Georgia Beaches Ranked: A Local’s Honest Guide to the Best Spots!

1. East Beach, St. Simons Island

The largest of the Golden Isles has a real winner with East Beach. Head to the Old Coast Guard Station entrance for the best setup – good parking, clean bathrooms, showers, and sometimes a snack stand when the season’s right.

What I love about East Beach is how crazy wide it is! At high tide, you’ve got plenty of room, but at low tide the beach goes on forever! Just watch where you decide to set up for the day – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen beach chairs that were perfectly dry at low tide getting a swim at high tide.

The hard-packed sand is awesome for beach walks, bike rides, and sandcastle building. After soaking up the sun, grab a happy hour drink and then dinner at Georgia Sea Grill for fancy seafood or Beachcomber BBQ when you just want really good, casual grub – both are local favorites on St. Simons Island.

3. Cumberland Island National Seashore

If you’re up for a mini-adventure, Cumberland Island is a must. You’ll need to catch a ferry from St. Marys (book ahead!), but oh man, it’s worth it.

The magic of this place can’t be beat – Wild horses roaming free on pristine beaches! There’s something surreal about walking 17 miles of undeveloped shoreline with these gorgeous creatures and hardly any people around. If you want to get off the beach and explore the rest of the sites on the island, I highly recommend this Cumberland Island Walking Tour.

Want to stay overnight? Reserve a camping spot (it’s by far our favorite place for beach camping in Georgia) or splurge on the historic Greyfield Inn if glamping is more your style. Either way, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered a secret paradise.

4. Great Dunes Beach Park, Jekyll Island

When I want an easy beach day with all the conveniences, Great Dunes Beach Park on Jekyll Island is my go-to of the Georgia beaches. Clean restrooms, picnic tables, and plenty of parking make beach days easy. The only catch is you do have to pay to get on Jekyll Island, but it’s usually just $10 for the day.

The wide, flat beach is perfect for games, and the swimming here is generally super safe. After beach time, visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center or rent bikes to explore Jekyll’s 20+ miles of paths. Both are on our list of the top things to do on Jekyll Island.

Hungry? The Wharf in Jekyll’s historic district serves up yummy seafood with sunset views over the Jekyll River – the perfect end to a beach day.

Did you know that Jekyll Island is quite pet-friendly? Get the best tips here. And, if camping is your thing you’ll want to read the guide for camping at Jekyll.

5. Gould’s Inlet, St. Simons Island

Gould’s Inlet is probably my most visited beach on the Georgia coast. While not great for swimming (strong currents!), it has the most stunning views. I raved about it in the St. Simons Island beach guide because it’s our favorite spot for a sunset walk!

The inlet is home to tons of shorebirds – bring binoculars and watch for oystercatchers, plovers, and colorful painted buntings. Don’t be surprised if you see dolphins in the water here either – they love this inlet!

For lodging nearby, Three Oaks Cottage vacation rental with its private pool is just half a block away from Gould’s Inlet.

6. Massengale Park, St. Simons Island

Need a family-friendly spot that welcomes four-legged friends too? Massengale Park on St. Simons has shaded picnic areas, a playground, and water fountains for thirsty pups. (Note that dogs are allowed before 9am and after 6pm Memorial Day through Labor Day. Otherwise, they’re welcome anytime.)

I love how this spot combines beach time with park perks – swim in the morning, picnic under oak trees at lunch, then back to the sand.

For a charming place to stay, check out the Village Inn & Pub, one of the best places to stay on St. Simons Island. Each room has its own personality, and the location in the fishing pier village can’t be beat.

7. South Beach, Tybee Island

For beach town vibes, party atmosphere, and people-watching, South Beach on Tybee Island is the way to go. This is definitely the most happening of the beaches near Savannah, complete with the Tybee Pier, shops, and tons of great dive bars.

The waves are usually gentle enough for swimming, and you might spot dolphins playing offshore! Make it extra special with a dolphin tour – seeing them up close in their natural habitat is seriously cool.

The catch here is that South Beach can be super crowded. It’s a really wide beach like East Beach on SSI, so you won’t have trouble finding a spot to relax, but you definitely won’t be alone either.

8. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island isn’t your average beach – but it sure is cool! Ancient oak trees and driftwood create a landscape that looks straight out of a fantasy movie, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Check the Jekyll Island tide chart before you go – the beach transforms completely between high and low tide. My pro tip: Visit early morning for magical light and fewer people. Photographers, this is your spot!

If you’re looking for a traditional beach day, sunning and playing in the water, this isn’t a great place, but everyone should take a walk on Driftwood Beach at least once in their lives.

9. St. Andrews Beach Park, Jekyll Island

Here’s a cool secret: St. Andrews Beach Park on Jekyll Island is one of the few Georgia beaches (of east coast beaches, for that matter) where you can watch the sunset over water! Located on the southwestern tip, it’s perfect for sunset chasers and bird lovers.

Follow the boardwalk through maritime forest and marshland after beach time – I’ve spotted herons, egrets, and yes, even alligators here!

Staying overnight? Try the fancy Jekyll Island Club Resort or the budget-friendly Days Inn & Suites Jekyll Island – both are great bases for exploring.

If you want to get out on the water you’ll want to know all about Jekyll Island Boat Tours.

10. Sapelo Island

For a beach with history and natural beauty, Sapelo Island is amazing. Home to the Gullah-Geechee community, you’ll get culture and history along with your beach day.

Getting here takes planning – take the ferry from Meridian and book a Sapelo Island Tour. The tours are led by Gullah-Geechee community members who share stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

The beaches are untouched and often empty – your footprints might be the only ones you see all day. It’s Georgia’s coast as it looked before development – wild and peaceful. The only reason it ranked so low on my list is because it takes quite a bit of planning ahead to get there.