Valdosta is a city in Southern Georgia. This city is a top adventure destination and there is so much to see and do. And, when it’s time for a beach vacation, there are plenty of beautiful beaches in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina that are a short drive from Valdosta.
In this blog, we’ll look at 15 of the most beautiful beaches near Valdosta, GA.
Florida Beaches Closest to Valdosta
There are some beautiful beaches on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and in the Panhandle that are close to Valdosta, GA. These average a 3-hour drive to Valdosta.
1. Amelia Island, FL
Amelia Island is the closest beach to Valdosta, GA at 122 miles, which is just under a 2.5-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 from Valdosta, GA: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 122 miles
Visitors Website for Amelia Island
2. Jacksonville Beach, FL (Atlantic)
Jacksonville Beach is 140 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is just under a 2.5-hour drive.
About: 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 beachside shops and restaurants. It’s also a short drive to the Downtown area if you’re looking for nightlife activities.
Drive Time from Valdosta, GA: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 140 miles
Visitors Website for Jacksonville Beach
3. St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine is 159 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is right at a 2.5-hour drive.
About: 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 from Valdosta, GA: 2 hours and 35 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 159 miles
Visitor’s Website for St. Augustine
4. Crescent Beach, FL
Crescent Beach is 171 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 2-hour and 45-minute drive.
About: This 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:
- It has an “old Florida” vibe and a quieter atmosphere
- It’s family-friendly and fun for people of all ages
- The main beachfront park has picnic tables, restrooms and parking
- There’s delicious local dining nearby
Drive Time from Valdosta, GA: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 171 miles
Visitor’s Website for Crescent Beach
5. Flager Beach, FL
Flager Beach is 190 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 3-hour drive.
About Flager Beach: Flager Beach is a beach town 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 from Valdosta, GA: 3 hours
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 190 miles
Visitor’s Website for Flager Beach
6. Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach is 208 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 3-hour and 20-minute drive.
About Daytona Beach: 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 from Valdosta, GA: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 208 miles
Visitor’s Website for Daytona Beach
7. Panama City Beach, FL
Panama City Beach is 183 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 3.5-hour drive.
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 Valdosta, GA: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 183 miles
Visitors Website for Panama City Beach
8. Clearwater Beach, FL
Clearwater Beach is 255 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 4-hour drive.
About Clearwater Beach: Clearwater Beach has sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters. This is the place to go for a tropical beach vacation with something to please everyone in your family.
A boat tour or dolphin cruise excursion is a must-do activity at Clearwater Beach. And when it’s time for dinner, there is no shortage of waterfront dining or fun happy hour spots to check out.
Drive Time from Valdosta, GA: 4 hours and 10 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 255 miles
Visitors Website Clearwater Beach
Georgia Beaches Closest to Valdosta
There are three Georgia Beaches that are a short drive to Valdosta. These three beaches average a 2-hour and 45-minute drive to Valdosta.
9. St. Simons Island, GA
St. Simons Island is 127 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 2.5-hour drive.
About: St. Simons Island is the largest of four barrier islands situated between Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL. Known as the Golden Isles, these four barrier islands consist of St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Jekyll Island.
Beaches: There are four main beaches on St. Simons: Gould’s Inlet, East Beach, Massengale Park, and Coast Guard Station Beach. Each has a distinctive feel – Gould’s Inlet is amazing for bird watching, whereas East Beach has better spots to bike or run.
If you want to learn more about the four beach areas, here’s a more detailed guide on the 4 most popular beaches at St. Simons Island.
Visitors’ Website for St. Simons & The Golden Isles
Drive Time from Valdosta, GA: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 127 miles
10. Tybee Island, GA
Tybee Island is 202 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 3-hour and 40-minute drive.
About: Tybee Island is known as “Savannah’s Beach” because it is only a 20-minute drive from historic Savannah’s downtown. This 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.
There’s plenty of fun to be had for the whole family in Tybee Island and downtown Savannah, including things like:
- 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 Valdosta, GA: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 202 miles
Visitors’ Website for Tybee Island
11. Jekyll Island, GA
Jekyll Island is 126 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 2-hour and 24-minute drive.
About: Jekyll Island is off the coast of Georgia and makes for a tranquil beach getaway. It’s a 5,500-acre island with 10 miles of shoreline. This island is part of Georgia’s “Golden Isles”.
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.
Drive Time from Valdosta, GA: 2 hours and 24-minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 126 miles
Visitors’ Website for Jekyll Island
South Carolina Beaches Closest to Valdosta
There are 4 popular beach destinations in South Carolina that average a 4 hour and 45-minute drive from Valdosta, GA.
12. Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island is 217 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 3.5-hour drive.
About: 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.
Hilton Head is also a 45-minute drive from historic Savannah’s downtown, where you can find plenty to do for the whole family.
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 from Valdosta, GA: 3 hours and 34 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 217 miles
Visitors’ Website for Hilton Head
13. Edisto Beach, SC
Edisto Beach is 283 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 5-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 from Valdosta, GA: 5 hours
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 283 miles
Visitors’ Website for Edisto Beach
14. Folly Beach, SC
Folly Beach, SC is 292 miles from Valdosta, GA, which is a 5-hour and 15-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
- Top inflatable 2-person kayak: Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
- Best Budget & Sit-on-Top Kayak: Pelican Sentinel Sit-on-Top Kayak
Drive Time from Valdosta, GA: 5 hours and 15 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 292 miles
Visitors’ Website for Folly Beach
15. Isle of Palms, SC
The Isle of Palms is in the Charleston area and is a 5-hour and 30-minute drive from Valdosta GA.
About: 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 from Valdosta, GA: 5 hours and 30 minutes
Distance from Valdosta, GA: 308 miles
Visitors’ Website for Isle of Palms
Conclusion to Best Beaches Near Valdosta, GA
Valdosta’s location in Georgia makes it a close drive (around 3-4 hours) 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!
Here are some other beach lists worth exploring as well:
- 30 Best Beaches near Atlanta, GA
- 6 Closest Beaches to Augusta, Georgia
- Beaches Closest to Columbia, SC
- Beaches Near Greenville, SC
- Best Beaches Near Macon, GA
- South Carolina’s Best Beaches to Call Home & Live In
My Favorite Tools for Planning a Trip
Hotels
Booking.com. They have great deals and free cancellation usually.
Vacation Rentals
VRBO. I have been both a guest and renter for VRBO. 20+ experiences over the years. All great.
Experiences
Viator. I’m newer to this, but it’s a great spot to get ideas or discounted tickets.
