Georgia's Most Charming Beach Towns

The scenic state of Georgia boasts 110 miles of Atlantic shoreline, 14 barrier islands, four of which are accessible by car, and plenty of quaint coastal towns. Enjoy your next coastal getaway by visiting one of the state's enclaves and barrier islands, surrounded by majestic marshes, wild dunes, and historic lighthouses. There is something magical that awaits you in the beautiful Peach State with a renowned coastline, like a foodie paradise and an intriguing history.

Coastal Georgia boasts gorgeous beaches amid local hospitality dripping like Spanish moss from the majestic oaks along the streets. Visit one of these charming towns, the hidden gems of the south, to enjoy the best access to Georgia's most gorgeous seascape. Extend your stay and choose to camp out, save money, and become whole with nature, or continue road-tripping to see more of the coast and get the most bang for your buck.

Brunswick

Brunswick, set mainland from its sister Golden Isles, is your quintessential port city destination, bearing the telling moniker "world shrimp capital." Explore Old Town Brunswick and the scenic buildings at Historic Downtown Brunswick, which has a distinctive clock tower at Old City Hall, and the Ritz Theatre.

The charming waterfront town is a lovely family vacation or quick trip from the city, full of discoveries and pursuits that will pique everyone's interest. Before departing on one of the whale and dolphin watching excursions, enjoy the delicious food scene, including Brunswick's signature stew. Try catching your own shrimp, which is only available during a 2-hour cruise on the Lady Jane vessel along the east coast and includes a post-gather around the massive shrimp boil to cook your catch.

Darien

The lovely waterfront community is a tiny coastal enclave nestled between Savannah and Brunswick. Once a thriving port, Darien is great for ecotourism today, with plentiful natural attractions and habitats, from rivers to islands, and beaches. Try reeling in a catch at the bountiful estuaries or highlight your trip with a feast from one of Darien's many restaurants, like the Spartina Grill. It is a local and tourist favorite for fresh seafood, such as the scampi bruschetta, as well as for trivia night on Tuesdays.

What appears to be Georgia's prime coastal town, Darien, is a well-kept secret along the Atlantic Ocean coast, with beautiful scenery and an unspoiled landscape. Explore various waterfront parks and historical monuments, then head downtown for entertainment for all ages. The charming historic district nods at the first fortified and second-oldest planned city in Georgia. Stop by the Fort King George State Historic Site and the Old Jail Arts Center and Museum. Take a hike along the Coastal Birding Trail, for a chance to see almost 75% of the total bird species in Georgia.

Jekyll Island

The charming island town with a cool name is one of Georgia's best beach towns with lots to do. Choose from adventures for all tastes and levels of activity, like discovering the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the Summer Waves Water Park, a beach scrawl, or the exciting food scene. Revel in the town's food scene, like the highly regarded pizzas from the Shore Restaurant and the unmissable Shrimp and Grits Festival.

The adorable Jekyll Island is home to plenty of accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and capes. Its dreamy beaches all around have accessibility points and provide free beach wheelchairs. Enjoy all the water fun this summer, then return for the most-worthy Holly Jolly Jekyll Festival and enjoy Jekyll Island from a whole other winter wonderland perspective.

Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill is just southwest of Savannah, along the scenic Ogeechee River. The small southern town, overshadowed by its larger neighbor, will surprise you with a wealth of gorgeous architecture, shopping, restaurants, and great outdoor pursuits. Enjoy recreation at your own level along the Green Creek Trail and JF Gregory Park, as well as tennis courts and golf courses. Each fall, the town hosts the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival and serves as a year-round gateway to Fort McAllister State Park, which has cottages and RV sites. The park is an outdoor and water recreation paradise with a beautiful view of the Ogeechee River. Seek out the Richmond Hill Veterans Memorial as well as Fort McAllister, constructed in 1861 to protect against Union naval attacks during the Civil War.

Henry Ford discovered Fort McAllister by accident and fell in love with it, renovating it into a low-key modern paradise where he spent winters with his wife. Visit the fascinating Richmond Hill History Museum, which includes an underground hospital for malaria patients, a burn unit, and a gunpowder magazine for storing gunpowder and ammunition. Choose from plenty of budget chain hotels and enjoy strolls through the charming downtown Richmond Hill, along with the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail. The Way Station Coffee Co. on Ford Avenue serves the best coffee in town for breakfast, and Bubba's Bistro is great for lunch and dinner with homestyle meals served by friendly staff, such as cake sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, grilled vegetables, and awesome desserts.

Sea Island

Sea Island, home to a resort town, is a privately owned island off the coast of Georgia. The private and gated island is only accessible to guests or members of the resort, so you have to book in advance. Enjoy a luxurious seaside Cloister resort, which has four Forbes Five-Star experiences, including a spa and the Georgian Room restaurant. Stay at The Lodge for a boutique experience or at the classic hotel for the budget-conscious. This giant compound features three pools, a private beach, and seven dining venues, for the most relaxing vacation time.

There is also the luxurious Sea Island Resort for an exceptional 5-star resort experience with unparalleled hospitality and amenities. Enjoy the exquisite spa with relaxing massages, facials, and body masks, and dine at one of its many excellent restaurants. The little tourists especially love all the animal interactions, like sea turtle patrols and dolphin tours, while the sailor, fishermen, and golfer dads can enjoy their favorite pursuits in world-class style. Bring your pet along and have them choose their own pet menu of amenities to wag tails for.

St. Marys

One of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the country, St. Marys is all-around charming, including its stunningly gorgeous stretch of Georgia's coastline. Feel the casual coastal vibe extend deep into the historic downtown area for an inebriating concoction to all senses. Enjoy various cuisines and dining options and explore the wealth of shops, attractions, and historic sites. There is also live entertainment on the streets and a line-up of events throughout the summer.

"The Gateway to Cumberland Island" has plenty of its own natural scenery, like the Crooked River State Park with the Intracoastal Waterway galore for kayakers. Enjoy adventures in the lush maritime forests on an afternoon of hiking or biking that seem to always lead to a shoreline to do fishing. Set a coastal picnic and sight marine wildlife like fiddler crabs, herons, and gopher tortoises. You can also rent a cottage or reserve a campsite to stay in nature's embrace through the night with easy access to water.

Saint Simon's Island

The charming barrier island of Saint Simons Island is the largest of the Golden Isles, just over 80 miles from Savannah. It is your go-to scenic respite for favorite adventures or to spend days along the calm and white sandy beaches to stroll, chill out, and relax. Enjoy Georgia's most beautiful beach sunsets, unlike anywhere else in the state, while fishing and at seaside restaurants.

Spend a day downtown exploring the history of the old town, where you will also find streets lined with gorgeous oak trees and charming old buildings, all surrounded by a magical air of history. The town overflows with Southern charm and community hospitality, but it also has stunning resorts for pampering, exciting tours for adventurers, and world-class golf courses. Choose the Village Inn and Pub, the 1930s restored beach cottage between the oceanfront village and beautiful parkland, and try their renowned martinis.

Tybee Island

This stunning coastal town on the namesake island is just 30 minutes from Savannah. Relish in the intimate community with a slew of restaurants and events on a weekend trip or a whole vacation. Find the downtown area replete with charming storefronts with all kinds of interesting finds and unique places to eat. Check out the iconic Tybee Island lighthouse, the state's oldest and tallest and the symbol of the island. It offers breathtaking views of the coast from the top, while the grounds around the lighthouse house the keepers’ cottages.

Tybee Island has miles of sandy beaches and even more miles of natural habitats where you can sightsee wildlife like dolphins while kayaking, sailing, or biking around the island. Take a hike along the North Beach Birding Trail, which is perfect to spot shorebirds, seabirds, and wintertime migrating species. Stay at the Hotel Tybee and spend your days in the sea, sand, and sun, until the latter impresses you at sunset.

Each one of these unique towns screams charm. Choose from all-inclusive to exclusive experiences and immerse yourself in the unforgettable coastal scenery of Georgia. Visit the islands for a remote, lost-at-sea experience or stay in a luxurious resort. You will have plenty of space to roam and pursuits to fill a vacation of any length. Enjoy the beachy vibe along the boardwalks and seaside trails, which blend into a marvelous atmosphere amid the downtown scene and historic districts. Stroll through the charming streetscape for sights, delightful local attractions, and self-guided food tours.