About Cumberland Island
St. Marys is the departure point to Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. The ferry is located one block from the Inn. Cumberland Island is a special place that allows only 300 visitors daily. During busy times of the year (spring and fall, plus all holidays and weekends), you will need to make ferry reservations in advance. We can help you with your reservations and also pack you a picnic lunch. Cumberland Island is as nature intended, still wild and relatively untouched by man. This living laboratory is among Georgia’s most treasured resources. Roam the 17 miles of unspoiled white sand beach with its majestic sand dunes. Walk the paths through the pristine maritime forests to the salt marshes. Cumberland Island National Seashore was named one of America’s best wild beaches by National Geographic Traveler. Also, Cumberland Island was voted one of the best islands in the Continental U.S. by readers of Travel & Leisure. Cumberland Island is an oasis of beauty, tranquility and abundant wildlife, including the wild horses that roam the island. It gently persuades you to slow down.
Located across the street from the Spencer House Inn in St. Marys, the museum houses a collection of artifacts from Cumberland Island with an exhibit area open to the public. The exhibition uses pieces from the collection to highlight the people of the island. The lives of Native Americans, African Americans, the Carnegie family and others who lived on the island in the 19th and 20th centuries are seen in the island environment.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking
Cumberland Island has 50 miles of hiking trails through maritime forests, wetlands, historic sites, and beaches, including Dungeness, River, and Nightingale trails. Grande Avenue leads to Plum Orchard Mansion and the First African Baptist Church; for a backcountry experience, explore beyond the main road.
Plum Orchard Mansion
Plum Orchard, a 1898 Georgian Revival mansion built by Lucy Carnegie, was donated to the National Park Foundation in 1971, aiding in the establishment of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Ferry trips to Plum Orchard have been discontinued due to the popularity of the daily guided van tour, and the mansion is currently closed to visitors due to public health concerns.
Bird Watching
Cumberland Island, a key stop on the transatlantic migratory flyway, hosts over 335 bird species, including threatened ones like the Least Tern and Wilson’s Plover. Key spots include Pelican Banks for shorebirds and fresh water ponds for storks and egrets; binoculars and a field guide are recommended for birdwatching.
Biking
Bikes can be rented at Sea Camp Dock for $16 per day or $20 overnight; rentals are first-come, first-served and restricted to designated roads. Bringing your own bike on the ferry costs $10, with a limit of 10 bikes per ferry. Be prepared, stay hydrated, and respect private property boundaries
Dungeness Ruins
Revolutionary War Hero General Nathanial Greene purchased land on Cumberland Island in 1783. After his death, his widow built a tabby home named Dungeness; Thomas Carnegie later rebuilt it in 1884, but it burned down in 1959, leaving only ruins.
First African Baptist Church in the Settlement
In the 1890’s, the Settlement was established for African American workers. The First African Baptist Church was established in 1893 and then rebuilt in the 1930’s. It was the site of the September 1996 wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
Beach Combing
Collecting unoccupied sea shells and sharks' teeth is allowed on Cumberland Island, with the best finds after strong surf or storms. Look for coquinas, disc clams, and sand dollars, and explore beaches south of Dungeness or marshes at low tide for sharks' teeth.
Cumberland Island Guided Van Tours
The Lands & Legacies tour on Cumberland Island is a 16.5-mile guided van tour that visits key sites like Plum Orchard mansion and the First African Baptist Church. The tour, costing $45 plus tax, takes six hours and starts at 9:45 am from the Sea Camp dock, but is currently paused due to public health concerns.
Photography
Cumberland Island offers endless photography opportunities with its historic structures, scenic beaches, marsh sunsets, tangled vines, and diverse wildlife. Captivating subjects include gnarled oak limbs, Saw Palmetto, and various cultural and natural features.
Wildlife Viewing
Cumberland Island is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including manatees, sea turtles, over 300 bird species, wild turkeys, and feral horses. Camping enhances chances to see elusive animals like white-tailed deer and bobcats, with birding hotspots at Pelican Banks and marsh edges.
Fishing
Georgia state fishing laws apply.
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