Driftwood Beach
Jekyll Island is an island off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, it is one of the Sea Islands and one of the Golden Isles of Georgia. Jekyll Island was part of the state park system but in 1950 the Jekyll Island Authority was created as the governing board. The island is about 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide with 8 miles of beaches on the east shore. Driftwood beach is located on the North end of the island and is a wonderland for photographers. The entire beach is littered with both standing and fallen trees all with unique twisted snarling branches and root systems now exposed, and has been referred to as a tree boneyard. The trees have died from an ongoing erosion of the north end of the island over the past two centuries.
What to Photograph:
The primary subject is the snarled dead trees on the beach, but this is also a great place to photograph birds and other wildlife including dolphins cruising near the shore. While you are here there is much more to photograph on the rest of Jekyll Island including the Jekyll Island Historic District, the sand dunes on the south end of the island, and Spanish Moss hanging from huge oak trees.
Best Time for Photographers:
Anytime can create dramatic photos, but the best time is sunrise so you can shoot out towards the ocean with the sunrise for the background. Also a low tide will give you plenty of sand beach to walk around and find the perfect angle for that amazing photo.
Getting There:
Driftwood Beach is on the North end of the island, just north of Villas-by-the-Sea. This is the shortest, best access. It’s easy to get to – you can park your car in the pull-off area adjacent to North Beachview Drive, just before the road takes a jog inland. From there, several paths through the brush and trees lead to the beach. You can also Walk from the trail-head at the east side of the Clam Creek Picnic Area.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
Cost:
Vehicle entry to Jekyll Island requires a valid parking pass which must be purchased at the Guest Information Center and Plaza upon arrival on the island. This pass allows you access to many of the island’s public parking and outdoor areas, including picnic areas, beach parking and access points, National Historic Landmark District, fishing piers, bicycle trails and more. A one-day parking pass is valid for one vehicle, for one day. Multi-day passes, as well as annual passes, are available for your convenience. Passes may be purchased at the Guest Information Center and Plaza entry point to the island. If you have any questions about parking passes, please contact the Guest Information Center at 912.635.3636.
Bicycles, boats and pedestrians are not required to pay for a parking pass and may enter the island at no charge.
Information is subject to change without notice.
One Day Parking Pass: $6
Oversized Vehicles One Day Parking Pass: $10
Weekly Parking Pass: $28
Annual Parking Decal: $45
Oversized Vehicles Annual Parking Decal: $90
Facilities:
Restrooms and other facilities are at the Clam Creek Picnic Area.
Links:
Location Contact Information:
Address: 100 James Road,
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Tel: 1 (877) 4-JEKYLL
Jekyll Island Foundation
Jekyll Island Authority
Nearest City or Town:
Brunswick Georgia
Weather:
Driftwood Beach Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Georgia:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance.
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