Any biking enthusiast that has been to Saint Simons Island knows there are plenty of places to check out while keeping his or her own two wheels on the pavement. From Neptune Park to Fort Frederica, there are miles of trails, roads, and sidewalks to accommodate your biking needs. But if you’re looking for something different, then may we suggest sticking close to the surf by biking the Atlantic Coast beach of Saint Simons Island.
The beaches of Saint Simons Island are well-known by the locals for their daily disappearing act at high tide; the high water mark leaves beachcombers a little over a mile to traverse. Not a very long stretch if you’re looking to spend an afternoon traveling alongside the breaking waves of the Atlantic.
The further south on the island you happen to be, the more likely you are to notice just how high the waterline gets. At high tide in front of the King and Prince Resort, for instance, the beach is non-existent, disappearing beneath the waves twice each day. But if you can plan your beach time around low tide, then you’ll open up a great stretch of flattened coastline to get your two-wheeler out on. You can find a tide chart for Saint Simons Island provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by clicking here.
Taking advantage of biking the coastline at low tide opens up several new perspectives on the south end of the island. Areas that are usually underwater are accessible at low tide, making a trip from the King and Prince Resort down to Neptune Park while staying along the hard-packed shoreline possible.
It’s important to also note that if you’re hauling the bikes down to the beach not to fret about having the right equipment. Most ordinary bikes with ordinary tires do just fine on the beach, namely at low tide. That’s because when the water recedes back from the sandy beaches, the sand becomes flat and compacted, leaving a rather smooth and firm surface to bicycle out on. I wasn’t sure how my bike would hold up the first time I took it close to the waterline, but to my surprise it does just fine, and I’m the proud owner of a Wally World special. No need for anything fancy to enjoy a low tide ride along the shores of Saint Simons.
If you’ve got your own bikes to load up and you just need a place to park, then may we suggest leaving the car at Neptune Park on the south end of the island and making your way up the coast towards the north end, almost a two-mile ride at low tide if you stay on the beach. You could also park at Massengale Park, which is just one block up on the right from Arnold Road if you’re heading northbound on Ocean Boulevard. Just click on the links for directions.
If you don’t have your own bikes don’t worry, there is a great place right on Frederica Road called Monkeywrench Bicycles. They’ve got good rates on bikes, trikes, and trailers, although I don’t think I would try pulling a trailer full of screaming toddlers out on the beach – just my two cents. You want to enjoy the serenity of an oceanside cruise, not play pack mule for the kiddos, so make sure everyone has their own bike to ride and you should have a great time.
