Island Adventure: Cumberland Island – A Full Day Adventure – Mar 31 2025

Monday, March 31 – Cumberland Island: A Full-Day Adventure

Time: 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Price: $300 includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner + cash bar, ferry, park entrance & guided tour, gratuity.

Discover the untamed beauty and rich history of Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and most remote barrier island! With its wild horses, unspoiled beaches, and hauntingly beautiful ruins, this all-day excursion offers a rare chance to experience one of the most stunning destinations on the East Coast.

Updated Itinerary & Tour Options:

6:30 AM – Depart Gascoigne Bluff via shuttle to St. Marys, arriving one hour early for the ferry and orientation.

9:00 AM – Board the ferry to Cumberland Island, where participants will divide into two groups for their chosen experience:

Option 1: Lands & Legacies Tour (Motorized) – SOLD OUT

A comfortable, guided exploration of Cumberland Island’s most historic landmarks, offering a fascinating look at the island’s Gilded Age grandeur, early settlements, and African American heritage. This motorized tour makes stops at:

• Plum Orchard Mansion – A Carnegie-era masterpiece, beautifully preserved with original furnishings and architecture that reflect the opulence of the late 1800s.
• The Settlement & First African Baptist Church – A significant site in African American history, where the island’s formerly enslaved residents built a community, and John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette were secretly married.
• Cumberland Island Wharf & Additional Landmarks – Discover remnants of plantations, early settlements, and maritime history, as well as breathtaking views of the island’s untouched natural landscape.

Option 2: Adventure Meets Leisure Walking Tour

For those seeking a hands-on, immersive experience, this leisurely-paced walking tour explores both the island’s storied past and stunning natural beauty. Total walking distance is about 4 miles at an easy pace—even a 96-year-old guest recently enjoyed it!

• Dungeness Ruins & Historic Area – Walk in the footsteps of Spanish explorers, British settlers, and the Carnegies as you explore the remains of Dungeness Mansion, once a grand estate, now an evocative shell of its former splendor.  Visit the Tabby House, historic cemetery, and preserved Carnegie-era buildings that tell the island’s dramatic story.
• Maritime Forest & Wildlife Viewing – After lunch near the ruins, take a peaceful stroll through the maritime forest, beneath towering live oaks and Spanish moss. Keep an eye out for wild horses, armadillos, and deer as you follow scenic trails leading to the island’s untouched beaches and salt marshes.

Option 3: Easy Rider – Just show up and explore – Transportation, Meals, Ferry & Admission included.  No land tour.

Option 4: Bare Bones – DIY.  Provide own transportation.  Only Ferry & Admission Provided.

4:45 PM – Board the ferry back to St. Marys.

5:30 PM – Enjoy a catered dinner and cash bar on the Emmeline, relaxing on a scenic sunset cruise back to Gascoigne Bluff (arriving at 8:00 PM).

Limited to just 35 participants – Reserve your spot today!

Note: All newcomer events are non-refundable unless canceled by the club.