Sapelo Hammock Golf Club is located in Shellman Bluff, Georgia, just one hour south of Savannah, 45 minutes from Hinesville, and 45 minutes north of Brunswick. The area hosts festivals, fishing, historical sites, and restaurants that are hidden gems of the coast.
Of the restaurants, lodging, events, and people listed in Atlanta Magazine’s 55 Secrets of the Coast, twelve are found in McIntosh County, where Sapelo Hammock Golf Club and the historic town of Darien are located. Visit Atlanta Magazine: http://www.atlantamagazine.com/secrets-of-the-georgia-coast/.
For more about the area, visit the Darien-McIntosh Chamber of Commerce at visitdarien.com, and the City of Darien at cityofdarienga.com.
Lodging
Eagles Nest
The two-bedroom condominium above the Sapelo Hammock clubhouse sleeps four and has a full kitchen, living room, and porch overlooking the 18th green.
The Hammocks
Two and three-bedroom condos on the 4th fairway that sleep four or five with a full kitchen and two baths.
Open Gates Bed & Breakfast, Darien
Open Gates is an award-winning bed and breakfast in a 1876 home on Vernon Square in historic Darien. Relax at the saltwater pool between rounds of golf orexcursionsin the area. Open Gates is listed in Atlanta Magazine’s 55 Secrets of the Coast (http://www.atlantamagazine.com/secrets-of-the-georgia-coast/) and Southern Living’s Drives and Dives. Visit at www.opengatesbnb.com, or call 912-437-6985. Located at 301 Franklin Street, Darien, Georgia 31305.
Darien Waterfront Inn Bed & Breakfast, Darien
Darien Waterfront Inn is located in a restored warehouse that dates back to the 1800s, with all rooms opening to the waterfront porch. At 201 Broad Street, Darien, Georgia 31305. Visit at www.darienwaterfrontinn.com or call 912-437-1215.
Serenity Coastal Vacation Rentals, Shellman Bluff
All of the properties rented by Serenity Coastal are within one mile of Sapelo Hammock Golf Club and include a variety of choices, including townhouses, condos, and guest houses. Visit at serenitycoastalvacationrentals.com or call 912-832-5191.
Restaurants
Hunter’s Café
Seafood, steaks, and fries are served up in this intimate restaurant on the bluff overlooking Blackbeard Creek. Visit at hunterscafe.com or call 912-832-5771. Located on River Road, Townsend.
Speed’s Kitchen
Seafood is the specialty at Speed’s and everything is made to order. Garden & Gun Magazineraved about the oyster stew and fried shrimp at Speed’s Kitchen. Visit http://gardenandgun.com/article/john-t-edges-top-ten-dishes-2014/page/0/2. Call 912-832-4763. Located on Sutherland Road, Townsend.
Old School Diner
Take a trip back in time to a restaurant in the woods where the seafood will amaze you and once you’ve visited, you’ll be family. Old School was included on AtlantaMagazine’s 55 Secrets of the Coast and Southern Living’s Drives & Dives.Visit oldschooldiner.com or call 912-832-2136. Located at 1080 Jessie Grant Road, Harris Neck.
B&J’s Steak & Seafood
Enjoy fresh shrimp right off the boat and a nightly themed buffet featuring Low Country style country cooking. B&J’s is featured in the May 2015 list 12 Unique Restaurants in Georgia That’ll Give You an Unforgettable Dining Experience. Visit http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/georgia/restaurants-in-georgia/. Check them out at http://bandjssteaksandseafood.com or call 912-437-2122. Located at 901 North Way, Darien.
Skipper’s Fish Camp Oyster Bar & Grill
Skipper’s is Darien’s only waterfront restaurant and serves seafood and ribs for lunch and under beautiful sunsets. Skipper’s is one of AtlantaMagazine’s 55 Secrets of the Coast and Southern Living’s Drives & Dives. Visit at skippersfishcamp.com or call 912-437-FISH. Located at 85 Screven Street, Darien.
Local Activities
Fort King George
Fort King George was the southern outpost of the English in the 1700s and was occupied from 1721 to 1736. Later the settlement near the fort became Darien, Georgia. Visit at gastateparks.org or call 912-437-4770. Located at 302 McIntosh Road SE, Darien.
Sapelo Island
Sapelo Island is one of the largest and wildest of the Georgia barrier islands and the Reynolds Mansion is a Georgia State Park. Atlanta Magazine listed both the Reynolds Mansion and Cornelia Bailey, the island’s matriarch, as Secrets of the Coast. Visit sapelonerr.org or http://gastateparks.org/ReynoldsMansion. Call the visitor center at 912-437-3224 to arrange a tour.
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife watching for wood storks, herons, egrets, alligators, and other birds is available at Harris Neck NWR. Visit http://www.fws.gov/refuge/harris_neck/ or call 912-832-4608.
Fishing in McIntosh County
McIntosh County hosts large rivers, tidal creeks, the Intracoastal Waterway, and borders the Atlantic Ocean. Find a fishing charter, evening cruise, or marsh ride at http://www.visitdarien.com/visit.html.
Festivals
The Blessing of the Fleet in Darien is an annual festival held in April that celebrates the shrimping industry and includes an art show, 5k race, classic car show, children’s events, and nightly live entertainment. Visit blessingofthefleet.com or call the Chamber of Commerce at 912-437-6684.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade is sponsored by Friends of Shellman Bluff and raises funds for the Shellman Bluff Volunteer Fire Department. Thousands descend on Shellman Bluff in full costume to make the day a success. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Shellman-Bluff/153674091347843 or call the Chamber of Commerce at 912-437-6684.