Jekyll Island in Georgia is one of our favorite spots for a day trip from Jacksonville. Just a short drive away, it’s the perfect spot to take the family for biking, hiking, exploring the coast, splashing around at Summer Waves, and having tons of fun. During the months of January and February every year, there’s an extra bonus that comes with your visit. It’s during these winter months that Jekyll Island offers you the chance to hunt for Island Treasures.
Island Treasures runs every year from January 1st through February 28th. Every day plastic balls are hidden throughout the island. There are a limited number, just a few every day. If you find one, you can redeem the card inside for a hand blown glass ball.
What are the Treasures?
The treasure hunt is inspired by hollow glass balls, or net float. These floats were used by fishermen in the early 1900s to mark their nets. Floats would occasionally break loose and visitors would find them while on the beach. Collecting glass floats is a hobby today, along with collecting sea glass and shark teeth from nearby beaches. While your prize glass orb might not be an original fishing float, it’s still a one of a kind.
Where Do You Find Island Treasures?
A limited number of prize balls are hidden each day. These can be found throughout Jekyll Island. Any of the historic areas, beach parks, or public paths are fair game for discovering one. The balls are never hidden on private property, golf courses, or the dunes.
If you head to Jekyll Island to hunt for the Island Treasures, make sure you start at the visitor center. It’s located right before you pay the toll to get onto the island. Here you can find shelves full of glass orbs waiting to be won, but there are also some you can purchase if you’re not lucky on your treasure hunt. The staff here is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and they’ll give you a map of the island with tips on where to look. If you come up empty handed you can always take a glass blowing class in Jacksonville and try to make your own orb. Happy hunting!
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