It's "hunting season" on Jekyll Island once again! In January and February, visitors and residents alike scour the parks, paths, and other public areas on Jekyll Island in hopes of securing a gorgeous glass reward. The annual Island Treasures event is a special hide-and-seek adventure inspired by the early 1900s practice of East Coast fisherman using hollow glass floats as markers for their nets. Floats that broke loose and washed ashore were found and kept by lucky beachcombers, and over the years these rare finds became highly sought-after and treasured collector’s items.
Jekyll Island continues that tradition by commissioning artists from across the country to create one-of-a-kind glass floats for their Island Treasures event that marks the beginning of every year. Each day through January and February, volunteers called Beach Buddies hide clear plastic globes around the common areas on the island for lucky guests to find. When they are found, the clear globes are redeemed using the information inside to receive one of the beautiful artisan-crafted real glass floats. In general, two to four globes are hidden per day, however there could be more on the island at any given time, based on the number of Island Treasures that have been found. Approximately 200 plastic globes will be hidden over the two-month duration of the hunt.
While exploring Jekyll Island, an important caveat to remember is that Island Treasures will NOT be hidden in beach dunes, marsh areas, residential properties, golf courses and driving range, or off established paths. Entering these areas could be illegal and unsafe. Instead, hunt carefully in beach parks and along established paths, and in common areas, including Beach Village and the Historic District.
When you find a plastic globe, take it to the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center at 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday or 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday to exchange it for your Island Treasure. (If you want the reward without the hunt, they also have additional glass floats and smaller glass balls for purchase.) The goal is to allow as many guests as possible to enjoy the hunt, so only one Island Treasure reward may be claimed per household, per year.
The reward is really all about being at the right place at the right time. Even if you have a strategy, finding a globe mostly comes down to luck and timing, and many people come to test their luck year after year, hoping THIS is the one!
So, go "hunting" to start the new year!Grab your family or a bunch of friends and go search for those elusive plastic globes and maybe you'll take home real treasure in the form of a dazzling handcrafted glass float. If not, the reward of exploring the natural beauty of Jekyll Island is well-worth the visit.
For more details and tips, or to purchase a glass float online, visit jekyllisland.com/signature-events/island-treasures.
