This tour really helped add context to my visit to Cumberland Island. I knew it was an island…read morepreviously inhabited by rich people, ending with the main mansion crumbling in flames and arson, as well as a herd of wild horses left over from Spaniard and gilded age times.
But Deb, our guide, added a lot of color to each character, and she educated us on the island, the ecology, and basic science (Deb is a connoisseur of science and history). I learned about the life cycle of the horses, what brackish water means, and the basic rhythms of the islands. I learned about how the enslaved people on the island lived, and about the park service and their mission.
The tour is about 2.5 hours and covers about a mile over flat ground. It doesn't take you to the beach, so you need to plan for that before or after. You do get to see plenty of horses. The tour costs 42.40 and doesn't include ferry costs (around 20 bucks each way, 45.20 total both ways with taxes and fees).
Deb was engaging, fun, educational, and gave us plenty of time to stroll, with plenty of rest breaks too. I had a little trouble finding the group (there were only three of us, so that was also a treat), and she called me to make sure the group didn't leave without me.
I came to the island way before the tour and considered skipping it because I had made it to the beach and thought about just staying on the beach. What more could a tour of the ruins give me? I had already seen them. But I trudged back to the dock to meet the tour, and so glad I did. The tour enhanced my visit so much. I got to learn of debutants, rich playboys, lusty affairs, community gossip, and more.
There is a different tour with a different company that is a six hour tour on a van. It all depends on what you are looking for, but I knew this tour would fit me much better.
Thanks, Deb, and Molly's Old South Tours!