Located in the Heart of Georgia, Macon is the fourth largest city in the Peach State. Being centrally located, Macon is near some of the best beach spots in the southeastern US.
Here are 8 of the best beaches closest to Macon, GA. I’ve looked at the closest beaches in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.
Georgia Beaches Closest to Macon, GA
The two closest Georgia beaches to Macon, GA are Tybee Island and St. Simons Island, which average a 3-hour and 10-minute drive (191 miles).
Both Tybee and St. Simons are among the most popular beach destinations in the Peach State and offer something unique for everyone in the family.
1. Tybee Island, GA
Tybee Island is the closest beach to Macon at 183 miles, which is a 2-hour and 50-minute drive.
Beach Areas: Tybee Island has five main beach areas:
- North Beach
- Mid Beach
- South Beach
- Back River Beach
- Little Tybee Beach
If you want to explore great restaurants or the arts in a historic downtown after hitting up the beach, I recommend this beach because it’s known as “Savannah’s Beach.”
It’s only a 20-minute drive from Georgia’s most historic city – Savannah, where there are plenty of activities for everyone.
- Amazing restaurants
- 9 rooftop bars
- Breakfast and Brunch Spots
- 20 golf championship golf courses in and around the area for the golf enthusiast
Drive Time from Macon: 2 hours and 50-minutes
Distance from Macon: 183 miles
Vacation Rentals at Tybee Island
2. St. Simons Island, GA
St. Simons is near the Florida border and is a 3.5-hour drive from Macon, GA (200 miles). Although it’s a further drive than Tybee, St. Simons is worth a visit.
It is the largest of the barrier islands known as the Golden Isles, which are:
- St. Simons Island
- Sea Island
- Little St. Simons Island
- Jekyll Island
Linked is a more detailed guide on the 4 most popular beaches at St. Simons Island.
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Macon, GA: 200 miles
Vacation Rentals at St. Simons Island
South Carolina Beaches Closest to Macon, GA
There are four popular beach destinations in South Carolina that average a 4-hour drive from Macon, GA.
- Hilton Head Island (closest SC beach to Macon, GA)
- Edisto Beach (2nd closest)
- Folly Beach (Charleston area)
- Isle of Palms (Charleston area)
3. Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular beach communities in South Carolina and is a 3-hour drive from Macon, GA (198 miles). It is also the closest beach in SC to Macon, GA.
You’ll find 8 points of access to public beach property. 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.
Hilton Head is known for its great shopping and golf courses. There’s something for the whole family here! For something a little different, try taking a camper to one of Hilton Head’s best RV parks.
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 3 hours
Distance from Macon GA: 198 miles
Visitors Website for Hilton Head Island
Vacation Rentals
4. Edisto Beach, SC
Edisto Beach is the second closest SC beach to Macon, GA at a 4-hour drive (264 miles). This choice is perfect for a quieter experience because Edisto Island is not as developed as many of the other South Carolina beaches.
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. You can’t beat the views of the marsh and Southern Lowcountry feel here!
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 4 hours
Distance from Macon, GA: 264 miles
Visitors’ Website for Edisto Beach
Vacation Rentals at Edisto Beach
5. Folly Beach, SC
Folly Beach is a 4.5-hour drive from Macon, GA (272 miles) and is well worth the extra drive if you’d like to visit the Charleston area.
Folly Beach is home to the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage, which is a perfect spot to take in some history and other activities such:
- beachside strolls
- wildlife observation
- photography
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Folly River, visitors can enjoy an array of beach activities from surfing, kayaking, and boating.
This beach is located on Folly Island and is a laid-back spot that offers one of the most popular surf spots on the east coast.
After a long day at the beach, check out Folly Beach’s eclectic shops or local cuisine. You could walk walk over to Chico Feo for fusion tacos, a cold drink, and live music on the patio!
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Distance from Macon, GA: 272 miles
Visitors’ Website for Folly Beach
Vacation Rentals at Folly Beach
If you want to bring a kayak, here are some top picks from Amazon worth checking out too.
- Top inflatable kayak for 1-person: Intex Excursion Pro Kayak Series
- Top inflatable 2-person kayak: Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
- Best Budget & Sit-on-Top Kayak: Pelican Sentinel Sit-on-Top Kayak
6. Isle of Palms, SC
The Isle of Palms is also in the Charleston area and is a 4-hour and 45-minute drive from Macon, GA (288 miles).
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.
You can find additional shopping, entertainment, and dining in nearby Mt. Pleasant and the downtown Charleston area.
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.
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 4 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Macon, GA: 288 miles
Visitors’ Website for Isle of Palms
Vacation Rentals at Isle of Palms
Florida Beaches Closest to Macon, GA
The two Florida beaches that are closest to Macon, GA are Amelia Island and Panama City Beach. They average a 4.5-hour drive or 270-mile trip.
7. Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island is the closest Florida beach to Macon, GA in terms of overall drive time (4 hours).
With 13 miles of white sand and coastline along Amelia Island, there are 40+ public beach access points to explore! (List of public beach access points with directions here).
With a warm climate, Amelia Island’s waters average a warm 82o Fahrenheit during summertime. There are fun activities for the whole family, such as:
- Skate park
- Surfing
- Oceanfront mini golf
- Exploring the historic downtown
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 4 hours
Distance from Macon, GA: 273 miles
Visitors Website for Amelia Island
Vacation Rentals at Amelia Island
8. Panama City Beach, FL
Panama City Beach is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country takes 5 hours to drive from Macon, GA (268 miles).
With 27 miles of white, sandy beaches, you’ll find plenty to do at Panama City Beach. (Map of beach access points here).
In addition to relaxing on the beach, you’ll find plenty of other activities like:
- Paddleboarding
- Jet ski rentals
- A Dog Beach
- Nearby state parks
- Luxury Spas
Drive Time from Macon, GA: 5 hours
Distance from Macon, GA: 268 miles
Visitors Website for Panama City Beach
Vacation Rentals at Panama City Beach (PCB)
Conclusion to Beaches Near Macon, GA
Centrally nestled in the state of Georgia, the city of Macon is a 3 to 5 hour drive from eight of the most popular beaches on the US east coast and Gulf of Mexico. Happy travels!
And if you’re interested in other beaches near Georgia cities, check out these posts too.
Beaches Closest to Columbus, GA
