Laurel Island is flanked to the immediate north and east by several of Georgia’s “Golden Isles”--Blackbeard, Sapelo, Little St. Simons, Sea Island, St. Simons, Jekyll, Little Cumberland, and Cumberland, as well as to the south by Florida’s own golden isles--Amelia, Big Talbot, and Little Talbot.  Tybee, Sea Island, St. Simons, Jekyll, Amelia, Big Talbot, and Little Talbot can be accessed by car, while the virtually undeveloped islands of Wassau, St. Catherines, Blackbeard, Sapelo, Little St. Simons, Little Cumberland and Cumberland can only be accessed by boat.

Preserved forever by the U.S. Park Service, in the case of Cumberland, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, in the case of Sapelo, these two massive barrier islands have over 15,000 acres of uplands apiece, as well as 40 miles of untouched white sand beaches between them.  Nearby Big Talbot and Little Talbot State Parks afford motorists one of the most scenic drives in American along highway A1A en route to the St. Johns River ferry at Mayport.  Sea Island, Jekyll, and Amelia all offer championship golf, hiking, white sand beaches, fine dining, and a broad range of specialty shops.

Laurel Island is also only a short drive to a number of major cultural and economic centers.  Located only 30 minutes by car to the south is the major metropolitan city of Jacksonville, Florida, best known for its bustling St. Johns River waterfront, museums and arts community, world-class golf courses, as well as NFL Football.  Just south of Jacksonville is the burgeoning World Golf Village, featuring the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire championship golf courses, as well as the World Golf Hall of Fame.  75 minutes by car from Laurel Island is the significant cultural and historical center of St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States.  55 minutes away is the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour.

Just 30 minutes south by car you’ll find what is perhaps the most authentic seaside town in Florida, the old fishing village of Fernandina, known for the seven sovereign flags that have flown over it since the 1500’s.  Just ten minutes south of Laurel Island by car lies the sister city of Fernandina, the charming old fishing village of St. Marys, Georgia, graced by a host of inns, restaurants and shops.  90 minutes to the north lies what is perhaps the most quintessentially charming Southern city of all, Savannah, where stately antebellum homes surround its famous, Oglethorpe-planned town squares.