Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island: the complete guide
Bleached tree skeletons scattered across open sand, backed by marsh and framed by the Atlantic — Driftwood Beach is the single most photographed spot on Jekyll Island, and for good reason. It's also one of the easiest things to get wrong if you show up at the wrong tide or without water shoes. Here's what to know before you go, including how to get there on two wheels straight from our cottage.
What it is
Driftwood Beach sits along the north end of Jekyll Island, near Clam Creek, where the beach meets maritime forest instead of a seawall or dune line. Locals sometimes call this stretch a "boneyard beach" — the same phenomenon you'll see at Little St. Simons or Cumberland Island a bit further down the Georgia coast.
Why it looks like that
Jekyll Island's shoreline is shifting north over time, a natural process of erosion and sand migration common along Georgia's barrier islands. As the beach retreats into what used to be maritime forest, live oaks and cedars that stood for decades lose their footing, topple, and get stripped of bark by sun, salt, and tide. What's left are these silver-gray, sculptural trunks and root systems sitting right on the sand — not driftwood that washed ashore, but trees that were standing where the beach is now.
Best time to visit
- Low tide, or an outgoing tide: this is the single biggest factor. At high tide the water can push right up against the tree line, leaving little sand to walk on. At low tide the beach widens dramatically and you can wander in and out of the fallen trees. Check a Jekyll Island tide chart the morning of your visit and time your walk for an hour or two either side of low tide.
- Sunrise: Jekyll faces the open Atlantic, so first light comes up right over the water and through the bare branches — the classic shot everyone's seen. It's also the coolest, quietest, least crowded time of day in summer.
- Golden hour, late afternoon: softer light and long shadows across the trunks, without needing to be up before dawn.
- Season: spring and fall bring milder temperatures and fewer bugs; summer mornings beat the heat and the crowds; a winter visit can mean having the place nearly to yourself.
Getting there
Driftwood Beach is roughly 1.5 miles from our cottage — an easy bike ride on the island's paved path, which runs right past the marsh toward Clam Creek before you cross over to the beach side. Driving works too: parking is informal, a mix of small pull-offs and a few marked spots along North Beachview Drive near the Clam Creek picnic area, rather than one large lot. Spots fill up fast on weekends and holidays, so arrive early. From any parking spot it's a short sandy path, a few minutes' walk, out to the trees. Every vehicle on the island needs the standard $10/day Jekyll Island parking pass, collected at the causeway entrance gate.
What to bring
- Water shoes or old sneakers — oyster shells, barnacles, and rough bark make bare feet a bad idea once you're climbing on the trees.
- Water and sun protection; there's no shade, no restrooms, and no lifeguard at this stretch of beach.
- A tide chart or app, checked the same day — tide times shift daily.
- A camera or phone with a wide lens; a lot of the best compositions use the low branches as a natural frame.
Photography tips
Shoot low and wide — getting down near the sand exaggerates the scale of the root systems against the sky. Arrive at least 20–30 minutes before sunrise to scout a tree and composition while the light is still soft. The trunks near the water's edge get repositioned by every storm, so the exact "iconic" tree changes year to year; wander the full stretch rather than heading straight for one spot from an old photo. Weekday mornings are your best shot at empty frames — this beach is popular for engagement photos and small weddings, and shoots tend to book weekend golden hours.
Nearby stops
- Clam Creek Picnic Area & fishing pier: right next to the parking, good for marsh views and an easy add-on stop.
- North end bike path: continues along the marsh with some of the island's best birdwatching.
- Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the Historic District: both a short drive or ride away — see our full Jekyll Island area guide for more.
Planning a longer visit? Our Jekyll Island itinerary and best time to visit guide can help you build out the rest of the trip.
Staying with us, Driftwood Beach is an easy morning ride before breakfast on the porch, low tide or not.