Cumberland Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sand dunes at Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Sand dunes at Cumberland Island National Seashore.
I really wanted to make this abstract work with the water. Hope it does
Dungeness Ruins of Cumberland Island
Dungeness on Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. Oglethorpe named the place after Dungeness, in England. The next Dungeness was the legacy of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, who had acquired 11,000 acres of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby mansion in 1803, over a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812 the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters. In 1818 Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a dashing cavalry commander during the Revolutionary War and father of Robert E. Lee, stayed at the house until his death on March 25, 1818, cared for by Greene's daughter Louisa, and was laid to rest in nearby cemetery with full military honors provided by an American fleet stationed at St. Marys, Georgia. The house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866. In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie, brother of Andrew Carnegie, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children, including Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island. The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.

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Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport

2.5 out of 5
15678 Max Leggett Parkway Jacksonville FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$152 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
NZ$152
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (235 reviews)
Breakfast was very poor.

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport
Amelia Hotel at the Beach

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

2.5 out of 5
1997 S Fletcher Ave Fernandina Beach FL
The price is NZ$275 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
NZ$275
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,136 reviews)
Clean room, friendly staff, and great location.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Amelia Hotel at the Beach
The Villas of Amelia Island

The Villas of Amelia Island

4 out of 5
8 Amelia Village Circle, Amelia Island Fernandina Beach FL
Stay at this beach holiday home in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,156 reviews)
The staff was extraordinary. Always cheerful and helpful. The accommodations were as advertised and supplied all we needed. The choice of restaurants was excellent and service there was excellent as well. Luis at Surfcaster was lots of fun and makes a great margarita!

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

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The Villas of Amelia Island
See all 4,337 properties in Cumberland Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Villas of Amelia Island

The Villas of Amelia Island

4 out of 5
8 Amelia Village Circle, Amelia Island Fernandina Beach FL
Stay at this beach holiday home in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,156 reviews)
The staff was extraordinary. Always cheerful and helpful. The accommodations were as advertised and supplied all we needed. The choice of restaurants was excellent and service there was excellent as well. Luis at Surfcaster was lots of fun and makes a great margarita!

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

The Villas of Amelia Island
Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center

Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center

3 out of 5
1175 N Beachview Dr Jekyll Island GA
Stay at this beach villa in Jekyll Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,103 reviews)
Great time with great accommodations

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center
Beach 5 Villas - Immaculate 300 steps from the Ocean

Beach 5 Villas - Immaculate 300 steps from the Ocean

4.5 out of 5
441 S Fletcher Ave Fernandina Beach FL
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Egan's Creek Greenway Trail and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
Renovated studio in a nice location across the Beach. Super friendly host.

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Beach 5 Villas - Immaculate 300 steps from the Ocean
See all properties in Cumberland Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Plum Orchard Mansion

Plum Orchard Mansion

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Plum Orchard Mansion during your travels in Cumberland Island. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.

Plum Orchard Mansion

First African Baptist Church

Find out about the history of Cumberland Island when you spend time at First African Baptist Church. Discover the area's museums and shops.

First African Baptist Church

Activities

Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours

Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours

NZ$75
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours
Our historic buildings are beautiful and full of wonder.

Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour

NZ$51
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

NZ$100
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure
St. Marys Murder, Mayhem, and Martinis Walking Tour

St. Marys Murder, Mayhem, and Martinis Walking Tour

NZ$40
per adult
St. Marys Murder, Mayhem, and Martinis Walking Tour
Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island

Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island

NZ$438
per traveller
Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island
Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island

Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island

NZ$317
per traveller
Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island
See all activities in Cumberland Island

Cities near Cumberland Island

EA9H2R View of Fernandina Beach Marina, Amelia Island, Florida

Fernandina Beach

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