The relaxation sets in as you cruise along the scenic Darien River surrounded by natural beauty. Birds are flying overhead and dolphins are jumping alongside the boat as you head to your private island get-away.
Eagle Island, a 10-acre private island located just off the coast of Georgia near Savannah and Jacksonville, Fla., provides an escape from everyday life where you can leave your stresses behind and enjoy time with your family or friends. It’s a serene, peaceful spot where you can enjoy time together surrounded by natural beauty.
Your adventure begins when Capt. Andy Hill picks you up at the dock in Darien and takes you over to Eagle Island, which is only accessible by boat. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own boat. A pontoon boat is also available for rental to keep at the island during your stay
The island has only one home on it and it is perfect for a family vacation. The home can accommodate as many as 12 people with bedrooms located on the main level, in the basement and in the loft.
The main level has a large fully-equipped kitchen and living room area with a television, two bedrooms and a full bathroom. Up the spiral staircase is the loft where another bedroom is located. The large basement area has a game room with a ping pong table, checkers, several beds, a television, a bathroom and a laundry room. There is also a wonderful outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen area.
Some of our favorite memories of our four-day stay on Eagle Island are the time spent on the huge wrap-around screened in porch. A hot tub, hammock and swing bed provided great spots to spend time together as a family and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The swing bed was especially comfortable and a great spot for a nap or to curl up and read a good book. Capt. Andy designed the swing bed and sells them.
From one side of the porch, you have a great view of the huge Eagles nest on top of one of the trees in the yard. Two Bald Eagles spend part of the year on Eagle Island.
Visitors to Eagle Island have the ultimate relaxation experience as they get away from the hustle and bustle found in many vacation destinations. While you can just relax and do nothing, there is also plenty of exploring to do as you enjoy the nature on the island. Kayaks are on the dock, which has a swing overlooking the water.
We enjoyed catching the wonderful blue crab and steaming them for a family feast. Capt. Andy provides information on every part of the crabbing process — from catching them to steaming them to eating them. The succulent sweet blue crab meat is a treat that we looked forward to each day. We even used some of the left over for a tasty crab stew.
One day during our stay, we took the pontoon boat out and went over to nearby Sapelo Island. It’s a beautiful ride over and guests of Capt. Andy can use his truck on Sapelo to ride over to the beach. He has chairs and beach toys on the back of the truck.
Sapelo Island is a wonderful place to go beachcombing. We filled two large buckets with beautiful seashells. Only a handful of other people were on the beach when we visited, so we felt like we had our own private beach.
On the last day of our trip, we stopped at Mayhall Island, which Capt. Andy also owns and is developing as part of the Private Islands of Georgia. A lodge, with a home built in the 1960s as part of it, is being built. Plans are for Mayhall Island to be open to the public next year.
Capt. Andy and his staff offer assistance in customizing your visit to Eagle Island. Catered meals and guided fishing tours are among the options. One thing you should definitely take advantage of is ordering your groceries ahead of time. We went online and ordered groceries which were in the kitchen waiting on us when we arrived.
For a one-of-a-kind vacation experience where you will make memories that you will always treasure, check out Eagle Island.
For more information on visiting Eagle Island, go to www.PrivateIslandsofGeorgia.com or call 912-222-0801.
JAKE SAYS
BY JAKE MYLER
When we first got to Eagle Island, I thought it was paradise! I ran into the first floor to see everything. First, I went to the to main bedrooms on the main floor. One room had a chair that looked like a hand. Then I went to the upstairs bedroom.
Next, I went outside to the porch and this is what I found — a hammock, bed swing, plants and a hot tub. Then I went downstairs. There was two bunk beds and a medium sized bed. In the downstairs, there was a ping pong table and checkers. The downstairs also had a laundry room.
The first night, we went down to the dock and we pulled up our crab traps. All we heard was SNAPPING! We put ice on them and paralyzed the crabs so they would not snap our hands off! We had to steam them for an hour. Then, we had a crab feast. It was so much fun.
The next morning, I discovered something new. It was a alligator pond. There were two alligators. I also discovered a trail. My mom, dad, and I checked it out. At the end, we saw a fireplace and a hammock. On the way back to the house, I got stung by a bee. It was a different type of bee.
One day we went out on the pontoon boat and watched the sun set. We saw lots of dolphins jumping around our boat.
Another day, Captain Andy came and took us to Sapelo island. I found some pretty neat shells. Then we went back to Eagle Island. We didn’t get in the water at the beach at Sapelo Island because Hurricane Irene made the water black.
The last morning of our trip, Captain Andy picked us up to take us back to our car. We made a quick stop at Mayhall Island. There is a big house with four stories. On the first floor, there is a juice bar and a fitness center. On the second floor is bedrooms, a sun porch and a fireplace. On the third floor, is a bathroom and a bedroom. The amazing antique bed is 1,000 years old! Then, we went to the fourth floor. There is going to be a bedroom up there. The view is great from the fourth floor.
And that was my trip.
Angela Gary is associate editor of The Jackson Herald and editor of The Banks County News. Jake Myler, her 9-year-old nephew, enjoys traveling and writing about his experiences.
