http://www.flyingcompass.com/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:23:29 GMT Mon, Mar 15th 2010, 06:23 GMT http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371821.html Is there a better way to travel around the island than in an electric car? Available in two, four and six-passenger vehicles, these red, white and black Gem Cars are street legal on roadways posted up to a 35 miles per hour (mph) speed limit. It's one of the best ways to travel around the island. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371821.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371822.html When the kids tire of the beach, Summer Waves is sure to wear them out. Rides and attractions include a five-story tube ride, a 500,000-gallon pool with wave action that tops out between two and four feet high, a relaxing half-mile river ride where visitors slowly meanders along and Nature's Revenge - a zigzag tube ride that eventually deposits everyone into the pool. Others include Thunder and Lightning, a dual tube, Flash Flood, Splash Zone with buckets of fun and water guns, and the kiddie pool with pint-size waterfalls and slides. Shade and snacks are also available for those seeking relief from the excitement. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371822.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371820.html Local naturalist Lydia Thompson, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in the historic district and birding field trip organizer for the Coastal Georgia Audubon Society, leads groups, allowing them to discover the island's aviary population. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371820.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371819.html Local naturalist Lydia Thompson or other visiting naturalists lead groups on golf carts through area golf courses to discover the wildlife and aviary population that reside among the fairways and greens. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371819.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371818.html Housed inside the red brick former power plant building, the center is dedicated to sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education. Learn about turtles from their birth on Georgia beaches and life back in the water. Find out what endangers their existence and what everyone can do to help them survive. See the treatment room where staff members aid turtles. Meet turtles that can no longer exist in the wild that live at the center, and follow turtles that have been rehabilitated and releases via tracking devices. Special daily programs include talks on treatments, feedings, rehabilitation programs; a puppet show on the life of a sea turtle, Saturday 3:00 p.m. and Sunday 2:00 p.m.; Turtle Tales, a book reading and craft project, Saturday 10:30 a.m. Summer programs (fee): Family Adventures - two-hours, work your way up to being an expert on turtles beginning with hatchlings, late June to early August, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Turtle Walks - following an orientation at the center and concluding with a guided beach walk, June to July, excluding holidays, daily 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Nest Walks - assist researchers in collecting data during hatchling season, Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371818.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371817.html The 240-acre district is home to 33 historic structures including the Jekyll Island Club Hotel*, cottages, house museums, shops and restaurants. Historic preservation, including archaeological digs, is an ongoing effort. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371817.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371823.html Discover a different part of Jekyll Island by taking a ride on people-friendly horses. The trail to Driftwood Beach travels through a maritime forest and by a salt marsh. See views of St. Simons Sound, the island of St. Simons in the distance and the Atlantic Ocean. Age and height requirements apply. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371823.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371824.html Enjoy daytime and evening horse-drawn carriage tours of the island's historic district. Learn about the wealthy families who vacationed on the island and the cottages where they stayed. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371824.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371825.html The tennis center features 13 clay courts, seven of which are lighted. Beginners, as well as seasoned players favor this forgiving surface. Between October and March, tournaments are held. Bring a playing partner or pick-up games can be arranged for individuals. Pro shop, lessons and rental equipment are available. http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371825.html http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371826.html More than 20 miles of paved bicycle, jogging or in-line skating trails cover the long, narrow island. The trails provide users views of maritime forests, the Atlantic Ocean, St. Simons Sound to the north and St. Andrews Sound to the south. Ride, walk or skate to: the fishing pier on the northwest end of the island, Clam Creek picnic area, Dubignon Cemetery, the Horton House historic site, ruins, a fishing lake, the tennis center, the airport, beach pavilion, Tides Nature Center*, miniature golf courses*, shopping center, St. Andrews picnic area and the Summer Waves Water Park*. The paths run between golf courses and in the historic district with the Jekyll Island Club Hotel* and famous cottages. Centuries old oak trees shade many miles of trails. Bike rentals* (fee) are available at major hotels, the campground, next to the miniature golf course and in the shopping center. (*see separate listings) http://www.flyingcompass.com/Georgia/Jekyll-Island/td-371826.html