When you hear the words “private island”, what comes to mind? Do you think of palm trees, vibrant sunsets, and fresh seafood? If so, we have the perfect island for you!
Little Raccoon Key, located off of the Georgia coast, is a beautiful island formed from an oyster reef, just north of Jekyll Island.
We got the chance to work with Little Raccoon Key, and it was the most luxurious camping experience we’ve ever had!
Watching the sunset on Little Raccoon Key.
Getting There
Little Raccoon Key is located just a 15 minute boat ride from Jekyll Island, Georgia. From our home in Gainesville, it was about a 3 hour drive.
We met Calvin and David at the Jekyll Harbor Marina, just near the island entrance. They packed our bags up into the boat and we were on our way to the island by 11 a.m.
*Note: There is a $6 entrance fee to get onto Jekyll island.
The Campsite
Drone shot of the campsite on Little Raccoon Key
With a 26 X 15 foot weatherproof luxury tent, king size memory foam bed, flushable toilet, and hot water outdoor shower, get ready to camp in luxury on this quaint Georgia private island. Located just meters from the ocean, get ready to wake up to sunrise views of dolphins swimming by in the adjacent canals (seriously, does it get any better than this?!).
Cooking setup inside of the tent.
The campsite also holds a washing station to clean your dishes, cooking utensils, a grill, and a fire pit with some lounge chairs. Don’t forget to bring marshmallows for s’mores!
Jumping into our stay at Little Raccoon Key like…
Activities
Harvest Oysters: Being a reef-island, oyster beds surround the entire island. You’re welcome to harvest these delicious treats during your stay. Throw them on the grill or over the fire for a fresh seafood dinner. Don’t like oysters? There are also mussels and clams, although to a lesser extent. Yum!
Sara harvesting oysters for dinner
Clay Mask: You’ll notice huge clay deposits on the shores of the island. Scoop some up and rub it on your face for some natural sunscreen and your skin will be silky soft when you wash it off (seriously guys, people pay a fortune for this stuff at the spa!).
Go Fishing: Bring your fishing pole along and have some fresh seafood for dinner! With red drum, spotted sea trout, flounder, and even blue crabs, you’re sure to get some nice catches fishing at Little Raccoon Key.
One of the most beautiful sunsets!
Watch the Sunrise (and Sunset): We were lucky enough to experience some of the most vibrant sunrises and sunsets we’ve ever seen on Little Raccoon Key. Grab a towel and a bottle of wine, and head to the west side of the island to watch the sunset.
Drone shot of the sunset reflecting over the inlet.
For sunrise, head to the driftwood beach behind the tent for uninterrupted views.
Sailboat on the horizon at Little Raccoon Key
Paddle Board: LRK rents kayaks and paddle boards for $50 a day, but feel free to bring your own paddle board along with you if you have one. Explore the streams and canals surrounding the island and keep an eye out for dolphins along the way!
Spot Wildlife: Dolphins, raccoons, birds (such as great blue herons and brown pelicans), stingrays, a variety of fish, horseshoe crabs, blue crabs, and bonnet head sharks, you’re sure to spot some of the local wildlife during you’re visit to Little Raccoon Key.
Raccoon footprints. Those suckers were incognito the entire trip!
Relax On The Beach: Right next to the tent is the perfect shore to sprawl out on and get a tan or build a sandcastle. just be careful for oyster shells!
Sara playing in the sand
Extras
Paddle Board/Kayak: Paddle boards and kayaks are available for $50/day during your stay. We highly recommend renting a paddle board for a day to get a completely unique perspective of the island.
Personal Chef: Options include a $275 add-on for 6 chef-prepared meals (3 meals for 2 people), and a $575 add-on for an in-island private chef with bottle and table service for 4 meals (2 meals for 2 people). Check out the menu options here!
What To Bring
Dinner! We brought a cooler with shrimp for the first night.
Food/Alcohol: Bring enough food to last your stay, packed in a cooler with ice. The LRK staff will provide you with extra ice and a cooler if needed, however it is recommended you bring your own. After two days, all the ice in both of the coolers was nearly completely melted during our stay in January. Don’t forget to pack a bottle of wine or some beer to enjoy, too!
Patrick: “Sara, pass the wine!” Sara: “hehehehe”
Portable WiFi: Want service while out on the island? Bring a portable WiFi device! We always travel with Teppy, an affordable wifi device that supplies reliable coverage all around the world!Use discount codeEVERYDAYAVACATIONfor 10% off your order!
Camera/Gopro/Drone: Such a beautiful island deserves to be photographed. Make sure to pack your camera, drone, or GoPro to capture all the magical moments here.
Phone Charger and Car Port: There’s a spot in the tent where you can plug a car charger in to charge your phone. If you don’t have a car adapter, don’t worry. There’s outlets outside of the tent linked to a solar panel where you can charge your electronics as well, and a back up generator in case it’s cloudy.
Solar panel that powers Little Raccoon Key.
Hiking Shoes or Sneakers: Since Little Raccoon Key is a reef-island, the beaches are full of oyster shells. BRING HIKING SHOES OR SNEAKERS, or you may end up with cuts on your feet. We also recommend water shoes, especially if you go kayaking or paddle boarding.
Merrell hiking boots.
Bug Spray & Sunscreen: We didn’t have a problem with bugs since we were here in January. However, it’s definitely worth packing some bug spray, especially if you will be going during the summer months. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Bathing Suit: If you are planning on kayaking or paddle boarding make sure to pack a bathing suit. You can swim in the water at your own risk. If you do so, make sure you wear water shoes as there are tons of oysters under the water and it is easy to get cut!
Tours
LRK Day Trip and Kayak Excursion: Kayak around LRK and learn about its cultural history that includes Timucua/Guale Native American, French, Spanish and British History, as well at the history of the oysters that are an important part of the islands ecosystem. The cost for this excursion is $195 per person.
LRK Fishing & History Tour: This 3 hour tour provides a great opportunity to learn about the history of the island and explore some of the surrounding wildlife. This exclusive excursion will take you to some secret fishing spots around the island, where the captain will assist you in fishing and netting. Trip cost is $95 per person, however family and group discounts are available.
Day Trip To LRK: Enjoy a 4 hour day trip to Little Raccoon Key, departing from Jekyll Harbor Marina. The trip includes a river tour to and from LRK, an artifact expedition around the oyster beds of the island, and a history presentation that covers Timucua/Guale Native American, French, Spanish and British history of the island! The cost is $175 per person.
Explore Jekyll Island
Exploring Jekyll Island, Georgia.
It’s worth spending an extra day or two in the area to explore Jekyll island. Check out The Georgia Sea Turtle Center and get introduced to some of these gentle reptiles. The center is a hospital that focuses on rehabilitating sea turtles in the Jekyll Island area and educating visitors on conservation and current threats these creatures face in the wild.
Pat exploring LRK.
Some other destinations on Jekyll Island worth checking out include Driftwood Beach, St. Simons Lighthouse, and the Jekyll Island Museum.
All in all, glamping on Little Raccoon Key was a fabulous experience, much more luxurious than we are used to in terms of camping. It makes for the perfect couples getaway, solo retreat, or vacation with friends and family. Reserve your spot with Little Raccoon Key today by clicking here, or check out more places to go glamping in Georgia here!
Have you ever been glamping or stayed on a private island? Do you think it’s something you would try, or do you prefer good ol’ fashion camping instead? Share your experience with comments section below!
Safe travels!
-Sara + Pat
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