Cumberland Island National Seashore

101 Wheeler Street, St. Marys, GA 31558

Georgia's largest barrier island, accessible only by passenger ferry from St. Marys, Cumberland is a near-pristine 17-mile wilderness of undeveloped beach, maritime forest, salt marsh, and free-ranging feral horses, with the haunting ruins of the Carnegies' Dungeness mansion.

Great day for a beach walk.

Hot — hydrate and seek shade

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny. High near 92, with temperatures falling to around 89 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 103. Southeast wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low around 77, with temperatures rising to around 78 overnight. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Weather

  • 92°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Safety

  • UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
74 /100
great
64 Sunbathe
78 Walk
76 Photo

Best for walking today

Water level 0.5 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 8720030 · Observed 2.05 ft · Predicted 1.52 ft

Air Temp
92°F
Clear
Wind
12 mph
SE
Rain
7%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–02 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
92°F
Sunny
Water Temp
Wave Height
2.3 ft
SSE swell
Barometer
30.00 inHg
1016 hPa

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GAZ166)

The JAX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

  • FLZ124 Nassau-Duval-Flagler-St. Johns — Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville Beach, n/a
  • GAZ154 Glynn-Camden — Brunswick, St. Simons, Country Club Estates, n/a

NWS SRF · JAX · Issued Jul 18, 9:00 PM

Sunrise
6:34 AM
Sunset
8:29 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Time Type Height
12:30 AM High 6.7 ft
6:27 AM Low -0.3 ft
1:02 PM High 6.2 ft
6:50 PM Low 0.1 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8720030, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Jul 18
92°

Sunny

7%
73
Sun Jul 19
92°

Sunny

9%
72
Mon Jul 20
91°

Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

40%
30
Tue Jul 21
91°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

43%
29
Wed Jul 22
89°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

40%
33
Thu Jul 23
88°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

63%
23
Fri Jul 24
86°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

50%
33
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
  • critical Extra water / electrolytes 92°F - heat risk

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Parking available at the NPS Visitor Center / ferry dock in St. Marys, GA. No parking on the island itself — ferry-only access.

Dogs

No pets permitted on the ferry. Only ADA service animals may board. Emotional support animals and pets are not allowed.

Entry Fee

$15 park entrance fee; ferry fares $44 adult / $42 senior 62+ / $34 youth 6–15 / free under 5

Address

101 Wheeler Street, St. Marys, GA 31558

restroomscampground (Sea Camp, Stafford, backcountry sites)historic ruinswilderness hikingwildlife viewing (wild horses, sea turtles)
Is it safe to swim at Cumberland Island National Seashore today?

Cumberland Island National Seashore shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore dog-friendly?

No pets permitted on the ferry. Only ADA service animals may board. Emotional support animals and pets are not allowed.

Is there an entry fee at Cumberland Island National Seashore?

$15 park entrance fee; ferry fares $44 adult / $42 senior 62+ / $34 youth 6–15 / free under 5

Are there lifeguards at Cumberland Island National Seashore?

No lifeguards are stationed at Cumberland Island National Seashore. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.

What amenities are at Cumberland Island National Seashore?

Amenities at Cumberland Island National Seashore include restrooms, campground (Sea Camp, Stafford, backcountry sites), historic ruins, wilderness hiking, wildlife viewing (wild horses, sea turtles).

When is the water warmest at Cumberland Island National Seashore?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Cumberland Island National Seashore located?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is in Camden County, GA, at 101 Wheeler Street, St. Marys, GA 31558.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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