The 11 Best Beaches in Georgia

With more than 100 miles of Atlantic coastline and several barrier islands, Georgia is home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. And Georgia’s beachfront isn’t limited to the coast—visitors can also boat, swim, and sunbathe at several of the state’s inland lakes, with activities and views that rival their coastal counterparts. From remote, unspoiled shores teeming with local wildlife to exclusive luxury beachfront resorts and bustling ocean-facing public parks with activities for the whole family, these are the best beaches in Georgia.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Nearly 10,000 acres of Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island comprise Cumberland Island National Seashore, an mostly unspoiled wilderness area that is home to 18 miles of pristine, remote beaches. Access the island via private boat or ferry from nearby St. Marys, Georgia, and plan your tickets in advance—Cumberland only allows 300 visitors per day.

Once you arrive, try the Land and Legacies Tour, a five- to six-hour excursion that tours some of the island’s notable historic landmarks, like Plum Orchard Mansion, Cumberland Wharf, and The Settlement/First African Baptist Church. Or wander through the miles of trails that wind through salt marshes and maritime forests on your own—you may even spot some of the island’s famed wild horses. If opting for an overnight stay, the historic, all-inclusive 30-room Greyfield Inn is the island’s only hotel.

Pro Tip: Book a spot at one of five campsites, including Stafford Beach, to get even more unfettered access to the island’s unfettered beauty.

Great Dunes Beach Park, Jekyll Island

Located on Jekyll Island, a barrier island connected to Georgia’s mainland by a causeway—Great Dunes Beach Park is the perfect destination for active families. With ample parking, the 20-acre, pet-friendly park offers an ADA-accessible public beachfront, plus an activity deck, playgrounds, bocce ball and volleyball courts, restrooms, and showers. Covered pavilions with picnic tables and grills offer a shady spot for gathering after lounging or swimming.

After playing in the sand, play one of two 18-hole courses—one for beginners, and one for more advanced players—at Jekyll Island Mini Golf or rent a segway or bicycle to explore the area’s more than 20 miles of flat, paved pathways. After a day of adventures, the whole family will enjoy dinner at Sunrise Grill, a casual, all-day eatery serving fresh seafood platters, burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast plates.

Pro Tip: Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the state’s only rehabilitation center for the endangered animals that make their home on the island.

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

Located on the island’s northern end, the iconic Driftwood Beach features gnarled oak and pine trees, worn down by decades of erosion but preserved by saltwater from nearby ocean water. A popular backdrop for photographs and weddings, the beach is quieter and less developed than others on Jekyll.

Access it via one of two public entries, where visitors can spot wood ducks, black-necked stilts, and other species in the marshlands. Driftwood is also part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, where you can see gulls, warblers, sanderlings, and painted bunting, depending on the season.

Pro Tip: Plan your visit at low tide, when there’s ample room for walking around and snapping images of the dreamy scenery.

East Beach, St. Simon’s Island

The largest of the state’s four Golden Isles and located 12 miles east of Brunswick, St. Simon’s Island combines laid-back beach vibes with big city amenities like high-end shopping and elegant restaurants. The island’s most popular beach, East Beach, is a seven-mile swath of wide, unspoiled coastline. The shallow waters are ideal for kayaking or swimming, with rentals and guided tours available from SouthEast Adventure Outfitters.

Just two miles south, Pier Village Market is home to more than 50 retail shops and restaurants. Try Barabara Jean’s, a diner renowned for Southern favorites like crab cakes, or Southern Soul Barbecue, a local favorite for plates of ribs, pulled pork, and sides like hushpuppies and collard greens. Rent a bike to pedal along the paths of the St. Simons Island Trail System, or play a round of golf at one of the island’s notable and scenic courses. Then visit the island’s 19th-century lighthouse or learn about the island’s Gullah and Geechee communities via a guided tour with the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition.

Pro Tip: Walk to the World War II Home Front Museum, with interactive exhibits in a former Coast Guard Station just steps from East Beach.

Sea Island Beach, Sea Island

This private, exclusive island—one of four that comprise the state’s Golden Isles—is accessible only to residents, Sea Island members, and guests at one of its luxury hotels or resorts. The Forbes Five-Star The Cloister at Sea Island, grants visitors access to the island as well as the stunning and tranquil Sea Island Beach.

In addition to a large swath of private beachfront, the resort boasts three pools, a playground, three championship golf courses, and a tranquil, 65,000-square-foot spa. Fitness enthusiasts can ride horses through the marsh or cycle along paths lined with old-growth oak trees draped with the area’s signature moss.

The food is as exceptional as the scenery. Try pizzas and other Italian-inspired dishes at the energetic Tavola, or fish sandwiches, shrimp baskets, and other laid-back dishes at the elegant, beachside Southern Tide restaurant.

Pro Tip: Learn more about the island’s unique landscape and wildlife with a guided Eco Tour.

Main Beach, Little St. Simon’s Island

Unlike its more developed sister island, Little St. Simon’s offers visitors 11,000 acres of untamed wilderness—including seven miles of oceanfront accessible only via boat. To explore Main Beach’s pristine sandy shores and shimmering waters, you must be a guest of the all-inclusive The Lodge on Little. St. Simon’s Island, an intimate hotel committed to preserving the island’s fragile ecosystem via sustainable practices like rain barrels and composting. The stay also includes three chef-prepared meals, with many ingredients sourced from the property’s garden, and The Lodge will even pack a picnic for your beach day.

Guests have access to house bikes and kayaks for exploring the beachfront, golden marshes, and majestic oak trees. Or take a pair of binoculars while you hike through 25 miles of wilderness trails—the island is home to over 300 species of birds, including painted bunting and bald eagles.

Pro Tip: Book one of the property’s ecologist-guided excursions, including seasonal dolphin cruises, bird-watching hikes, and fly fishing.

Robin Lake Beach

The country’s largest inland white sand beach, Robin Lake Beach in West Georgia is an adventure-packed destination ideal for families—all just 90 minutes from Atlanta. Rent a paddleboard or kayak to play in the calm waters, or test your skills on Aqua Island, a floating obstacle course with a series of trampolines, bridges, monkey bars, and more. Or soak in one mile of beachfront with a private cabana or chairs and umbrellas available for rent.

Other activities include miniature golf and volleyball, plus a walking trail. The Beach Pavilion offers all-day treats ranging from ice cream to pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, and kid-friendly fare after a day of sunning and playing.

Pro Tip: Gain access to the beach with a day pass, overnight stay, or annual membership to Callaway Resort & Gardens.

North Beach, Tybee Island

Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Savannah, Tybee Island offers sandy beaches, winding bike paths, and plenty of laid-back restaurants and family-friendly activities. In addition to a large swath of pristine oceanfront, the island’s North Beach is home to historic cottages and high-end shopping, including Tybee Art Gallery and local aromatherapy makers Kelly & Company.

Learn more about the island’s ecology and interact with loggerhead sea turtles and horseshoe crabs at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, or wander along the North Beach Birding Trail to spot western sandpipers, willets, sanderlings, and other migrating birds in fall and winter. Other family-friendly activities include beach ecology tours, dolphin and sunset charter cruises, kayaking and watersports, and Low Country bouillabaisse and other fish dishes at elegant The Sundae Café.

Pro Tip: Book a private tour of the island's iconic lighthouse, the oldest and tallest in the state, which also houses an on-site museum.

Back River Beach, Tybee Island

Back River Beach on the island’s western end is a quiet alternative to the island’s bustling northern shoreline. Set up a chair and umbrella to lounge on the beach, or book a tour with Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventures to spot some of the island’s most majestic creatures.

Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports outfits visitors with kayaks and over equipment for exploring the network of waterways. One of the area’s highlights is its views: enjoy fried oyster Po' Boy sandwiches and other fresh seafood dishes while watching the sunset on the back deck of local haunt A-J's Dockside.

Pro Tip: While beach swimming is permitted, the current is strong, so take precautions when entering the water.

Don Carter State Park, Lake Lanier

At 38,000 acres, Lake Lanier is Georgia’s largest lake and boasts nearly 700 miles of shoreline lined with public recreation areas and beachfront. Located in Gwinnett County just northeast of Atlanta, the lake is a popular getaway for city dwellers.

Head to Don Carter State Park, on the northern edge of the lake, for recreational activities for everyone: playgrounds, stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals, campgrounds, and boat ramps. Relax on a large, sandy swimming beach with a bathhouse for changing and showering, or hike or cycle along nearly 15 miles of trails.

Pro Tip: Book an overnight stay in one of the park’s cottages or campgrounds.

Nanny Goat Beach, Sapelo Island

This 12-mile-long Sapelo Island is the fourth-largest Georgia coastal island between Savannah and St. Marys River. Like many other remote islands in the state, it is accessible only via private plane, boat, or an advanced reservation 30-minute passenger ferry from the Sapelo Island Visitors Center, where visitors can learn about the island’s complex ecological systems, unique wildlife, and cultural history, including its Gullah-Geechee residents.

After that, visit Nanny Goat Beach on the island’s southeastern tip. The tranquil, two miles of shoreline are ideal for swimming, fishing, birdwatching, and beachcombing. Overnight, no-frills camping is permitted at the shady Cabretta Campground, just a short walk from the beach.

Pro Tip: Arrange a private tour and other activities via Sapelo Island Birdhouses, a local rental company.