Beaches in Georgia
Georgia's 100-mile long shoreline, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean between South Carolina and Florida, has hundreds of magnificent beaches.
I didn’t expect Georgia’s beaches to feel so untamed. I thought of this coast as soft and sleepy, but the more I explored, the more it surprised me. There were beaches where horseshoe crabs outnumbered footprints, and others where families set up under mossy oaks that reached all the way to the tide line. It wasn’t about highrises or ice cream stands, it was about texture. Gnarled driftwood, squeaky quartz sand, dunes scattered with sea oats, and wide, hush-filled skies.
Each stop gave me something I hadn’t known I needed. Some were breezy and social; others made me feel like I’d stepped off the edge of the map. The food? Often just what you'd hope to find after a long barefoot wander, simple, satisfying, something warm that smells like butter and salt.
Best Beaches in Georgia:
Tybee Island
Tybee was my first stop, and it felt like a good handshake with the coast. The beach was wide and easy, the kind where the sand packed firm beneath my sandals and the wind came off the Atlantic just strong enough to lift the edge of my hat. People were out walking dogs, kids ran up from the surf clutching handfuls of wet sand, and someone flew a kite that danced like it had something to say.
I spent most of my time on the South Beach, near the pier, watching the afternoon tilt into gold. The horizon felt low and close, the kind that makes you quiet without realizing it. Afterward, I walked to AJ’s Dockside Restaurant for blackened shrimp and fries. The shrimp were hot and peppery, the kind of spicy that hits the back of your tongue and makes you sit up a little. They smelled like the sea, fresh and familiar, and I remember thinking, “This is exactly how a beach town should taste.”
Tybee Island At a Glance
- Location: 18 miles east of Savannah, GA
- Vibe: Casual, cheerful, family-friendly
- Highlights: South Beach pier, lighthouse, dolphin tours
- Facilities: Restrooms, parking, rentals nearby
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early morning for fewer crowds
- Food Nearby: AJ’s Dockside (blackened shrimp and fries)
Cumberland Island National Seashore
“Did I just time-travel?” That was my first thought as I stepped onto Cumberland Island. The ferry pulled away and suddenly I was somewhere else entirely. There were no cars, no stores, just live oaks draped in Spanish moss and the distant sound of waves pressing the edge of the island. Even the air felt quieter.
The beach itself took some walking to reach. A wide sandy trail led past wild horses grazing in the shade, past marsh and palmetto thickets, until the forest fell away and the ocean opened up in front of me. The sand was pale and soft, and there wasn’t a single person in sight. Just dunes and wind and a sky so big it made me feel small in the best way.
I sat in the shade of a driftwood skeleton and ate what I’d packed: a peanut butter and banana sandwich that had been slightly squished in my bag, but still tasted perfect after the hike. The peanut butter was thick and salty, the banana sweet and soft, and the whole thing smelled like childhood and trail mix and sun.
Cumberland Island National Seashore At a Glance
- Location: Off the coast of southeast Georgia (access via ferry from St. Marys)
- Vibe: Wild, remote, dreamlike
- Highlights: Wild horses, ruins, quiet dunes, hiking trails
- Facilities: None once you're on the island. Bring everything with you
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for cooler weather and fewer bugs
- Food Nearby: None. Pack lunch, water, and snacks
Cabretta Beach
Cabretta Beach wasn’t on my original itinerary. It was a suggestion from a park ranger who said, “If you want quiet, that’s where you’ll find it.” She wasn’t wrong. Reaching it meant driving through Sapelo Island’s thick maritime forest, past Gullah homes and sleepy fields, then walking a short path until the dunes gave way to a beach that looked untouched.
The sky stretched huge above me. No high rises, no noise, just the wind in the sea oats and a long, pale ribbon of sand curving along the edge of the world. I walked for what felt like forever without seeing a soul. At some point I sat down in the shade of a driftwood tree, pulled out a container of cold pasta salad with feta and olives, and ate slowly while the breeze stirred the hem of my shirt. “This beach doesn’t care who I am or what I’m carrying,” I thought. And I let that be enough.
Cabretta Beach At a Glance
- Location: Sapelo Island (accessible by ferry)
- Vibe: Remote, sacred, untouched
- Highlights: Driftwood, birdwatching, solitude
- Facilities: None on site. Prepare ahead
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon, check ferry schedule
- Food Nearby: None. Pack a lunch
Driftwood Beach
I arrived at Driftwood Beach just before sunset. I’d heard it was surreal, a place where dead trees rise like sculptures from the sand, and it was exactly that. The gnarled trunks, bleached by years of salt and time, looked like something from a dream or a forgotten world. It was both eerie and beautiful.
Families were taking portraits among the branches, couples held hands, but it never felt crowded. I found a quiet spot where I could lean against a fallen log and just watch the sky shift. I’d picked up a cinnamon roll earlier from a nearby café. It was sticky, warm, and rich with spice, and I tore into it with sticky fingers as the light turned amber. “I could stay here until the moon takes over,” I thought. And I almost did.
Driftwood Beach At a Glance
- Location: Jekyll Island, GA
- Vibe: Moody, photogenic, haunting
- Highlights: Driftwood trees, photography, sunrise or sunset
- Facilities: Parking nearby, restrooms a short drive away
- Best Time to Visit: Golden hour for best light and cooler temps
- Food Nearby: Small cafés on the island (grab pastries ahead of time)
East Beach
East Beach on St. Simons Island felt like a classic. Clean, spacious, full of kites and sandcastles and the smell of sunscreen mixed with salty air. The beach was wide, especially at low tide, and I walked the shore barefoot with the warm Atlantic lapping at my ankles. Kids ran past with boogie boards, dogs chased frisbees, and I found myself smiling at strangers more than usual.
Afterward, I made my way to Sandcastle Café & Grill for their grilled cheese and tomato soup combo. The cheese was gooey, the bread golden and just a little crisp, and the soup was rich, slightly sweet, and still steaming. It all smelled like comfort, like something you’d make at home on a rainy day, but somehow tasted better with sun on my shoulders.
East Beach At a Glance
- Location: St. Simons Island, GA
- Vibe: Friendly, lively, family-oriented
- Highlights: Low tide sandbars, kites, paddleboarding
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, rentals
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning to early afternoon
- Food Nearby: Sandcastle Café & Grill (grilled cheese and tomato soup)
Glory Beach
Glory Beach felt like a whispered secret. Nestled away from the usual tourist trails, the shore stretched gently, with sand that was cool underfoot and waves that rolled in with a soft, steady rhythm. It was the kind of place where I could hear the wind through the pines more than the ocean itself, and that calm made the beach feel like a private retreat.
I brought along a picnic of turkey sandwiches with crisp lettuce and tangy mustard, which I ate sitting on a faded blanket spread on the sand. The bread was fresh and a little warm from the sun, the turkey smoky and satisfying. As I looked out at the water, I thought, “This is the kind of quiet that restores.”
Glory Beach At a Glance
- Location: Little St. Simons Island, GA
- Vibe: Secluded, peaceful, natural
- Highlights: Pristine sand, birdwatching, gentle waves
- Facilities: Limited access, bring what you need
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for solitude and bird activity
- Food Nearby: Pack your own picnic
Gould's Inlet
Gould’s Inlet was a discovery. I parked near the edge of a quiet neighborhood and followed a short path that opened onto a stretch of sand edged by marsh grasses and tidal pools. The water was calm and shallow, perfect for wading or watching fiddler crabs dart in and out. The sky was wide, and the breeze smelled faintly of seaweed and salt.
I had a simple snack of fresh fruit (peach slices and grapes) which I ate slowly while perched on a driftwood log. The sweetness of the fruit matched the gentle rhythm of the waves, and I thought, “This kind of stillness is a rare gift.”
Gould’s Inlet At a Glance
- Location: Near St. Simons Island, GA
- Vibe: Quiet, low-key, natural
- Highlights: Marsh views, tidal pools, wading spots
- Facilities: Limited. Plan accordingly
- Best Time to Visit: Low tide for exploring pools
- Food Nearby: Bring your own snacks
Great Dunes Park
Great Dunes Park was alive with energy but never overwhelming. Families gathered under colorful umbrellas, kids ran through the surf laughing, and the beach’s wide shore made room for everyone. The waves were gentle, the sand soft, and the breeze carried the smell of sunscreen and fresh cut grass from the nearby park.
Great Dunes Park At a Glance
- Location: St. Simons Island, GA
- Vibe: Family-friendly, lively, spacious
- Highlights: Gentle surf, picnic areas, playground
- Facilities: Restrooms, parking, picnic shelters
- Best Time to Visit: Morning to mid-afternoon
- Food Nearby: Sea Hag Marina Restaurant (shrimp and grits)
John Tanner State Park
John Tanner State Park was a change of pace from the saltwater shores. The beach hugged a freshwater lake, calm and cool, with tall pines shading the picnic areas nearby. I found myself walking slowly along the soft sand, listening to the occasional call of a heron and the ripple of water against the shore. It felt like a secret spot where time softened.
For lunch, I grabbed a grilled turkey and Swiss sandwich from the park’s café. The bread was toasted just right, the turkey tender, and the cheese melted into gooey comfort. Sitting on a bench overlooking the lake, I thought, “Sometimes peace is quieter than waves.”
John Tanner State Park At a Glance
- Location: Near Rock Spring, GA
- Vibe: Quiet, wooded, freshwater beach
- Highlights: Lake swimming, hiking trails, birdwatching
- Facilities: Café, restrooms, picnic shelters
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for solitude
- Food Nearby: Park café (grilled turkey and Swiss sandwich)
Lake Lanier Beach
Lake Lanier Beach was alive with the sounds of summer. Kids were laughing, boats humming nearby, and the occasional splash as someone took a daring jump from the dock. The sand was warm and fine, and the lake stretched wide beneath a bright blue sky. I found a quiet spot at the edge and let the water cool my feet while soaking in the hum of joyful chaos around me.
Afterward, I grabbed a snack of freshly cut watermelon from a nearby stand. Juicy and cold, it was the perfect antidote to the heat and noise. I smiled, sticky fingers and all, thinking, “Some tastes carry you straight back to childhood.”
Lake Lanier Beach At a Glance
- Location: Gainesville, GA
- Vibe: Family-friendly, lively, lakeside fun
- Highlights: Water sports, swimming, picnics
- Facilities: Restrooms, concessions, boat ramps
- Best Time to Visit: Summer weekends for full energy
- Food Nearby: Fresh fruit stands (watermelon)
Conclusion: Georgia’s Beaches, Where Wild Meets Welcome
Georgia’s beaches surprised me. They weren’t just stretches of sand; they were stories...wild horses roaming free on Cumberland, sculpted driftwood at Jekyll Island, and quiet moments collecting shells on Sanibel’s cousin shores. From the salty Atlantic waves of Tybee Island to the gentle freshwater calm of John Tanner State Park, each beach had its own rhythm and reason for slowing down.
What tied them all together was a sense of space, not just physical space but the kind that lets you breathe a little deeper, listen a little closer, and find a quiet corner for yourself. The food, whether spicy shrimp or a simple sandwich, grounded me in each place, a reminder that every beach day deserves a meal worth savoring.
If you’re planning your own Georgia beach escape, be ready for a mix of wildness and warmth, solitude and laughter, salty air and sweet sunsets. And no matter where you go, bring a little patience. These shores reward those who slow their pace and look around.
