Private Tour
Available languages
Mobile ticket
St. Simons Island is almost exactly the same size as Manhattan, but instead of skyscrapers, it has live oaks, and instead of eight million people, it has 6,000 years of layered history. On this audio driving tour, you'll trace the island's story from Indigenous shell rings to World War II submarine attacks. The tour starts at the Pier Village parking lot, beside the old fishing docks. From here, you'll drive past the St. Simons Lighthouse, built in 1872 on the footprint of an earlier light whose Confederate-hidden Fresnel lens has never been found, and along the coast where German U-boats torpedoed American oil tankers just offshore in 1942. Along the way, you'll hear the story of Igbo Landing on Dunbar Creek, where a group of West Africans chose defiance over enslavement in 1803. The tour ends back at Neptune Park by the pier, named for Neptune Small, a man born into slavery on Retreat Plantation whose name now marks the land he eventually owned.
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
St. Simons Lighthouse Museum
Gaze up at this elegant 1872 lighthouse rising 104 feet above the southern tip of the island, its white tower marking the spot where an earlier light was deliberately destroyed by Confederate forces retreating in 1862 — and where a Fresnel lens hidden somewhere on the island has never been recovered. Climb all 129 steps to the top for views stretching 22 miles out over the Atlantic, and look down at the coastline where German U-boats hunted American oil tankers close enough to shore that island residents could see the fires burning.
Stop at this beloved community gathering place named for Neptune Small, a man born into slavery on Retreat Plantation who lived to own land on the island that had once owned him. Enjoy the easy atmosphere of a park whose very name carries one of St. Simons' most quietly powerful stories of perseverance, freedom, and the long arc of a life well lived.
Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
App for Android and iOS
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Smartphone and headphones
Transportation
Food and drink
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
1 review
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kate G,May 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
I'm very familiar with St Simons Island but hearing of it's history was intriguing. My Mother frequented the Casino and Neptune Park as a girl and later lived on the Island. I was not familiar with the parks history! She remembers riding on giant sea turtles' backs much to the horror of the Jekyll Island turtle rescue folks, also worth touring!! Thanks for the history lesson!
Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours