While Georgia isn’t as famous for its beaches as its northern and southern neighbors, South Carolina and Florida, respectively, there are still some stunning places to relax oceanside. The coastline stretches more than 100 miles and includes 14 barrier islands, all total comprising 300 square miles of the open Atlantic Ocean.
3 Best Beach Towns in Georgia
The southeast coast is a beautiful part of the country and offers a remarkable space for outdoor recreation, water sports, sunbathing, and discovering its incredible history. These top beach towns in Georgia are delightful places to both live and visit, all located on islands. They make excellent additions to any itinerary, no matter the time …
Top Beaches and Coastal Towns in GA
The Golden Isles are the most popular place for a beach holiday in the Peach State. The trio of Tybee Island, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island get the most visitors. From the well-known coastal city of Savannah, Tybee Island is the closest at around a 30 minute drive.
Guide to Visiting the Beaches in Georgia
Situated just north of tropical Florida, Georgia is another southern state with a beautiful coastline. While it doesn’t have as many beach areas as its neighbors to the north and south, The Peach State has a couple of sandy nooks that are worthy of visiting.
Georgia’s Golden Isles
The best places to book a coastal vacation in Georgia are on one of its three most famous islands: Tybee Island, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island. They are part of the state’s “Golden Isles” along with Sea Island, which is privately owned.
These are quieter and less crowded shores than other parts of the country. Tourists on the hunt for a calm place to relax with breathtaking sunrises can find that at these locations. Travelers to southern Georgia will also be within driving distance of Florida’s northeast beaches.
Coastal Weather
Along the Georgia Coast, the best time of year is during the spring and fall when temperatures hover consistently around 70-80℉. During the winter and early spring, it is usually around 60℉, with overnight lows dipping down into the 40℉s. The summer months can get as high as 90℉, which is extreme heat coupled with intense humidity.
It’s always important to drink lots of water, especially if you’re visiting between June and August.
Many areas of the Golden Isles are pet-friendly. However, it’s critical also to make sure your traveling companions don’t get too hot or dehydrated either.
Wildlife
The Atlantic Ocean off of Georgia is home to many dolphins, making viewing tours on the water a popular activity. The southern coast of Georgia is home to loggerhead sea turtles, and visitors can learn more about them at Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Other creatures that inhabit them are deer, armadillos, gopher tortoises, opossums, and many types of birds.
Activities
On the Atlantic shores of the state, visitors like to hike, watch nature, go birding, bike on the sand, and fish. Water sports and boating are also obvious choices for enjoying time by the sea. Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are popular non-motorized water sports.
Lodging and Camping
There are numerous resorts, beachfront hotels, pet-friendly hotels, and places to camp on the coast of Georgia. Tent and RV camping is possible by the beach, and near Brunswick is a campground with cabin rentals too. If staying in hotels and sleeping outdoors doesn’t sound appealing, try looking up the closest vacation home rentals on websites like Airbnb and VRBO.
Make the most of your trip to Georgia by visiting one of its wonderful beaches. The mild winters and hot summers make them popular places to be year-round.
