Georgia may be filled with pine forests and peaches, but it’s also got some of the best beaches in the nation! From the island-dotted coastline to the state’s interior lakesides, here are some of the best beaches to head to when you’re looking for a tropical day in the deep south.
Top Beaches in Georgia
Georgia Beaches
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island is the largest of the many islands that punctuate the state’s shore. If you’re looking for untouched, it’s got you covered. Besides that, this island’s 17 miles of beachfront, along with all the other charms it offers, are accessible only via private boat or ferry, so you will be able to get away from it all.
Along with the waterfront, the Cumberland Island National Seashore is known for its stunning maritime forests, classic southern marshes and wild ponies who call this place home.
Things to do near Cumberland Island National Seashore
The southernmost barrier island in Georgia, this waterfront wilderness is only about an hour from Jacksonville, FL. Back on the mainland, Crooked River State Park is another preserve well worth visiting.
Driftwood Beach
If your idea of a perfect beach day is one that’s eminently photographable, you need to make your way to Jekyll Island’s Driftwood beach. Located on the northern end of Jekyll Island, Driftwood Beach is, as its name suggests, strewn with gorgeous pieces of driftwood. The scene has been described as otherworldly, especially when the stunning sunset colors stream in through the branches of these skeletal structures.
Things to do near Driftwood Beach
Unlike Cumberland Island, Jekyll Island is a well-developed resort area, with shops, eateries, places to stay, and even a full-fledged water park.
Glory Beach Boardwalk to St. Andrew Beach
Another worthy Jekyll Island stop, Glory Beach Boardwalk runs dozens of feet down to the gorgeous beaches at its foot. Along the way, you’ll spy freshwater pools, voluminous sea oats and majestic sand dunes. These seafronts are known for their solitude and silence, and offer both soft sands and harder-packed, dampened sands that make for great beach walking. Sand-castle building and sunbathing are also popular options, and if you look to the south, you can see Cumberland Island along the skyline.
Things to do near Glory Beach Boardwalk
Tucked into the more remote southern section of Jekyll Island, Glory Beach Boardwalk and its surrounding seafronts offer the feeling of getting away from it all without actually requiring you to defect from civilization. While you’re on the island, be sure to check out Jekyll Island State Park.
East Beach of St. Simons Island
Moving on northward up the coast, the next stunning shoreline island you’ll encounter is St. Simons. Although there are, again, plenty of waterfront coves to choose from on St. Simons, one of the very best is its East Beach, which is located along the ocean side of the island and is one of its most popular destinations. With plenty of nearby restaurants and shops to choose from, this beach is a convenient, walkable place to get a taste of Georgia island life.
Things to do near East Beach of St. Simons Island
Along with all of the attractions to explore on the island itself, be sure to check out the other nearby wildernesses like Altamaha Wildlife Management Area and Fort Frederica National Monument. Keep in mind that Little St. Simons Island is its whole own adventure, too.
Gould’s Inlet
If you want to see a side of St. Simons that’s not quite so bustling (but definitely beautiful), Gould’s Inlet is just the kind of hidden gem you’re looking for. Located further north of East Beach and still along the oceanfront, Gould’s Inlet offers all of the same seaside serenity with a decidedly more relaxed, local feel. This relatively small sliver of waterfront is a great place to sunbathe and swim, but do be warned that the undertow tends to be pretty strong here, so proceed with caution.
Showers, benches, and community dog bowls are available, as is a great view of nearby Sea Island.
Things to do near Gould’s Inlet
Gould’s Inlet is further from the hustle-bustle that characterizes downtown St. Simon, but that’s exactly what makes it so attractive to those who are looking for a beach destination with a slower pace. Further adventures await just north on Sea Island and Little St. Simons.
Nanny Goat Beach
For all its developed, resort-style islands, Georgia also has plenty of undeveloped island wildernesses. One example is the stunning Sapelo Island, which is populated by not one but two nature preserves. The untouched and primitive Nanny Goat Beach is nestled in the southern part of the island along the oceanfront, and is another Georgia beach accessible only by ferry. Those who take the ride will be rewarded by an ample two-mile strip of powdery white sands, seashells, avian birdlife and more.
Things to do near Nanny Goat Beach
Sapelo Island is the kind of place you go when you’re looking for a rural escape. That said, you’re not that far off from developed towns like Brunswick and Waypoint on the mainland. Also be sure to save some time to explore Reynold’s Mansion on Sapelo Island, which is run by Georgia State Parks.
North Beach of Tybee Island
Moving even further on up the coast, you’ll come to one of the quintessential island resorts in not only Georgia, but all of America: Tybee Island. Originally developed by Oglethorpe in the late 1700s, Tybee Island became a renowned vacation destination in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also has an extensive military history. But more importantly than any of that, Tybee Island is absolutely covered with gorgeous beaches, the northernmost one — aptly named North Beach — is known for its well-populated, classic beach day atmosphere.
Things to do near North Beach of Tybee Island
North Beach bears the distinction of being located right across from two of the very best sites to visit on the island: the Tybee Island Light Station and Fort Screven. There are also plenty of nearby parks to explore, including a dog park, as well as many shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
Mid Beach of Tybee Island
One of the most untouched of Tybee’s many beaches, Mid Beach offers all of the peace and tranquility you could ask for. Centrally located and easy to reach from a variety of areas of the island, Mid Beach is the place to go when you’re looking to find some peace and quiet after a day of adventuring. It offers miles of shoreline for wandering along in quiet contemplation or soaking up the rays. Mid Beach is also known for its beautiful sand dunes and the sea oats that dot the shoreline, and is overlooked by many beautiful oceanside homes.
Things to do near Mid Beach of Tybee Island
Although not as well-developed as some other beaches in the area as far as amenities go, Mid Beach is flanked by the Tybee Island Strand Cottages Historic District on one side and Tybee Island Memorial Park on the other. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking to experience an authentic, local taste of the coastal Georgia lifestyle. And, of course, Tybee as a whole is only a little more than an hour from Savannah, a town with all the southern charm you could ask for and plenty of art and culture to boot. Here are some local campgrounds to choose from.
Back River Beach
This list’s final Tybee Island offering, Back River Beach offers a different perspective. Tucked on the southwestern part of the island where Tybee Creek meets the Atlantic, Back River is a quieter beach excursion which also offers a stellar fishing pier, all within easy walking distance of several nice restaurants and juice bars.
Things to do near Back River Beach
If fishing off the pier isn’t quite enough for you, take on the services of one of the many fishing charter companies in the area, who will take you further asea to catch some dinner. Here are some nearby campgrounds in the area to make your trip comfortable and cozy.
The Best Georgia Beaches for RVers
John Tanner Park
As much gorgeous oceanfront as Georgia has, we’d be remiss not to mention at least one of its gorgeous interior lake beaches. John Tanner Park is lucky enough to have two. Although they’re not the most creatively named lakes in existence, Lake A and Lake B, both offer beautiful, wadeable waterfront. The 138-acre park also offers playgrounds, walking trails, and a mini-golf course.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
We love visiting this park with our RV because it offers a well-appointed RV campground, meaning we can stay right in the middle of the action.
Things to do near John Tanner Park
At just over an hour from Atlanta, this beautiful, idyllic park feels much further away from reality than it really is. It’s also very close to the town of Carrollton, which offers, among other attractions, a water park perfect for cooling off on hot Georgia days.
Planning an RV Trip to Georgia
An RV trip is the perfect way to see all of these Georgia beaches in comfort and style. Check out the best state parks and campgrounds the state has to offer and make sure to make time to see the major urban metropoles of Atlanta, Savannah, and Buford.
