If you have a car, take the South Jekyll Loop to survey the scene before concentrating on specifics. Drive south on North Beachview Drive to view some of the island's 10 miles of public beaches with public bathhouses and picnic areas. Your loop around the island's southern end will include the South Dunes Picnic Area. Continue around onto South Riverview Drive, passing Summer Waves and the Jekyll Harbor Marina, until you return to Fortson Parkway.

Beaches

There are three public beaches on the island, all open daily around the clock and free to the public. Those choosing to swim on Jekyll Island do so at their own risk, as there are no lifeguards on duty. The St. Andrew Picnic Area, reached beyond Summer Waves, the water park along South Riverview Drive, is one of the best beaches at the southeastern tip of the island. It has an adjacent picnic area, but no bathhouse or showers available. South Dunes Beach, with a picnic area and showers, is north of St. Andrew and is reached along South Beach Drive. Farther along, Central Dunes has showers but no picnic area. Saltwater fishing is allowed on the public beaches, and no license is required.

Biking

Because of its flatness, Jekyll Island is relatively easy to explore by bike. Rentals are available from Barry's Beach Service (tel. 912/638-8053), 420 Arnold Rd. Bikes (including lock and helmet) rent for $9.50 for 4 hours, $14 for a full day, $42 for 1 week.

Fishing

Freshwater fishing is allowed with a Georgia license, which costs $3.50 and is available at most hardware or sporting-goods stores. No license is required for saltwater fishing.

Golf

Three championship 18-hole courses await golfers on Jekyll Island, plus one historic 9-hole course. The Great Dunes Golf Course, Beach View Drive (tel. 912/635-2170), is a small 9-hole course patterned after the course at St. Andrews, Scotland. It offers some holes that were part of the original course laid out in 1898 when only millionaires played golf here. The course was remodeled as an authentic links course in the 1920s by Walter J. Travis. A 3,023-yard, par-36 course, it's open daily from 7am to 6pm. There are a small pro shop and clubhouse on the grounds. Greens fees are $19, with electric carts renting for $8. No professional instruction is available.

Jekyll Island Golf Courses, 322 Captain Wylly Dr. (tel. 912/635-2368), consists of three separate courses: Oleander (18 holes, 6,241 yd., par 72), Pine Lake (18 holes, 6,760 yd., par 72), and Indian Mound (18 holes, 6,282 yd., par 72). Dick Wilson's Oleander is consistently ranked among the state's best courses, and the Atlanta Constitution called its 12th hole "the most demanding par 4 of any daily fee course in the state." Pine Lakes was designed by Clyde Johnson and is the longest and tightest layout on Jekyll Island. Tree-lined fairways dogleg both left and right as they wind through the island's interior. Indian Mound was designed by Joe Lee with wide fairways and large, sloping greens. All courses prefer that you reserve tee times, and charge $40 for greens fees. Mobile carts can be rented for $18 for 18 holes, and clubs are available for $7 to $15. Play is daily from 7am to 6pm for all three courses. A clubhouse, restaurant, and pro shop are on the grounds. Professional instruction is available at the rate of $60 to $180 per hour.

Tennis

Jekyll Island Tennis Center, 400 Captain Wylly Dr. (tel. 912/635-3154), was ranked by Tennis magazine as one of the nation's top municipal tennis complexes. Its 13 clay courts, 7 of them lighted for night play, are favored because of low-impact conditions and cooler court temperatures. The center is open daily 9am to 6pm. Ball machines are rented for $24 per hour, and court fees are $18 per hour. Professional instruction is available for $40 to $50 per hour. There's a pro shop on the grounds, plus a restaurant and showers on location.

Watersports

Summer Waves, 210 S. Riverview Dr. (tel. 912/635-2074), offers 11 acres of watersports with more than a million gallons of water. It features rides and attractions ranging from a totally enclosed speed flume that jets riders over three breathtaking humps, to a ride over the rolling waves in the Frantic Atlantic wave pool. You can also hang on around the twisting turns of the Hurricane Tornado and Force 3 slides. For toddlers, there's the Pee Wee Puddle -- fun in only a foot of water. Admission is $17 for those 48 inches or taller, and $15 for children. Children 3 and under enter free. Open the weekend before Memorial Day to December 31, Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm.