Discover the Largest Island in Georgia (And the Creatures that Call It Home)

Did you know that the state of Georgia has many islands? This beautiful southern state has 14 major barrier islands. Can you guess which island is the largest? Follow along to discover the largest island in Georgia and the animals that call it home.

What is the Largest Island in Georgia?

The largest island in Georgia is Cumberland Island. The island’s surface area is 56.9 square miles and 17.5 miles long. This large island is within Camden County. It has a rich history and a beautiful coastline with diverse wildlife. The Cumberland Island National Seashore covers most of the island. Not only is this the largest island in Georgia, but also the most diverse!

About Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is very diverse. Many animals and plants thrive on the island. There are three major ecosystem regions. Throughout the island, you can see and experience salt marshes, Spanish moss-covered oak trees, and sandy beaches. To visit this island, you must take a ferry as no bridge connects to the mainland.

Cumberland Island’s history is long, beginning with Native Americans. Experts estimate that Native Americans have lived on the island for about 4,000 years. Although home to multiple groups at different points, the most recent Native Americans in Cumberland Island were the Mocama. However, by the 16th and 17th centuries, the island was part of Spain. Spanish missionaries moved to Cumberland Island, then named the island San Pedro, to convert the Mocama.

While the Spanish had been there since the 1500s, the French landed on the island during the 1600s. For instance, French pirates looted Cumberland Island in 1683. It wasn’t until the year after when the island was attacked by another pirate that the Spaniards left.

Interestingly, this island also played a role in the War of 1812. There was a mansion named Dungeness, which was a meeting place during the war. This island during the 1800s was best known for its Sea Island cotton.

One of the island’s most prominent residents was Thomas M. Carnegie. He, along with his wife, bought a portion of land to build a massive winter resort. Similarly to the previous mansion though, this beautiful castle burnt down in 1959.

Best Time to Visit Cumberland Island

Summers on Cumberland Island are very hot, even with the cool breeze provided by the ocean. While you can visit during summer, locals recommend visiting during early spring, winter, and late fall. During the winter, it rarely gets freezing. Instead, it’s cool, mild, and breezy. The temperature ranges from the mid-40s to the mid-60s. Bugs are also less active during winter, perfect for spending time exploring the outdoors.

Things to do on the Largest Island in Georgia

Cumberland Island is a fun place to visit. Within the island is the Plum Orchard Mansion, a historical landmark built by Peabody and Stearns. Apart from this century-old estate, you can also visit the Dungeness Ruins. These ruins are the eerie remains of a massive castle-like mansion in Georgia. The first mansion was built for James Oglethorpe in 1736 but burned down in 1866. Interestingly, a different family built another mansion on the property, which also burnt down in the 1950s.

While here, you can also walk along beautiful beaches including Dungeness Beach. It’s a flat beach with a lovely view. A boardwalk near this beach passes through a maritime forest.

Another historical landmark on the island is the Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse. It’s a privately owned lighthouse standing at about 60 feet. The Little Cumberland Island Lighthouse was constructed and lit in 1838 and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989.

Where is Cumberland Island Located on a Map?

Cumberland Island is located off the southeast coast of Georgia. To access this barrier island, you will need to take a passenger ferry. The city of St. Marys is considered the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore.

Cumberland Island Wildlife

Many animals call Cumberland Island home. It’s a very diverse island with different habitats. On the same walk, you can sometimes see both American alligators and feral horses.

The Cumberland Island Horses

Strangely, wild feral horses live throughout Cumberland Island. These iconic horses are not native to Georgia. Instead, they likely arrived during the 18th century with English settlers. However, some people believe they’ve been on the island since the 16th century, brought by the Spanish. Although this myth is popular, it’s unlikely true. Since the Spanish rarely visited the island, the first horses most likely died. Most of the horses on the island are descendants of horses involved in the American Civil War. Interestingly, the horses are very diverse. Settlers brought Arabian Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, and Paso Finos to the island.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles

The next animal on our list is the loggerhead sea turtle. Many loggerhead sea turtles nest on Cumberland Island. The shore is very important for the turtles because it’s not developed, so they don’t run into debris, beach furniture, or trash. Loggerhead sea turtles are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. These large sea turtles have big heads and can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. Loggerhead sea turtles have many threats. Sadly, they were previously overhunted for their eggs, meat, and shells. Plastic is also dangerous as it wraps around their bodies. Instead of falling off with time, sea turtles grow into plastic, which constricts their body. They also frequently ingest plastic.

American Alligators

It’s hard to imagine American alligators swimming on an island, but you can find these large reptiles on Cumberland Island. They live in creeks but are sometimes seen walking along beaches. American alligators are most often seen during the spring on the island. These large apex predators grow to about 12 feet long. They have large diets and can consume large mammals like white-tailed deer and feral hogs. American alligators have few predators. They are impressively strong with a powerful bite force. Although apex predators, American alligators rarely interact with humans. They hiss and warn prey and predators when uncomfortable.

Eastern Screech Owls

Another animal on the largest island in Georgia is the eastern screech owl. This small animal is found throughout eastern North America. Eastern screech owls are about 6.5 to 10 inches long and weigh about 4 to 8 ounces. Interestingly, the weight and height depend on the region. These lovely birds have brown, white, yellow, and reddish plumage. Their coloration helps them stay hidden from predators while resting in trees. Eastern screech owls live in many environments, including developed areas. However, they stay away from environments with larger owls.

Red Knots

Red knots live throughout Cumberland Island. They are red, white, orange, and grey medium-sized shore birds with a long range. They live throughout the world. There are six red knot subspecies. Red knots have a large diet that varies depending on the season. For instance, during breeding seasons, they consume small insects, plant materials, and spiders. However, while migratory, red knots eat mussels, small crabs, and other hard-shelled animals.

White-tailed Deer

The last animal on our list of animals on the largest island in Georgia is the white-tailed deer. They are native to North, Central, and South America. They’ve also been introduced to Romania, New Zealand, Cuba, and Germany. White-tailed deer vary in size depending on the region. For instance, deer in the north are larger, weighing up to 500 pounds. However, white-tailed deer in the Florida Keys are very small, weighing as little as 55 pounds.