Information
Landmark: Driftwood BeachCity: Brunswick
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Driftwood Beach, Brunswick, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
On the northern tip of Jekyll Island, Georgia, Driftwood Beach stretches out in a scene of weathered trees and sun-bleached branches, making it one of the Southeast’s most unforgettable coastal landscapes.This beach is known for its haunting beauty-a surreal stretch where massive, sun-bleached driftwood trees and tangled branches lie scattered across the sand, casting long, eerie shadows in the late-afternoon light.Shaped over years by coastal erosion, wind, and waves, it’s a natural formation carved smooth like stone worn by the tide.Driftwood Beach runs along Jekyll Island’s Atlantic shore, with sun-bleached logs scattered across the sand, and you can reach it easily from North Beachview Drive.What makes this beach unique is the scattered remains of a centuries-old maritime forest, its bleached trunks and tangled roots hinting at the woods that once stretched across the land.Over the years, storms, tides, and rising seas ate away the softer earth around these trees, until only their sturdy trunks and limbs remained, pale as bone under the sun and crusted with salt.Some of these skeletal trees, believed to be more than 500 years old, stand like weathered sentinels along the shore, their twisted limbs and salt-bleached bark forming sculptures that lure photographers, painters, and curious wanderers.With each tide, the beach shifts-sandbars sink, pools vanish, and new ripples form under your feet.When the tide slips out, the beach stretches wide, its pale sand scattered with weathered driftwood and tide pools teeming with darting crabs and tiny shells.When the tide comes in, it swallows most of the driftwood and sand, cutting off access and transforming the view into a sweep of rippling water.The shifting tide makes the beach more inviting, offering fresh views and experiences-like wet, glistening sand or wide stretches of dry shoreline-depending on when you stop by.To get to Driftwood Beach, visitors drive over the Jekyll Island Causeway, head to the island’s north end, and park along North Beachview Drive, just steps from landmarks like the Villas by the Sea Resort.The beach is free to enjoy, but you’ll still need to pay Jekyll Island’s daily vehicle entrance fee-a charge that keeps the roads smooth, the dunes protected, and the island cared for.From the parking lot, it’s just a quick stroll over soft, warm sand to reach the beach, though a few patches can feel uneven where the wind has shifted the ground.The beach has no big facilities, so most people show up with their own water, snacks, and a sunshade to stake in the sand.Driftwood Beach offers a striking view of sun-bleached logs scattered along the shore, and it plays a vital role in the local ecosystem.The last stand of trees shelters all kinds of coastal birds, while the tidal pools teem with crabs, darting minnows, and glistening shellfish.The beach belongs to Jekyll Island’s wider ecosystem, a mix of shady maritime forests, shimmering salt marshes, and windswept dunes that all help sustain the region’s rich biodiversity.Please help protect the area’s beauty-leave the driftwood where it rests and let the wildlife go about their day undisturbed.The beach is fragile, and conservation teams work hard to keep its sand clean and the water crystal clear.At Driftwood Beach, people come for the raw, windswept beauty and the chance to wander in peaceful solitude along the sand.Photography is a favorite here-twisted driftwood catching the glow of sunrise or sunset turns the beach into a dream spot for anyone chasing bold, coastal shots.Strolling the shoreline, visitors wander through tide pools and pocket smooth, sun-warmed shells, all while following conservation rules.Birdwatchers and nature lovers can spot sandpipers skimming the tide and catch sight of other coastal wildlife along the shore.Driftwood Beach, with its wind‑sculpted trees and quiet shoreline, draws couples for weddings, engagement photos, and all kinds of ceremonies.The beach is open to everyone, no permits needed, but get there early during peak season if you want a prime patch of sand before the crowds roll in.Before you head to Driftwood Beach’s wild, unpolished shoreline, keep safety in mind-especially the tides.Check the tide charts first; the water can creep in faster than you expect.When the tide’s low, you can get closer and see everything clearly, right down to the wet, glistening rocks.Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes-the ground’s uneven, driftwood can be slick, and roots or bits of debris hide under the leaves.Wildlife warning: Encounters with local animals like alligators or snakes aren’t common, but they do happen-keep your eyes open and give them plenty of space.To keep the beach’s beauty and wildlife intact, pack out every bit of trash, leave shells and dunes untouched, and follow the signs posted along the shore.The beach welcomes pets, but keep your dog on a leash and pick up after them-no one likes stepping in sand dotted with paw prints and surprises.Driftwood Beach has the warm, humid subtropical weather you’d expect along Georgia’s coast, with salty breezes rolling in from the sea.Summer brings warm, sticky air, and winter stays mild, so you can enjoy it any time of year.For the best light and easy beach access, head out early at low tide-sunrise is ideal, when driftwood catches a golden glow and the shore feels calm and nearly empty.Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island charms visitors with its bleached, twisting driftwood, the slow pull of the tides, and a quiet stillness that settles over the shore.This place combines wild beauty, rich ecology, and plenty to do, drawing photographers, nature lovers, and anyone chasing a quiet, picture-perfect day by the shore, where the salt air lingers in every breath.
