Southern Jaunt: Sea Island
For TLF ICs, Cally Pirrung and Elizabeth Walsh, the American South isn’t just a destination, it’s a way of life. From the magnolia lined streets of Charleston, to the golden shores of Sea Island, to the rural hills of Appalachia, these two have a knack for uncovering southern charm.
Southern at Heart
By Elizabeth Walsh
As a Maryland native and daughter of a military officer, my favorite memories from childhood consist of crab feasts, coastal waterways, and frequently hearing F/A-18 Hornets buzz through the sky. I grew up in a small town, close to the Potomac River, located between Washington, DC and St. Mary's City. While Maryland is technically a mid-Atlantic state, the Maryland I grew up in catered to people looking for a slower pace of life. After college I lived in New York City for over a decade, and in a city of 8 million people, I found my connection back to Maryland, and ultimately the American South. My husband, also a Maryland native, grew up spending his summers at his grandmother's cottage on Sea Island, located on Georgia's south coast. Every summer we'd visit Sea Island and wishfully talk about leaving our fancy city life for a simpler one in the south. That dream became a reality when my husband's job relocated us to Charlotte, North Carolina. Our move to Charlotte, opened up our hearts and minds to luxury destinations only a short distance from our new home, and fortunately for us, our beloved Sea Island is only 4.5 hours away!
A Friendly Little Hotel: The History of Sea Island
In 1928 wealthy Georgia tycoons decided to build a private escape for their families along an undeveloped stretch of coastline known as the Golden Isles. What started out as a "a friendly little hotel" turned into anything but little. Masterminded by the same architect who helped design Palm Beach and Boca Raton, “The Cloister” quickly attracted millionaires and heads of state. Since then, the original 46-room, three-story, Mediterranean Revival style inn has transformed into a world-class resort consisting of two main hotels — The Cloister and The Lodge — over 600 cottages and residences, a Forbes five-star spa, three championship golf courses, and a beach club with access to five miles of pristine private beach. Today the resort's pedestrian and bike friendly streets are lined with hundred-year old oaks, Spanish Moss draping from every available branch. While the resort has evolved quite a bit since the roaring 20s, the heartfelt hospitality, charm, and natural beauty remain timeless.
Southern Slow Down: What to do on Sea Island
As a mom of two, a "vacation" with kids is usually filled with family-friendly activities aligned with nap schedules. In some cases, naps don't happen, making for an interesting afternoon. Sea Island offers Camp Cloister, a year-round full day camp for kids ages 3-14, led by the Junior Staff and Nature team. Activities involve safe adventures, nature discoveries, games, crafts, and on-property outdoor activities. During camp hours, parents can enjoy the adults-only pool, go for a couples massage at the spa, or sip something fruity on a beach walk. Don’t miss Sea Island’s signature Tiki Pina Coloda — you can order it to go!
It sounds cliche, but there really is something for everyone at Sea Island. Everyone knows about the resort’s championship golf and world class spa, but there are a few activities that might fly under the radar if you don’t know about them:
Sea Island Nature Center
Sea Island's Nature Center is an exciting way to see an learn about the various birds and reptiles native to Georgia's Golden Isles.
Cloister Dock
Cloister Dock offers rental equipment for guests to fish and crab off the dock (common catches include redfish, flounder, and black drum).
The Beach Club Sailing Center
The Sailing Center offers sailing excursions, kayak, and paddleboard tours, along with private, skipper-led sunset sails for families or couples.
Pedal Bike Shop
The bike shop offers bike rentals for all ages…and trust me, you’ll want a bike on Sea Island!
Saddle-Up
The horsemanship center offers hands-on horse care, grooming, and riding experiences.
Little St. Simons Safari
Sea Island offers full-day guided “safaris” of nearby Little St. Simons Island, a privately owned island only accessible by boat, surrounded by 11,000 acres of marshy wilderness.
Southern Comfort: Where to Eat on Sea Island
Southern Soul
This might be contentious, but Southern Soul serves some of the best BBQ in the South! A vacation in Sea Island isn’t complete without a family style order of pulled pork, beef brisket and a full slab of ribs. If you don’t care about your summer beach bod, order the daily cobbler for dessert.
La Plancha
La Plancha serves some of the most authentic Mexican and Colombian style dishes I’ve had since moving to the south! My order always includes a large guac, chicken burrito, and a signature La Plancha Rita (also available to go!)
Coastal Kitchen
Located on St. Simons island, Coastal Kitchen is a quintessential waterfront dining experience topped off with daily live music! You’ll want to order the fried calamari with soy glaze and the oysters.
SOuthern Tide
If you are looking for outdoor dining options on Sea Island, look no further than Southern Tide at The Beach Club! I’ve never visited Sea Island without stopping by for their cobb salad topped with a blackened grouper.
The River Bar & Lounge
For foodies comfortable dining inside The River Bar & Lounge is a casual brasserie, and likely the most underrated spot on the island. Often skipped over for the buzzier Tavola, The River Bar is a real foodie paradise. Many people don’t realize that it’s more than just a bar, so dinner tables are pretty easy to come by. After the crowds depart for Tavola, I usually get seated right away and order my favorite mussels mariniere!