Remote Island Experience

Nightly Rental: Grab the spouse/friends/family/colleagues, bring an open mind and heart, and get ready for an adventure to never forget. Sapelo is a very special place unlike anywhere on earth.  You will feel like you are stepping back in time to a slower pace of life.  There are some places on the island where you may feel you are not even on planet Earth anymore.  Sapelo is a remote island experience, so here are a few things to know before coming and about your stay at Changing Tides:

·      Please feel free to text or call myself or the property manager for any help you may need or questions you may have during your stay.

·      If you suffer from pet allergies, please know we do have 2 sweet golden retrievers and 2 friendly cats on the premises sometimes. 

·      Pack light. Only bring play clothes and play shoes, nothing fancy! Bring things you don’t mind walking dirt roads in, sitting by a fire in, riding a Polaris ranger in, and enjoying the beach in. If it’s cold, bring a coat, hat, and gloves. If it’s hot, bring a swimsuit and flip flops.

·      Bring bug spray if the temperature gets above 70 degrees. Bring sunblock if desired.

·      You are responsible for bringing all your food and drinks for the duration of your trip.  Rolling coolers are allowed on the ferry but rolling wagons must be folded up while on the ferry.  There is one small restaurant on the island and only a small (limited) convenience store.  So come prepared with whatever you need to prepare meals with. The kitchen is mostly fully stocked with all your basic cooking pots/pans, etc.

·      You will need to make arrangements to reserve a vehicle.  Local contacts will be provided.

·      We have a couple of residents on the island that you are able to place orders with for some authentic Saltwater Geechee cooking. They will deliver to the house. More info on request.  It’s delicious!

·      We have 4 bedrooms designated for our guests.  One room has a king. The other 3 rooms have two twin beds each. Linens, pillows, quilts are provided.

·      There are two full bathrooms with towels, washcloths, toiletries, hair dryer, etc.

·      There is a beautiful, hot water, outdoor shower.

·      There is a coffee pot and Keurig. Please bring your own coffee and kcups. You do not need filters.

·      There is great Wi-Fi in the house but poor cell service. We do have a landline and walkie-talkies for emergencies.

·      Great naps, deep conversations, or meditative thoughts and prayers seem to always happen on the porch swing couch while you listen to the waves crash in the distance and birds sing in the huge live oak trees overlooking the breathtaking salt marsh. Much time can be spent on this screened in porch enjoying nature’s beauty, observing raccoons scurry across the trees limbs, maybe a deer or 3 will pass through or an armadillo rustle in the palmettos. If you’re lucky you will get a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker or even a painted bunting!

·      In the cold months, we enjoy S’mores and fellowship around the front yard fire pit.

·      Sapelo Island is extremely unique in that all visitors are required to have reservations by an island resident or DNR. Not just anyone can bebop over on their own. Your name will be on the list at dock and you are to check in with the DNR ferry crew when you arrive.  You will need to pay the crew a $5 roundtrip fee when you check in. The ferry runs on a strict schedule and ALWAYS leaves on time. So plan to arrive 30 minutes early, unload your luggage at the end of the dock, then go park your car and walk back to board the ferry. Be on the lookout for a dolphin or two to welcome you on your adventure!

·      If you arrive early enough to the ferry, stop by the visitor’s center and check it out!

·      There are no hospitals, pharmacies, ER’s, or med stops on the island so please bring any medication you use on a regular basis.  I have an extensive first aid kit but in the event of an emergency, DNR and 911 will need to be notified. Things just take a bit longer here than on the mainland.

·       There is one small restaurant on the island in Hog Hammock community usually only open for lunch and dinner Wednesday - Saturday.

·      There are no hotels, police, Wal-Mart, or shopping on the island. However, there is peace and tranquility.

·       The “Sapelo Experience” would not be complete with out a vehicle malfunction so be mentally prepared for that just in case and know you will be taken care of.