Eco Tourism
Responsible travel is travel with a purpose. By choosing Eco Tour & Travel, you can have a wonderful vacation, while benefiting the environment and the local people. When choosing a destination and accommodations for your vacation, consider ones that work to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities.
Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island is committed maintaining island environment and culture through green initiatives in our building and day-to-day operations. An example of this is the protection of endangered sea turtles by its use of "safe" lighting around the hotel. This special lighting allows turtles to mate on the beach at night and not be disturbed. You can learn more about these initiatives on our About Us page.
Activities that we recommend to our Eco Travelers are:
Eco Friendly Beach Access
A leader in eco friendly hotels, the Hampton inn & Suites Jekyll Island maintains the unique natural area with dunes ranging from 18 to 30 feet above sea level, and provides guests access via an elevated wooden walkway. This minimizes the impact on flora and fauna while providing guests a scenic route to the beautiful Jekyll Island ocean and beaches.
As a barrier island, Jekyll Island's 10 miles of unspoiled beaches are perfect for sunbathing or swimming, leisurely walks or invigorating jogs. Known for their natural bounty, Jekyll’s beaches offer shell collecting for guests, and many live creatures abound as well, including hermit crabs and sand dollars.
Nature Tours & Eco Excursions
Tidelands Nature Center Join an experienced guide for a 1 1/2 - 2 hour walk through the beach, forest, and marsh, on Jekyll Island. Walks begin at 9 a.m. daily March - October.
Clam Creek Picnic Area Marsh and north-end beach walk meets at the Clam Creek parking lot, north end of island, opposite campground. (Mondays / Year-round).
Andrews Picnic Area Marsh, maritime forest, and south-end beach walk meets at the St. Andrews parking lot. (Wednesdays / Year-round).
South Dunes Picnic Area Maritime forest and beach walk meets at South Dunes parking lot. (Fridays / March - September only)
Jekyll Island Fun Tours Segway Nature Adventure Glide along trails and personally witness this truly unique area. An educated guide will point out the plant and animal life as you stop
to observe the sights. Riding the Segway® feels like nothing you've ever experienced. The Segway® balances
for you. It
all feels natural and really cool.
Call 912-635-9704 to book a reservation.
Golf Cart Nature Tours Discover a birding and nature adventure that only locals know about! Jekyll Island's three eighteen-hole golf courses are a natural home to deer, raccoon, nesting birds, flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and alligators. Join Birder and Naturalist Lydia Thompson on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a Golf Cart Nature Tour June 16th - September. Cost: $20 per person. Call 912-635-2368 for reservations. Drop ins welcome.
Beach Excursion by Horseback Take a trail ride through the Maritime Forestand to view salt marshes and beautiful Driftwood Beach. Gentle, well-trained horses and experienced guides insure a fun-filled ride. Offered by Lone Oaks Carriage & Trail Company.
Call 912-635-9500 for details and fees.
