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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts Recreation Area Survey |
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UNDEVELOPED SEASHORE AREAS IN GEORGIA
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| Undeveloped Seashore Areas of Georgia (Vicinity Map) (click on image for an enlargement in a new window) |
Ossabaw Island
Georgia
| Location: | Off the mainland, about 20 miles directly south of Savannah, Georgia. |
| Accessibility: | By boat only. |
| Description of Area: | One of the larger islands in the Georgia chain with about 8 miles of beach, and distinguished by large pines, magnolia and bay. The beach is subject to erosion and patches of dead trees and stumps are scattered along the shoreline. |
| Present Use: | Appears to be entirely undeveloped. |
| Analysis: | The island should be considered as a potential public use area for the time when the demand exceeds the facilities available. |
 
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| Ossabaw Island |
St. Catherines Island
Georgia
| Location: | Off mainland, directly south of Ossabaw Island and Savannah, Georgia. |
| Accessibility: | By boat only. |
| Description of Area: | The island contains about 10 miles of ocean beach which is variable in quality. It is eroding at its south end, and, to the north, low and marshy lands alternate with dune lands. There is a variety of trees such as pine, oak, juniper and palmetto. None of the vegetation, however, is in a natural condition. The area is historically important, being the first of a chain of outposts established by the Spanish in 1566. |
| Present Use: | As a winter home for its present owner. |
| Analysis: | The island has the necessary resources to qualify as a public recreation area and should be so considered when the public need is sufficient to warrant its use in this manner. |
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| St. Catherines Island |
Sapelo Island
Georgia
| Location: | Off mainland directly south of St. Catherines Island and Savannah, Georgia. |
| Accessibility: | By boat only. |
| Description of Area: | Similar in character and length to St. Catherines Island. The vegetation is variable, ranging from sparse to heavy and from low to high cover interspersed with open savannas. There are signs of erosion and timber cutting. The beach is variable in quality but superior to many on the Atlantic coast. |
| Present Use: | It is privately owned and used by Mr. R. J. Reynolds. |
| Analysis: | Like the rest of the Golden Isles of Georgia the island possesses the resources desirable for a seashore recreational area. It is important that it be considered in meeting the needs of the public for areas of this type. |
Cumberland Island
Georgia
| Location: | Off coast of Georgia. Southern tip reaches Georgia-Florida State line. |
| Accessibility: | By boat and plane. |
| Description of Area: | An area believed to be of national significance and one of the two most outstanding undeveloped seashore areas remaining along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The island is about 22 miles long and from 1/2 to 3-1/2 miles wide. It contains approximately 22,000 acres, 18,000 of which are upland and 4,000 marsh lands. It has 22 miles of wide, firm, gently sloping beach. The forests contain live oak, cabbage palmetto, longleaf pine, southern magnolia, red cedar, holly and red bay. The dunes reach a height of 30 feet and are stabilized. The area has taken a prominent part in the history of several nations. |
| Present Use: | Privately owned and used by heirs of the Carnegie estate. |
| Analysis: | An area of outstanding importance and one that should be acquired and preserved for appropriate public use. |
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| Cumberland Island |
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| Plum Orchard, Cumberland Island |
Georgia
Tybee Island
The island is directly south of Savannah Beach; off the mainland and inaccessible by car, it has about 7 miles of fair beach. It is low, marshy and unadorned with trees in any sizable stands. The area is inferior in quality to most of the Georgia islands and receives a low priority for future consideration as a public seashore recreation area.
Wassaw Island
Southeast of Savannah and immediately south of Tybee Island lies Wassaw. This island is well-wooded and has about 4 miles of very good beach. Large dunes appear near the north end of the island. It is inaccessible by car and undeveloped. There are some signs of erosion. There is practically no shrub zone on the island but there are indications of an old forest, burned and cut over, and a relatively young loblolly pine forest. It does not rate a high priority in excellence but should be catalogued for future consideration.
 
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| Wassaw Island |
Wolf Island
This island lies immediately to the south of Sapelo Island and just north of Little St. Simons Island. It is about 2 miles long, and inaccessible. The island, topographically, is a low tree-barren marsh. The area does not require further study at this time.
Jekyll Island
The area was acquired by the State in 1947 arid is now accessible by passenger car. It is being developed for public seashore recreation use and residential sites. The latter are being leased by private individuals along the seashore in some of the most desirable sections of the area. The residences of former owners and the hotel are being renovated and placed in shape for vacation resort use.
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rec_area_survey/ag/ga.htm
Last Updated: 25-Jun-2007