The best beaches in Georgia

Georgia's 100-mile stretch of coastline is packed with features that visitors are hard-pressed to find elsewhere. An offshore archipelago of 14 barrier islands, formed by waves that deposit sand in the same area for several millennia, creates a fascinating network of tiny islets and tidal rivers that run beside them, lapping up against the mainland. Marshes, lagoons and seaside forests complete the delicate landscape.

Each island has its own set of gorgeous beaches. Some are closed to public traffic to protect the wildlife – everything from sea turtles to wild boars and horses – but those open to the public offer just as much natural diversity.

Visitors come to Georgia’s islands to walk near-empty white sand beaches, photograph the bones of an old forest and catch breathtaking sunrises. Find your favorite among our picks for the best beaches in Georgia.

1. North Beach, Tybee Island

Best for water sports

North Beach is a haven for those who love to be active in the Atlantic Ocean, whether you enjoy surfing, sea kayaking or Jet Skis – take lessons or hit the waves on your own. Visitors often see dolphins from North Beach, but serious seekers can book a dolphin tour to get a little closer. Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, Tybee Island Lighthouse was originally built in 1773, then partially rebuilt after the top half was destroyed in 1861.

Planning tip: There’s no free public parking on the island between 8am and 8pm. You can pay 4 US dollars (US$) per hour or purchase a day pass for US$25.

2. East Beach, St Simons Island

Best for dog lovers

Warm water and white sand make East Beach on St Simons Island a favorite. The sand is packed in tight here due to the Atlantic Ocean tides, which makes it ideal for biking along the coastline. St Simons Island’s beaches also get credit for being pet-friendly – unleashed dogs are permitted anytime of year after 6pm and before 9am, and they are allowed free rein in the afternoons outside of the busy summer months.

Planning tip: The beach is wheelchair-accessible via mats. Parking is available 7am-10pm. There are restrooms and, in the summer, a concession stand.

3. Stafford Beach, Cumberland Island

Best for isolation

If you’ve been longing for a solo day on an empty beach, Cumberland Island's Stafford Beach will feel like a dream come true. Cumberland Island is a National Seashore, which means it’s preserved by the National Park Service and doesn’t allow commercial development or personal vehicles. Only 300 people are allowed on the Atlantic-facing island each day, most of whom are day-trippers who come to see the Dungeness Ruins. Stafford Beach is a 3.5-mile hike away from the ferry drop, so either bring a bike on the boat with you or prepare for a walk. Determined souls will be rewarded with miles of powdery white sand and calm waters all to themselves.

Planning tip: Reservations are required to visit Cumberland Island. If you plan to stay overnight, book a room at the island’s only hotel, the Greyfield Inn, or reserve a campsite from the National Park Service (the Stafford Beach campground is closest to Stafford Beach). One ferry service connects the island to St Marys, with a couple of departures a day.

4. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

Best for photographers

Driftwood Beach may look a bit eerie on first glance, thanks to the gnarled trunks of live oak trees punctuating the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. This unexpected tangle is a result of beach erosion, which has caused the forested home of these hardwoods to creep closer to the ocean’s edge. What beachgoers have now is a coastal strip that’s popular with families and anyone looking to take unique photos. Prepare to be joined by several photographers if you plan to shoot the sunrise.

Planning tip: There’s a US$10 daily entry fee for vehicles; pedestrians and cyclists are exempt.

5. St Andrews Beach, Jekyll Island

Best on a river

Don’t overlook the river-facing beaches on Georgia’s barrier islands. St Andrews Beach offers visitors the Jekyll River's calm waters full of seafoam, and it's a great spot for birding, shelling and dolphin sightings. Just a few feet from the sand is The Wanderer Memory Trail, a short hiking path parallel to the coast that tells the story of the passengers of The Wanderer, a ship that illegally transported more than 400 enslaved people to Jekyll Island after the international slave trade was outlawed in the United States.

Planning tip: St Andrews Beach is about 7 miles from Driftwood Beach.