Driftwood Beach
Driftwood Beach
4.7
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Driftwood Beach is an escape to another world. Ancient driftwood monuments line the waterfront, creating an unforgettable backdrop.
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- JustineXSempleStone Mountain, Georgia17 contributionsFascinating and almost other-worldly, this beach is a do-it-yourself experience. We went twice: mid-day at low tide and sunset at high tide. Although we encountered greater crowds at sunset, the setting was stunning and we think we got better photos then. Definitely wear comfortable shoes (we didn't try it barefoot). Definitely bring a camera. At low tide, you can walk among MORE of the trees. At high tide, there's less beach to walk on. At sunset the sky made the scene totally amazing. Some people said they were being bitten by mosquitoes at sunset. I didn't have a problem. This is truly exquisite for mature folks who appreciate natural beauty. No shops. No water to drink. No bathrooms. So come when you can take a walk, appreciate the sights, and be amazed!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 18, 2024
- chandellePensacola, Florida222 contributionsI dislike the artificial, planned vibe of Jekyll, so I've been putting off this visit for years. Bad idea. Driftwood Beach is GORGEOUS. Yes, there are bugs an it's crowded, but the scenery is just beautiful. Wear some bug spray and learn how to erase other people from your photos in Lightroom, and you'll have an album you can be proud of.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 31, 2024
- Mark HornyakChagrin Falls, Ohio5 contributionsThis was the coolest place to visit on the island. It was somewhat apocalyptic to see the enormous trees that were almost prehistoric in nature. I would make this a “must see” for anyone coming to the island. Easy access and fairly close parking.Visited March 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten March 20, 2025
- juliet tLeeds, United Kingdom109 contributionsVery interesting place as is most of Jekyll Island. It isn’t Driftwood per se, it is from the sea encroaching on the land and killing the trees. Still spectacular to see. Be advised, it costs $10 a day to get on the Island.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 6, 2024
- Alison SSpringfield, Massachusetts1,048 contributionsLovely spring day when we walked in to this beach. (Unmarked, near the northeast tip of the island - ask the locals.) Parking free alongside the road. Hundreds of busy little land crabs at work under the sandy path and in surrounding marsh. Walk from road to beach is easy and short. The beach is very cool. Over the years, the beach has eroded leaving behind trees that have turned to "driftwood". All long the beach, these trees create endless photo opportunities and also many little semi-private nooks for laying down your beach towel. Beach is flat and hard therefore bike-able. Very pretty spot.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 7, 2024
- slalemandAuburn, Maine496 contributionsLove this place. It’s just so freakin cool a photographers dream and a great place to capture memories. I’ve been here 3 times now and I as well as the people who brought here have enjoyed it very much. It’s a bit like being on another planet (I’m guessing) - kind of erie and all but very cool for sure. I’ve not been here for a sun raise or sunset but can only guess it’s spectacularVisited February 2025Traveled with friendsWritten March 9, 2025
- CleanhotelsColumbus, Ohio506 contributionsAbsolutely a must stop, if on Jekyll Island. The dead trees lining the beach are beautiful and picture worthy. Be cautious, the rocks are difficult to navigate and a fall out not be a great addition to your trip.Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 28, 2024
- Kathy P26 contributionsI’ve been forever wanting to go to Driftwood Beach and finally got my chance! It felt like walking into another world. It was the most unusually beautiful place I have ever been. The enormous pieces of driftwood and trees on the beach with the ocean in the background was stunning. Really wished we had taken chairs to sit and enjoy the scenery a lot longer. Next time…Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 2, 2024
- gramma PEscondido, California160 contributionsWhat an amazing place to visit! When our daughter said she wanted to take us to see Driftwood Beach, I pictured it as a nice beach with some pieces of drift wood strewn about. What a suprise to walk on to the beach and see miles of actual dead trees that had become weathered, some uprooted, and battered by erotion over many years. It was almost unearthly to see the beauty and stark contrast to all the lush growth on the rest of the island. It's a great place for a photo op. Apparently the access to the beach is dependent on the tides, so check the timing of high and low tides before visiting it. Highly recommend this on your visit to Jykell Island.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.7
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람보
Seoul, South Korea285 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The atmosphere is really nice and great for taking pictures. You have to go inside Jekyll Island to access it. The admission fee is $10 as of today, and there is no additional charge once you go inside. There are no restrooms around the beach, so be sure to stop by the visitor center or Ocean View Beach Park on your way there.

Written October 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie D.
Cleveland, OH2,444 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Driftwood Beach was like something from another world—it was simply breathtaking. We came in the mid-afternoon and it was very hot. It was also very, very crowded, which made taking photos a challenge. We were so glad we came because it was truly a spectacular thing to see, but next time we’d come earlier in the morning when it was a little cooler…and hope for smaller crowds!
Written November 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian M
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg558 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Visited the beach both during full sun light and again at sunset and sunset is definitely much better. The play of light and the contrast between water, sky, twilight and the dead trees are views that is only comparible to that of Namibia in my mind. One of a kind and a must for those into photography.
Excellent visit, recommend. Easy to get to from the road.
Excellent visit, recommend. Easy to get to from the road.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pthomas156
Newport, RI1,504 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We stayed at Jekyll Island on our way to Florida specifically to see this beach, which is known as one of the best driftwood beaches in the country. Jekyll has extensive bike trails, but you’d never know this beach is there from going along the trail nearby. You have to go in on one of the beach access paths to see all the magnificent toppled trees that lay like twisted sculptures all over the beach. This beach faces East so I’d suggest going earlier in the day than we went, which was about an hour and a half before sun set. At about 2, we had checked out St Andrews beach on the south end, and the light was great for photography there as that beach surprisingly also has quite a bit of driftwood. We were on Jekyll Oct 30-31, and it was not very busy, happily for us. I could see parking being a problem at busier times, especially at Driftwood Beach, which has no actual lot.
Our bikes, which are road bikes, could not go on the path around the north end because we encountered too much sand on the path (not sure if that eventually clears up; we gave up). But in any case much of the interior of the north end is roped off for dune protection, so it’s best to take your bike in at the first beach access sign after you pass Villas By The Sea Resort. Driftwood Beach is between that access point and the Clam Creek Pier on the west side. We walked a portion of the beach (which is hard-packed by the way) and then got back on our bikes and biked on the actual road til the entrance to Clam Creek. The sunset there is beautiful; we also watched a giant car carrier making its way into port.
Our bikes, which are road bikes, could not go on the path around the north end because we encountered too much sand on the path (not sure if that eventually clears up; we gave up). But in any case much of the interior of the north end is roped off for dune protection, so it’s best to take your bike in at the first beach access sign after you pass Villas By The Sea Resort. Driftwood Beach is between that access point and the Clam Creek Pier on the west side. We walked a portion of the beach (which is hard-packed by the way) and then got back on our bikes and biked on the actual road til the entrance to Clam Creek. The sunset there is beautiful; we also watched a giant car carrier making its way into port.
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
momE1
Front Royal, VA347 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Oh my - this is an absolute MUST stop! Honestly the driftwood is beyond description - I've never seen anything like it. Easy walk to the beach, and easy walk on the beach. These huge live oaks and palm trees that are on the shore are nature's artistry at it's most interesting. Definitely worth the trip!!
Written March 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dog_Trainer24-7
Greater Cincinnati155 contributions
Jan 2022
If you are lucky enough to be here when the tide is out and the sun comes up, you will see a spectacular show by Mother Nature! Don't forget your camera! Just be aware that the dark stuff along the shore that looks like rock, may be super slick mud! Yup, I went down and was covered in it. Managed to cut my finger deep, on a shell filled rock, and bled all the way back to the vehicle. OUCH!
Written February 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JudyMetroNYCarea
New York City, NY2,022 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We tried to time our trip to Driftwood beach at low tide as close to sunset as possible and it was perfect. We actually stopped here twice on the same day and each time was better than the first. The tide was coming in on the last visit which was exactly at sunset.
You could spend hours photographing all the trees. Really quite amazing.
You could spend hours photographing all the trees. Really quite amazing.
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lifetraveler1
Atlanta, GA171 contributions
May 2021
As an avid photographer, one of my favorite places to go on the Georgia Coast, is Driftwood Beach. It is located on Jekyll Island, Georgia, at the NE corner of the island. Because it is a distance from the main beach parking lot, this place is usually never very crowded, even on holidays like this past Memorial Day Weekend.
There are three main attractions in the area. The fishing pier for the island is located here. There is a beautiful marsh like swamp nearby, which when it is hit correctly by the sun, creates some beautiful color. Lastly there is a Driftwood Beach. Which is a beach that has lots of petrified looking driftwood on it. Oh there's also a horse rental stable nearby, so that you can ride a horse along the beach...
The location also is a good spot at the moment for watching the demolition of the Golden Ray, the car carrier, which sunk in the channel leading out to the ocean.
Parking- You only have to pay an $8 parking fee to get on the island, after that you can park almost anywhere. Driftwood Beach, however, does not have a lot of parking. So you should get there early if you can. Otherwise, you have to park out on the main road and walk on down to the beach.
Note-The bathroom facility at Driftwood Beach was 'closed' this past weekend. However, there is a campground across the main road and you are allowed to use their facilities.
Summary- Looking for a quiet beach where you can walk a short distance and pretty much have that part of the beach to yourself? Then head on over to Driftwood Beach. It's quirky driftwood art will surprise you.
There are three main attractions in the area. The fishing pier for the island is located here. There is a beautiful marsh like swamp nearby, which when it is hit correctly by the sun, creates some beautiful color. Lastly there is a Driftwood Beach. Which is a beach that has lots of petrified looking driftwood on it. Oh there's also a horse rental stable nearby, so that you can ride a horse along the beach...
The location also is a good spot at the moment for watching the demolition of the Golden Ray, the car carrier, which sunk in the channel leading out to the ocean.
Parking- You only have to pay an $8 parking fee to get on the island, after that you can park almost anywhere. Driftwood Beach, however, does not have a lot of parking. So you should get there early if you can. Otherwise, you have to park out on the main road and walk on down to the beach.
Note-The bathroom facility at Driftwood Beach was 'closed' this past weekend. However, there is a campground across the main road and you are allowed to use their facilities.
Summary- Looking for a quiet beach where you can walk a short distance and pretty much have that part of the beach to yourself? Then head on over to Driftwood Beach. It's quirky driftwood art will surprise you.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonya R
Carlsbad, NM312 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Showed up for sunset and then sunrise the next morning. Sunset was ok but getting there way before sunrise to pick our spots was amazing. Quiet: relatively isolated- other photographers were there but everyone maintained their distance/
Gorgeous photos brilliant sky uncluttered beach (well, other than the driftwood!)
Plenty to explore, fun for all ages. Tons of access points.
Definitely was on our list as it’s a photographers’ dream! We watched weather reports for sunrise and sunset times and got there about an hour before each time so that we could explore and enjoy!!
Gorgeous photos brilliant sky uncluttered beach (well, other than the driftwood!)
Plenty to explore, fun for all ages. Tons of access points.
Definitely was on our list as it’s a photographers’ dream! We watched weather reports for sunrise and sunset times and got there about an hour before each time so that we could explore and enjoy!!
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald N
Pittsford, NY299 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
On the northern part of island. This beach has an amazing collection of large , and many intact, driftwood trees. It’s an eye- catching site. There are a couple different Entrances from the main road and plenty of areas to park your bike (it’s a good idea to bring a bike lock).
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Didn’t cost anything. Was just open access of the side of the road. We saw lots of dogs and don’t remember any signs about not having dogs on the beach. If they were there, we missed them
Written April 17, 2023
If you are referring to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island it is not a state or national park so technically I think you could collect driftwood. Personally I would not as it is such a unique place and it should be left as you found it for the next person. I think other visitors will give you a hard time as well due to how amazing this place is. Perhaps it is best to pick driftwood somewhere else.
Written March 27, 2022
Can people collect small pieces of driftwood from Driftwood Beach on Jeckyll Island?
Written March 24, 2022
That's probably OK as there aren't any signs saying you can't. Keep in mind that 'Driftwood Beach' is somewhat of a misnomer as what you see there isn't driftwood at all, just dead trees. They didn't 'drift' in from anywhere else.
Written June 4, 2022
Are they still doing the beautiful glass Balls in January-Feb for the St Valentines ball? They are so beautiful I have mine in a china cabinet for safety
Written June 19, 2020
I’m sorry I don’t know. I would be interested in getting a crystal ball myself if you get the answer.
Written May 18, 2021
Is Driftwood beach or other beaches on Jekyll island wheelchair accessible or is there beach wheelchairs available for rent near by? My grandma and I are looking to visit Jekyll in October and I want to take her as close to the water as she can get...
Written February 29, 2020
I do remember seeing a few there. It’s so pretty, you’ll love it! Found this on Jekyll Island’s website for you.
Jekyll Island has public beach access points that are accessible to people with disabilities. Here is the list of those locations:
Oceanview Beach Park, crossover #26
Great Dunes Park, crossover #32
Beach Village, crossover #38
Corsair Beach Park, crossover #43
Glory Beach, crossover #60
St. Andrews Beach, crossover #67
Jekyll Island’s new Oceanview Beach Park features a wheelchair-accessible observation deck with two ADA-accessible benches, to allow visitors to take in breathtaking views of the beach.
The ramp at St. Andrews Beach provides access directly to the hard pack sand on the shore. Please note, because of the large tidal differentials and shifting dunes on Jekyll Island, the mats at crossovers #32 and #38 may not always reach the hard pack sand.
Written February 29, 2020
Hi everyone,
How much time should my family of 4–2 teens—set aside to explore Driftwood Beach? We have 2 full days on Jekyll Island in April.
Thanks a lot!
Written January 8, 2020
I would say an hour or two.
Written January 14, 2020
What is the best time to go, is early morning okay?
Written November 19, 2019
As everyone has pointed out, low tide is very beneficial. Early morning, even sunrise will give you some beautiful colors and contrast for your photos. And it will be the best time to look for shells and go beachcombing.
Written December 6, 2019
I know Driftwood Beach is pet friendly but I have heard that the burrs to the beach are a problem to pets especially when they get into their paws. I would appreciate any comments regarding this!
Written July 8, 2019
We did not encounter any "burrs" or sand spurs. We kept to the beach and the sandy trails.
Written February 20, 2020
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