Coastal Gateway to Cumberland Island
Welcome to St. Marys, a historic coastal Georgia city on the Florida line that serves as the ferry gateway to Cumberland Island and the home port community for Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
St. Marys is a city in Camden County, Georgia, set on the St. Marys River at the state's southeastern corner, directly across the water from Florida. With a population of about 18,300, it anchors the Kingsland, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area and serves as the coastal heart of a county shaped by maritime industry, the military, and tourism. The city traces its origins to a Spanish mission settlement in the mid-16th century and was formally established in 1787, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. The city's identity is inseparable from the water. Its downtown historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, holds Victorian and antebellum homes, churches, and a waterfront that was once a shipbuilding and trading hub. Today that waterfront is the embarkation point for the passenger ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a protected barrier island about seven miles offshore that draws visitors for its wild beaches, maritime forest, and ruins of the Carnegie-era Dungeness estate. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, located adjacent to St. Marys on the East River, is the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's home port for Ohio-class submarines and one of the region's largest employers. Its presence brings a steady military and civilian population to the area and shapes the local economy alongside tourism, shrimping, and retail. Jacksonville, Florida, about 38 miles south, extends a larger metropolitan job market within commuting distance. Residential St. Marys spans the walkable historic grid near the river, established in-town neighborhoods, and newer subdivisions and planned communities farther out, including gated waterfront developments such as Cumberland Harbour. Interstate 95 passes six miles west, linking the city to Brunswick and Savannah to the north and Jacksonville and its airport to the south. For many, St. Marys offers the rare combination of deep history, a working waterfront, military community energy, and direct access to an undeveloped national seashore.
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St. Marys' housing ranges from restored homes in the downtown historic district to mid-century subdivisions, newer planned communities, and gated waterfront or marshfront developments. The historic core offers Victorian and antebellum residences within walking distance of the river and ferry dock, while areas farther out provide larger lots, new construction, and community amenities. Waterfront and deepwater communities such as Cumberland Harbour appeal to boaters, with docks and access to the St. Marys River and Intracoastal Waterway. Military families associated with Kings Bay often favor move-in-ready subdivisions near I-95 and the base. The overall mix gives St. Marys housing more variety than a typical small coastal city.
St. Marys is organized around its historic downtown and radiates into residential areas of varying character. The National Register historic district near the waterfront is the city's centerpiece, with centuries-old homes, churches, and inns along a walkable street grid. Established in-town neighborhoods and mid-century subdivisions surround the core, while Sugarmill Plantation and other planned communities offer newer homes, pools, and golf-adjacent amenities. Cumberland Harbour, a gated maritime neighborhood south of downtown, centers on deepwater access, docks, and marsh views. Farther out along the I-95 corridor, subdivisions serve Kings Bay personnel and commuters. Neighboring Kingsland and the Wildlight development extend the housing options immediately north and west.
Life in St. Marys balances small-town Southern charm with a maritime and military community. The downtown waterfront is the social and visitor hub, with the Cumberland Island ferry, riverfront park, shops, and seafood restaurants drawing locals and tourists. Boating, fishing, and kayaking on the St. Marys River and nearby creeks are everyday pastimes, and the 45-minute ferry to Cumberland Island puts an undeveloped barrier-island seashore within reach. Community events tied to the waterfront, holidays, and military life punctuate the calendar. The presence of Kings Bay gives the city a steady flow of service members and civilian workers, lending St. Marys a more transient, national population than many similarly sized Georgia towns.
Public education in St. Marys is provided by the Camden County School District, which operates 12 schools serving roughly 9,600 students across the county. St. Marys-area campuses include St. Marys Elementary, Mary Lee Clark Elementary, Crooked River Elementary, Sugarmill Elementary, and St. Marys Middle School, with students moving on to Camden County High School in Kingsland. The district serves a population shaped by the military community, and schools coordinate support for service-member families. St. Marys' proximity to the Florida line also puts Jacksonville-area private and charter options within a reasonable drive for some families.
St. Marys sits just off Interstate 95, which passes about six miles west of the city and provides the main road link north to Brunswick and Savannah and south into Florida. Jacksonville is roughly 38 miles away, and Jacksonville International Airport is about 25 to 30 miles south, making it the nearest major airport. Within the city, the downtown is compact and walkable, while outlying neighborhoods are car-oriented. The Cumberland Island ferry is the signature transportation link, carrying passengers from the downtown waterfront to the national seashore. Boaters use the St. Marys River and the Intracoastal Waterway for access along the coast.
Recreation in St. Marys centers on the water and the outdoors. The Cumberland Island ferry provides access to Cumberland Island National Seashore's beaches, hiking trails, and historic sites, and is the region's signature experience. On the mainland, the St. Marys River and surrounding creeks support boating, kayaking, and fishing, with ramps and marinas serving the boating community. Waterfront Park and the historic district offer walking, sightseeing, and river views, while the St. Marys History Walk interprets the city's past. Nearby Crooked River State Park adds camping, trails, and a nature center, and the Okefenokee Swamp lies within a day trip. Jacksonville's larger cultural and sports venues are a short drive south.
About St. Marys
St. Marys is a city in Camden County, Georgia, on the St. Marys River at the southeastern corner of the state, directly on the Florida border. It is part of the Kingsland, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area and sits about 38 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. Interstate 95 passes a few miles west of the city.
Cumberland Island is reachable only by boat. A concession-operated passenger ferry departs from the downtown St. Marys waterfront and makes the roughly 45-minute trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore, about seven miles offshore. Reservations are generally recommended during busy seasons.
St. Marys is served by the Camden County School District, which operates 12 schools serving roughly 9,600 students countywide. City-area campuses include St. Marys Elementary, Mary Lee Clark Elementary, Crooked River Elementary, Sugarmill Elementary, and St. Marys Middle School, with Camden County High School in nearby Kingsland.
St. Marys is known as the ferry gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore and as the home port community for Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. It is also among the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the United States, with a National Register-listed historic district of Victorian and antebellum homes and a working riverfront.
Yes. St. Marys sits about 38 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, and Jacksonville International Airport is roughly 25 to 30 miles south. Interstate 95, a few miles west of the city, provides the direct route into Florida, making Jacksonville's employment, shopping, and air travel readily accessible.
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, adjacent to St. Marys, is the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's home port for Ohio-class submarines and a major regional employer. The base brings a substantial military and civilian population to Camden County, and the area's schools and housing market are shaped by the needs of service-member families.
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