Cumberland Island National Seashore
Discover a delightful bed and breakfast experience showcasing Southern comfort food with a twist, served in a beautiful historic setting.
Experience the wonders of Cumberland
Just a block from the Inn, St. Mary’s serves as the departure point to Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island of
Cumberland Island. This extraordinary destination limits access to only 300 visitors per day, preserving its wild, untouched
beauty. During the peak seasons of spring, fall or holidays, and weekends ferry reservations are essential, and we’re happy
to assist you with booking your trip. We can even prepare a delicious picnic lunch to take along.
Island History
Cumberland Island National Seashore is one of Georgia’s most treasured natural wonders—a living laboratory where nature still reigns. With 17 miles of unspoiled white sand beaches, towering majestic dunes, pristine maritime forests, and peaceful salt marshes, the island invites you to wander and reconnect with the wild.
Recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of America’s Best Wild Beaches and named one of the Best Islands in the Continental U.S. by Travel + Leisure readers, Cumberland Island is truly a hidden gem. It’s also home to abundant wildlife, including the iconic wild horses that roam freely across the landscape. A visit to Cumberland Island is more than a getaway—it’s an invitation to slow down, explore, and savor serenity in one of the most beautiful and untouched corners of the southeastern coast.
Dungeness Ruins
The Dungeness Ruins on Cumberland Island are a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the island’s storied past. Once a grand mansion built by Thomas Carnegie in the late 1800s, the
estate was abandoned after a fire in 1959. Today, ivy-covered walls and crumbling stone archways stand as silent witnesses to a by gone era, surrounded by sprawling lawns and often visited by wild horses. It’s one of the most iconic and photogenic spots on the island—a must-see for history lovers and curious wanderers alike.
Plum Orchard Mansion
Our cozy accommodations are your home away from home, Plum Orchard Mansion
is a stunning example of Gilded Age elegance nestled deep within the wilderness
of Cumberland Island. Built in 1898 for George Carnegie, this grand, neoclassical
estate offers a striking contrast to the island’s wild landscapes. Visitors can tour
the mansion’s lavish interiors, including original furnishings, a squash court, and intricate woodwork, all preserved in time. Plum Orchard is a captivating glimpse
into the Carnegie family’s opulent lifestyle—and a hidden treasure for history
buffs and architecture enthusiasts.
First African Baptist Church
Another notable landmark on Cumberland Island is the First African Baptist Church, located in the island’s northern settlement of The Settlement. Originally built in 1893 by formerly enslaved people, this modest one-room church holds deep historical and cultural significance. It gained national attention in 1996 when John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married there in a secret ceremony. Surrounded by moss-draped oaks and untouched wilderness, the church stands as a quiet testament to resilience, heritage, and the island’s layered history.
Cumberland island Awaits