Sea Island-Family Vacation

Planning a summer vacation for next year with family and considering Sea Island. Golf is only a part of the requirement; need plenty of activities for kids (12 & 10) as well as wife. Beach, restaurants, shopping, outdoor stuff..seems to have it all.

Someone mentioned it wasn't super family friendly but pretty sure they don't know wtf they are talking about. Any advice or concerns about it?

I would completely disagree. The beach club is great for kids. There are always lots of kids there when we visit. There are multiple, upscale dining options that may not be best for kids. You certainly do not want to stay at the lodge with kids. The beach club Gets my vote. It is pricey all the way around though.

OK cool that is what I thought...we are looking to stay in a smallish cottage actually. Looks like it will be awesome. We will steer clear of the upscale dining most likely anyway. Thanks.

You might consider St Simons which is virtually the same island, for a more moderate cost. Hilton Head is another great option. For me, Sea Island is not affordable.

I have stayed at the Lodge with my kids (2 & 4) and they have had a blast. Each day a shuttle is available to take them along with my wife to the beach club or a whole host of other things that are available. With that said next time we will stay at the Beach Club and I will take the shuttle to play golf. That place is awesome. Query the boards to find other threads with pics along with my blah blah blah rambling about its greatness.

[quote name='atlanta golfer' timestamp='1408383367' post='9957705']
You might consider St Simons which is virtually the same island, for a more moderate cost. Hilton Head is another great option. For me, Sea Island is not affordable.
[/quote]

Yeah I get the expense but I/we want all of the amenities...beach club, pools, fitness/classes, etc. Very few places offer all of those types of amenities.

[quote name='wingedfoot97' timestamp='1408389666' post='9958373']
I have stayed at the Lodge with my kids (2 & 4) and they have had a blast. Each day a shuttle is available to take them along with my wife to the beach club or a whole host of other things that are available. With that said next time we will stay at the Beach Club and I will take the shuttle to play golf. That place is awesome. Query the boards to find other threads with pics along with my blah blah blah rambling about its greatness.
[/quote]

OK this is good to hear. My kids are older so need a bit more room so looking at cottages. Actually just called and am having some info sent.

Will look for other posts as well, thanks.

Can't say enough good things about Sea Island. My wife had to drag me there the first time, as her childhood vacation spot was at Sea Island. Couldn't figure out why anyone would want to go on vacation in Coastal Georgia? Went one time and I was hooked. Golfing options are wonderful. Highly recommend Sea Side and Retreat. Plantation is blah...We've also really taken a liking to Brunswick CC if you belong to a club that can make a phone call and get you on it's a fun track. Beach club is definitely the way to go with kids. Tons of activities and the only drawback is Sea Island isn't shy about pricing. Experience will be wonderful but you will pay for it.

Sea Island/St Simons is my favorite beach destination and where we usually vacation each year. Beyond all the above recommendations, if you need kid friendly ideas while you golf, have the wife take them over to Jekyll Island. I'm sure the resort has a shuttle, if you don't bring a car. Jekyll has a sea turtle rescue/education center that also has other sea life. There is a water park on the island as well and the beaches have some fun areas to explore, like the driftwood beach on the north end. If you are into boating, Morningside Marina on the Causeway to St Simons has rental boats at a fair price. Take a deck boat up the river Frederica River and up the Hampton River to the north end of Sea Island. You will pass Fort Frederica, some beautiful homes, and possibly see some dolphin. The wife and I almost always see dolphin when on the river. Multiple places rent bikes and I'm sure the resort has ocean kayaks to explore the marsh areas behind the hotel. Although it is not a crazy place like Myrtle or Panama City, to say it isn't kid friendly is ridiculous. No trip to SSI is complete without a trip, or 3, to Southern Soul BBQ.