The Island

Welcome to Little St. Simons A Gateway to Wilderness

Located on the Georgia Coast, Little St. Simons Island lies in the wilderness of the Altamaha River delta. One of the most productive estuaries on the Atlantic coast, the 135-square mile delta contains a collection of untouched marshes, mudflats, sand spits, and small islands dotted with old-growth maritime oak forests. An ancient landscape built by rivers and tides, Georgia’s barrier islands are richly biodiverse and host hundreds of resident species and migrants. The delta marks the intersection of the ocean and the Altamaha wilderness corridor, a 35-mile expanse of protected public and private lands bordering the Altamaha River. This intricate network has been conserved through inter-agency collaboration, and it includes critical longleaf pine forest, cypress swamp, and saltwater estuary habitat that provide resources and pathways for at-risk species and recreation. The Lodge at Little St. Simons Island is a gateway for exploring this unparalleled wilderness, providing access to the region’s natural luxury.

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Forever Protected

Preserved through time, Little St. Simons Island has been celebrated for its contributions to local and global conservation. As “one of the most significant natural areas remaining on the eastern coast of the United States”, the Island provides critical habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna (Deron Davis, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia). Recognized as a location of hemispheric importance for shorebirds by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, the Island offers a stopover location for migrating and wintering birds. In 2015, Little St. Simons Island was put in a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy to ensure that the preservation efforts that have been practiced here will be permanent. The Island has since become home to the Center for Coastal Conservation, which supports the management and preservation of coastal ecosystems in Georgia. Visitors can rejoice that the natural beauty and the ecological integrity of the Island will be forever protected.

Learn more about the Center for Coastal Conservation.

Our Experiences

Throughout the day, the Little St. Simons Island Naturalists offer a host of excursions to immerse guests in the ecology of Georgia’s barrier islands. Whether birdwatching, hiking through the Island’s diverse habitats, kayaking the tidal marshes, or fishing the surf and coastal creeks, our gifted Naturalists will lead you through a personal experience and concurrently build an awareness and culture of conservation for years to come.

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