Are you in the city of Milledgeville and looking for the nearest ocean beaches? Thankfully, this landlocked spot is within driving distance to some of the best east coast beaches. Here are the best beaches near Milledgeville!
Table: GA, FL, and SC Beaches Near Milledgeville
Georgia Beaches Near Milledgeville
The Georgia coastline has the nearest ocean beaches to Milledgeville! These are some of the best beaches on the east coast of the US.
And all these GA beaches are within a 3-4 hour drive from Milledgeville and GCSU’s campus!
These are some of my favorite beaches – from the Golden Isles to Cumberland’s nature preserve. Note that these listings have multiple beaches. But this should be a good starting point!
1. Tybee Island, GA
Tybee Island is the closest beach to Milledgeville. And it’s one of Georgia’s best vacation spots on the entire east coast. Plenty of fun for the whole family here!
On Tybee Island, you have three main beach areas to choose from.
- South Beach: Very popular spot where Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion are located. Lots of restaurants and shops too.
- Mid Beach: More residential feel with good houses to rent.
- North Beach: Less crowded and great for experiencing nature and bird watch.
Also, Tybee Island is “Savannah’s Beach.” It is about twenty minutes from historic Savannah’s downtown.
Try exploring Georgia’s oldest city after spending the day at the beach. You can eat at some amazing restaurants, visit local rooftop bars, or go golfing with some friends!
Pets Allowed? No.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 3 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 181 miles
2. St. Simons Island, GA
St. Simons Island has four amazing beaches and is about a 3.5 hour drive from Milledgeville! This is my personal favorite for family beach vacations in the Peach State.
The four main beach areas are:
- East Beach
- Massengale Park
- Coast Guard Station
- Goulds Inlet
You’ll find golden sand and warm, inviting waters. There is also a great downtown with amazing local seafood and ice cream shops. It’s called the Pier Village District.
Pets Allowed? Yes, generally allowed. Dogs must stay in close proximity to owners and under control.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 181 miles
3. Sea Island, GA
Sea Island is a luxury barrier island resort! This private island has 5 miles of beach front to enjoy!
The two areas to stay at are The Lodge or Cloister on Sea Island.
Pets Allowed? Yes, in certain areas of resort.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 3 hours and 50 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 231 miles
4. Jekyll Island, GA
Jekyll Island is 238 miles from Milledgeville, GA, which is a 3-hour and 45-minute drive.
This island is part of Georgia’s four “Golden Isles”. These are the most popular barrier islands in the Peach State.
Jekyll Island has 10-miles of beaches and 7+ different different beach spots to explore. Some of the most popular are:
- Driftwood Beach
- Great Dunes Park
- St. Andrews Beach
- Oceanview Beach Park
Jekyll Island is one of the most dog-friendly beach locations in the Peach State!
The Georgia Sea Turtle Cnter and the Summer Waves Water Park are also worth checking out!
Pets Allowed? Yes, unless signs say otherwise.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 3 hours and 45 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 238 miles
5. Little St. Simons Island, GA
Little St. Simons Island is the smallest of the four Golden Isles. You can only access it by boat from the northern point of main St. Simons Island.
Like Sea Island, it’s meant to be a luxurious and peaceful spot.
The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island has some charming cottages to pick from!
Pets Allowed? No.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 181 miles
6. Cumberland Island, GA
Head to Cumberland Island if you want to see an amazing National Park, wild horses, and historic ruins! The two beach areas to see are Glory Beach and Corsair Beach Park.
Cumberland Island is 4-hours away from Milledgeville.
Georgia’s largest barrier island and is a true wilderness experience at 9,800 acres of salt marshes, unspoiled coastline, and sand dunes.
- Learn about the island’s history and seethe Dungeness ruins (pictured above)
Pets Allowed? Yes, but limited. See National Park Services rules.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 220 miles
Northeast Florida Beaches Close to Milledgeville
Milledgeville is within a 4 – 5.5 hour drive from both east coast and Gulf Coast Florida beaches.
7. Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island, FL is about a 4.5-hour drive from Milledgeville.
It’s a personal favorite among Florida’s northeast beaches. It has 13 miles of pristine, white sand shores and more than 40 public beach access points to explore.
Relax on the beach and then visit the Civil War historic site called Fort Clinch (pictured above).
Pets Allowed? Not in the state park areas. Varies by other areas.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4.5 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 240 miles
8. Jacksonville Beach, FL
Jacksonville Beach, FL is right outside downtown Jacksonville and is a little over a 4.5-hour drive from Milledgeville.
This spot has some great beachfront and a large, 1,300-foot boardwalk pier for some great fishing. There’s also fun oceanfront entertainment, shops and restaurants.
Pets Allowed? Yes, but only during certain times and seasons.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 298 miles
9. St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine is a great place for people who love history and the beach. It’s a personal favorite too.
One of my favorite spots is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The fort was constructed in 1695 and is within walking distance of the historical downtown area.
St. Augustine can also be a good spot for adults who want a quiet rest:
- Over a dozen championship golf courses
- World-class cuisine
- A rich history and historic forts, monuments, and more
St. Augustine is about a 5-hour drive from Milledgeville.
Pets Allowed? In some areas, but not in state park beaches.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 5 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 298 miles
Gulf Coast Beaches Nearest Milledgeville
10. Shell Point Beach, FL
Shell Point Beach is the closest Florida beach to Milledgville on the Gulf Coast. Keep in mind that this is a very small beach and more like a park.
It’s a great spot for shelling because the beach is covered with seashells. Be sure to bring shoes or Chaco sandals though.
There’s also a good number of amenities here:
- Restrooms
- Pavilions (first come basis, though you can rent)
- Volleyball Court
- Kids Playground
- Kayak Launch and Shell Point Boat Ramp Nearby
- Mobile Food Concession Space
Shell Point Beach Page on Wakulla County, FL Website
Pets Allowed? Yes.
Location: 117 Beaty Taff Drive, Shell Point, Florida 32327
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4.5-hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 255 miles
11. Panama City Beach, FL
Panama City Beach is one of the most popular beach destinations in Florida and a 5-hour drive from Milledgeville.
It is known for it’s vast beaches. There are twenty-seven miles of white, sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. Here’s the map of beach access points here.
After relaxing on the white, sandy beaches , check out the water activities like:
- Nearby state parks
- Paddleboarding
- A Dog Beach
- Luxury Spas
- Jet ski rentals
Pets Allowed? Yes, but limited to certain areas of PCB.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 5 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 300 miles
South Carolina Beaches Closest to Milledgeville
12. Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island is the closest South Carolina beach to Milledgeville! This beach getaway isn’t far from Savannah is is one of my favorite SC vacation spots.
It’s incredibly popular, so keep that in mind when planning a trip. There are:
- 8 public beach access points
- Water Activities like Kayaking, Dolphin Tours, Water Skiing
- Amazing Coffee Spots and Pizza Places
Hilton Head is known for great shopping and world class golf courses.
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.
Pets Allowed? Generally allowed subject to some limits
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 197 miles
13. Edisto Beach, SC
Edisto Beach is where I go when I want a more relaxed vacation than HHI or Tybee.
It’s not as developed as many of the other South Carolina beaches
Edisto Beach has thirty-seven public access points to the beach along Palmetto Blvd.
Additionally, there is a 1,255-acre state park that borders the town and provides both camping and hiking trails.
Pets Allowed? Yes, must be on leash during peak months though.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 265 miles
14. Folly Beach, SC
Folly Beach is in the Charleston, SC area and is a 4.5-hour drive from Milledgeville.
Folly is laid back and has some great surfing! One of my favorite things is to just walk along the shoreline to the pier. Or go checkout the Morris Island Lighthouse on the north tip of the island.
Additionally, there are great shops and spots to eat in the downtown. Chico Feo is one of my favorites with a great patio with lots of shade.
Pets Allowed? Yes, subject to May – September 10AM – 6PM restriction.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4.5 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 274 miles
15. Isle of Palms, SC
The Isle of Palms is in the Charleston area and is just over a 4.5-hour drive from Milledgeville, GA. There are fifty beach access paths to explore!
Attractions and entertainment at the Isle of Palms include:
- Boutique shops
- Golf at Wild Dunes Resort
- Boat tours and eco-tours
- Kayaking and canoeing
Pets Allowed? Yes, but subject to restrictions by season.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 4 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 265 miles
Georgia Lake Beaches Nearby to Milledgeville
16. Lake Sinclair, GA
Lake Sinclair Recreation Center is the closest lake beach to Milledgeville, GA at a 20-minute drive!
This 15,330-acre lake has 400+ miles of shoreline. In addition to a beach area reserved for swimming, you’ll find:
- picnic areas
- 1.8 mile hiking trail
- campsites
- bathrooms and showers
Pets Allowed? Yes, in most spots as long as leashed
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 20 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 16 miles
Location: 100 Putnam Beach Rd SW, Eatonton, GA 31024
17. Lake Lanier, GA
Lake Lanier is between a 2.5 to 3 hour drive from Milledgeville. The swimming and boating at Lake Lanier makes it one of the most popular lakes in Georgia.
It’s located in north-central Georgia and has some of the most beautiful lake beachfront in Georgia! Additionally, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands has a water park and is one of the few places to go snow tubing!
Pets Allowed? Very limited.
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 108 miles
18. Lake Allatoona, GA
Lake Allatoona is a 2.5-hour drive from Milledgeville. It’s a great place to go with the whole family and is largely a dog-friendly lake.
There are 200+ miles of shoreline for you t o enjoy the sun and sand!
Pets Allowed? Yes, as long as leashed
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 2.5 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 127 miles
19. Acworth Beach at Cauble Park
Cauble Park is a hidden gem that is 2.5 hours from Milledgeville.
The park is an amazing spot to spend the day with your family. You’ll find:
- 25 acres of park
- sandy beachfront
- 2 playgrounds
- boardwalk
- picnic pavilions
- an open play area
Location: 4425 Beach St, Acworth, GA 30101
Pet Friendly? Yes
Drive Time from Milledgeville, GA: 2.5 hours
Distance from Milledgeville, GA: 127 miles
Conclusion to Sunny Beaches Near Milledgeville
You can be at a lake beach within 20-minutes of driving. Or you can take a short roadtrip to the closest ocean beach at Tybee Island. No matter your choice, Milledgeville is only a few hours away from some of the best beaches on the east coast and Gulf Coast!
