Located at the north tip of East Beach and at the end of Bruce Drive, Gould’s Inlet is not exactly a beach destination but it’s a great seaside spot for fishing, walking, birdwatching, reading a book, and enjoying the views. Pretty secluded from the rest of East Beach and you won’t see many crowds here. A great place to meet the sunrise and spend a quiet day on the seashore. Most of the visitors are locals.
Location and Access
Gould’s Inlet Beach is located at 2300 Bruce Drive, St. Simons, Georgia. There is free limited parking – it is better to arrive early to get a parking spot. There is no entrance fee and the beach is open 24 hours daily.
Amenities
There aren’t many amenities on this beach but there is a water hose. There are also some benches to make your stay more comfortable.
Sand and Water
The beach is very clean. There are a lot of shells to collect. The place is not very good for swimming – there are many people fishing along the shore. The wind is minimal here since it’s an inlet; there are some waves but there is no surf. However, if you decide to swim, watch out for currents – they can be pretty strong.
Fishing
Gould’s Inlet Beach has a fishing pier and you’re likely to encounter many local fishermen during your visit. They fish off the pier as well as along the beach. Fishing here is excellent for a number of sea life species.
Views
Gould’s Inlet Beach is mostly about fishing or watching around – it’s a tranquil place to sit down and watch migrating birds, or tide changes, or sunrises, or sunsets… You can also see the southern tip of Sea Island just across the river inlet. The beach is good for watching the moon rise – on a full-moon night, the view is outstanding.
Dog Policies
Good news for dog owners, the beach is pet-friendly so you can feel free to bring your four-legged friend. There are even a dog bag station and community water bowl for pets on site.
Driving Time
- 1 hour 20 minutes from Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hour 35 minutes from Savannah, GA
- 2 hours 30 minutes from Valdosta, GA
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Gould’s Inlet Beach which you can visit:
- St. Simons Public Beach (East Beach) (1 mile)
- Jekyll Island Fishing Pier Beach (4 miles)
- Driftwood Beach (4 miles)
- Jekyll Island Oceanview Beach Park (7 miles)
- Great Dunes Park Beach (8 miles)