Travel Georgia The Best Beaches Near Savannah, Georgia By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 7, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Shannon Fagan/Getty Images While there's so much to do in Savannah—a weekend isn't nearly enough time to take in all the area has to offer—the city is so close to the coast, it can be tempting to take time out and plan a beach getaway. There are plenty of beaches in Georgia and South Carolina that make for great weekend or day trips from Savannah. Read on for some of our favorites, as well as the driving distance from the city to each of them. These beaches provide not only sandy shores for lounging and breathing deeply in the salty air, but also lots of cute bed and breakfasts, popular fishing spots, and seafood restaurants for enjoying fresh catch. It's always a good day for a beach trip. 01 of 10 Back River Beach Joseph Shields/Getty Images Tybee Island, Georgia One of the less frequented of Tybee's beaches, Back River Beach is a scenic spot along Tybee Creek at the end of Highway 80. It's a great place to see the sunset, and locals say it's a reliable shoreline for dolphin spotting too. Be sure to stop into nearby A-J's Dockside Restaurant for a meal at the end of the day. Driving Distance from Savannah: 18 miles 02 of 10 Bloody Point Beach Daufuskie Island, South Carolina At the southern end of Daufuskie Island, you'll find this beach, which is the site of a historic conflict and is now a place for fishing and seeing seagoing birds like pelicans and osprey. While on Daufuskie, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the island's Gullah culture and heritage. Be sure to check out the Billie Burn Historical Museum & Gullah Learning Center while you're on the island. Driving Distance from Savannah: 47 miles 03 of 10 Burkes Beach Shannon Fagan/Getty Images Hilton Head Island, South Carolina The powdery white sands of Burkes Beach on Hilton Head Island are famous in the South and beyond. The broad beaches are perfect for lounging and popular with families. You can find access to Burkes Beach near the middle of the island just off of William Hilton Parkway. Driving Distance from Savannah: 38 miles 04 of 10 Cabretta Island Beach LizMinkertJohnson/Getty Images Sapelo Island, Georgia One of Sapelo Island's favorite Atlantic shores is Cabretta Island Beach, a great spot for a day trip. It's accessible via a ferry ride across Dooby Sound. You can also camp on the island at the Cabretta Campground beneath live oak trees and close to opportunities for coastal wildlife sightings. Driving Distance from Savannah: 72 miles 05 of 10 Coligny Beach Park Hilton Head Island, South Carolina At this Hilton Head spot, you'll find not only beach access, but also a beach park with "outdoor showers, changing rooms, restrooms, and a variety of lounging options. Coligny also has swings and wooden chairs under shaded gazebos available to anyone who needs to rest their feet," according to hiltonhead.com. Driving Distance from Savannah: 37 miles 06 of 10 East Beach lauradyoung/Getty Images St. Simons Island, Georgia St. Simons has something for everyone, including beachside shores to enjoy. East Beach is what everyone calls St. Simons Island Beach, the public sands on the Atlantic side of the island. There are great spots for fishing nearby, as well as resorts and hotels for retiring after a day on the sand. Driving Distance from Savannah: 85 miles 07 of 10 Mid Beach DorothyBlahnik/Getty Images Tybee Island, Georgia In the middle of Tybee Island is Mid Beach, a halfway point between North and South Beach that's less busy but no less scenic than the other points on the shoreline. Broad sands and easy access make this a great spot for families and those seeking an open-air getaway. There are also some excellent seafood spots nearby for post-beach refreshment. Driving Distance from Savannah: 18 miles 08 of 10 Nanny Goat Beach lauradyoung/Getty Images Sapelo Island, Georgia As some of the better-kept-secret beaches on the Georgia coast, the shores of Sapelo Island require pre-registration to visit. They are research destinations as well as havens for migrating birds and seafaring wildlife. Nanny Goat Beach is located on the Atlantic coast a bit farther south than Sapelo's Cabretta Island Beach. Driving Distance from Savannah: 70 miles 09 of 10 North Beach DansPhotoArt on flickr/Getty Images Tybee Island, Georgia Beach seekers can't do much better than Tybee Island, where slow walks on the sand are the only item on the day's to-do list. You can find North Beach on the north end of the island near Fort Screven and the Tybee Island Light and Museum. Driving Distance from Savannah: 17 miles 10 of 10 South Beach Amanda Mcdonald/EyeEm/Getty Images Tybee Island, Georgia One of Tybee's more popular beaches, South Beach is a destination for splashing in the waves and sunning on the sands. It's located near the Tybee Beach Pier, a popular fishing spot with broad shores, and bustling eateries off Butler Avenue. Driving Distance from Savannah: 18 miles Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit