Located midway on the Georgia coastline on the eastern fringe of McIntosh County, Sapelo Island is defined by the Sapelo River to the north, the waters of Doboy Sound to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Duplin River to the west. The 16,500-acre island is the 4th largest barrier island in the State of Georgia.

Sapelo Island Wildlife Management Area is 9,000 acres and offers hunting opportunities for deer, small game and feral hog. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. Hunters drawn for Sapelo Island deer quota hunts must arrange for their own transportation to the island via private boat. A link to a list of private charters is provided below (under “Activities”/”Hunting”) as a convenience for customers. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources does not endorse any one business for use.

Accommodations & Facilities

Beach
Canoe Access
Dock
Education Center
Primitive Campsites
Nature Trails

Activities

Boating
Canoeing
Geocaching — not allowed during managed hunts
Hunting
- Quota Hunts
- Youth Hunt
- Private Charter options for Hunters
Primitive Camping
River Fishing
Wildlife Viewing

Nearby Properties

Nearby Accommodations

MAKE AN OVERNIGHT RESERVATION

A young girl in a pink swimsuit and an adult in a blue shirt and white cap are fishing from a concrete pier. The adult is pointing and assisting the girl, who is holding a red and black fishing rod. Several other people are fishing in the background, and a large bridge stretches over the water. The water below is calm, and the sky is overcast.

Recreational Saltwater Fishing

A commercial fisherman wearing a gray hoodie, red waterproof overalls, sunglasses, and a black beanie is working on a fishing boat. He is operating a large metal winch with one hand while gripping a lever with the other. The sun shines brightly, creating a lens flare effect. The background features open water with a distant structure visible on the horizon. The sky is mostly clear with a few wispy clouds.

Commercial Saltwater Fishing

A scuba diver wearing a black diving mask, regulator, and a yellow oxygen tank explores an underwater artificial reef. The reef consists of large, hollow concrete structures resting on the ocean floor. Small red fish swim around the diver and the reef. Bubbles rise from the diver’s regulator, and the water has a greenish tint with particles suspended in it.

Artificial Reefs & Marine Habitat

<!-- Image Description: A white motorboat with a black canopy speeds through a winding waterway surrounded by lush green marsh grass. The boat leaves a white foamy wake behind it. Two people wearing life jackets are visible on board, one steering while the other is seated. The waterway meanders through the marsh, creating a natural pattern of land and water.

Coastal Boating & Boat Ramps

A female scientist wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt, sunglasses, and a baseball cap is working in a muddy coastal marsh. She is kneeling in the mud, surrounded by tall green marsh grass, and adjusting or inspecting a white monitoring station mounted on a pole. A purple cloth hangs from the station. The bright sunlight casts shadows, highlighting the texture of the mud and vegetation.

Coastal Management

A female field researcher wearing a navy blue shirt, sunglasses, and a black waist pouch is working in a dense coastal environment. She is surrounded by green palmetto plants and other vegetation, with twisted tree branches in the background. She is holding a clipboard and writing notes while marking plants with bright pink flagging tape. The natural setting appears lush and slightly overgrown.

Marsh & Shore Permits

A male educator wearing a navy blue long-sleeve shirt, black cap, and patterned neck gaiter holds up a small crab while speaking to a group of children on a sandy beach. The children, with their backs to the camera, are attentively watching. The ocean waves roll onto the shore in the background under an overcast sky.

Marine Education & Public Outreach

A group of people, including men and women dressed in casual and uniformed attire, stand on a wooden dock holding a large red sign that reads "SOUND LIMIT." One woman, wearing work clothes and boots, kneels in front of the sign while smiling at the camera. The background features a coastal marsh with tall grasses and calm water under a clear sky. Some individuals in the group are engaged in conversation, while others look at the sign or the camera.

Learn More About Our Division

NEWS & PUBLIC NOTICES

Press Releases

Recreational Bluefish Fishery to Temporarily Close in March, April

Brunswick, Ga.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 07:00 am

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will temporarily close the recreational Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) fishery in state waters for the months of March and April 2025.

Public Comment on Proposed Shellfish Harvest Rule

Brunswick, Ga.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 07:00 am

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Coastal Resources Division (CRD) is inviting public input on a proposed amendment to the state's Saltwater Fishing Regulations, Rule 391-2-4-.19. The proposed changes would establish requirements for shellfish harvest during closed seasons, enhance tagging and shading regulations, and outline procedures for harvest closures in response to public health concerns.

CRD Announces Public Comment period on Proposed Shellfish Harvest Rule

Brunswick, Ga.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 07:00 am

The Georgia DNR’s Coastal Resources Division is seeking public input on proposed changes to Saltwater Fishing Regulations, including new rules for shellfish harvest, tagging, and emergency closures. Comments are accepted until March 28, 2025, with a final decision by the Board of Natural Resources on April 22, 2025.

Tammy Smith, Tybee Island Marine Science Center, Turtle Trot 2025, North Beach, Chatham County, Atlantic Ocean, Georgia

City or County : Chatham County, Georgia

Steven Smalls, Orange Crush 2025, Temporary Activities in Shore Protection Act Jurisdiction, Tybee Island, Chatham County, Atlantic Ocean, Georgia

City or County : Chatham County, Georgia

Daniel S. Carson Jr. and Stephanie R. Carson, Construction and Maintenance of a Bank Stabilization Project, 6 Moon River Drive, Lots 3 and 4, Moon River, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia

Written comments due by: Wednesday, Apr 09 2025

City or County : Chatham County, Georgia

Wilmington Plantation Owners’ Association Inc., Maintenance of Existing Bank Stabilization Project, 700 Wilmington Island Road, Lot 37, Lot 38, Lot 39 of the Walthour Tract, Wilmington River, Chatham County, Georgia

City or County : Chatham County, Georgia

Coastal Advisory Council Spring Meeting

Friday, April 25, 2025, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Susan Shipman Center

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Mangroves in Georgia

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the expansion of mangroves from Florida into Georgia.

Mangroves in Georgia

Coastlines Georgia

Find the latest CRD news in our quarterly magazine, Coastlines Georgia.

Coastlines Georgia

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