The Talbot Islands
Big and Little Talbot — driftwood-strewn Boneyard Beach, hammock trails, and quiet state-park shoreline just north of the city.
Day Trip
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Ferry required
Cumberland Island & the Wild Horses
Georgia’s largest barrier island is reachable only by ferry from St. Marys — about a 45-minute drive from Jacksonville plus a scenic 45-minute crossing. The payoff: free-roaming wild horses, undeveloped beaches, and Gilded-Age ruins.
Updated June 2026
The crossing
Getting there
Cumberland Island sits just over the Georgia line, and the whole adventure starts with an easy drive. From most of Jacksonville it’s about 45 minutes north to the little waterfront town of St. Marys, Georgia, where the National Park Service runs its mainland visitor center. Park, check in, and you’re ready for the only way onto the island that isn’t a private boat: the ferry.
The ferry crossing takes about 45 minutes and is part of the fun — you’re gliding through tidal salt marsh and open sound with a good chance of spotting dolphins before you ever set foot on sand. Boats land at two stops on the island’s sheltered western side: Sea Camp (the main dock, near the campground and the start of most trails) and Dungeness (closest to the famous ruins and the most reliable horse-watching).
Here’s the thing first-timers don’t expect: there are no cars on Cumberland Island. No roads to drive, no shuttles, no Ubers. You explore on foot, and that quiet is exactly what makes the place feel like a different century. If you’d rather cover more ground, bring your own bike on the ferry (about $10 per bike, reservations needed) — a smart move if you want to reach the beach, the ruins, and a stretch of maritime forest all in one day visit. Note that the island itself no longer offers bike rentals.
Planning a string of coastal escapes from the city? This one pairs naturally with our other northbound runs — see the full Day Trips hub for the lineup.
Amelia Island
Victorian Fernandina Beach, shrimp-boat history, and broad beaches — the easiest barrier-island day trip from Jacksonville, no ferry required.
Day Trip
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JAXbeaches
Beaches & Outdoors
From wild barrier islands back to the home stretch — the parks, sandbars, and shoreline that make up Jacksonville’s outdoor playground.
Good to know
Common questions
How do you get to Cumberland Island from Jacksonville?
It's about a 45-minute drive north to St. Marys, Georgia, where the National Park Service runs the mainland visitor center. From there the only way onto the island (short of a private boat) is the ferry, a scenic crossing of about 45 minutes.
Do you need a reservation for the Cumberland Island ferry?
Yes, reserve in advance. The ferry sells out, often days or weeks ahead in peak season, so book ahead rather than showing up and hoping for a spot.
Where are the best odds of seeing the wild horses on Cumberland Island?
Your best bet is around the Dungeness historic district, about half a mile from the Dungeness dock. The horses roam completely untended, so watch and photograph from a distance since these are genuinely wild animals.
Are there cars on Cumberland Island?
No. There are no cars, roads, shuttles, or Ubers on the island. You explore on foot, or you can bring your own bike on the ferry (about $10 per bike, by reservation) to cover more ground in a single day visit — the island itself no longer rents bikes.
Is there an entrance fee for Cumberland Island?
Yes, there's a $15 National Park Service entrance fee on top of the ferry fare. Since services on the island are limited, plan to pack your own water and food, plus sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable walking shoes.