Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Kimberly Stroh
This August, Atlanta visitors won’t need to drive to the coast to learn what makes Georgia’s shoreline so special — the coast is coming to them. Georgia Aquarium is teaming up with Jekyll Island for a rare, in-person crossover between two of the state’s most beloved wildlife destinations, giving guests a firsthand look at the birds that connect Atlanta’s rivers to the Atlantic coast.
Park Rangers Set Up Shop at The Georgia Aquarium’s Coastal Bird Exhibit
From Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16, park rangers from Jekyll Island will staff a three-day activation at Georgia Aquarium’s Coastal Bird Exhibit. Guests can talk directly with rangers about the thousands of shorebirds that migrate along the Atlantic Flyway each year, and why Jekyll Island’s beaches and salt marshes serve as such a critical rest stop along that route.
The aquarium describes the event as a chance to connect the birds guests see in its exhibits with the wild habitats those same species depend on along the Georgia coast, according to the Georgia Aquarium’s official event page.
Why the Atlantic Flyway Matters
Georgia’s inland waterways flow toward the Atlantic, linking freshwater habitats to the coast and supporting migratory birds that travel thousands of miles each year along the Atlantic Flyway. Beginning in September, Jekyll Island becomes a key stopover for migrating birds moving between breeding and wintering grounds, with habitats that support species such as roseate spoonbills and ibises.
Rangers on-site at the aquarium will walk guests through bird biology, migration timing, and the role coastal wetlands play in keeping those populations healthy — details that also set up a natural follow-up trip for anyone who wants to see the birds in the wild later this fall.
Plan a Follow-Up Trip to Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is a Georgia State Park where 65% of the island is permanently protected from development, offering 10 miles of undeveloped shoreline and more than 24 miles of walkable paths. Visitors who want to keep exploring after the aquarium event can join a ranger-led birding walk, which often passes an active bald eagle nest, or stop by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the state’s only sea turtle rehabilitation and education facility.
Fall is considered an ideal time to visit, with bird migration in full swing and the island’s Shrimp & Grits Festival scheduled for October.
Bring The Whole Family to The Georgia Aquarium
The Aug. 14–16 activation is free with regular aquarium admission and requires no separate reservation. It’s a low-key way to introduce kids to coastal ecology before a beach trip, or to extend a Jekyll Island vacation with a hands-on preview back in Atlanta.