An exclusive south Georgia getaway: visit Cabin Bluff

WOODBINE, Ga. -- Many of the nation's elite have been venturing to south Georgia for years. With Sea Island and the Cloister Hotel, it's been a popular getaway among stars and dignitaries alike. But Sea Island isn't the only south Georgia destination those people have paid a visit.

There's another world-class destination about 45 minutes south of Sea Island. Despite the fact that presidents, distinguished sporting enthusiasts and a collection of famous faces have visited, it's a relatively unknown destination. And that's exactly how the owners and visitors wanted it.

It's called Cabin Bluff and it's just north of the Florida state line off of Interstate 95 in Woodbine. It's not new. Cabin Bluff was established over 80 years ago. First and foremost, it's known as a world-class hunting and fishing destination. There's quail, deer, turkey and wild boar to name just a few for hunting. The location offers inshore and offshore fishing, too. There's redfish, bluefish, sea trout, tarpon and a large collection of other native fish. Experienced guides who have been fishing the area for years ensure the big one that always gets away won't get away this time. Visitors can release their catches or make a meal out of it. Cabin Bluff will clean it and pack it for visitors to take home, or prepare it for breakfast.

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It's those sporting activities that have brought most of the visitors to Cabin Bluff since 1928.

"Cabin Bluff, it's one of the most unique places along the eastern seaboard," Andy Ippensen from Cabin Bluff said. "We're just 30 minutes north of Jacksonville, Fla., and adjacent to Cumberland Island and (it's) a very historic place. It's a sporting lodge, it's a hunting lodge, it's a great place to come for families and outdoorsmen."

The facility is pitched as a place where visitors can step off the world for a short while and enjoy a simple, uncomplicated experience with no sacrifice of comfort, privacy or luxury.

Cabin Bluff recently opened its doors to a few members of the media. Why would a place that prided itself on privacy invite the media in for a look? The company has gone through a shift in ownership. While Cabin Bluff remains a very insulated destination, one that people driving by could literally blink and miss, it is being opened more to the public.

"We're opening up more so, for people to come down and really take advantage of what we do," Ippensen said. "We do a lot of groups that take over Cabin Bluff, but we're also doing some select weekends, especially during holidays where couples and small groups of friends can come down and enjoy Cabin Bluff on a very individual basis as never before."

Cabin Bluff features a total of 20 rooms. Those rooms are broken into different cabin configurations. Visitors can have a cabin to themselves. If they're traveling with a trio of other couples, those four groups could share one large cabin with each couple having their own bedroom and bathroom.

Even if hunting or fishing isn't on the to-do list for a vacation, there are countless other activities at this Woodbine getaway. Cabin Bluff features clay target shooting, a unique 18-hole golf course that plays on six greens and was built by Davis Love III, nature trails, tennis courts and a pool that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway.

I visited during the media weekend to check out the place on behalf Nelson's News on wsbtv.com. While you're likely never to find me (Nelson Hicks) sitting in a tree stand or even spending 12 hours on a boat fishing, the activities offered were quite simply, great fun.

I joined a group of three others and our fishing guide for a quick trip out to see what we could find in the waters around Cabin Bluff. Five minutes after departing the marina, the group was tossing out our fishing lines and within the first three minutes, we had already caught a shark. An hour later, we had landed three sharks and two stingrays. That's my kind of fishing trip.

Over the weekend, I gave clay shooting, something that I had never even considered trying in the past, a go. Talk about a great rush! There's world-class instruction, too. The teachers there had people who had never even handled a gun prior to the trip, destroying clay targets from all directions.

There was time to relax and just enjoy the day, too. Cabin Bluff is secluded and it's obvious the company prides itself on service. A trip to Cabin Bluff isn't like most vacations. It's a chance to unwind and enjoy a multitude of activities in a very luxurious locale.

For those interested in visiting, it's about $450 per night, per couple. That price includes all of your meals, alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages and many activities like golf, tennis, inshore fishing and hiking. Hunting and offshore fishing is extra.

Cabin Bluff is opening to couples next on Labor Day.Day weekend.

To learn more about Cabin Bluff, head over to CabinBluff.com.

WSBTV