Short answer: visit Driftwood Beach in the two hours on either side of low tide. At high tide, the water comes all the way up into the trees — there is very little beach to walk, and the most photogenic driftwood is standing in the surf. At low tide, the sand opens up, you can walk among the trees, and the wet, rippled flats in front of them are where the famous photos happen.
Georgia has some of the largest tidal swings on the entire East Coast — six to nine feet between high and low water. That is why timing matters more here than at almost any other beach in the Southeast. Two visitors can see two completely different beaches on the same day.
Why low tide is the whole game
Driftwood Beach sits on the north end of Jekyll Island, where decades of erosion have left a boneyard of weathered live oaks and pines on the sand. The trees don't move — the water does. At high tide, the ocean reaches into the tree line and much of the walkable beach disappears. At low tide, the shoreline can pull back a hundred yards or more, exposing hard-packed sand flats you can walk comfortably.
For photographers, low tide is when you get reflections of the trees in the thin sheet of water left on the flats. Sunrise near low tide is the shot everyone is chasing — the beach faces east-northeast, so the sun comes up over the water behind the trees.
Check before you go: Tide times shift by roughly 50 minutes every day, so last weekend's timing is already wrong.
Live Jekyll Island tide chart →How to time your visit
Look up today's low tide time, then plan to arrive about two hours before it. That gives you a falling tide on arrival (the beach getting bigger the whole time you're there) and roughly a four-hour comfortable window centered on the low.
If you have a choice between the two daily low tides, take the one closest to sunrise. You get the light, the reflections, and far fewer people. Midday lows still give you the full beach — just harsher light and more foot traffic in the frame.
- Best window: 2 hours before low tide to 2 hours after
- Best light: the low tide nearest sunrise
- Most room: any low tide — the beach roughly doubles
- Avoid: the hour on either side of high tide, when the walkable beach nearly disappears
Getting there and parking
Driftwood Beach is at the north end of Jekyll Island. Jekyll charges a per-vehicle entry fee at the causeway gate ($10 per day for a standard vehicle — verify current rates on the island's official site before you go). Once on the island, follow Beachview Drive north; the closest access points are the small roadside pull-offs near the north end and the Clam Creek picnic area, with a short walk to the sand from either.
If the pull-offs are full — common on weekend mornings in spring and fall — park at Clam Creek and walk in along the shore. Bikes are honestly the best way to reach it if you're staying on the island; the beach is hard-packed enough to ride at low tide.
Safety: respect the incoming tide
The same big tidal range that makes low tide spectacular makes the incoming tide fast. Water can move up the flats quicker than people expect, and the areas between trees flood first — it is possible to end up on a dry patch with water behind you. Keep an eye on the waterline once the tide turns, especially with kids.
Two more local notes: the driftwood is beautiful but brittle, and the park asks visitors not to climb on the trees — every year a few more of them collapse. And there is little to no shade on the flats, so in summer, bring water and go early. The Georgia coast in July is not subtle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is low tide at Driftwood Beach today?
Low tide times change by about 50 minutes each day. Check the live Jekyll Island tide chart on CityTides for today's exact times before you head out.
Can you visit Driftwood Beach at high tide?
You can, but most of the walkable beach is underwater and the best driftwood is standing in the surf. If your schedule only allows a high-tide visit, you'll still see the trees — you just won't be able to walk among them.
Is Driftwood Beach good for swimming?
Not really. The north end has currents, submerged wood, and no lifeguards. Treat Driftwood Beach as a walking and photography beach, and swim at Jekyll's central beaches instead.
How much does it cost to visit Driftwood Beach?
The beach itself is free, but Jekyll Island charges a per-vehicle entry fee at the causeway (about $10 per day for a standard vehicle). There's no additional charge to park near the beach.
When is the best season to visit?
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather. Summer works if you go at sunrise — by mid-morning, heat and humidity on the exposed flats are serious. Winter low tides can be spectacular and nearly empty.
Planning a trip to Jekyll Island?
Live tides, weather, gas prices, and local events — all on one page.
Jekyll Island live conditions →