10 Best Beaches in Savannah

North Beach, Tybee Island is a charming mix of old and new. Discover the serene atmosphere of this wide, sandy Savannah shoreline. Explore maritime history at the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. Built in 1773, the lighthouse stands at 145 ft. making it the tallest and oldest lighthouse in Georgia.

Take a stroll along the north shore to look for seashells and other treasures. As you walk, look for dolphins playing in the surf. Birdwatchers will be delighted to know that North Beach and Tybee Island are part of the Coastal Birding Trail. Keep an eye out for brightly plumed gulls, oystercatchers, terns, and painted buntings, and listen for the joyful melody of songbirds.

Referred to as Tybee Island’s secret beach, Back River Beach is a perfect place to soak up the sunshine. Here you can feel fresh coastal breezes while enjoying the company of friends and family. If you prefer a laid-back sightseeing tour, set sail to see popular local landmarks including the Tybee Island Lighthouse, Fort Pulaski National Monument, and everyone’s favourite island residents: dolphins.

Whether you arrive at Back River Beach on foot or by boat, there’s always a table with a view at one of the island’s popular eateries. Recount your day’s adventures as you dive into a feast of crab, shrimp, and mussels, and watch nature’s beauty unfold as the sunset’s palette of colours transforms the river landscape.

Centrally located, Mid Beach is a hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Tybee Island’s neighbouring beaches. This coastal gem is a great option for travellers who seek a more intimate island escape with quaint beachfront lodging. Mid Beach’s vibrant culinary scene offers plenty of options to enjoy your favourite coastal fare.

Families enjoy this beach’s less crowded shoreline for uninterrupted hours of sandcastle building and frolicking in the shallow water. Spend afternoons watching sandpipers scurry along the shoreline and picnic on the beach. After soaking up the sunshine and spectacular coastal views, take a stroll to Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion for a scoop of your favourite ice cream and enjoy the island scenery.

On Tybee Island’s South Beach, you’ll find the lively sights and sounds of Tybrisa Street. Considered the city centre district, this vibrant street beckons shoppers to indulge in fun, whether you’re on a mission to find beachwear, souvenirs, or a casual place to dine. Hop on a bike and explore the beach scene or play a game of billiards or paintball.

Head to Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion to catch the beachy vibe of this popular spot. Order your favourite refreshment to go so you won’t miss a beat soaking up the fun on one of the best beaches in Savannah. Stick around to explore the nightlife and listen to live music while you mingle with friendly locals and fellow visitors.

Nestled on the tip of Tybee Island's North Beach, Savannah River Beach is secluded oasis. This is one of the best beaches in Savannah for marvelling at the untamed beauty of a vast, wide-open shoreline. Feel reenergizing sunshine and coastal breezes on your skin and soft sand beneath your feet. Spend the day beachcombing and watching ships slip across the horizon.

For nature enthusiasts and photographers, this beach transforms at sunset into a stunning masterpiece painted with dazzling hues of blue, orange, and purple. For birdwatchers, Savannah River Beach is an ideal spot to watch shorebirds. Look for egrets wading in the calm waters, the orange-billed American Oystercatcher probing the sand for a shellfish feast, and bald eagles soaring overhead.

Hop aboard a ferry and slip into the past on Daufuskie Beach, South Carolina, where you can see what the seascapes of the Lowcountry looked like before they were developed. Explore the ecological wonders that surround you on a coastal hike, or shop for local art.

Stop at The Bloody Point Lighthouse Museum to learn about its service as a beacon for ships sailing into the Savannah River Channel until it was deactivated in 1922. The building was originally used as a storehouse for oil and lamps, including the lighthouse lamp. To learn about local winemaking, visit Silver Dew Winery, South Carolina’s oldest winery. Sip on signature wines and toast the natural beauty of Daufuskie Island.

South of the barrier island, Little Tybee Island is an uninhabited nature preserve. Rent a kayak, jet ski, or paddleboard and head over to Little Tybee for an eco-adventure. For a family outing, embark on a fossil hunt to look for shark teeth and prehistoric bone fragments along the shoreline.

Anglers will enjoy casting a line for redfish, speckled sea trout, and flounder. Little Tybee Island is also an ideal spot for camping. By day, immerse yourself in the diversity of the island’s natural beauty with panoramic ocean views, rich coastal salt marshes, and natural dunes. In the evening, gather around the campfire to enjoy the company of friends and family, roast s’mores, and watch for falling stars.

Whether you’re organising a weekend escape or an extended holiday, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina awaits with its coastal splendour. A premier family beach destination in the Lowcountry, you’ll find miles of pristine shorelines and some of the best beaches in Savannah. Ideal for young marine enthusiasts, these beaches offer opportunities to learn about sea turtles, ambassadors of the ocean. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is popular for its wildlife, including alligators, egrets, and white-tailed deer.

Visit Harbour Town marina, tour the iconic lighthouse, and shop for souvenirs. For cultural enthusiasts, explore Gullah heritage through art and local traditions. At sundown, dine on the daily catch and raise a toast to your Hilton Head adventures.

Immerse yourself in the captivating charm of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Wander beneath sprawling canopies of majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Take a stroll or rent a bicycle and begin your quest to find the famous Tree Spirits, a series of carvings in the oak trees that are said to immortalise mariners who sailed aboard ships built using the island’s oak trees.

Visit St. Simons Lighthouse for sweeping island and coastal views. Delve into history at Fort Frederica National Monument and the Maritime Centre, a former US Coast Guard Station. Visit Cannon’s Point Preserve for a maritime forest hike adjacent to the shoreline, a rich wildlife habitat for deer and birds including cormorants, painted buntings, and red-shouldered hawks.

Travellers seeking a secluded island retreat on one of the best beaches in Savannah will find an untouched wilderness on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Discover the island’s cultural history at Hog Hammock, a well-preserved Gullah community that maintains the unique linguistic, cultural, and culinary traditions of the Gullah-Geechee people.

Take a hiking adventure in The Sapelo Island Natural Estuarine Research Reserve through the island’s most spectacular scenery including maritime forest, marsh, tidal creeks, a dune system, and beach. As you explore, keep an eye out for shorebirds, dolphins, manatees, alligators, fiddler crabs, and diamondback terrapins – a turtle species that thrives in Sapelo’s marshes and tidal creeks. Accessible solely by boat, visitors must register for a tour offered by the Reserve.