With over 100 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Georgia is home to several picturesque islands and beaches. Let’s take a trip to the best beaches in Georgia, many of which are a part of Georgia’s barrier islands or the ‘Golden Isles’.
Are you looking to take a day trip to the ocean or the perfect southern charm beach vacation spot? We know one of these Georgia beaches will be the perfect spot for you! There are options for the whole family, romantic getaways, or beaches for a solo adventure.
No matter your plans, one of the best beaches in Georgia below will offer a memorable experience!
1. St. Simons Island Beach
Saint Simons Island Beach is one of the closest beaches to Atlanta making it an easy destination from the airport. It’s a wonderful beach for all kinds of beachgoers including families.
There’s plenty to do on St. Simons Island beach. Relax on the sand, build sandcastles, and play in the summer waves. The area offers various golf courses and other nearby attractions. Enjoy a moonlight stroll on the beach or take a unique lighthouse tour.
St. Simons Island is notorious for beachside condos or hotels. You could also opt for a historic hotel, like the Strachan Carriage House.
Don’t stop with just a historic hotel! St. Simons Island is the location where the Bloody Marsh Battle of 1742 occurred. There are also other historical sites from the Civil War and World War II.
To enjoy activities in pleasantly warm weather, visit St. Simons Island from early April to late May and early October to early November.
2. East Beach, St. Simons Island
Close to the public beach on St. Simons Island, East Beach is another popular destination. It’s located at the old Coast Guard Station.
East Beach is not part of a state park but instead a public beach that honors the heroes of WWII. As mentioned, St. Simons Island has a rich history that visitors and locals celebrate. Consider visiting the World War II Homefront Museum nearby.
East Beach is a great place to swim and relax on the soft sand. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Amenities include public restrooms, wheelchair-accessible entrances, and all-season concessions. Grills and picnic tables are available, too.
East Beach is also a favorite for furry family members. While most other Georgia Beaches require dogs to be leashed at all times, East Beach allows unleashed dogs close by. Pet hours vary depending on the season.
Summers on St. Simons Island can be hot and humid, while Winter gets chilly. Spring and fall offer the perfect temperatures.
3. South Beach, Tybee Island
South Beach is said to be the most popular of the 5 Tybee Island beaches on the Georgia coast. It features 3 miles of sandy beaches, is family-friendly, and offers tons of activities.
As a favorite destination for children, several lifeguards are on duty at South Beach. Spend time swimming, sunbathing, or playing water sports. There are designated swim and surf areas to ensure safety.
After some time in the water, enjoy a walk along the fishing pier where you can watch boats and visit the pavilion. You can also rent the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion for special events. When it’s warm outside, the pavilion holds concerts and festivals.
While grilling out isn’t allowed on the beach, there are snack bars at the pavilion along with restrooms. Tybrisa Street is also located near South Beach, where you can shop, dine, and even spend the night. There is plenty of parking in the area where you pay a small fee at a parking kiosk.
4. North Beach, Tybee Island
North Beach is another of our favorites on Tybee Island. Even though it’s a public beach, it’s the best beach if you’re looking for some tranquility.
North Beach offers a great view of the Tybee Island Lighthouse. You can also enjoy surfing and other water activities like airboat rides, kayaking, or surf lessons.
When you’re ready for a beach break, take a nature walk and observe coastal birds. There’s tons of scenery to enjoy and snap photos of including the Savannah River.
If you’re looking to do some retail therapy, visit the Tybee Oak shopping district right off the beach. Don’t forget to visit North Beach Grill for a delicious dinner!
Take advantage of several conveniences at East Beach including a new restroom and shower station. If you need a place to rest, you can stay at a campground and RV park nearby. There are also several inns and cottages for rent.
If you want to enjoy summer sunshine and heat, July and August are the best months. Average temperatures teach almost 90 degrees. April, May, September, and October are a bit cooler with highs in the 70s and 80s.
5. Mid Beach, Tybee Island
This Savannah, Georgia beach extends from 1st-14th street on Tybee Island. Mid Beach includes access to everything in town and has a lower population than the North and South Beaches.
Like the other Tybee beaches, this one is public though not very busy. As such, you can enjoy some privacy while sunbathing and sightseeing. Talk about a perfect couple’s getaway or solo trip!
There’s plenty to do around the area, including self or guided tours about Savannah. Visitors also enjoy riding trolleys, boating, dolphin sightings, or learning how to surf.
If you’re looking to stay the night, there are a variety of accommodations in the area with several hotels south of Mid Beach.
If you want a sunny vacation, avoid traveling in August when the average precipitation is highest. The rest of the year averages 3-6 inches each month with warm summers and cool winters.
6. Tybee Back River Beach, Tybee Island
Instead of facing the ocean, this beach lies on the shore of the Back River. It’s the best spot to escape beach crowds.
Tybee Back River is a public sugar-white sand beach that offers peace. Visitors enjoy kayaking, watching Bottlenose dolphins swim, and unmatched sunset views.
Take some boat tours, rent a jet ski, or dine on a patio at a nearby seafood restaurant. You can also cast your rod from the nearby fishing pier. Be sure to check with local regulations and carry your fishing license.
One thing we love about this beach is that there are restrooms on-site. You can also rent a vacation home close to the beach. Keep in mind that there aren’t any lifeguards on duty on the beach.
There are limited free parking available at the beach and more metered parking spots if needed. Dogs aren’t allowed on this beach with hopes to protect turtle nests.
7. Savannah River Beach, Tybee Island
This one is our last top pick from Tybee Island – we can’t recommend this Georgian island enough! Like Back River Beach, Savannah River faces the river instead of the ocean.
This is a public beach, but it almost feels like a private island due to some seclusion. You can watch dolphins and birds, search for shells to collect, swim, and relax. Plus, we love the incredible view of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
Take some boat tours, rent a jet ski, or dine on a patio at a nearby seafood restaurant. However, there are no public restrooms and no lifeguards on duty.
Most people only enjoy this beach for the day. However, there are several vacation properties located nearby for those who want to spend the night.
8. Dungeness Beach, Cumberland Island
Dungeness Beach is located on Cumberland Island and is one of the best beaches in Georgia because of its sand dunes. It’s the largest beach at the southernmost tip of the Golden Isles. Get here via a short ferry ride or by private boat.
If you’re a nature enthusiast, this beach is for you! This quiet white, sandy beach features trails that you can hike or ride to see the dunes. Watch wild horses and loggerhead sea turtles.
At the beach, enjoy the clear water for swimming or fishing. You may also find some unique seashells and sand dollars. There aren’t any lifeguards so keep this in mind if children are joining.
To get the most of your adventure to Dungeness Beach, stay at a nearby campground. Restrooms and showers are available. Hotel accommodations are very limited on Cumberland Island.
9. Stafford Beach, Cumberland Island
Stafford Beach is calm like Dungeness and also only accessible by ferry or boat. Once you arrive, enjoy the wildlife and seclusion of the national park.
There are plenty of adventures such as hiking and biking trails. You can also spend time fishing, swimming, and watching the breathtaking sunset.
There are several unique experiences, too. Catch sightings of horses and other wildlife, too. Cumberland Island National Seashore is located close by and is a great place to explore an undeveloped beach or two.
Park rangers that frequent the island provide peace of mind and can be of help if needed. If you need to freshen up, there are restrooms and showers at the nearby campground.
If you’re looking to stay the night, many visitors enjoy camping out. Remember, there aren’t many rental options on Cumberland Island.
10. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island
On the northern tip of Jekyll Island, another barrier island, lies Driftwood Beach. This is a picturesque location you can’t miss out on. This Georgia beach is the site of eroded driftwood trees and is a popular destination for photography and weddings.
Apart from exploring the giant pieces of driftwood, there are plenty of activities for the whole family at Driftwood Beach. Consider dolphin or fishing tours or traveling to the nearby water park.
Other tourist attractions include The Horton House, a historical landmark, and Jekyll Island State Park. There’s also a golf club and Clam Creek picnic area close the Driftwood Beach.
If you’re looking to spend the night close to Driftwood Beach, several hotels are nearby on the beach. There are also a few vacation rental properties.
11. Oceanview Beach, Jekyll Island
Oceanview Beach is the ideal location for all-day family fun. It’s located south of Driftwood beach, in the center of the island’s coast.
This white, sandy beach is a part of Oceanview Beach Park. Families and pets love visiting. Enjoy the views, warm weather, and grilling out. There is also plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, and bird-watching.
One of our favorite features of this beach is the wheelchair-accessible entrance. Plus, your family can have access to public restrooms with showers.
For visitors who want to stay awhile, there are a few hotels and private rentals at Oceanview Beach.
12. South Dunes Beach, Jekyll Island
Moving even further south along the Jekyll Island coast, we have another of the best beaches in Georgia: the South Dunes Beach. This family-friendly beach is also part of South Dunes Beach Park.
As the name suggests, one of the biggest draws is the dunes. They can reach 20 feet tall and provide the perfect view or place to relax. Visit the observation deck, the freshwater pond, and the forest with other-worldly trees.
Make sure to pack your binoculars as this beach is great for bird-watching. Plus, there are pavilions at South Dunes Beach available for family picnics, public restrooms, and outdoor showers.
There is a parking fee for the beach park and pets aren’t allowed at this specific location due to nesting birds. There are several hotels and restaurants nearby.
13. St. Andrews Beach, Jekyll Island
St. Andrew’s Beach sits on the southern tip of Jekyll Island and includes a two-story platform ocean observation area. Watch birds, and dolphins and people. After taking in the view, explore the memory trail, collect seashells on the shore and enjoy a picnic with your family or partner.
We love the conveniences at Andrews Beach Park including public restrooms and showers. Plus, the trails are wheelchair-accessible so the whole family can enjoy the beach. St. Andrews picnic area also features tables, grills, and a playground.
The weather is quite pleasant on Jekyll Island, so you can expect an incredible visit any time of the year. The summer months can reach 90 degrees, but winter temperatures can drop to the 40s.
Since there aren’t really any accommodations in this area, many visitors come for just the day. You can always venture up north on Jekyll Island a bit to find a place to stay.
14. Sharktooth Beach, Jekyll Island
If you’re looking for something unique, we have the perfect beach for you. Oyster shells cover the sands and the wet part of the beach is ideal for shark teeth hunting.
While there’s no official name for this beach, you can walk to it from Riverview Drive near the waterpark on Jekyll Island. Sharktooth Beach may not provide sunbathing spaces, but it’s an incredible place adventure.
Many visitors prefer to keep their shoes on since this beach is known for being filled with shells and shark teeth. On the same note, it’s best to leave furry family members at home to avoid injuring their paws.
There are parking fees like the rest of Jekyll Island and some accommodations nearby for overnight guests.
15. Great Dunes Beach, Jekyll Island
The last of our best Georgia beaches includes 20 acres of family fun. With so much fun to be had, Great Dunes Beach is perfect for families or friends.
Play bocce or volleyball and have a picnic. As part of the Great Dunes Beach Park, there are many amenities. Find pavilions, activity decks, and – of course – the lovely beach at Great Dunes Beach Park.
Beach access is available for disabled individuals. There are also outdoor showers, restrooms and changing stations, and lots of parking.
Nearby, you can find several restaurants and accommodations. The upscale Jekyll Ocean Club makes this one of the more romantic beaches on our list. There’s also a mini-golf course nearby.
Final Thoughts
Georgia offers some of the best beaches and sandy shores for relaxing, spending time with family, and exploring nature. Whether you’re looking to stay in a sea resort, spend all your time in nature, or explore some history, there’s an incredible seaside spot for almost everyone in Georgia!
