20 Georgia Beaches

Georgia is a US state known for its Southern charm, hospitality and creative culinary scene, but did you know that Georgia is also home to an extensive array of stunning beaches? With 110 miles (177 km) of Atlantic coastline, there are many excellent beaches in Georgia to choose from when visiting the Peach State.

From Jekyll Island and its famous Driftwood Beach to one of the biggest manmade beaches in the world at Robin Lake, Georgia has more than a few surprises to leave visitors speechless. So whether you’re looking for sublime ocean beaches, beautiful freshwater beaches or riverfront beaches, Georgia has you covered.

Georgia Beaches

20 Best Beaches In Georgia

1- Sea Island

Officially known as the Sea Island Beach Club, Sea Island is a relaxing and luxurious resort on the Atlantic coastline.

The Sea Island Beach Club is perfect for enjoying fun outdoor activities such as sailing, horseback riding or golfing on any of the resort’s three golf courses.

While the resort on Sea Island certainly draws a crowd to this part of Georgia, the 5-mile (8 km) strip of unspoilt beach on Sea Island steals the show every time.

Perfect for long days on the beach, there’s everything from kayaking, swimming and fishing to kitesurfing and visiting the beautiful Sea Island Nature Centre.

Sea Island is at Sea Island Dr, Sea Island, GA 31561.

2- Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier is Georgia’s largest freshwater lake, spanning over 38,000 acres (15,378 ha).

This magnificent lake receives over 7 million visitors annually and is a true Georgia gem with more than 692 miles (1,114 km) of pristine coastline and serene sandy beaches.

Lake Lanier is the perfect outdoor destination for golfers, adrenaline junkies and families, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon.

There are fun activities to enjoy all day long.

While you can find great beaches all along Lake Lanier, the lake’s Don Carter State Park, LandShark Landing Beach and Van Pugh Park North areas are home to the best.

Lake Lanier is at 1050 Buford Dam Rd. Buford GA 30518. Take your family on a boat ride on Lake Lanier.

3- North Beach

On scenic Tybee Island, North Beach covers most of this small barrier island and has rolling dunes, historic Georgia landmarks and a charming shopping district.

Less than 18 miles (29 km) from Downtown Savannah, North Beach is the ideal day-trip destination to escape the humid Georgia summer months.

Apart from its reputation as one of Georgia’s premier beaches, North Beach is also the setting of Georgia’s oldest lighthouse.

Tybee Lighthouse has been keeping guard over the Tybee Island coastline since 1736.

North Beach is at Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, GA 31328. Book a surfing lesson with a pro here. Another fun way to explore Tybee Island is to do a scavenger hunt.

4- South Beach

Tybee Island is one of three Georgia barrier islands accessible by road.

The Island is also home to South Beach, on the eastern edge and sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Island’s downtown district.

Technically a continuous stretch of sand that runs the length of Tybee Island, South Beach is generally considered to be the section between 14th Street and 19th Street, with the Tybee Pier being the central point.

South Beach is the hub of action on Tybee Island, making it the best Tybee beach to visit if you’re looking for a more city-like and busy beach.

South Beach is at 1603 Strand Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328.

5- Little Tybee Island

On the southern tip of Tybee Island, Little Tybee Island is an uninhabited barrier island that covers an area of roughly 6,780 acres (2,744 ha).

Renowned for its unspoilt marshland biome and status as a haven for various endangered species, Little Tybee Island is a world away from the bustling sandy beaches of the more touristy Tybee Island to the north.

The 1996 Olympic Games’ yachting events site, Little Tybee Island, is perfect for travellers looking for a low-key and quieter experience without sacrificing perfect beaches, fun beachside activities and great weather.

6- St. Catherines Island

St. Catherines Island Beach is always hotly contested by many to be Georgia’s number 1 beach.

Located in Liberty County just north of Savannah, St. Catherines Island is famed for its 10-mile (16 km) stretch of untouched coastline bordered by the Atlantic on the one side and lush forestry on the other.

Half of St. Catherines Island is covered in marshland and wetlands, and the island is owned and managed by the St. Catherine Island Foundation.

This unique mix of raw nature and stunning sandy coastline makes St. Catherines Island a very idyllic beach destination close to Downtown Savannah and the nearby Tybee Islands.

St. Catherines Island is at Camellia Rd, Midway, GA 31320.

7- Tanner’s Beach

Located in the 138-acre (56 ha) John Tanner Park in Georgia’s Carroll County, Tanner’s Beach is a sprawling manmade stretch of coastline that is the state of Georgia’s largest sand beach.

A former State park, John Tanner Park is a lovely outdoor attraction home to two different lakes, one of which is the setting of Tanner’s Beach.

Littered with nature trails, camping sites, and all the beachside amenities you need for a lovely day out relaxing, Tanner’s Beach and the John Tanner Park is a must-visit Georgia attraction that’s perfect for families with kids.

Tanner’s Beach is at 354 Tanner’s Beach Rd, Carrollton, GA 30117.

8- St. Marys

The gateway to the Cumberland Island National Seashore, St. Marys, is a Georgian town on the Florida-Georgia border, right on the Atlantic coast.

Located at the mouth of the St. Marys River, St. Marys is a fantastic seaside town less than a 40-minute drive from Jacksonville, Florida.

While the nearby Cumberland Island National Seashore often steals the show when it comes to the best beaches in the area, St. Marys is home to two of Georgia’s top beaches, Dungeness Beach and Stafford Beach.

Both beaches are on the nearby Cumberland Island, and both beaches are beautiful stretches of unspoilt sand mere steps away from the Cumberland Island National Seashore.

9- Back River Beach

Situated on the stunning Tybee Island, Back River Beach is a riverfront beach often referred to as Tybee’s secret beach.

Overlooking Little Tybee Island and Tybee Creek from Tybee Island’s southern tip, the Back River Beach is the setting for some amazing sunsets, which makes it a popular spot to visit during the evenings.

Back River Beach is also a popular spot to see some dolphins and other marine animals, making it a fantastic destination to explore the stunning nature and wildlife on or near the beach.

Back River Beach is at 18th St, Tybee Island, GA 31328.

10- East Beach

At the mouth of the Brunswick River, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, East Beach on St. Simons Island is a shell collector’s paradise, with bountiful seashells along this strip of sand.

Also referred to as Coast Guard Station Beach due to the Coast Guard base and the WWII museum nearby, East Beach is perfect for kayaking, swimming, surfing, or even cycling, thanks to the beach’s firm sand.

East Beach is definitely worth stopping by with lifeguards on duty in summer and all the beach amenities you’d expect for a fun day out along the coast.

East Beach is at 1st St, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.

11- Driftwood Beach

The otherworldly Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island is home to some of the state’s most bizarre and eerie landscapes created by the forces of nature.

Located on Jekyll Island’s northern shore, Driftwood Beach, as its name suggests, is dotted with twisted and curled pieces of driftwood deposited here after hurricanes and floods, which seem to float atop the beach’s shallow water.

But it is Driftwood Beach’s haunted setting that makes the beach a major tourist attraction throughout Georgia and across the United States.

A popular site for photographers, artists, and marriage proposals, Driftwood Beach might be hazardous to swim, but the beach is undoubtedly one of Georgia’s most popular stretches of coastline, which must be seen to believe.

Driftwood Beach is at N. Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA 31527. Take a break from the beach and join this cruise to see dolphins, manatees and other marine life.

12- St. Andrews Beach Park

A stone’s throw away from Jekyll Point on the southernmost tip of Jekyll Island, St. Andrews Beach Park is a beautiful stretch of pristine coastline renowned for its wildlife spotting opportunities and nature trails.

St. Andrews Beach park is a favourite spot for bird watchers who travel from far away to view migratory birds.

The beach’s two-story wildlife viewing platform is where visitors can spot all sorts of wildlife, including dolphins. But if you’re keen to spot dolphins up close, your chances are much better if you join this nature cruise.

While St. Andrews Beach is more geared toward wildlife watching and hiking instead of swimming or sunbathing, it’s a great beach to visit, even to take in the breathtaking surroundings.

St. Andrews Beach Park is at S. Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA 31527.

13- Great Dunes Beach Park

The sprawling 20-acre (8 ha) Great Dunes Beach Park is the most popular beach among all Jekyll Island’s beaches for family fun, with beachside amenities and calm water.

The sandy beach is pet-friendly and accessible to visitors with disabilities.

Volleyball nets, kid play areas and bocce ball zones make it a delightful Georgian beach that is one of the best beaches in Georgia for families.

Located close to Jekyll Island’s other famous beaches and the popular Summer Waves Waterpark, a visit to Great Dunes Beach Park is bound to be an exciting affair every time.

Great Dunes Beach Park is at N. Beachview Drive, Ben Fortson Parkway, Jekyll Island, GA 31527. While on Jekyll Island, you may like to go on a nature cruise to spot wild dolphins.

14- Glory Beach

Situated close to the Great dunes Beach Park and all of its fantastic amenities, Glory Beach, also on Jekyll Island, is a more laid-back beach experience with all of the natural splendour found at nearby Great Dunes.

A bird sanctuary that allows you to have fun and enjoy a day at the beach, Glory Beach is a favourite movie location and the setting for the film ‘Glory’.

Nestled near the southern tip of Jekyll Island, it’s a wonderful beach to experience the fauna and flora and escape the hectic city life for the weekend.

Glory Beach is at S. Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527.

15- Gould’s Inlet

Gould’s Inlet is a tiny stretch of paradise located immediately north of the Coast Guard Station along Bruce Drive on St. Andrews Island.

It offers spectacular vantage points of the Atlantic and the nearby sea island.

A haven for fishing and spotting a wide range of bird species near Gould’s Inlet, the water is not recommended for swimming due to its strong currents and notoriously choppy water.

Nevertheless, Gould’s Inlet is a fantastic beach to visit if you are looking for a stunning stretch of and to sprawl out on all day long.

Gould’s Inlet is at Bruce Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.

16- Little St. Simons Island

While less of a beach and more a natural oasis filled with some of Georgia’s most impressive animal and plant varieties, Little St. Simons Island is only accessible by boat.

The island is home to a 7-mile (11 km) stretch of beach where beachgoers are treated to sightings of turtles, armadillos and species of birds.

While the beach itself is quite stunning, the best way to take in the natural beauty of Little St. Simons Island is by jumping in a kayak and exploring the island’s waterways and rivers.

17- Nanny Goat Beach

Nanny Goat Beach is a serene 2-mile (3 km) stretch of coastline on the southeastern tip of Sapelo Island.

It’s only reachable via a short ferry journey, and visitors must register to visit the beach before the trip.

Nanny Goat Beach is a quiet and unblemished coastal paradise renowned for its rolling dunes, sublime sand, and green forest which borders it.

This beach in Georgia is a popular beach destination because of its proximity to important sites and landmarks such as the Reynolds Mansion, the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The combination of beach, nature and culture makes Nanny Goat Beach a wonderful Georgia beach to visit, with all sorts of activities to keep you entertained during your stay.

18- Cabretta Beach

Cabretta Beach is another fantastic beach on Georgia’s Sapelo Island.

It looks similar to Driftwood Beach on nearby Jekyll Island, littered with old tree branches, roots and trunks.

Situated on Sapelo Island’s northern tip, Cabretta Beach turns into an island (of sorts) during high tide when the beach is separated from Sapelo Island, giving it the nickname Cabretta Island.

Only accessible via the Cabretta Campgrounds, Cabretta Beach offers outdoor activities, including kayaking to nearby Blackbeard Island, fishing, and sunbathing in one of Georgia’s most serene settings.

Cabretta Beach is at Cabretta Rd, Sapelo Island, GA 31327.

19- Cumberland Island National Seashore

The largest Island in Georgia’s Golden Isles island chain, the stunning Cumberland Island National Seashore is another serious contender for the title of Georgia’s best beach.

With over 18 miles (29 km) of pristine Atlantic coastline covering an area of well over 9,800 acres (3,966 ha), Cumberland Island National Seashore is only reachable via a boat or ferry from nearby St. Marys.

With no cars or shops on the protected Cumberland Island, it’s an ideal destination for anyone looking for solitude away from the city.

With nearby attractions such as the Dungeness Ruins, the First African Baptist Church, and the Plum Orchard Mansion, the Cumberland Island National Seashore is much more than just a stunning stretch of coastline.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is at St. Marys Street, St. Marys, GA 31558.

20- Robin Lake Beach

A change of scenery from the saltwater Georgia beaches along the state’s eastern edge, the freshwater Robin Lake is home to one of the largest manmade beaches in the world.

Situated just an hour’s drive south of Atlanta, Robin Lake Beach forms part of the Callaway Resort and Gardens and treats visitors to over 2,500 acres (1,012 ha) of nature trails, with facilities like tennis courts and zip lines.

Hosting festivals and watersports tournaments throughout the year, Robin Lake Beach is a wonderful Georgia attraction that’s well worth stopping by.

Robin Lake Beach is at U.S. Hwy 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822.

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