Best Beaches in Georgia: Tybee to the Golden Isles
Georgia has only about 100 miles of ocean coastline, and you can’t reach much of it by car. That’s the good news. Long stretches of these barrier islands have stayed wild, protected by the state, the federal government or wealthy families who bought them long ago. So you get a real choice: pull right up to the sand at Tybee, or take a ferry to an island where wild horses outnumber the crowds.
The best beaches in Georgia are Tybee Island for an easy, classic beach town, Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island for photos, St. Simons Island’s East Beach for families, Cumberland Island for wild, undeveloped sand, and Sapelo Island for a guided trip that feels like stepping back in time.
Here’s a quick way to compare them, with the details below.
| Beach | Best for | How you get there |
|---|---|---|
| Tybee Island | A fun beach town near Savannah | Drive |
| Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island | Photography and sunrise walks | Drive, with an island parking fee |
| Great Dunes and St. Andrews, Jekyll Island | Families and quiet days | Drive, with an island parking fee |
| East Beach, St. Simons Island | Families and an easy day out | Drive |
| Cumberland Island | Wild beaches and wild horses | Ferry from St. Marys |
| Sapelo Island | Gullah Geechee culture, empty sand | Ferry with an approved tour |
Tybee Island
North Beach: Best for Lighthouse Views
Close to the Tybee Island Light Station and Fort Screven, North Beach is a bit quieter than the middle of the island. Come at sunrise. You can often watch big container ships passing on their way to Savannah, which you don’t get to see from most beaches.
Tybrisa and the Pier: Best for Action
The center of the island has the pier and pavilion, along with Tybrisa Street’s shops and casual restaurants. You’ll find it lively and easy, and only about 30 minutes from Savannah. Parking isn’t free, but an app called Park TYB makes it manageable. Come early on summer weekends.
South Beach: Best for Walks at Low Tide
The south end has a wider stretch and views toward Little Tybee, an undeveloped island you can reach by boat or kayak with a guide. Low tide leaves a huge area of firm sand, great for walks with kids. Look at a tide table before you go, because the tide can change the whole look of the beach.
Jekyll Island
Driftwood Beach: Best for Photos
On Jekyll’s north end, erosion has left huge bare trees lying across the sand, like something out of a fantasy film. Photographers love this beach, and it looks best at sunrise and low tide. Don’t plan on swimming, though. Come for the view, then head south for a dip.
Great Dunes and St. Andrews: Best for Families
Great Dunes has easy access and facilities, so families do well here. St. Andrews, at the southern tip, is quieter, with calm water, views across the sound and a memorial to the slave ship Wanderer, which landed illegally on the island in 1858. Driftwood and St. Andrews are about seven miles apart on Jekyll Island, and you can bike between them.
Know Before You Go to Jekyll
Vehicles entering the island pay a daily parking fee, reported at around $10, and $15 for larger vehicles. People on foot or on bikes don’t pay. That seems fair for a beach this clean, and the bike paths are excellent once you’re here, so bring your bike if you can.
St. Simons Island
East Beach: Best for an Easy Family Day
East Beach is the main beach on St. Simons, wide and flat and very good for kids. Massengale Park and Coast Guard Station Park offer access and parking, and free spaces are listed as plentiful. Afterward, head over to the village for ice cream and a climb up the lighthouse.
Gould’s Inlet: Best for Birds and Sunsets
Near the north end of East Beach, this quieter spot is a favorite with birders and anyone who likes to watch the light change. The currents in the inlet can be dangerous, so don’t swim here. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the view.
The Wild Islands
Cumberland Island: Best Beach in Georgia, If You Can Get There
Cumberland Island National Seashore has about 17 miles of largely empty beach, plus wild horses, maritime forest and old Carnegie ruins. You’ll get there by ferry from St. Marys, and boat seats are limited, so book ahead. No food is for sale, so bring everything you need and carry out your trash. Getting here takes effort, and that’s what keeps it empty.
Sapelo Island: Best for History and Culture
Sapelo is state-protected, and you’ll generally need to come with an approved tour or a local host. The island is home to Hog Hammock, one of the last Gullah Geechee communities on these islands, and they’re the real reason to make the trip. Nannygoat Beach is wonderfully empty. Go with respect, as this is a community and not an attraction.
Which Georgia Beach Is Best for You?
With a young family, choose East Beach on St. Simons or Great Dunes on Jekyll. If you’re visiting Savannah, Tybee is the obvious pick. Photographers should head straight to Driftwood at sunrise. And if you love nature and don’t mind planning ahead, nothing here beats Cumberland. Try to save at least one trip for it, because few beaches in the country can match it.
Tips for Georgia’s Beaches
Georgia has some of the largest tides on the Southeast coast, sometimes moving seven or eight feet or more. A beach can look completely different in just a few hours, so read a tide chart before planning your day. Strong currents around inlets can be dangerous, so swim near lifeguards where they’re available.
Rules on alcohol, dogs and glass differ from one island to the next, so ask the local government before you pack the cooler. Sea turtles nest here in summer, so fill in your holes and keep lights low. Stay off the dunes too, which are protected.
When to Go
May and September are lovely, with warm water and thinner crowds. Summer is hot and busy, and the bugs come out, so bring repellent for the marsh side. Hurricane season runs from June through November. Fall and winter are great for walks and photography, and often peaceful, but you’ll probably find the water too cold for a swim.
Where to next? See the best things to do in Georgia for the whole state. You can also browse all our travel guides on Decidel.
How we checked this guide: details were checked against official and published sources in November 2026. Fees, ferry schedules and rules can change, so confirm with the island or park before you go.
