JEKYLL’S WILDCARDS

Smaller—but important—island additions:

A Real Gas

The $1.4-million upgrade of sleepy Jekyll Island Airport that wrapped in April 2020 included the island’s first aviation fuel facilities—an unexpected boon for tourism that’s attracted owners of small planes from far and wide.

Summertime Splash

Recent additions to the 1980s-era Summer Waves waterpark, including the kids’ zone Shark Tooth Cove, have been a draw in recent years. But the addition of a towering, four-slide complex in 2022 called Man o’ War will be a game-changer, capable of accommodating 700 people per hour.

Bicycling B Oo St

More than 20 miles of bike trails and pathways have been created and updated across the island, winding through a variety of landscapes from marshes to forests.

Golf Ou Tlo Ok

With four distinctive courses, golfing’s a big deal on Jekyll, but the latest course remodel happened back in the ‘80s. Revitalization is now being considered as part of ongoing work on the island’s courses, through a golf improvement strategy.

Cam Pgro Und Gl Ow Up

Georgia’s largest state-owned campground is frequently exceeding eighty percent occupancy and is due for an upgrade. Through partial funding from capital congressional grants, the JIA has plans to add 57 new campsites, four ADA-accessible bath houses, a 6,000 sq. ft. store and laundry facility, and six yurts, a first for the coastal area.