The coastal Georgia town of Brunswick is close to some of the best beaches in the Southeastern US. Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina beaches near Brunswick, GA make for a great day trip or weekend getaway with friends and family.
Key Takeaway: The closest beaches to Brunswick are on St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, which are only 10 – 20 minute drives.
Georgia Beaches Closest to Brunswick, GA
There are five Georgia beach destinations that average a 39-minute drive from the city of Brunswick, GA:
- St. Simons Island
- Jekyll Island
- Little St. Simon’s Island
- Sea Island
- Tybee Island
1. St. Simons Island
St. Simons Island is the closet beach to Brunswick, GA and is only a 10 – 15 minute drive.
St. Simons Island is the largest of four barrier islands situated between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL. There are four different beaches on St. Simons: Gould’s Inlet, East Beach, Massengale Park, and Coast Guard Station Beach.
Reasons to Visit: With lots of natural beauty, a charming downtown, and miles of beautiful beaches, St. Simons is well worth the trip. Linked is a more detailed guide on the 4 most popular beaches at St. Simons Island.
Drive Time from Brunswick, GA: 11 minutes
Distance from Brunswick, GA: 7 miles
Visitors’ Website for St. Simons & The Golden Isles
2. Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is 13 miles, or an 21 minute drive from Brunswick.
Jekyll Island is a tranquil beach getaway. It’s a 5,500-acre island with 10 miles of shoreline. Jekyll Island is one of the Golden Isles of Georgia barrier islands.
Reasons to Visit: Boundless discovery awaits at Jekyll Island. You’ll find activities like biking, tennis, golf, the Georgia sea turtle center, and the Summer Waves Water Park.
There’s even an 18-acre campground on Jekyll Island for those who are a little more adventurous! If you love camping, check out 11 of the best RV parks and campgrounds near Savannah, GA.
Drive Time: 21 minutes
Distance: 13 miles
Visitors’ Website for Jekyll Island
3. Little St. Simons Island
Little St. Simons Island is 16 miles away, which is about a 35-minute drive from Brunswick.
This is one of the smaller islands that makes up Georgia’s Golden Isles. This is a privately owned 11,000-acre beach resort. This island is a great place for nature lovers! Wildlife is abundant because of the conservation efforts that support an uninhabited nature preserve on the island.
Reasons to Visit: This is the perfect place for family reunions or group gatherings. You can enjoy activities like:
- Guided nature walk tours
- Fishing or birding
- Bicycling
- And more!
Drive Time: 35 minutes
Distance: 16 miles
Visitors’ Website for Little St Simons
4. Sea Island
Sea Island is 12 miles, or a 22-minute drive from Brunswick.
Sea Island is a luxury five-star resort town on Georgia’s coast. It has five miles of private beach and fifty acres of marshes, rivers and seaside views. This is a great getaway spot for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Georgia coast and have all the extravagant amenities.
Reasons to Visit: A stay at this resort will give you access to amenities like:
- A championship golf course
- Sailing, kayaking, and fishing
- Five-star eats
- Boutique shopping
Drive Time: 22 minutes
Distance: 12 miles
Visitors’ Website for Sea Island
5. Tybee Island
Tybee Island is 95 miles or a 1 hour and 45-minute drive from Brunswick.
The beach is well known for its iconic Tybee Island lighthouse and long pier. It’s nickname is Savannah’s Beach” because it is such a short drive from historic Savannah’s downtown.
The short distance to Savannah is a big draw for visiting Tybee Island, as you can explore great restaurants or the arts in a historic downtown after spending the day at the beach.
Reasons to Visit: There’s plenty of fun to be had for the whole family in Tybee Island and downtown Savannah, including things like:
- Breakfast and Brunch Spots
- 20 golf championship golf courses in and around the area for the golf enthusiast
- 9 rooftop bars
Drive Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Distance: 95 miles
Visitors’ Website for Tybee Island
Best Florida Beaches Near Brunswick, GA
There are some beautiful beaches on Florida’s Atlantic Coast that are close to Brunswick, GA. These six Florida beaches average a 1 hour and 52-minute drive from Brunswick.
6. Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island is the closest Florida beach to Brunswick, GA at 58 miles, which is just over a 1-hour drive.
About: With 13 miles of white, sandy beaches, Amelia Island has over 40 public beach access points to explore! The full list of public beach access points with directions can be found here.
There are fun activities for the whole family, such as:
- Skate park
- Surfing
- Oceanfront mini golf
- Exploring the historic downtown
And with a warm climate, Amelia Island’s waters average a warm 82o Fahrenheit during summertime.
Drive Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Distance: 58 miles
Visitors Website for Amelia Island
7. Jacksonville Beach, FL
Jacksonville Beach is 84 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is just under a 1.5-hour drive.
Jacksonville Beach, FL is a great spot for a family-friendly beach vacation about 17 miles outside of Downtown Jacksonville. This beach is on the Atlantic coast.
There’s plenty of oceanfront entertainment at Jacksonville Beach. The large, 1,300-foot boardwalk pier is a nice fishing spot, and there are many beach-side shops and restaurants. It’s also a short drive to the Downtown area if you’re looking for nightlife activities.
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 84 miles
Visitors Website for Jacksonville Beach
8. St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine is 120 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is right at a 2-hour car ride away.
St. Augustine is a historic beach city on the Atlantic coast of Florida. There are many historic landmarks, gorgeous beaches, and nice golf courses here.
St. Augustine is known for its old-world charm and amazing arts and culture scene.
This beach is perfect for a romantic getaway or older adults who want peace and quiet during a beach vacation. The historic Fort Matanzas National Monument is a can’t-miss site!
Drive Time: 2 hours
Distance: 120 miles
Visitor’s Website for St. Augustine
9. Crescent Beach, FL
Crescent Beach is 123 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is a 2-hour drive.
Crescent Beach is a family-friendly beach in the greater St. Augustine area.
Fun fact: the shoreline at this beach is shaped like a crescent, which is how it got its name!
This is a beach loved by locals for many reasons. Here are just a few:
- The main beachfront park has picnic tables, restrooms and parking
- It’s family-friendly and fun for people of all ages
- It has an “old Florida” vibe and a quieter atmosphere
- There’s delicious local dining nearby
Drive Time: 2 hours
Distance: 123 miles
Visitor’s Website for Crescent Beach
10. Flagler Beach, FL
Flager Beach is 142 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is a 2 hour and 10-minute drive.
This beach town is between Daytona and St. Augustine FL with a cozy, laid-back vibe. Here, you’ll find eclectic shops, waterfront dining, natural parks, and more.
This is a great beach to visit if you like a casual beach town feel instead of a tourist destination for your family vacation. Flager Beach has over 6 miles of beautiful ocean views and a natural island environment.
Here, you’ll also find eclectic shops, waterfront dining, natural parks, and more.
Drive Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Distance:142 miles
Visitor’s Website for Flager Beach
11. Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach is 159 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is a 2.5-hour drive.
Daytona Beach has 23 miles of pristine, white-sand beaches. You might know it best as the home of the Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
Daytona is a popular vacation destination for families looking for a nice beach spot with plenty of extra fun and attractions nearby. Here are some things you’ll find in Daytona Beach:
- Miles of hiking and biking trails
- Over 20 golf courses with Atlantic Ocean views
- Waterfront dining
- Boutique shopping, and more!
Drive Time: 2.5 hours
Distance: 159 miles
Visitor’s Website for Daytona Beach
Best South Carolina Beaches Nearest to Brunswick, GA
There are four popular South Carolina beaches that average a 3 hour drive from Brunswick, GA: Hilton Head, Edisto, Folly, and Isle of Palms
12. Hilton Head Island Beach
Hilton Head Island is 110 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is just under a 2-hour drive.
You’ll find 8 public beach access points on Hilton Head Island. From the more secluded Alder Lane to Coligny Beach Park’s shops and restaurants, Hilton Head offers a lot of variety and plenty of ocean access for the public.
In addition to the pristine beaches, Hilton Head has something for the whole family. It’s known for its great shopping and golf courses. And something a little different, you could take a camper to one of Hilton Head’s best RV parks.
For the Trip: Don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen and a sturdy beach umbrella like this one that’s wind-resistant up to 34 miles per hour. (Yes, I’ve had cheap umbrellas get carried away by strong gusts of wind while at SC beaches).
Drive Time: 1 hours and 52 minutes
Distance: 110 miles
Visitors’ Website for Hilton Head
13. Edisto Beach, SC
Edisto Beach is 176 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is just under a 3-hour drive.
About: Edisto Beach is perfect when you want a quieter beach and vacation experience. This SC island is not as developed as many of the other South Carolina beaches, which makes it an excellent choice for that.
The Town of Edisto Beach provides 37 public access points to the beach along Palmetto Boulevard.
Additionally, there is a 1,255-acre state park that borders the town and provides both camping and hiking trails. There are amazing views of the marsh and Southern Lowcountry here to check out (like the live oaks pictured above)!
Drive Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 176 miles
Visitors’ Website for Edisto Beach
14. Folly Beach, SC
Folly Beach, SC is 185 miles from Brunswick, GA, which is a 3-hour and 10-minute drive.
About:Folly Beach is located in the Charleston, SC area. Folly is generally a laid-back beach that has some of the most popular surf spots on the east coast.
Additionally, there are plenty of fun shops in downtown Folly to explore, as well as some amazing local restaurants to eat at! After a long day at the beach, you could walk over to Chico Feo for some fusion tacos and a cold drink, while enjoying live music on the patio.
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Folly River, visitors can enjoy an array of beach activities from surfing, kayaking, and boating.
For those kayaking adventures, if you want to bring your own, here are some top picks from Amazon worth checking out too.
- Top inflatable kayak for 1-person: Intex Excursion Pro Kayak Series
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- Best Budget & Sit-on-Top Kayak: Pelican Sentinel Sit-on-Top Kayak
Drive Time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
Distance: 185 miles
15. Isle of Palms, SC
The Isle of Palms is in the Charleston area and is about a 3.5-hourdrive from Brunswick, GA.
The Isle of Palms offers 50 beach access paths to visitors and is 18 miles from downtown Charleston. On the island, the Wild Dunes Resort has a golf course that can be played by the public and a beautiful pier that is fun to walk and relax at.
Attractions and entertainment at the Isle of Palms include:
- Shopping at boutiques and eclectic shops
- Kayaking and canoeing
- Boat tours and eco-tours
- Golf at the Wild Dunes golf course
You can find additional shopping, entertainment, and dining in nearby Mt. Pleasant and the downtown Charleston area as well!
Drive Time: 3 hours and 26 minutes
Distance: 201 miles
Visitors’ Website for Isle of Palms
Conclusion to Beaches Near Brunswick, GA
Brunswick’s location in Georgia makes it a close drive to many beaches in the Southeast. Whether you’re traveling to Florida, South Carolina, or staying in Georgia you’ll have access to a beautiful Gulf Coast or Atlantic Coast beach!
