The coastline near Savannah doesn’t shout. It hums. It moves with tides and marsh winds and long, low light. These beaches felt like soft landings—places where you can listen, wander, and breathe a little easier. I remember thinking, "I didn’t know I needed this kind of quiet." Each one offered something different: the wildness of islands, the comfort of a creaky dock, or just the sound of your own steps in the sand.
Best Beaches Near Savannah:
Easy days on Tybee Island - 25 minutes from downtown Savannah, GA
Tybee was the kind of beach that let you slow down without effort. Pastel houses, warm sand, dolphins in the surf—it felt like summer had settled here and decided to stay. I remember thinking, "This is where the edges soften." The whole island carried a casual charm that made me breathe deeper.
What I Loved Most: Climbing the lighthouse in the morning, then walking North Beach in the golden afternoon.
My Highlights? A shrimp po' boy at The Crab Shack with sweet tea and hushpuppies. Sitting outside with the marsh all around me, it tasted like the South in one bite.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~25 minutes
- Vibe: Laid-back, sunny, nostalgic
- Highlights: Lighthouse, beach walks, pier
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall
- Cost: Beach parking fee
- Hours: 6am–10pm
- Address: Tybee Island Visitor Center, 802 1st St, Tybee Island, GA
Secluded and wild on Little Tybee Island - Less than 30 minutes from Savannah
Little Tybee felt like a secret. Only accessible by boat, the island had no buildings, no roads—just dunes, driftwood, and space to breathe. I remember thinking, "This is what untouched feels like." It was quiet in a way that made the birds sound louder and the breeze feel more like a voice than a sound.
What I Loved Most: Walking barefoot across the marsh flats at low tide and watching egrets glide overhead.
My Highlights? A packed sandwich and peach soda from Salt Island Fish & Beer in Savannah. I ate it under the shade of a live oak after the kayak ride over—simple, fresh, and peaceful.
Travel Tips:
- Access: Kayak or boat only (launch from Tybee)
- Vibe: Remote, natural, raw
- Highlights: Wildlife viewing, shelling, camping
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning at low tide
- Cost: Kayak rental or boat tour
- Hours: No official hours; daylight only
- Address: Launch from Alley 3 Kayak Ramp, Tybee Island, GA
Review:★★★★★ "Little Tybee Island Beach was just as amazing as everyone said. I wish I had packed bug spray, more water and more snacks since there was no place to buy anything. Just walking and exploring was super fun. "
Southern elegance on St. Simons Island - 1.5 hours south of Savannah
St. Simons felt like grace in slow motion. Live oaks framed sandy roads, the village buzzed with charm, and the beach stretched wide under soft skies. I remember thinking, "Some places don’t need to try to be beautiful—they just are."
What I Loved Most: Riding a cruiser bike past the lighthouse, then walking East Beach at sunset with the water glowing gold.
My Highlights? Shrimp and grits at Southern Soul BBQ—smoky, creamy, unforgettable. I sat at a picnic table under the oaks, and it all just felt right.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~1.5 hours south
- Vibe: Classic, charming, easygoing
- Highlights: East Beach, lighthouse, biking
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or shoulder seasons
- Cost: Free beach access
- Hours: Open dawn to dusk
- Address: St. Simons Island Welcome Center, 529 Beachview Dr, GA
Marsh mornings at Butter Bean Beach - 20 minutes from Savannah, GA
Butter Bean wasn’t a beach in the classic sense—it was something gentler, more reflective. Marshlands met water under long arms of trees, and the dock seemed to invite stillness. I remember thinking, "Not all beaches are about waves—some are about waiting."
What I Loved Most: Launching a kayak just after sunrise and watching the sky turn pale orange above the grasses.
My Highlights? A biscuit sandwich and iced coffee from Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah. I brought it with me and ate it cross-legged on the dock, watching birds skim the river.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~20 minutes south
- Vibe: Local, marshy, peaceful
- Highlights: Dock, kayaking, sunrise views
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Daylight only
- Address: 14915 GA-144 Spur, Savannah, GA
Wild shoreline at Hunting Island - 1.5 hours north of Savannah, GA
Hunting Island felt like a storybook come to life—windswept trees, a lighthouse with history, and wide, wild shores. I remember thinking, "This is what coastal South Carolina looks like untouched." The driftwood on the beach looked like sculpture, shaped by time and tide.
What I Loved Most: Climbing the lighthouse and standing at the edge of the world, then wandering the quiet trails through palmettos and pines.
My Highlights? A beach picnic from Lowcountry Produce Market in nearby Beaufort: pimento cheese sandwich, boiled peanuts, and a lemonade. I sat in the sand with nothing but sky and trees behind me.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~1.5 hours northeast
- Vibe: Untamed, historic, scenic
- Highlights: Lighthouse, nature trails, driftwood beach
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring or fall
- Cost: $8 per adult (state park fee)
- Hours: 6am–6pm
- Address: 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, Hunting Island, SC
Spacious shores on Hilton Head Island - 45 minutes from Savannah, GA
Hilton Head was polished but peaceful. The beaches were wide, the bike paths endless, and everything felt curated without being fussy. I remember thinking, "This is where rest feels refined." The sand was soft, the waves gentle, and the days long in the best way.
What I Loved Most: Riding a bike down the beach at low tide with the breeze behind me and miles ahead.
My Highlights? Lunch at Skull Creek Boathouse: crab cake sandwich with slaw and a frozen mango mojito. Water views, live oaks, and lowcountry flavors—perfect.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~1 hour northeast
- Vibe: Resort-like, calm, easy to explore
- Highlights: Biking, broad beaches, seafood spots
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall
- Cost: Parking fees in some areas
- Hours: Public access beaches open sunrise to sunset
- Address: Coligny Beach Park, 1 Coligny Cir, Hilton Head, SC
Bohemian breeze at Folly Beach
Folly Beach felt loose and lively. A little funky, a little weathered, and completely itself. I remember thinking, "This is the kind of place that doesn’t care what you wear, only that you stay a while." Surfers caught waves near the pier and locals walked barefoot with their dogs down Center Street.
What I Loved Most: Watching pelicans dive and walking to the Morris Island Lighthouse overlook as the sky faded purple.
My Highlights? A fish taco plate and cold beer at Rita’s Seaside Grille. I ate outside under twinkle lights with salt still on my skin.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~2 hours northeast
- Vibe: Surf-town, eclectic, relaxed
- Highlights: Pier, lighthouse view, casual shops
- Best Time to Visit: Summer or shoulder season
- Cost: Metered parking
- Hours: 6am–10pm
- Address: 101 E Arctic Ave, Folly Beach, SC
Conclusion
The beaches near Savannah weren’t just places to lay a towel—they were places to listen. To the sea. To yourself. To what stillness has to say. Whether I found it in the hush of Little Tybee, the elegance of St. Simons, or the warmth of Tybee’s sand, each stop gave me something worth holding on to.
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