Cumberland Island, GA

Travel Guide

I really wanted to make this abstract work with the water. Hope it does
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.
Walking off the island I started to just snap any limb that seemed to defy logic and gravity. This was one, probably as old as the island. These trees seemed to climb out and spread then all the sudden change directions completely and grow another way.
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
$85 nightly
The price is $97 total per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
$97 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (195 reviews)
Room/hotel was clean. No bugs which is a huge plus.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2026

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport
Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa

Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
39 Beach Lagoon Road Fernandina Beach FL
$303 nightly
The price is $339 total per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
$339 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
Staff is friendly and helpful. Rooms could use a microwave but overall an excellent experience.

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026

Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa
Amelia Hotel at the Beach

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

2.5 out of 5
1997 S Fletcher Ave Fernandina Beach FL
$106 nightly
The price is $120 total per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
$120 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,138 reviews)
Clean rooms with good A/C but you can’t open any windows. Across the street from the beach. Excellent staff, but had to ask for extra hangers and towels for the room. We were there for a family funeral in January 2026. No swimming involved.

Reviewed on Jan 20, 2026

Amelia Hotel at the Beach
See all 4,189 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
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,145 reviews)
Beautiful grounds, very helpful staff, great amenities. Cedric the tram driver was the highlight of our trip! Great stories, helpful suggestions about where to eat and such a pleasant perspective! The shops are wonderful with unique clothing and accessories.

Reviewed on Jan 14, 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
Book a stay at this beach villa in Jekyll Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,102 reviews)
Great time with great accommodations

Reviewed on Jan 13, 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
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Egan's Creek Greenway Trail ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (17 reviews)
Very accommodating.

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2025

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

5/5(1 review)

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Plum Orchard Mansion during your trip to Cumberland Island. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.

Plum Orchard Mansion

First African Baptist Church

Find out about the history of Cumberland Island with a stop at First African Baptist Church. Discover the area's museums and shops.

First African Baptist Church

Things to do

Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

$60
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure
Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island

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

$260
per traveler
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

$190
per traveler
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

Jacksonville, Florida

Yulee

Washed ashore sea star. #travel #seastar #beach #welovetoexplore https://www.facebook.com/welovetoexplore/timeline/story?ut=43&wstart=0&wend=1422777599&hash=3585313150704558958&pagefilter=3

St. Marys

Explore a world of travel with Expedia