Virtually untouched for centuries, Little St. Simons Island is a barrier island located on the coast of Georgia (U.S. state), and is one of the least developed of Georgia's Golden Isles. The island covers an area of 10,000 acres (40 km²) and boasts 7 miles (11 km) of beaches. Little St. Simons Island is located slightly east and north of St. Simons Island and Sea Island. It is separated from these islands by the Hampton River and from the marshes of the mainland by Buttermilk Sound. The mouth of the Altamaha River opens directly north of the island.