This Winter Hunt on Jekyll Island Is Turning Georgia Visitors Into Treasure Seekers
Winter brings a calmer, quieter side to Jekyll Island that many visitors never get to see.
When the crowds thin out and temperatures drop, something unexpected happens: the island transforms into a treasure-hunting playground.
Right now, a special winter hunt is drawing people from all over Georgia and beyond, turning ordinary beach walks into exciting searches for hidden prizes.
1. The Winter Beach Hunt Started as a Local Tradition
A small group of island residents created this hunt about five years ago to bring life to the quieter winter months. They wanted to give families something fun to do when the summer tourists had gone home. What started as a dozen painted rocks hidden along the beach has grown into a full-scale treasure adventure.
Organizers now hide hundreds of items each week between December and February. You can find painted shells, small tokens, and specially marked stones all across the island. Each treasure comes with a number you can register online to track your finds.
The hunt happens every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local businesses sponsor many of the treasures, adding gift cards and discount coupons to the mix. Some prizes are worth up to fifty dollars at island restaurants and shops.
2. Anyone Can Join Without Registration Fees
You don’t need to pay anything or sign up ahead of time to participate. Just show up at any of the designated starting points and begin your search. This makes it perfect for spontaneous weekend trips or last-minute family outings.
The main starting point is at the Beach Village, located at 21 S Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527. From there, you can grab a free map showing general search zones. Maps are also available at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center and several hotels around the island.
Hunters of all ages participate, from toddlers to grandparents. I’ve seen families make it a competition between kids and adults. Solo visitors enjoy the peaceful walk while searching.
Couples turn it into a romantic scavenger date along the shore.
3. Off-Season Means Fewer Crowds and Better Chances
Winter on Jekyll Island feels like having a private beach. Where summer brings thousands of visitors daily, January might see only a few hundred. This means more space to search and better odds of finding the best treasures.
You won’t fight through crowds or compete with dozens of other hunters in the same spot. The beaches stretch for miles, and you can walk for twenty minutes without seeing another person. This peaceful atmosphere makes the hunt feel more like a nature walk with a fun bonus.
Parking is easier too, with spaces available right near the beach access points. You can take your time exploring without feeling rushed. The cooler weather means you can walk longer distances without getting overheated or exhausted from the sun.
4. Treasures Include Gift Cards and Local Business Prizes
Finding a pretty painted rock is nice, but discovering one attached to a twenty-dollar gift card feels amazing. Local restaurants, ice cream shops, and souvenir stores donate prizes throughout the winter season. Each weekend features different sponsors with varying prize values.
Some treasures unlock discounts at places like the Jekyll Island Club Hotel at 371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527. Others might get you free admission to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The most valuable finds include dinner vouchers for two at waterfront restaurants.
Every treasure has a unique code you enter on the hunt’s website. Within minutes, you learn what you’ve won. Even the smallest finds usually include at least a free coffee or ice cream cone somewhere on the island.
5. Bikes Make Searching Faster and More Fun
Walking works perfectly fine, but renting a bike lets you cover way more ground in less time. Jekyll Island has over twenty miles of paved bike trails that connect all the beaches and search zones. You can rent bikes at several locations across the island for around fifteen dollars per day.
Island Bike Rentals at 1 Pier Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 offers both adult and kid-sized bikes. They also have bike trailers for toddlers who can’t ride yet. Most rental shops open at 9 a.m., giving you time to get set up before the hunt officially starts.
Biking between beaches takes just a few minutes instead of the fifteen or twenty-minute walks. You can hit four or five different zones in a single afternoon. Plus, the trails run through beautiful maritime forests and past historic sites.
6. Winter Weather is Mild Enough for Comfortable Hunting
Georgia winters are nothing like northern states. Temperatures on Jekyll Island typically range from the low fifties to mid-sixties during January and February. You’ll need a light jacket or sweatshirt, but rarely anything heavier.
Sunny days feel warm enough for just a long-sleeve shirt. The ocean breeze keeps things cool but not cold. Rain happens occasionally, so checking the forecast before you visit helps.
When it does rain, it usually passes quickly rather than lasting all day.
The water is too cold for swimming, but perfect for wading and searching along the tideline. Most hunters wear jeans or comfortable pants with sneakers or water shoes. Bringing a small backpack for your treasures and a water bottle makes the experience more comfortable.
7. The Hunt Connects to Jekyll Island’s Historic Past
Treasure hunting on this island has deeper meaning than you might think. Jekyll Island was once home to the Jekyll Island Club, where America’s richest families vacationed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Morgans all spent winters here.
The historic district at 100 Stable Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 still stands today with restored mansions and cottages. During the winter hunt, some treasures are hidden near these historic buildings. Finding them gives you a reason to explore the architecture and learn the stories.
Organizers intentionally place certain treasures near historic markers and plaques. This encourages hunters to read about the island’s fascinating past. You might discover a painted shell next to the spot where wealthy families once played croquet or hosted elaborate dinner parties.
8. Social Media Groups Share Daily Clues and Tips
Joining the Jekyll Island Winter Treasure Hunt Facebook group makes finding prizes much easier. Members post photos of their discoveries and share general location hints without spoiling the exact spots. The group has over three thousand members who actively participate each season.
Organizers post riddles and clues every Friday afternoon for the weekend’s hunt. These cryptic messages point toward specific beach areas or landmarks. Solving them feels like being part of a mystery game.
Past clues have referenced driftwood formations, specific numbered beach access points, or historic site features.
People also share photos of the treasures they’ve found, which helps you know what to look for. Some items blend in naturally with the beach environment. Seeing examples beforehand trains your eye to spot the hidden objects more quickly during your own search.
9. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center Sponsors Special Finds
Conservation meets fun through special turtle-themed treasures hidden by the rehabilitation center staff. These unique items feature hand-painted sea turtle designs and come with free admission passes to the center. Finding one means you get to tour the facility and learn about their rescue work.
The center sits at 214 Stable Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, just a short walk from the historic district. Inside, you can see injured and sick sea turtles receiving medical care. Staff members explain how pollution, boat strikes, and other dangers threaten these amazing creatures.
Kids especially love finding the turtle treasures because they feel like they’re helping conservation efforts. Each turtle-themed find includes educational information about protecting Georgia’s coastline. Some even come with adoption certificates for turtles currently in rehabilitation at the center.
10. Driftwood Beach Offers the Most Scenic Hunt Location
Photographers call this the most beautiful beach in Georgia, and for good reason. Massive driftwood trees lie scattered across the sand, creating an otherworldly landscape. These ancient trees fell from the eroding shoreline decades ago, leaving bleached wooden sculptures everywhere you look.
Hunt organizers love hiding treasures here because the driftwood provides countless natural hiding spots. You might find a painted rock tucked into a hollow log or a treasure tied to a twisted branch. The area feels magical, especially during golden hour when the sun sets behind the driftwood formations.
Getting there requires a short walk from the nearest parking area. The beach sits on the north end of the island, accessible via North Beachview Drive. Bring your camera because even if you don’t find treasures, you’ll capture incredible photos.
11. Hotels Offer Treasure Hunt Package Deals
Several island accommodations have created special winter packages that include treasure hunt perks. These deals bundle your room rate with hunt maps, bike rentals, and sometimes even breakfast vouchers. Booking one of these packages saves money compared to arranging everything separately.
The Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island at 55 S Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 offers a family treasure package. It includes early check-in, a welcome basket with snacks, and priority access to hunt information. Other hotels provide similar deals with varying benefits.
Staying overnight lets you participate both Saturday and Sunday, doubling your chances of finding great prizes. Morning hunts often yield better results because treasures haven’t been discovered yet. Evening walks let you search areas that were crowded earlier in the day.
12. Tidal Patterns Affect Where Treasures Appear
Understanding tides makes you a better treasure hunter. Organizers place some items in areas that only become accessible during low tide. Learning to read tide charts gives you an advantage over hunters who just show up randomly.
Low tide exposes sandbars and wider beach areas where more treasures hide. High tide pushes water closer to the dunes, concentrating the search area but making items easier to spot against less sand. Tide apps are free and show you the best times to search each day.
The tidal range on Jekyll Island averages about seven feet between high and low. This creates dramatically different beach landscapes throughout the day. Morning low tides during winter often provide the best hunting conditions with firm, damp sand that shows footprints and disturbed areas.
13. Kids Develop Problem-Solving Skills While Playing
Parents love this hunt because children learn without realizing they’re being educational. Reading clues builds literacy skills. Solving riddles develops critical thinking.
Navigating between search zones teaches map reading and spatial awareness.
Younger kids practice counting by tracking how many treasures they’ve found. Older children work on deductive reasoning when interpreting cryptic hints. Everyone improves their observation skills by training their eyes to spot hidden objects among natural beach debris.
The physical activity benefits kids too. Walking miles of beach builds endurance and strength. Bending to search low areas and climbing over driftwood improves coordination.
Fresh air and sunshine boost mood and provide healthy outdoor time away from screens and indoor activities.
14. Local Restaurants Benefit from Increased Winter Visitors
The treasure hunt brings economic life to Jekyll Island during traditionally slow months. Restaurants that might close certain weekdays in winter now stay open because of steady treasure-hunter traffic. This helps local workers keep their jobs year-round instead of facing seasonal unemployment.
Places like Tortuga Jacks at 1 Pier Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527 see families stopping for lunch between morning and afternoon searches. The hunt encourages visitors to spend entire weekends on the island rather than just day trips. More overnight stays mean more restaurant meals, more retail shopping, and more activity bookings.
Many businesses have embraced the hunt by offering special discounts to participants. Show your found treasure at certain shops and receive ten percent off. This creates a supportive community atmosphere where everyone benefits from the winter tourism boost.
15. The Hunt Runs Through February With Weekly Themes
Each weekend features a different theme that determines what kinds of treasures you’ll find. Valentine’s week includes heart-shaped rocks and romance-themed prizes. Superbowl weekend features football-painted shells.
These rotating themes keep the hunt fresh for people who participate multiple times.
Theme announcements happen every Wednesday on the official website and social media pages. Planning your visit around themes that interest you most makes the experience more enjoyable. Sports fans target athletic-themed weekends.
Art lovers prefer weeks when local painters contribute elaborate designs.
The final weekend in February always features the biggest prizes of the season. Grand prize treasures might include a free weekend stay at a luxury hotel or a hundred-dollar dining certificate. This finale weekend draws the largest crowds but also offers the most valuable finds.
