For an island whose main purpose is conservation and preservation their food waste is reprehensible. During my 4 day stay I watched 6 to 8 five-gallon buckets full of food waste being loaded into trucks from the kitchen area, and more than once per day, everyday. The weight on those probably averages 40 to 50 lbs, you do the math. Vultures hover over the bed of the pickup truck while those hard working groundsmen load the buckets, which leads me to think that most of the wildlife on the island is partaking in the kitchen food waste also which, as you might gather on your own, is NOT part of their natural diet. Seems counter-intuitive and contradictory to the movement and purpose of this island. Whomever is running the kitchen could stand a little schooling on management, I'd say!
We had a fantastic day trip to The Lodge. Left from the Hampton River Marina and it is just a 10 minute to the island. There our naturalist, Stacia, was waiting for us. She was phenomenal! Super friendly, made sure we had water and sodas available. You can tell conservation is her passion. She shared much history of the island and info about the couple who own it. Their mission is to maintain the pristine ecosystem there. We rode around the island on benches in the back of the truck, great visibility. The Lodge had packed picnic lunches for us that were very good. We saw many species of birds, several alligators, and even a large rattle snake. Read the email before you go-long sleeves and pants and closed toes shoes a must. They provide bug spray and sunscreen. A great adventure
My wife and I are very active nature lovers in our early 60s, and knew very little about birding, when we stayed 4 nights at the LSSI during the 2022 spring birding week. We loved every minute! The renowned ornithologist Mr. Weidensaul, the staff, and the other guests, most of them seasoned birders, made us fell at home. We saw tons of amazing birds, sunrises and sunsets and learned a lot on a friendly and non pretentious atmosphere. Objectively:0) We flew into JAX and got a 90 minute car service ride (cheaper than Uber/Lyft) , spend the night in St. Simons another ˜30 minute car service ride to the marina to get the boat. On the way back, we went directly from the marina to JAX. We used Seaside Transport and were very pleased; 1) 4 nights was perfect we did a LOT and are already thinking about coming back. 2) To maximise the stay, get the morning boat as on the last day you will leave at 10AM. 3) Accommodations are excellent, but not luxurious and the food is very good but not gourmet. Also if you want high-end alcoholic beverages, you can BYO; 4) The organized activities are excellent, but you can also add side excursions on your own or just relax by the varanda or pool. We biked every morning to the beach to see the sunrise. It was wonderful. 5) It is OK if you are not a birder. We did hiking and biking by ourselves and had a blast. 6) There were TONS of mosquitos. Despite my wife being allergic to them the net vests and different repellents available everywhere, allowed her to enjoy the experience easily. 7) COVID-19: Guests were required booster proof or provide a negative test prior to taking the boat.…
Little St. Simons Island is a treasure and a rare glimpse of the southern coast that I thought had disappeared. My husband and I spent a week on the island in March after I had read about the lodge in a birding magazine. It was a great time to visit although the birding may have been better a few weeks later during spring migration. Every day we were presented with naturalist-led excursions for both the morning and afternoon. The naturalists were terrific! Not only were they knowledgeable, they were incredibly enthusiastic. We also had the option to hiking or bike to the beach on our own. The beach was incredible! Hundreds of shore birds and a dozen people at any one time. Because it was early spring, we weren't bothered by mosquitoes and the gnats could be controlled with repellent. Every hike and bike ride was a mini wildlife expedition. In addition to the birds, there were numerous alligators, snakes, armadillos and small reptiles of all sorts. We stayed in the Lodge, which only has two guest rooms. Our room was quiet and comfortable. Although there was a living room area for all guests, it was not used much after 9 pm so we felt like we had the lodge to ourselves in the late evening. The meals were varied and tasty. The kitchen staff worked hard to accommodate dietary preferences. Most of meals were served in the lodge, but lunch, weather permitting was served on picnic table outside, which was delightful. You do have to be aware you are at an eco-resort. We encountered some spiders and palmetto bugs in the bathroom, but having grown up in North Florida in the 1950s, it was what we expected as we were staying in an historic lodge in the woods. We will be going back next year although we have decided that 5 days is probably adequate for us. A major factor in our decision to stay at the Lodge was its requirement that guests be vaccinated for Covid. It was our first time to spend a week unmasked since the start of the pandemic. We were so grateful for the staff's diligence in working to keep us all healthy.…
There is no doubt that the island is amazing. I can't say anything negative about that - it was fantastic in EVERY way. The naturalists truly care about the the island - you can feel their passion. The food is not gourmet - but it is nicely done and you won't go hungry. However - there were two HUGE issues that we experienced during our visit. First: The bed needs to be replaced in our room. The springs are totally shot. the depression on each side is so deep that you cannot roll from one side of the king bed to the other. Second issue: If you are going to charge for a night stay it needs to be a 24 hour stay not a half day - especially at $825.00 a night. We arrived on the 4pm boat for 2 nights and had to leave on the 10am boat the following day. So basically we had only ONE day at the resort even though we paid for two days. Everyone else who arrived came in on the 10am boat and had a whole day to enjoy the place. What was really annoying was the fact that when I booked the reservation I asked if we could come earlier and was told there was no early boat when in fact there was - so I was lied to. And THAT was not appropriate. I will not come back to visit until this policy is reversed. And to tell us that staying through lunch would be a strain on the staff when everyone else was there for two days was absolutely TERRIBLE. As a travel agency owner, I will NOT be recommending that clients visit until they are able to stay for a total day. I came for a very special occasion and the fact that we could not stay more than one day when I paid for two days was really sad.…
My wife and I wanted a last-minute excursion for her birthday. The Lodge had a group cancellation for 3 nights Feb 1-4, and we asked for the River Lodge. It is rustic, yet upscale with a lovely deck looking through live oaks to lovely sunsets over marsh and water. The main lodge provided us with 3 satisfying meals each day, a pleasant happy hour with the other interesting guests, snacks and beverages, all included. It's not gourmet dining, but its tasty, creative, and fresh ingredients from their garden. As described on their website, "the island is 11000 acres of untamed wilderness," The naturalists are passionate, intelligent, and patient. Birding, plant life, animals, beachcombing, history, and conservation all led and presented by truck, bicycle, kayak, and on foot. With a maximum of 32 guests, it's a near perfect combination of upscale remoteness, natural beauty with quiet privacy. Management and the employees are friendly, and service focused. This is not for those who want glitter or man-made entertainment. If you love nature, you will love the Lodge on LSSI.…
The total experience in nature and southern hospitality is wonderful. Seeing southeast coastal nature that remains pristine and protected is a joy. The staff is there to guide and assure you have a pleasant comfortable foray into this islands gifts. They are well educated and seek to answer questions and give the best experience possible. They all really care about what they do. It’s refreshing and compels others to take interest in nature.
This place has it all. Great venue with 5-star rooms and food. The experienced staff of naturalists provide informative and far-reaching opportunities in a casual atmosphere. I have attended Spring and Fall Birding Events, A special Seminar on The Salt Marsh as well as Winter Marine Debris Clean-up. Each time the food and accommodations have been great. Whether attending a specific program or just visiting each experience has ensured I want to return again and again.
A full day trip of the natural beauty of Little St. Simons Island with guide Stacia. Stacia was knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic about the various aspects of natural beauty and wildlife on Little St. Simons Island. We toured the island in a open air truck and walked to the beach. Saw many species of birds, armadillos, alligators, bald eagles and dolphins. Everyone was friendly and the entire day went fast. Lunch included and well worth the price. Highly recommend.
The boat ride from the marina to the island allows you to exit one world and prepare to enter another. From the moment you leave Saint Simons to the moment you are returned to the reality of the mainland after your visit, you are cared for and encouraged to expand your knowledge of an environment we desperately need to preserve. The staff is warm, welcoming, accommodating, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate. The food is excellent, and conversations and interactions with other guests and the staff during outings, at cocktail hour, over dinner, or around a warm lodge fireplace delightful. You may head out to make discoveries on your own or seek the guidance of experienced naturalists for an endless variety of activities. Anything you could possibly need to find solace in a wilderness atmosphere or understand the world on a barrier island is here. Be aware that this is not the place for those who want the pampering of a spa or the thrill of an amusement park. It is not a place for those annoyed by wildlife or reluctant to traverse rugged terrain. But if you seek a unique and peaceful place nurtured by those who believe its value and importance is worth protecting, then put a stay here on your “must do” list.…
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