Many of the beaches near Atlanta are found on barrier islands connected by causeways and bridges to the mainland, located along the Atlantic Coast or the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of these beaches and island can only be reached by boat, while some are easily accessible on the mainland. While there are no beaches in Atlanta, Georgia, one can plan a fun getaway to one of these unique spots.
1. Gulf Shores
The Gulf Coast of Alabama boasts unspoiled natural beauty, culture, history, and sunshine, boasting miles and miles of white sandy beaches.
Gulf Shores in Alabama consists of great accommodations and vacation rentals, spectacular special events throughout the year, and award-winning restaurants. All of this is in addition to the white sandy beach and turquoise waters.
Visitors may have the chance to spot a dolphin or two or try some deep-sea fishing in one of the largest artificial fishing reefs in the United States.
Gulf Shores also features plenty of opportunities for watersports, amusement parks, nature trails, and championship golf.
2. Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach boasts twenty-seven miles of stunning beaches from which both visitors and locals alike can choose, along with different experiences.
Shell Island offers a secluded beach getaway and can only be reached by boat. Situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the St. Andrew Bay, the island is free of development, providing seven miles of island landscape perfect for shell collecting and nature walks.
St. Andrews State Park, which offers biking trails, canoeing, fishing, camping, and snorkeling in a jetty, while Camp Helen State Park includes gulf coast fauna and flora, as well as beaches and a freshwater dune lake.
3. Beaches Near Me: Destin
Destin, Florida features world famous fishing opportunities, challenging golf courses, and beautiful white sand beaches on the Emerald Coast. Nestled against the northwest Florida’s area of the Gulf of Mexico, Destin is very well known for its emerald waters and sugar-white sandy beaches. Due to the abundant population of fish in these emerald waters of Destin, the city has earned the nickname of the “world’s luckiest fishing village.” Many vacation rentals and world-class resorts can be found in the area, along with some amazing restaurants and shopping. The Northwest Florida Regional Airport also makes Destin a convenient beach destination.
4. Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach is well known throughout the world for emerald-green colored waters and sugar-white sandy beaches, as well as plenty of opportunities for relaxation and fun. Visitors will find many other things to do at the beach besides swimming and simply relaxing on the sand. Pensacola Beach offers fishing from two different piers, parasailing, surfing, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling, diving, miniature golf, and more. The area is also home to a number of restaurants serving fresh seafood from the gulf, along with several places to just relax with a drink after a long day at the beach.
5. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida boasts around twenty-two miles of beaches, fifty boat ramps, forty miles of Intracoastal Waterway, and the state’s longest stretch of St. Johns River. The city if considered to be the best destination in Florida for watersports and the birthplace of Salt Life. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, diving, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing and more at one of the many public beaches, including Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Mayport Beach, and Neptune Beach. These beaches are pet-friendly and home to parks, seafood restaurants, surf shop, and beach boutiques. Unspoiled barrier islands can be found in the Northside of Jacksonville.
6. Beach Near Me: Folly Beach
Folly Beach is a coastal community and barrier island in the state of South Carolina that is full of charm and history and located only around fifteen minutes away from downtown Charleston. Local residents refer to Folly Beach as the “Edge of America,” a place where visitors can start their day watching the sunrise and end with an amazing sunset. The eastern end of the island offers a spectacular view of the nearby Morris Island Lighthouse. The Fishing Pier at Folly Beach extends over 1,045 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean and hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the year.
7. St. George Island
St. George Island is an unspoiled barrier island measuring twenty-two miles in length off the coast of Florida. The island is one of the state’s last inhabited islands and offers some of the most serene and beautiful beaches along the Gulf Coast. Visitors will find miles of mostly uncrowded beaches that are ideal for shelling and sunbathing, along with clear waters for fishing and swimming, and wildlife viewing in pristine marshes. Well-behaved pets are allowed on the island, as well as in several of the vacation rentals on St. George Island. Occupying the island’s eastern end is the St. George Island State Park.
8. St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island in Georgia is home to amazing beaches, entertainment, fun events, an array of dining options, salons and spa, charter fishing, and golfing. Part of what makes the island special is its distinctive and charming unhurried beach lifestyle and its unspoiled natural beauty. St. Simons Island is part of the Golden Isles of Georgia and has been voted as one of the country’s most romantic destinations. The island is full of Southern charm and history, boasting live Southern Oaks with Spanish moss, giving it a unique sense of place and time. Bike paths make it easy to explore the island.
9. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is a stunning combination of discovery and serenity, from its historic ruins to the sprawling sand beaches. Located within Georgia’s Golden Isles chain, Jekyll Island is close to Brunswick, Sea Island, and St. Simons Island. Each path on the island leads to unique experiences, whether it’s down the oceanfront promenade or through the island’s ancient maritime forest. Jekyll Island boasts a legacy of providing entertainment to visitors, providing ten miles of beaches drenched in sunshine, guided kayak excursions, maritime forest tours, the Historic District, several award-winning golf courses, and the only sea turtle rehabilitation center in the state.
10. Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a small coastal town situated just eighteen miles from the historic area of Savannah. Consistently ranked as one of the country’s top beaches, Tybee Island offers something for almost anyone. The island provides the nearest ocean beach to the city of Atlanta, Georgia. Around the pavilion and the pier at the island’s southern end is the most crowded area of the beach. This section is also where visitors will find the majority off nightlife, restaurants, and shops. The more historic and less crowded area of the beach is the north end, which includes a fort and historic lighthouse.
11. Topsail Beach
Situated at the southern end of the state of North Carolina’s Topsail Island, Topsail Beach is the island’s smallest beach community out of the three located on the 26-mile island. Visitors may have an opportunity to see the occasional sea turtle, dolphins swimming further out in the ocean waters, and a wide variety of different species of birds if they’re lucky. Topsail Beach also offers a wide array of fun by the sea, such as swimming, relaxing on the sandy beach, surfing, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. Topsail Beach is located approximately forty-five minutes from the city of Wilmington.
12. Closest beach to me: Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, located off the coast of the state of South Carolina, can be found just past the state line of Georgia. At a little over 280 miles from the city of Atlanta, the island is a good choice for people looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. Hilton Head Island is a popular resort destination with several private gated developments, however, the beach itself is public, with nine public beach accesses available. The island is spread out more than other islands nearby, meaning visitors may need to use their car to get around.
13. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Myrtle Beach
As one of the country’s most popular beach vacation destinations, and one of the top vacation spots on the East Coast, Myrtle Beach boast a wide variety of attractions, restaurants serving an array of delicious food, and many different hotels and vacation rentals. The main highlight of Myrtle Beach is quite possibly the Grand Strand, which is a sixty-mile stretch of beaches that offer plenty of space and sand for visitors. Visitors will find a number of restaurants, arcades, and shops, and along the beachfront boardwalk, along with the SkyWheel, one of the tallest ferris wheels in the United States.
14. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island is a barrier island along the Atlantic Coast in South Carolina, boasting around ten miles of pristine sand beaches divided into two different areas known as the West Beach and the East Beach. Beachwalker County Park, situated at the western end of the island at West Beach, provides views of the river and oceanfront with the island’s only public beach access. Lifeguards are present during the summer season at the designated swimming area along the beach. The other beach accesses on Kiawah Island are private, many of which belong to resorts on the island.
15. Fripp Island
Fripp Island, located off the coast of South Carolina, is a sanctuary for wildlife and is known for featuring a mostly uncrowded atmosphere. The Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resorts provides visitors with controlled access to Fripp Island, championship golf, more than three miles of uncrowded sandy beach, kayaking, tennis courts, and oceanfront view accommodations. The seaside water park includes a pool for children with an alligator slide. Guests can get around the barrier island by golf cart, rather than use their car, through day or weekly rentals. A food court and several restaurants are available as well.
16. Romantic Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Cumberland Island
History and nature collide in spectacular fashion at Cumber Island, a beautiful national seashore in the state of Georgia. It is notable for being the southernmost and the largest barrier island in the state with over 9,800 glorious acres of amazing wilderness. At Cumberland Island, visitors can soak up some of the best that Mother Nature has to offer in terms of maritime forests, marshes, and untouched beaches. Apart from the wildlife, guests at Cumberland Island can also enjoy a 30-mile guided tour called the Lands and Legacies Tour, enjoy a Ferry Ride, go on a bike ride around the island, or even take a camping trip with the family.
Offshore Island, St. Mary’s, Georgia
17. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Amelia Island
Amelia Island is situated just off of the coast in northeastern Florida. While the island is easily accessible, it is typically difficult to forget. The island is comprised of approximately thirteen miles of stunning beaches, pristine waters, and plenty of native wildlife, making the barrier island a beloved beach destination for both local residents and visitors. There are over forty public beach accesses along the Amelia Island’s thirteen miles of coastline. A guided kayaking tour offers an opportunity for visitors to see more of the natural side of the island. Segway and stand-up paddle boarding tours are also available.
18. Acworth Beach at Cauble Park
Great recreational activities await at Acworth Beach, a lovely 90-acre lake located within Cauble Park. Acworth Beach is a bustling attraction for summer activities with a great fine sand beach that is perfect for swimming from dawn till dusk. The beach, and Cauble Park, also have great amenities to enjoy such as a beach house, gazebos, pavilions, and grilling stations for use. For youngsters visiting the beach, there are two playgrounds to enjoy with modern amenities and equipment. A boat launch and a fishing dock are also available for use. Meanwhile, Cauble Park is also home to the Veterans Memorial at Patriots Point, which is great for relaxing walks and makes the perfect backdrop for family photos.
4425 Beach Street, Acworth, Georgia 30101
19. The Swimming Beach at Red Top Mountain State Park
What could be better than jumping straight into the cool waters of a gorgeous lake on a hot summer day in Georgia? At the Swimming Beach of Red Top Mountain State Park, this is exactly what visitors have to look forward to. This lovely lake beach is located in the southeastern portion of the park and features a great stretch of sandy beach to lounge at and relax on. It’s a great destination for family trips, especially families with young children, especially because of additional amenities like a fun putt-putt golf course right off the shoreline, a large playground with great views of the lake, picnic tables, and barbeque grills. Visitors who want to stay over the weekend can book a stay at one of the park’s cottages, the lodge, or simply pitch a tent at the park’s camping grounds.
50 Lodge Road SE, Cartersville, Georgia 30121
The 20 Best Beaches Near Atlanta, GA near me today according to local experts are:
- 1. Gulf Shores
- 2. Panama City Beach
- 3. Beaches Near Me: Destin
- 4. Pensacola Beach
- 5. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Jacksonville
- 6. Beach Near Me: Folly Beach
- 7. St. George Island
- 8. St. Simons Island
- 9. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Jekyll Island
- 10. Tybee Island
- 11. Topsail Beach
- 12. Closest beach to me: Hilton Head Island
- 13. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Myrtle Beach
- 14. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Kiawah Island
- 15. Fripp Island
- 16. Romantic Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Cumberland Island
- 17. Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Amelia Island
- 18. Acworth Beach at Cauble Park
- 19. The Swimming Beach at Red Top Mountain State Park
More Ideas in GA: The St. Regis Marriot Resort, Atlanta
The St. Regis Atlanta is located a few miles from downtown Atlanta in the Buckhead enclave. Considered an in-town resort, The St. Regis Atlanta is one of the most well-groomed locations in Atlanta. The resort offers 151 guest rooms, including 31 plush suites, immaculately designed grounds, and amazing amenities for anyone who visits. Located on over 40,000 square feet of property, the resort offers guests fine dining, fitness areas, and spas to help them on their way to relaxing during their visit.
Accommodations
The St. Regis Atlanta offers a wide selection of room styles to choose from. These rooms are tailored to fit any budget and are available for immediate occupancy upon arrival.
The Superior King is a room offering guests a king- sized bed with all bedding included, a pristinely cleaned bathroom with full access to toiletries and towels, and all the amenities the resort has to offer. For couples or single travelers, these rooms are spacious and a great place to rest and relax.
The Superior Queen is a guest room more suitable for extra guests. This room comes equipped with two queen-sized beds with all bedding, a clean bathroom with all the toiletries and towels needed for double occupancy. This coupled with the amazing amenities offered by the resort makes the Superior Queen a great deal for families.
The Deluxe is the guest’s choice of either a king-sized bed or two queens complete with all the necessary bedding. Each room comes with a well cleaned bathing area stocked with all toiletries and towels, as well as a balcony to sit on while relaxing during your stay. Add in the amenities offered to each guest by the resort, and you’ll find yourself loving this guest room.
The Grand Deluxe is a spacious room that provides guests the room they want and the luxury the desire. This room features a king-sized bed, bathroom, and balcony for guests to sit while they take in the view. With all the necessary toiletries and towels needed, this guest area gives visitors they room they want and the beauty they hope for.
The Metropolitan Suite is a one-bedroom suite that features the guest’s choice of either a king-sized bed or two queens. These suites have a spacious guest area that is great for relaxing. This room also features clean facilities with all the toiletries and amenities needed, as well as a guest balcony to allow you to enjoy a wonderful stay.
The Caroline Astor Suite is a one-bedroom suite that features a king-sized bed with all required bedding. This amazing suite offers guests a well-cleaned bathroom with all the amenities, a pool view, and a balcony to enjoy your time relaxing on.
The St. Regis Suite is a large suite that offers one king-sized bed, the other bed: sofa bed, and one and a half bathrooms. This pristinely cleaned suite offers all the necessary toiletries and amenities required as well as a balcony for occupants.
The Corner St. Regis Suite offers guests one king-sized bed, the other sofa bed, as well as one and a half bathrooms. This spacious suite is well-cleaned and maintained by staff and allows you to be nestled in a corner area out of the way.
Amenities
The St. Regis Atlanta features a wide range of amenities to allow guests the comfort they expect during their stay. All rooms feature a color tv, cable television with HBO, fireplace, and a mini bar that is fee based. Other featured amenities include complimentary bottled water, down/feathered pillows, foam pillows, and a room safe to store personal items. Each bathroom comes equipped with all the toiletries and towels needed for a comfortable stay as well as bathrobes, and hair dryer. All rooms and public areas also offer wireless internet at no charge. For those in need, mobility accessible rooms are available.
Services
As an in-town resort, The St. Regis Atlanta offers a full range of services to cater to the needs of their guests. All areas are non-smoking to safeguard the health of guests. A full continental breakfast is offered each morning, to help those enjoying their stay get a great start to their day. 24-hour room services are also available to ensure you have a proper meal at any hour. Grocery shopping services are available for families and guests who wish to prepare their meals.
Housekeeping services are offered daily to allow guests the chance to have their rooms tidied while they are enjoying their vacation. Onsite laundry is available to allow guests the opportunity to keep their clothes washed and ready for trips out and about in Atlanta. When needed, car rental services are also available to make getting around much easier.
To stay on top of your healthy lifestyle a fully equipped gym is offered for guests to use. This gym features state-of-the-art equipment to allow you the opportunity to stay on top of your work-out routine even while on vacation.
Remede Spa is another perk guest of The St. Regis Atlanta has the chance to experience. Boasting a relaxing setting, the spa offers manicures, pedicures, waxing, and massages to help guests reach their full relaxing potential.
The Grounds
With immaculate grounds to explore, The St. Regis Atlanta is the perfect place to unwind. For guests who enjoy relaxing in the pool, the Pool Piazza is the oasis they are looking for. Featuring an outdoor fireplace, tranquil waterfall, whirlpool, and poolside bar the Pool Piazza is a great place to kick back and relax.
Dining
Astor Court provides guests of The St. Regis Atlanta a touch of the resorts English roots. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner this amazing dining experience is available for guests to enjoy great food as well as afternoon tea.
Atlas Buckhead gives guests the chance to sample seasonal American foods made from local fresh ingredients. This chef driven dining experience is a great way of enjoying classic American foods with the something extra you’ll love. Private dining is available and can host up to 12 guests.
88 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305
More Ideas in GA: The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island is located in Georgia, in the United States. The Lodge is owned privately and can only be reached by boat. It is surrounded by live oaks draped in moss and shimmering marshes. It can accommodate up to thirty-two guests overnight. The Lodge on St. Simons Island’s guest packages are all-inclusive and include boat transfer to the island and back to mainland throughout the duration of the stay. Guests are given three meals a day, all beverages from beer and wind to sodas, and all recreational activities and equipment on the island are covered in the guest package.
Room and Suites
Guest may reserve a room only, a whole cottage, or the entire island. Each room and cottage offer these amenities:
- Alarm clocks
- Bathrobes
- Central heat/air
- Coffeemaker
- Fireplaces
- Hair dryer
- Iron
- Lighted mirror
- Living room area
- Outdoor deck
- Refrigerator
- Screened in porch
- Washers and dryer
- High-speed Wi-Fi
The packages rates include three meals a day made by gourmet chefs, all beverages, all recreational activities and equipment on the island, and boat transfer from the island to the mainland and back again throughout the duration of the stay.
The Hunting Lodge - The Hunting Lodge was built in 1917 and is the core of island life. This is where guests take their meals and attend social functions. The Hunting Lodge has two guest rooms with their bathrooms that can accommodate two guests at a time each.
The River Lodge and Cedar House - The River Lodge and Cedar House offer rooms that can be reserved. Both sit on the river’s edge and are a short walk from the main Lodge. Both compounds offer four large bedrooms with their bathrooms. These rooms also boast wrap-around decks that provide breathtaking views of the marsh and river. The River Lodge and Cedar house both feature shared living space that contains a large fireplace, icemaker, wet bar, fridge, and a screened in porch. The screened in porch offers more opportunities for relaxation with their daybeds and rocking chairs. Each room contains either two twin beds or a king bed and can accommodate up to two guests at a time. A rollaway bed can be provided to each room to accommodate a third guest. Both compounds are available for reservations for family affairs or small groups of up to ten people.
Helen House - The Helen House is located in the riverfront compound and embodies the architectural history of the coast. The cottage is the perfect option for families with children or other small family groups. The Helen House boasts gorgeous antiques and three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms contain king beds while the other includes two twin beds. A rollaway bed can be added to the king rooms to allow for additional guests. The Helen House is available for reservations for up to eight people.
Tom House - The Tom House is the most recent guest house added to the Islands collection. The cozy one-bedroom cottage was restored and is one of the more private guesthouses. It is famous for honeymoons and couples and features a living area with a fireplace that runs on gas, a bedroom with a queen size bed, a full bathroom, a shower outdoors, and big screened in porch.
Michael Cottage - This cottage is located at the edge of the woods close to the Hunting Lodge. It is done in a 1930s bungalow style and is popular with families. It boasts two bedrooms, one with two twin beds and the other with a queen bed, two bathrooms, a living area that has a fireplace, a small kitchen that includes a washer and dryer, a screened in front porch, and a large porch in the back that features a shower outdoors. Each of the cottage’s rooms accommodates two people.
Full Island Rental - The entire island and all its buildings can be rented out as one big package. This can accommodate thirty-two guests with the same great features as the other options. This is ideal for celebrations and events, family reunions, and business retreats.
Things to Do
St. Simons Island offers visitors plenty of recreational opportunities when staying on the island.
Naturalist Led Activities - The Little St. Simons Island Naturalists have many activities to offer. These include daily interpretive adventures that immerse the guests in Georgia’s barrier island ecology. Observe and learn about the island’s plants and animals. Discussions and hands-on activities will give guests an experience to remember.
Birding - St. Simon’s Island boasts three hundred and thirty species of birds from Painted Buntings and Oystercatchers to Roseate Spoonbills and Bald Eagles. These birds make their homes on the island’s pristine beaches and woodlands. Here guests will find numerous and diverse endangered species of birds. Birding trips are offered in the early morning, the evening for watching owls, and other times throughout the day. Guided trips are provided by Naturalists or guests can choose to go out on their own with a map of the spots to find different birds, binoculars, and a Birding checklist. Some of the hottest birding spots are included on the list.
Fishing - Fishing is a favorite recreational activity on St. Simons Island. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean which creates estuaries, marshes, and rivers. The Tackle Shack offers visitors everything they need from poles to tackle and bait. The unique position of the island offers visitors the opportunity to saltwater fish. Some of the most common fish that are caught include black drum, red drum, spotted sea trout, southern kingfish, flounder, sheepshead and tarpon.
The Beach - St. Simons Island offers seven miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean. This provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to take in the sea air while walking, swimming, and tanning. It also offers privacy and solitude. Guided trips are offered by the Naturalists to explore bird life on the shore. Turtle walks are offered seasonally and are one of the most popular excursions on the island. The beach pavilion provides chairs, towels, umbrellas, sunscreen and floats no matter what your preferred beach time includes.
Boating - Explore the tidal waterways and ocean waves that surround the island in kayaks, canoes, and skiffs.
Other Local Attractions - Several other local attractions can be found on the way to and from the island. These include Cannon’s Point Preserve, Christ Church, Fort Frederica National Monument, St. Simon’s Lighthouse Museum, Maritime Center, Jekyll Island Historic District, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation.
Meetings
St. Simon’s Island is a popular destination for gatherings of all kinds. The Barn is a historic landmark that is part of the main Lodge compound. It has been renovated and then transformed into an ideal place for meetings. The privacy and beauty of nature on the island provide a rare sense of productivity and focus. The many recreational opportunities help those attending relax between meetings and sessions and encourages relationships and teamwork. Services are provided for guests who wish to reserve an area of the compound for meetings include accommodations and meeting planning, boat transport, flexible set-up for meeting areas, visual and audio needs, Wi-Fi, group meals and break menus, and special outing and activity planning.
Dining
Chef’s at St. Simons Island prepare three gourmet meals a day for guests staying on the island. These meals include a variety of fruits, herbs, and vegetables from the gardens grown on the island as well as the area’s local produce and seafood. Breakfast and dinner are served in the Hunting Lodge family-style. Lunch is also served here. However, picnic lunches are available and, on most Saturdays, as long as the weather permits, lunch is served oceanside. The Lodge hosts a social hour that includes hors d’oeuvres and wine, and on Fridays, seasonally, an oyster roast.
1000 Hampton River Club Marina Dr, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522, Phone: 888-733-5774
