Georgia Islands
Since they captured my heart 20 years ago, I keep going back for more experiences around Georgia’s islands. For someone living in Georgia, they are often the first place you look for a romantic weekend away, beach time with family or even a special local honeymoon...
Each island has its own character. There are beaches that turn golden at sunset, historic towns that still feel remote and marshy wildlife places to spot unique species of animals. Here are my favorite Georgia islands that I explored on my trips and I think you will love them too when you start exploring them for yourself.
1. Little Tybee Island
Distance from Atlanta: 4 hours
Little Tybee Island feels like Georgia’s wild coast at its purest, an undeveloped barrier island where salt marshes stretch endlessly, birds fill the sky, and the tides set the rhythm of life. Only reachable by boat, it’s a sanctuary for those who want to step away from noise and return to something raw, natural, and deeply restorative.
It was wide, with unspoiled beaches, hammocks of live oaks and palmettos, and the quiet murmur of waves uninterrupted by crowds. I felt the modern world fall away, replaced by dolphin sightings, seashell-strewn sandbars, and fiery sunsets over the marsh.
Little Tybee’s remote, untouched, and endlessly calming, perfect for travelers who crave simplicity and connection with nature.
What to do on Little Tybee Island in a weekend:
- Take a kayak or boat tour from nearby Tybee Island to reach the beaches and inlets
- Spend the day birdwatching. The island is a haven for egrets, herons, and migratory species.
- Explore tidal creeks and salt marshes on a guided eco-tour
- Pack a picnic and enjoy secluded stretches of beach away from crowds
- Go shelling and search for sand dollars on quiet sandbars at low tide
- Camp overnight for a true off-the-grid experience under the stars (with a permit)
- Watch the sunset over the marshlands before heading back to the mainland
2. Blackbeard Island
Distance from Atlanta: 4 hours 30 minutes
Blackbeard Island is one of Georgia’s most mysterious and untouched coastal treasures. Protected as a National Wildlife Refuge, it’s an island where wilderness dominates, sprawling salt marshes, dense maritime forests, and wide beaches where loggerhead sea turtles still come to nest. Accessible only by boat, it feels worlds apart, a place where history, legend, and raw natural beauty all meet.
What sets it apart is the sense of seclusion. Named after the infamous pirate who once roamed these waters, I thought that the island carries an aura of mystery alongside its pristine landscape.
What to do on Blackbeard Island in a weekend:
- Arrive by boat from Sapelo Island or the mainland, beginning your adventure with a scenic ride
- Hike on the maritime forest trails draped in Spanish moss
- Walk along miles of undeveloped beach, often with no one else in sight
- Bring binoculars for birdwatching, the island is home to over 200 species
- Spot wildlife like loggerhead sea turtles, white-tailed deer, and migratory birds
- Pack a picnic and enjoy the untouched coastal scenery
- End your day with the sunset over the salt marshes, painting the horizon in fiery hues
3. Cockspur Island
Distance from Atlanta: 4 hours
Cockspur Island sits at the mouth of the Savannah River, a place where coastal beauty and American history intersect. Best known as the site of Fort Pulaski National Monument, the island blends marshland views, tidal creeks, and one of the most well-preserved Civil War forts in the country. It’s easy to reach by car from Savannah, yet once you step inside the fort’s brick walls or walk the island trails, it feels like stepping back in time.
I loved the quiet of salt marshes filled with herons and egrets set against the imposing brickwork of the 19th-century fortress.
Cockspur Island is an accessible coastal escape for anyone who wants both inspiration and reflection, whether through history, nature, or simply the peaceful pace of the marshlands.
What to do on Cockspur Island in a weekend:
- Tour the Fort Pulaski National Monument and explore its Civil War history
- Walk to the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, Georgia’s smallest lighthouse
- Stroll the nature trails and dikes that wind through marsh and tidal creeks
- Bring binoculars for wildlife watching — herons, egrets, and even dolphins offshore
- Pack a picnic and relax in the scenic outdoor areas around the fort
- Visit nearby Tybee Island for beach time before or after your visit
- Catch the sunset over the Savannah River for a perfect end to the day
4. Cumberland Island
Distance from Atlanta: 5 hours 30 minutes
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and most enchanting barrier island, a wild stretch of windswept beaches, maritime forests, and storied ruins.
Accessible only by ferry from St. Marys, it’s a place where time feels suspended, where wild horses roam freely along the dunes and centuries-old live oaks stretch overhead draped in Spanish moss. I found Cumberland Island to be both untamed and historic, a rare mix of raw natural beauty and echoes of a storied past.
What to do on Cumberland Island in a weekend:
- Take the ferry from St. Marys to begin your journey to the island
- Explore the haunting Dungeness Mansion Ruins, remnants of the Carnegie family estate
- Walk along 17 miles of undeveloped beach — often with wild horses in view
- Hike under canopies of live oak and palmetto forests
- Visit Plum Orchard Mansion, a preserved Gilded Age estate open for tours
- Camp overnight at Sea Camp for a true wilderness experience
- Watch for wildlife — from armadillos and sea turtles to egrets and feral horses
5. Hutchinson Island
Distance from Atlanta: 3 hours 45 minutes
Hutchinson Island offers a surprising blend of riverside quiet and urban energy. Sitting directly across the Savannah River from downtown Savannah, to me it feels both tucked away and completely connected.
The island is best known for its resort-style experiences, golf courses, and stunning skyline views of Savannah, but it also carries an easygoing coastal pace that makes it feel like a retreat within reach of the city’s charm.
Hutchinson Island is ideal for travelers who want a balance, easy access to Savannah’s historic district paired with the calm of a riverside escape.
What to do on Hutchinson Island in a weekend:
- Stay at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa for riverside comfort
- Play a round at the Savannah Harbor Golf Club, one of the region’s top courses
- Walk or bike along the island’s waterfront paths with skyline views
- Take the quick ferry ride into downtown Savannah for dining and historic exploration
- Unwind with a riverside picnic and watch ships pass along the Savannah River
- Visit during an event like the Savannah Harbor Boat Parade for a festive experience
- Enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking the water at one of the island’s resorts
6. Jekyll Island
Distance from Atlanta: 5 hours
Jekyll Island feels like a place where history and coastal beauty are woven together. Once a private retreat for America’s wealthiest families, it’s now one of Georgia’s most beloved state parks — a barrier island where preserved beaches, grand historic homes, and quiet marshes coexist. The island’s balance of charm and wilderness makes it both approachable and endlessly fascinating.
Unlike more crowded beach towns, Jekyll retains a slower pace. I enjoyed bike trails that wind through shaded live oaks, while beaches stretch for miles with space to breathe. It’s a place that feels timeless, with both natural wonder and a sense of history around every corner.
Jekyll Island is the kind of destination where you can do as much or as little as you like — from exploring the past to immersing yourself in the wild beauty of Georgia’s coast.
What to do on Jekyll Island in a weekend:
- Stroll along Driftwood Beach, famous for its weathered trees and sunsets
- Explore the Jekyll Island Historic District with its Gilded Age mansions and museums
- Rent bikes and ride the 20 miles of trails that circle the island
- Relax on the sandy shores of Great Dunes Beach Park
- Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to learn about conservation efforts
- Take a guided kayak or dolphin tour through the surrounding waterways
- Stay overnight at a historic inn or a seaside resort for a full island experience
7. Lake Lanier Islands
Distance from Atlanta: 1 hour
Lake Lanier Islands offers a classic Georgia escape that feels both playful and refreshing. Just north of Atlanta, this is my go-to spot to escape summer city heat!
I think these are the best Georgia islands for an Atlanta local! I look forward to refreshing water, sandy shores, and resort-style amenities. It’s a spot where you can spend the day swimming, boating, or lounging by the lake, and then wind down with dinner overlooking the water. The mix of relaxation and recreation makes it an easy getaway that feels far removed from city life on your weekend, but without a long drive.
What to do on Lake Lanier Islands in a weekend:
- Spend the day at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, with its waterpark, beach, and lakeside dining
- Go boating, paddleboarding, or kayaking on the calm waters of Lake Lanier
- Relax on the sandy beach areas and take a swim
- Play a round at the Legacy Golf Course with lake views
- Take a sunset cruise for golden-hour views over the water
- Enjoy lakeside dining at Sidney’s Restaurant or casual spots around the marina
- Stay overnight at Lanier Islands Resort for a full retreat experience
This is a destination made for balance: part resort, part nature, and part playground on the water. I especially like that it makes for an affordable day trip from Atlanta.
Conclusion
Georgia’s islands aren’t just a string of places off the coast—they’re a map of moods. Some are polished with boardwalks and beach chairs. Others are just sand and sky, unchanged for centuries. A few whisper their history in crumbling bricks or rustling marsh grass. And one or two don’t even touch the ocean, but still manage to feel like you’ve gone somewhere softer, slower, farther away than expected.
What surprised me most was how different each stop felt. I came for driftwood and dunes, but found ferry rides that felt like pilgrimages, trails that held their own silences, and meals that tasted better with sand still on my ankles. These islands don’t compete. They coexist—wild beside tamed, myth beside marina, hush beside laughter.
By the time I left, I didn’t just feel like I’d seen Georgia differently. I felt like Georgia had seen me differently too—had asked me to stop, breathe, and maybe write something down before the tide washed the footprints away.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
