10 Sunny Florida Georgia Beaches to Visit (2023)

Florida Georgia Beaches Graphic

Some of the USA’s top beaches are located near the Florida-Georgia border. There are miles of pristine beaches and unique coastal communities with everything from water activities to state parks. Here are some of my favorite beaches along Georgia-Florida border which I’ve visited over the pas 20 years!

Table of Florida Georgia Beaches

BeachStateEastern Atlantic or Gulf CoastFavorite Things Here
Amelia IslandFloridaEastern AtlanticFort Clinch & Amelia Island State Park
Cumberland Island GeorgiaEastern Atlanticwild horses, 9,800 acres of wilderness, and the ruins of a 1700s mansion
Jacksonville BeachFloridaEastern AtlanticFishing on 1,300-ft. boardwalk
Jekyll IslandGeorgiaEastern AtlanticDriftwood Beach and Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Panama City BeachFloridaGulf CoastClear, blue-green waters and water activities like parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking
Sea IslandGeorgiaEastern Atlantic5-star luxury resort
St. AugustineFloridaEastern AtlanticHistorical colonial district and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (oldest masonry fort in continental USA)
St. George IslandFloridaGulf CoastHiking at the state park
St. Simons IslandGeorgiaEastern AtlanticBird watching on Gould’s Inlet and the St. Simons Lighthouse
Tybee IslandGeorgiaEastern AtlanticTybee Island Lighthouse and Pier

List of Top Beaches Near Florida-Georgia Border

1. Amelia Island, Florida

Aerial View of Fort Clinch on Amelia Island

Amelia Island is a charming island with 13 miles of pristine, white sand shores. It has over 40 public beach access points to explore, which are mapped out here. Besides exploring the natural beauty, check out these activities on Amelia Island.

  • Visit the Civil War historic site, Fort Clinch, which is pictured above. (I’ll always have found memories of visiting this spot when we stayed at Amelia for Georgia-Florida football game.)
  • Play golf on one of the island’s picturesque golf courses
  • Relax on one of the many public beaches

Amelia Island State Park is another must-visit destination for beach lovers, as you can enjoy park’s outdoor activities. Check out the kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching if you have the time!

Distance from GA-FL Border: 30 minute drive

Visitors Website for Amelia Island

2. Tybee Island, Georgia

Tybee Island is one of the first beaches I ever visited in Georgia and will always be a favorite. It’s a charming town that has become quite popular with visitors over the years. The iconic Tybee Island lighthouse and pier are worth seeing at least once!

After enjoying the miles of pristine beaches, maybe go dolphin watching or visit one of the historic sites like the Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Savannah is only about a 25 to 30 minute drive from Tybee, which is another big draw to visit. Explore the amazing restaurants or the arts in Savannah’s historic downtown. Below are some recommendations of places to eat and see in Savannah.

Distance from GA-FL Border: 2+ hours

Visitors’ Website for Tybee Island

3. St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is a historic beach town south of Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to the beaches, it’s a great spot for history lovers. One of my favorite spots is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The fort was constructed in 1695 and has great views of the ocean. It’s also down the street from the historic, colonial district.

St. Augustine can also be a good spot for adults who want peace and quiet during a beach vacation. You’ll find:

  • Over a dozen championship golf courses
  • World-class cuisine
  • A rich history and historic forts, monuments, and more

Distance from GA-FL Border: 1 hour and 15-minute drive

4. Cumberland Island, Georgia

Cumberland Island showing horse and Dungeness Ruins

Cumberland Island is the perfect spot for a remote return to nature. Only accessible via boat, Cumberland is Georgia’s largest barrier island and has 9,800 acres of wilderness overseen by the National Park Service.

You’ll find miles of unspoiled coastline, salt marshes, and dunes. Visitors to the island can also explore the island’s historic sites, like the Dungeness ruins pictured above.

Distance from GA-FL Border: 30 minutes

5. Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Jacksonville Beach Florida

Jacksonville Beach, FL is about 20 minutes from downtown and has fun oceanfront entertainment like shops and restaurants! It makes it an ideal spot for a family-friendly beach vacation.

There’s also a large, 1,300-foot boardwalk pier for some great fishing!

Distance from GA-FL Border: 50 minute drive

Visitor’s Website for Jacksonville Beach

6. Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island is one of the Golden Isles of Georgia. This tranquil beach getaway has 5,500-acres and 10 miles of shoreline.

Driftwood Beach is one of the most popular beach spots on Jekyll Island (and is dog-friendly). The beach is named after the driftwood that washes upon the sandy shores. The backdrop makes for stunning photo ops as well.

Other outdoor fun here on Jekyll includes things like:

There’s also an 18-acre campground on Jekyll Island for those who want to spend more time outdoors!

Distance from GA-FL Border: 1-hour drive

Visitors’ Website for Jekyll Island

7. St. George Island State Park, Florida

Located about 2-hours south of the Georgia-Florida border is St. George Island! This twenty-two mile barrier island is less crowded than some of the surrounding beaches in Florida. Thus, it’s perfect for a laid-back and peaceful beach vacation for the whole family.

St. George Island State Park is home to miles of unspoiled beaches – perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and shelling. Be sure to also check out the park’s hiking trails, which wind through the island’s dunes and marshes.

Drive Time GA-FL Border: 2 hours

Visitors’ Website for St. George Island

8. Sea Island, Georgia

Sea Island is a part of the Golden Isles and is a luxury five-star resort town! It has 5-miles of private beach and fifty acres of marshes, rivers and amazing seaside views.

A stay at this resort will give you access to amenities like:

  • Sailing, kayaking, and fishing
  • Five-star eats
  • A championship golf course
  • Boutique shopping

Visitors’ Website for Sea Island

Distance from GA-FL Border: 1-hour drive

9. Panama City Beach, Florida

Panama City Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the country and is a 2-hour drive from Southwest Georgia. With 27 miles of white, sandy beaches and clear water, Panama City Beach is the place to go for lots of activities!

It’s also near Destin, Florida, which has some amazing beaches as well!

In addition to relaxing on the white, sandy beaches (Map of beach access points here), check out the water activities like:

  • Jet ski rentals
  • Paddleboarding
  • A Dog Beach
  • Nearby state parks
  • Luxury Spas

Visitors Website for Panama City Beach

Distance from GA-FL Border: 2+ hour drive

10 St. Simons Island, Georgia

St. Simons is the largest of the four Golden Isles. There are four main beaches on St. Simons: Gould’s Inlet, East Beach, Massengale Park, and Coast Guard Station Beach. (Linked is a more detailed guide on the 4 most popular beaches at St. Simons Island.)

The downtown area is charming and the beaches offer plenty of natural beauty and variety!

Visitors’ Website for St. Simons & The Golden Isles

Distance from GA-FL Border: 50-minute drive

Conclusion to Florida Georgia Beaches

Although there are numerous beaches near the Florida-Georgia border, the above list includes the best I’ve had the chance to see and visit. The majority are located along the eastern Atlantic coastline, though there are some worth exploring on the Gulf Coast. Happy travels!

Recent Posts