Georgia has about 100 miles of Atlantic coastline, much of it shaped by the barrier islands known as the Golden Isles. These islands sit behind a wide band of salt marsh, which moderates wave energy and creates calmer, shallower swimming conditions than you'd find on exposed Atlantic beaches further north. The water here is warm from June through September, typically reaching 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in peak summer.
The main beach destinations fall into two clusters: Tybee Island, about 18 miles east of Savannah and accessible by car, and the Golden Isles (Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island) about 80 miles further south. Tybee is the most visited and most urban. Jekyll Island offers a mix of developed and undeveloped shoreline. Cumberland Island, the southernmost barrier island, is accessible only by ferry and has no commercial development.
Water conditions here are affected by tidal range. Georgia has one of the largest tidal swings on the East Coast, ranging up to 9 feet. This means the beach you see at low tide looks dramatically different from what you find at high tide, and timing your visit to tidal charts makes a real difference.
We ranked Georgia beaches by real visitor ratings and review counts from our database. Here are the 7 that stand out.
1. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, 4.8 stars (3,705 reviews)
Driftwood Beach is on the north end of Jekyll Island and gets more visitor attention than any other Georgia beach, with 3,705 reviews and a 4.8-star average. The defining feature is what you can see: the remains of a maritime forest that the ocean swallowed as the shoreline eroded. Bleached, skeletal oak and pine trees still stand in the shallow water and along the tide line, their roots exposed and root systems carved into abstract shapes by wind and tidal action. This is not a swimming beach. It's a place to walk and photograph.
The best light here is at sunrise or at low tide, when the exposed tidal flats extend the visual field and the tree forms cast longer shadows. The beach faces roughly northeast, so the morning sun comes in at a favorable angle for photography. There is a small parking area off Beachview Drive; arrive early in summer, as it fills by mid-morning.
A word on water: the shallow areas around the standing trees have irregular underwater root systems. If you do wade, watch your footing. Currents here can be stronger than they appear.
Best for: Photography, early morning walks, watching wildlife in the dead trees Watch out for: Not suited for swimming; limited parking; arrive before 9am in summer
2. Saint Andrew Beach, Jekyll Island, 4.7 stars (72 reviews)
Saint Andrew Beach sits on Jekyll Island's quiet south end, past the campground and away from the main resort area. The review count is small at 72, but the 4.7-star average from those who do visit reflects the consistent quality of the experience. Calm, shallow water, a gradual sandy slope, and a stretch of shoreline that rarely gets crowded.
This section of Jekyll is backed by maritime forest and natural dunes rather than hotels or parking lots. Access requires driving to the south end of Beachview Drive. The public amenities are minimal: no concession stands, no lifeguards. What you get is a quiet beach with water suitable for young children and anyone who prefers to swim without a crowd.
Jekyll Island is itself a state park, and there is an entrance fee of $8 per vehicle. That single fee covers access to the entire island for the day, including Driftwood Beach and Saint Andrew Beach.
Best for: Young children, low-crowd swimming, families who want simple beach access Watch out for: No lifeguards; no concessions; $8 island entrance fee
3. North Beach, Tybee Island, 4.6 stars (2,005 reviews)
North Beach is Tybee Island's busiest stretch, with 2,005 reviews and the widest range of facilities of any Georgia beach. The Tybee Island Light Station (built 1867, 154 feet tall) stands at the north end of the beach and is one of the more recognizable landmarks on the Georgia coast. The pier extends into the water nearby and is a focal point for fishing, crabbing, and sightseeing.
The water here is calm relative to exposed Atlantic beaches. The Georgia barrier islands trap a lot of wave energy, and North Beach benefits from this protection. Water temperatures hit 80 degrees by July. The beach has lifeguards during summer months, restrooms, outdoor showers, and multiple nearby restaurants along Butler Avenue. Parking is paid, typically $2 to $3 per hour in the lots adjacent to the beach.
Tybee is 18 miles from Savannah via Highway 80, a drive that takes 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The road is a single causeway, which means it can back up on summer weekends. If you're visiting in July or August, going early or arriving late afternoon avoids the worst of it.
Best for: Families, first-time Tybee visitors, swimmers, anyone who wants full amenities Watch out for: Heavy weekend traffic on Hwy 80; paid parking fills fast; lighthouse tours sell out
4. Mid Beach, Tybee Island, 4.6 stars (904 reviews)
Mid Beach covers the middle section of Tybee Island's eastern shoreline between the pier area at North Beach and the more commercial South End. With 904 reviews and a 4.6-star average, it draws repeat visitors who want the Tybee experience without the heaviest foot traffic. The beach is wide at low tide, and the water conditions are very similar to North Beach: shallow, calm, and warm in summer.
The residential character behind Mid Beach, with older beach cottages and a lower density of shops and bars, makes it feel noticeably quieter than the South End. Parking here is street parking on the residential roads, which is free in most areas. Walk-in access points are distributed along Butler Avenue and the cross streets.
This is the best section of Tybee for families with young children who want manageable waves and quieter surroundings, but still want to be close enough to walk to restaurants or the pier.
Best for: Young families, quieter swimming, free parking, repeat Tybee visitors Watch out for: Street parking can be limited on busy summer weekends; no lifeguards at this section
5. Tybee Beach Point, Tybee Island, 4.5 stars (110 reviews)
Tybee Beach Point is the northernmost tip of Tybee Island, where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic. The combination of river outflow and tidal action creates water conditions that are different from the rest of the island: more current, less predictable, and not recommended for casual swimming. What it offers instead is a good vantage point for watching container ships coming in and out of the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast.
Fishing and crabbing from the point are the primary draws. Anglers land redfish, flounder, and whiting here regularly. The pier at North Beach is visible from the point, as is the lighthouse. Parking is available in the North Beach lots a short walk away.
For swimmers, the calmer sections of North Beach and Mid Beach are better options. Tybee Beach Point rewards visitors who want to fish, watch maritime traffic, or explore the rocky jetty formations.
Best for: Fishing, crabbing, watching ship traffic, lighthouse views Watch out for: Strong currents make swimming dangerous; not suitable for children to swim unsupervised
6. Sharktooth Beach, Jekyll Island, 4.0 stars (240 reviews)
Sharktooth Beach is on Jekyll Island's north end, close to Driftwood Beach, and gets its name from the fossilized shark teeth that wash up along the shell-covered shoreline. With 240 reviews, it has enough traffic to validate the claim: beachcombers regularly find teeth from ancient species including megalodon, though megalodon finds are rare. More commonly, visitors turn up small teeth from modern species mixed in with shell fragments and fossil debris.
The beach itself is narrow and rocky with limited space for swimming. The interest here is in what you find on the ground rather than the water itself. Low tide is the best time to search, when the tidal flats expose more material. Bring a sifter if you're serious about it, or simply walk the tide line with your eyes down.
Access is via the same north-end parking area used for Driftwood Beach. The $8 island entrance fee applies. Plan to combine a visit here with a Driftwood Beach walk, as the two are about a 10-minute walk apart.
Best for: Fossil hunting, shark tooth collecting, beachcombing, combined with Driftwood Beach visit Watch out for: Narrow beach; limited swimming; good finds require low tide timing
7. Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island is accessible only by ferry from St. Marys, Georgia. The National Park Service runs two ferries per day in most seasons, and reservations are required. The ferry takes about 45 minutes. Round-trip tickets are $30 per adult as of 2025.
What you get is 17 miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach on a barrier island with no cars, no development, and no commercial services once you're there. The island has freshwater ponds, maritime forest, and marshes alongside the beach. Wild horses (descendants of domesticated horses introduced centuries ago) roam the island freely and can be found on or near the beach.
The beach facing the Atlantic is wide and open, with moderate surf conditions suitable for swimming in summer. The sound side of the island has calmer water. Facilities are minimal: pit toilets at the dock and at one campground, with limited running water at the main dock area. If you go, bring everything you need for the day.
Best for: Undeveloped beach, wild horses, solitude, serious beach days without amenities Watch out for: Ferry reservations required well in advance; no food, no lifeguards; bring everything including water
Practical Notes for Georgia Beach Visits
Water temperatures: June through September runs 78 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Water cools through October and by December is in the mid-50s.
Tidal range: Check tide charts before visiting. Georgia's 7 to 9-foot tidal swing means beach width, access to tidal flats, and some parking area flooding all change based on the tide.
Jellyfish: Moon jellyfish are common in Georgia coastal waters from May through August. They sting mildly. The more problematic species (Portuguese man-o-war, cannonball jellyfish) appear less frequently but do wash ashore. Check conditions at the beach before letting children run into the water.
Getting there: Tybee Island is 18 miles from Savannah and the most accessible Georgia beach by car. Jekyll Island is 68 miles south of Savannah, about 75 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. Cumberland Island requires a ferry from St. Marys, which is 115 miles south of Savannah and 30 miles north of Jacksonville.