’ experienced riding instructors. The Stables offer lesson packages for riders looking to invest time into improving their riding as well. For those young enough to be looking for their first introduction to horses, the Tiny Tykes Stable Tour is an excellent starting point! This fun-filled 45-minute tour of the stables teaches children about the importance of caring for horses, feeding treats, and gives an inside look at the inner workings of a riding stables. And, of course, they’ll get to tour the grounds on top of one of the Stables’ adorable ponies! The main Stables can also accommodate pony rides, birthday parties, and is available for use for any other events that are looking for a beautiful setting. The elegance of the stables themselves is second only to the gorgeous pristine nature that surrounds you on a walk by Lake Frederica, where egrets, blue herons, and wood storks commonly make appearances. Guests can also reserve a wooded trail ride that snakes along the lake's edge and offers a glimpse of the serenity of Frederica.
Add some time on horseback to your stay in the Golden Isles and experience the stunning natural beauty that surrounds us. Follow The Stables at Frederica on Facebook to see rides and specials available or call 912.434.4760 for more information. If you have horse lovers in your family, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss.
ENJOY A REEL GOOD TIME
Experience the incredible fishing that the Golden Isles and Georgia Coast has to offer with Coastal Island Charter Fishing. Originally founded in 1990, Coastal Island Charter Fishing has been reeling in the big ones with anglers on the Georgia Coast since 1990. Cpt. Ashley Parmalee is a professional fisherman who has been fishing the coast since he was old enough to walk. He was named St. Simons’ Captain of the Year in 2010 for his skill and boasts 30 plus years of great catches. Originally from North Georgia, Cpt. Robert Marascalco grew up on the water fishing for bass in Lake Lanier. From trout fishing on the Nantahala River to catching yellowfin tuna in Port Eades, Louisiana, Robert has always been an avid angler. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, he’ll be taking over at the helm of the business, so to speak, while Ashley steps back to spend more time with his family. Robert’s wife, Rachel, welcomes this new adventure, saying, “Our lives, working and playing, have always revolved around the water and fishing. Robert has dreamed of owning a charter business as long as I’ve known him, but never thought it would become a reality.” Through what the Marascalcos call a “very coincidental chain of events,” they’re now making their dreams come true, and together with Ashley as Coastal Island Charter Fishing, want to make your fishing experience in the Golden Isles a dream come true as well.
Full day offshore fishing trips can be booked anytime year-round. Amberjack, grouper, king mackerel, sea bass, snapper, and triggerfish are willing to bite in just about any season and catches can number more than a few dozen during a trip on a regular basis. Trolling and bottom fishing trips are available in fall, winter, and spring. All fishing is done from fast open boats to get you to the fish quickly!
If it’s sharks and tarpon that you want to catch, jacks, tarpon, black nose, bonnethead, fine tooth and spinner sharks are plentiful during the summer. This tour, where fishing is done with live bait, lures, and 30-pound tackle, is by far Coastal Island Charter Fishing’s most popular tour, because they ALWAYS catch something. A wealth of information acquired over the past decade about the location and patterns of these fish have made for some action-packed experiences with challenging and fun fights to land sharks and tarpon.
Inshore fishing is best in fall, winter, and spring, and sometimes in summer as well. If you’re looking for “keeper” fish or like fishing in calm water with lots of beautiful scenery and photo opportunities, this trip is well-suited to your needs. Trout and redfish fishing can be excellent at the mouth of the Sound during certain months and tide levels, while flounder, sheepshead, black drum and more are abundant during the fall season.
If you want to book a trip for a large group as an office outing or family getaway, Coastal Island Charter Fishing has an impressive portfolio of large groups they’ve served, showing they have the experience to provide a great time for everyone. They can book trips for up to 30 people, with a maximum of six people per boat, and offer a multi-boat discount year-round. Tons of fun and no hassle! Want to send the kids on a fishing trip while you go out on the town for the day? That can be arranged too. Both captains have children of their own and are well-versed in teaching inexperienced anglers the ins and outs of fishing and boat safety, so they’ll be in good hands.
Experience the excellent fishing opportunities here on the Southeast Georgia Coast with the knowledgeable and experienced captains of Coastal Island Charter Fishing and make some great summer memories. For more information, visit charterfish.net or call 912.506.1254 to book your next fishing adventure today.
