When to Go

Early spring and late fall are ideal for visiting the coastal isles and the Okefenokee. By February, temperatures can reach into the 70s, while nights remain cool and even chilly, which keeps the bugs at bay. The high demand to visit these areas before the bugs arrive and after they depart necessitates ferry reservations to Sapelo Island and Cumberland Island National Seashore months in advance for spring and fall; without a reservation, you risk having to wait days at best for a cancellation. If you plan to stay in the immediate vicinity of St. Marys or Meridian, the respective docking points for the Cumberland and Sapelo ferries, or Folkston, the gateway to the Okefenokee, it's advisable to book rooms for these areas well in advance for spring or fall, as accommodations are scarce and the demand is high. The Cumberland Island ferry accepts reservations six months in advance. If you go during the warmer months, always bring water because these areas generally offer minimal services.

By May, sand gnats, deer flies, and mosquitoes swarm the coast and islands in abundance. Don't underestimate their impact: during peak times in some areas they are so thick they sound like hail hitting your car. And though many localities spray, it's imperative to have a good repellent handy, especially when traveling to outlying areas. Despite the subtropical heat and humidity, summer is busy with crowds flocking to the beaches, so you'll want to make reservations at least a couple of months in advance. The season lasts until Labor Day, but you can still expect travelers making weekend getaways until October or late November, when temperatures cool. Hurricane season officially runs from June through the end of November, but August and September are the peak months for them.