Time at the beach is always time well spent, especially when it’s with family, so load up your wagon and take dads and lads for a dip. If you want to grab new swimwear for the occasion, drop by Southern Tide, or Bailey Boys for the younger beachgoers, to pick up a pair of trunks and other necessary beach attire to suit them up in style. St. Simons Island has approximately four miles of beach with 37 public beach access points (some are tide contingent). One of the most popular of these access points is East Beach at the Old Coast Guard Station due to the large parking area, restrooms, and seasonal concessions. Take a day to relax, play in the sand, collect shells, and simply splash around. Skim boards and boogie boards are welcome ways to beat the heat. If you’re looking for bigger waves and a place to paddleboard, Gould’s Inlet is your best bet. Massengale Park also offers public access points to East Beach as well as a small playground, shaded picnic area, and public restrooms.
There are some basic beach guidelines to follow. Pay attention to the beach warning lights and flags regarding hazardous conditions. Rip currents are common and can be extremely dangerous. If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it, swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the current. Don’t swim out to the visible sandbars because our tides change quickly and can be 7’ or more, which submerges the sandbar and leaves you stranded in deep, fast-moving water. From the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, dogs are prohibited on the beach from 16th St. to the Pier between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Outside of that time period, dogs are permitted on the beach, but they must be within close proximity and under the immediate control of the owner/handler. If unable to be controlled by voice-command, the dog must be on a 10' leash.
If you’d prefer a public pool monitored by lifeguards, the Neptune Park Fun Zone offers something for everyone. There’s a wading pool and water gym for kids, lap lanes, and zero-entry access, as well as the connected mini-golf course for additional family fun and friendly competition. Pool hours are Monday, Wednesday-Friday (closed on Tuesdays) 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. Daily pool pass: $8, daily pool/mini-golf pass: $12-14. Multi-visit punch passes and season passes are also available. For an even splashier experience, check out Summer Waves water park on Jekyll Island.
Cool down after a day in the sun with a visit to Fuse for delicious frozen yogurt that your boys can load up with their favorite toppings, whether that’s fruit or gummy worms. For more substantial fare, Mullet Bay is a family-friendly casual restaurant in the heart of Pier Village that offers indoor and outdoor seating with a menu that appeals to both kids and adults.
