"Which is the best beach?" is the question I hear most often from first-time visitors to the Golden Isles. My answer is always the same: it depends entirely on what kind of day you want to have. The shorelines here don't offer a one-size-fits-all experience. Saint Simons brings a classic, lively beach-town energy, while Jekyll Island feels wilder and more secluded.
To help you find the perfect patch of sand, here are my top ten favorite beaches and coastal access points across the Golden Isles.
1. Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island
The hauntingly beautiful landscape of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island.
Driftwood Beach is arguably the most photographed spot in Georgia, and for good reason. The massive, weathered trees resting in the sand look otherworldly. This landscape was created by decades of erosion on the north end of the island, which caused the maritime forest to slowly fall into the ocean. It's a stunning scenic stop—perfect for sunrise photos and exploring tide pools—though it isn't ideal for swimming or setting up a large beach tent.
2. East Beach, Saint Simons Island
The expansive views around East Beach offer plenty of room to play.
If your ideal day includes boogie boarding, packing a cooler, and throwing a frisbee, East Beach is your spot. This area is lively, accessible, and deeply convenient. At low tide, the beach becomes incredibly wide and hard-packed, making it a favorite local spot for bike riding right on the sand.
3. Massengale Park, Saint Simons Island
Massengale Park provides easy access and great facilities.
Just down the road from East Beach, Massengale Park is the most family-friendly access point on Saint Simons. It offers ample parking, public restrooms, outdoor showers, and a shaded picnic area under the live oaks. It's the most practical place to go if you have a car loaded with kids and beach gear.
4. Great Dunes Beach Park, Jekyll Island
Great Dunes is the most popular family beach on Jekyll Island.
Great Dunes is the heart of Jekyll Island's beach scene. The park has massive parking pavilions, bocce ball courts, and easy beach access. The sand here is wide and the waves are gentle, making it the perfect spot for families who want a classic, easy beach day without the crowds of a typical tourist hub.
5. Glory Beach, Jekyll Island
The wide, pristine sands of Glory Beach.
Named after the 1989 movie Glory, which filmed some of its iconic beach scenes here, Glory Beach is accessible via a long wooden boardwalk that crosses over pristine, protected dunes. It's much quieter than Great Dunes, offering a serene, uninterrupted view of the Atlantic. It's also a fantastic spot for bird watching.
6. St. Andrews Beach Park, Jekyll Island
St. Andrews is known for its incredible sunset views.
Unlike most of the beaches on this list, St. Andrews is located on the western side of Jekyll Island, facing the sound rather than the open ocean. This makes it the absolute best place on the island to watch the sunset. It's also a prime spot for watching dolphins feed in the shallow waters just off the coast.
7. Gould's Inlet, Saint Simons Island
Gould's Inlet is a favorite for local fishermen and bird watchers.
Located at the far north end of East Beach, Gould's Inlet is not a swimming beach (the currents are too strong), but it is incredibly scenic. It's a favorite spot for local fishermen, bird watchers, and paddleboarders. You get a fantastic view of the southern tip of Sea Island from here.
8. South Dunes Beach Park, Jekyll Island
An elevated boardwalk leads you through the dunes to the beach.
South Dunes Beach Park features an elevated boardwalk that takes you through a dense, beautiful maritime forest and over a protected dune system before dropping you onto the sand. It feels incredibly secluded and offers shaded picnic areas right next to the parking lot.
9. Oceanview Beach Park, Jekyll Island
Oceanview is a modern park with fantastic amenities.
One of the newer beach parks on Jekyll, Oceanview offers modern facilities, unobstructed views of the ocean, and easy access to the sand. It's a great middle-ground if you want the amenities of Great Dunes but are looking for a slightly quieter stretch of sand.
10. Sea Island Beach
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The pristine, private beaches of Sea Island.
While Sea Island is a private resort (accessible only to guests of the resort or members of the Sea Island Club), its beaches deserve a mention for their absolute pristine beauty. With five miles of private shoreline, you can walk for hours in total peace, enjoying the highest level of coastal luxury available in Georgia.
