10 Coastal Georgia Towns with Amazing Weather Year-Round
Georgia enjoys one of the best climates in the country due to its location on the Atlantic Ocean and near the Gulf of Mexico. Naturally, towns closer to the coast enjoy the best weather year-round, and thankfully, the state has plenty of such beach towns where winters are mild, summers sunny, and shoulder seasons incredibly moderate and pleasurable. This great weather is one of the biggest flexes of the state, attracting millions of people yearly, some for tourism, while others for residency. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous vacation with little to no disruptions from the weather or a place to live where you don’t have to scrape out snow from the driveway every winter, these coastal towns in the Peach State are the perfect destinations to visit.
Sea Island
Sea Island is a privately owned island in Glynn County and a popular tourist destination in Georgia. So remarkable that President George Bush held the 30th G8 Summit on the island in 2004. Tourists are invited to this island’s beach to embark on sunset cruises, sunbathe, spot sea turtles, ride horses, enjoy picnics, and get active with water sports. The Cloister Resort is the island’s most famous attraction, with hundreds of rooms for lodging, a wine cellar, a spa, a Georgian room restaurant, the G8 Summit Room, a golf club, three pools, and a private beach. In addition, the island’s Commemorative Live Oaks offers a scenic and shaded path for leisurely walks. Tourists can stroll on this path to see some of the live oaks planted by Presidents Bush, Clinton, Coolridge, and Carter, among others.
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is a small coastal town around 18 miles from Savannah, spoiled with historic sites and secluded charming beaches stretching five miles. Visitors to the island town can explore its many beaches, such as Mid and North Beach, to bask in the sun, swim, fish, boat, paddle, and comb the sand for sea treasures. The island's fishing pier and pavilion on South Beach is a relaxing arena to fish and admire the roaring waters. For a thrilling dose of history, visitors can head to the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum to explore the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia. Before leaving, enjoy a movie at Tybee Post Theatre and a locally flavored ice cream at Sugar Shack.
Darien
Darien is the second oldest planned city in Georgia and lies by the mouth of the Altamaha River along the coast of Georgia. This beautiful town thrives on its touristy allure, with many recreational activities for visitors alongside fair weather. The Waterfront Park on Darien River is one of its top draws and is a relaxing spot to boat and fish on the river, or enjoy picnics under live oak trees with charming river views. The park is also home to Darien’s largest annual festival - The Blessing of the Fleet, which is held every April and features seafood, fireworks, live entertainment, and more. While in town, visit Fort King George State Historic Site, the oldest English Fort still standing on Georgia’s coast, featuring a museum, film show, and picnic shelters. Fans of the art can visit the McIntosh Art Association Gallery to explore its collection of pottery, paintings, and artworks.
Midway
Midway in Liberty County is one of the coastal gem towns of Georgia, where history harmonizes with natural splendor. The town is home to several museums to explore, such as the Midway Museum, its highlight attraction, and Georgia's first colonial museum. This museum is a storehouse for everything about the town’s glorious past, while also hosting the 200-year-old Midway Congregation Church and its cemetery. Elsewhere, Dorchester Academy, which opened in 1869, was once a school for African-Americans but is now a museum, with only the 1935 boys dormitory still standing. Fort Morris State Historic Site is another historic draw in town that’s both historic and recreational. The site preserves the earthworks that protected Sunbury Seaport during the Revolutionary War, while its coastal environment and the Medway River offer wildlife sightings, picnicking spaces, and hiking trails. In the meantime, the town hosts Melody’s Coastal Cafe where visitors are always welcome to enjoy the tantalizing of various dishes from seafood to burgers. Midway also hosts Jones Creek Park, a hot spot for water adventures and the town is a few minutes from St. Catherine’s Sound and Colonel’s Island, both of which offer unobstructed access to beautiful beaches.
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is a bustling coastal town by the Ogeechee River, where it flaunts its year-round mild weather among a couple of historic and natural draws for visitors. Hikers chere can explore the 2.3-mile Interpretive Green Creek Trail that slices through a natural habitat of wetlands to spot birds and other indigenous fauna. Elsewhere, the 187-acre Sterling Creek Park is a recreational spot to boat, kayak, canoe, swim, and fish on a lake. History buffs can visit the Fort McAlister State Park along the Ogeechee River banks to see preserved earthworks of the Confederacy, while a Civil War Museum houses war artifacts. The park is also a recreational destination for picnicking, strolling, camping, fishing, and boating in the nearby Ogeechee River. Next, check out the Richmond Hill Museum for more history about the town and its most famous resident - Henry Ford. Enjoy classic southern fares later at Bubba’s Bistro before leaving.
St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island is a quaint, laid-back barrier island off Georgia’s coast, serving as a resort town and a residential community. The island draws in tourists for its gorgeous stretch of beaches, warm weather, and historic sites. History lovers can start with the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, built in 1872, to see lighthouse exhibits and climb the 129 steps to the top where an observation deck offers sweeping views of the ocean. Next, check out Fort Frederica National Monument, a fort that played a crucial role in ending Spanish influence in Georgia during the Battle of Bloody Marsh. Art fans can check out the Trend Art Gallery to see its amazing collections of paintings and artworks. Afterward, escape to the outdoors to fish at the St. Simons Island Pier on the sound. Proceed to East Beach to sunbathe, enjoy picnics, swim, boat, kayak, fish, and catch the beautiful sunset.
Brunswick
Brunswick is a coastal gem town situated on a harbor on the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by many water bodies such as the Brunswick River and Mackay Rivers. The town is renowned for its live oak trees and Victorian-era architecture in its old historic district. Lover’s Oak - one of the town’s trees, is a famous landmark attraction said to date back to the 12th century and is believed to have been serving as a meeting place for Indian lovers. Visit this tree to take pictures and see the 1787 plaque at the base of the tree. Next, head to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation to tour a historic home and experience life in an antebellum rice plantation in the 1800s. Also, check out the Mary Ross Waterfront Park on East River, featuring a Liberty Ship Memorial Plaza, a farmer’s market, and a charming spot to admire ships on the ocean and the sunset. Laid-back visitors can relax at the Historic Ritz Theatre to enjoy movies, stage performances, and art shows. Don’t forget to admire the Sidney Lanier Bridge Over the Brunswick River.
Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island comprises 16 miles of pristine gorgeous coastline, with most of the land protected under the Cumberland Island National Seashore. It is the largest of the barrier islands in Georgia and a haven for nature buffs, with its charming beaches, ruins, maritime forests, marshes, and wild horses. One of the island’s most iconic attractions is the Dungeness Ruins, a 35,000-square-foot mansion built in 1884 by Lucy Carnegie but now in ruins. Plum Orchard is another mansion also built by Lucy Carnegie for her son George, but still in good shape unlike the Dungeness, and worth exploring. While in the area, head to the beach to stroll, watch the sunset, swim, boat, canoe, kayak, fish, and comb for seashells. Alternatively, take a 30-mile guided tour on a van to explore the island’s vast habitats like dense maritime forests and marshes. Relax afterward at Greyfield Inn, a bed and breakfast, for a hearty lunch.
St. Marys
St. Marys is a gorgeous coastal town along its namesake River and also the second oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the US, founded in 1566. Hence, iconic history, scenic nature, and fair weather combine to make St. Marys a paradise for tourists. Visit this town today and start an adventure with the St. Mary’s Submarine Museum, featuring two floors jammed with exhibits and various displays about the US submarine force. On the outdoors, Crooked River State Park is a prime destination nearby to explore a maritime forest via nature trails. Kayaking, boating, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, and biking are other exciting and immersive activities within the park, while camping is also available. Meanwhile, the St. Marys Waterfront Park is a lovely destination in the town center to relax, stroll on a boardwalk and pier, relish picnics and admire shrimp boats and magical sunsets. When hungry, head to St. Marys Seafood & More to enjoy a selection of seafood and turf dishes.
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is an unsullied natural paradise and one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, renowned as a year-round resort town. Visitors to the island can explore its natural endowments beginning with its picturesque beaches, where water sports are thrilling. First off, Driftwood Beach is quite remarkable for its weathered driftwood trees dotting the sands, while Oceanview and Great Dunes Beaches are worthy substitutes. For history lovers, the Mosaic Museum features local history exhibits that tell unique stories of this enchanting island. Visitors can also embark on a tour of the island’s historic houses and cottages like Moss Cottage (1896), Hollybourne Cottage (1890), Faith Chapel (1904), and DuBignon Cottage (1884). Afterward, visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the only rehabilitation center in the state for sea turtles. Wrap up with delicious seafood at the Wharf or Beach House restaurant.
A year-round fair weather is always a delight for locals and visitors, and Georgia has this draw, especially in its coastal region. This region enjoys super conducive weather, coupled with an enticing mix of history, nature, arts, and culture. Thus, the small towns on the coast, beaches, and barrier islands of Georgia’s coast become irresistible for tourists. From laid-back explorers to thrillseekers, and nature lovers, these towns have more than a handful of experiences for every kind of visitor.
