10 Best Beaches Near Atlanta, GA: Stunning Destinations Worth the Drive
Beaches are great places to relax and have fun. They’re not too far from Atlanta, so you can easily go there for a break from the busy city. At the beach, you can hear the waves instead of cars and see sand instead of buildings.
There are many nice beaches near Atlanta. Some are by the ocean, like Hilton Head Island. Others are by lakes, like Fort Yargo State Park Beach. Each beach has its own special things to see and do.
Best Beaches near Atlanta
Going to the beach feels amazing. The sand is soft and warm under your feet. The air smells fresh and salty. You can hear the waves going back and forth, which is very calming.
Beaches are great because you can do lots of different things there. In the morning, you can watch the sun come up over the water. During the day, you can swim, look at sea animals, or just lay in the sun. Families often build sand castles or play games on the beach.
Some people like to take quiet walks by the water. They enjoy feeling the waves touch their feet as they walk along the edge of the ocean. Whether you want excitement or peace, the beach has something for everyone.
Even though Atlanta is not next to the ocean, you don’t have to travel far to find a nice beach. There are many beaches within a few hours’ drive from the city. This means you can easily go for a day trip or a weekend getaway to enjoy the sand and water.
Orange Beach
Orange Beach is a nice place in Alabama, about five hours from Atlanta by car. It has beautiful white sand and clear water. Many people from Atlanta don’t know about it yet, which makes it special.
Orange Beach is great because you can relax or have fun adventures. Families can go on boat trips to see dolphins. People who like excitement can go fishing in deep water or try water sports. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Wharf is a cool place to visit at Orange Beach. It has shops, places to eat, and a big Ferris wheel. From the Ferris wheel, you can see great views of the area. There’s also a trail called the Backcountry Trail. You can walk or bike on it to see different kinds of plants and animals that live in Alabama.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach is in Florida, six hours away from Atlanta by car. It’s on an island called Santa Rosa Island. This beach is known for being calm and relaxing. The sand is soft and white, and the water is warm and green.
At Pensacola Beach, life moves slower. You can lie in the sun and listen to the waves. This helps you forget about your worries. But there are also things to do if you don’t want to just relax all day.
If you like history, you can visit Historic Pensacola Village and the Pensacola Lighthouse. These places show you what life was like a long time ago. You can also walk on the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier. From there, you might see fish or other sea animals in the water.
For people who like to be active, you can go snorkeling or paddleboarding in the water. There’s also a place called Fort Pickens on the island. It’s an old military fort that you can explore. All these things make Pensacola Beach an interesting place to visit, with both natural beauty and history to learn about.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina, about six hours from Atlanta by car. It’s part of a long stretch of beaches called the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is famous for its big sandy beach and a tall Ferris wheel called the SkyWheel. Lots of families and groups of friends like to go there for fun and relaxation.
Myrtle Beach is more than just a beach. It’s a busy place with lots to do. There are water parks for excitement, shows to watch, and many good places to eat. You’ll never be bored here.
The SkyWheel is a must-try. From the top, you can see far along the coast. There’s also an aquarium called Ripley’s and a place called Broadway at the Beach with shops and restaurants.
If you like water parks, you should visit Myrtle Waves Water Park. At night, you can see a show at the Carolina Opry or eat dinner while watching a pirate show.
Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park is in Destin, Florida, about five hours from Atlanta. It’s a quiet and natural beach, different from busy beach towns. The sand is very white and soft, and the water is a beautiful green color. This park is perfect if you want to enjoy nature and peace.
At Henderson Beach State Park, you can hear the waves and birds instead of noisy crowds. It’s a great place to relax and feel calm. There’s a trail where you can walk through sand dunes and see plants and animals that live there. You can also go fishing, have a picnic, or camp overnight. If you have a dog, you can bring it to the campground too.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is in Florida, six hours from Atlanta. It has 27 miles of beautiful white beaches. You can do many outdoor activities here, making it great for both excitement and relaxation.
If you like exciting water sports, you’ll have fun at Panama City Beach. But if you just want to relax on the beach, you can do that too. The city is also known for having big spring break parties.
There are many fun things to do in Panama City Beach. You can go to St. Andrews State Park for snorkeling and fishing. You can take a boat ride to a place called Shell Island.
If you like water parks, check out Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Animal lovers will enjoy Gulf World Marine Park, where you can see sea animals up close. In the evening, you can go to Pier Park for shopping, eating, and entertainment.
Driftwood Beach
Driftwood Beach is on Jekyll Island in Georgia, about five hours from Atlanta by car. This beach looks very different from other beaches. It has many old, dry trees and pieces of wood scattered on the sand. This makes the beach look strange and beautiful.
The unusual look of Driftwood Beach makes it special. People who like taking photos love this beach because of how it looks. It’s also a good place if you want to be alone or think quietly. When you’re at Driftwood Beach, it feels like you’re in a different world.
Watching the sun rise or set at Driftwood Beach is amazing. The light makes the old trees look even more interesting. You can also ride horses on the beach if you stay at the Jekyll Island Club Resort nearby. This is a fun way to see the whole beach.
St. Simon’s Island
St. Simon’s Island is also in Georgia, about five hours from Atlanta. It’s one of the Golden Isles, a group of islands known for being beautiful. St. Simon’s has old buildings, nice nature, and feels like a small beach town.
On St. Simon’s Island, you can relax on the beach, look at local art, or learn about history at the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. The island has both calm beaches and interesting things to see and do.
You should visit the St. Simon’s Island Pier to see nice views of the area. There’s also an old church called Christ Church and a place called Fort Frederica National Monument. These places help you learn about the island’s history. Riding a bike around the island is a great way to see everything. You can enjoy the pretty trees and quiet beaches as you ride.
Tybee Island
Tybee Island is in Georgia too, less than five hours from Atlanta. It’s a friendly beach town with its own special feeling. Tybee Island has nice sandy beaches, old buildings to see, and a big lighthouse.
On Tybee Island, you can enjoy the warm weather and do many fun things. You can go on boat trips to see dolphins or visit old places. Life moves slowly here, so you can really enjoy being at the beach without rushing.
Some of the best things to see are the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum and Fort Screven. From these places, you can see great views and learn about the island’s past. The Marine Science Center is interesting if you like learning about sea animals.
Walking on South Beach is perfect for laying in the sun or watching for dolphins. This is what a relaxing day at the beach is all about.
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island is in South Carolina, about four hours from Atlanta by car. It’s a fancy beach place known for great golf courses, tennis courts, and beautiful beaches. People who like outdoor activities and nice things often go there.
Hilton Head Island isn’t just about beaches. You can see art, do lots of outdoor activities, and enjoy nice restaurants. It’s good for family trips or romantic vacations. The island mixes natural beauty with fancy places to stay and things to do.
When you’re on Hilton Head Island, you should go to Coligny Beach Park. It has really nice beaches. You can also visit Sea Pines Forest Preserve to see nature. The Harbour Town Lighthouse is famous and gives you great views of the area.
If you like being active, you can ride bikes, go kayaking, or walk on trails. If you like golf, you can play on some of the best golf courses in the world.
Fort Yargo State Park Beach
Fort Yargo State Park Beach is in Winder, Georgia, only an hour from Atlanta. It’s different from other beaches because it’s by a lake, not the ocean. The beach was made by people, not nature. It’s a good place to go for a day trip if you don’t want to drive far.
At Fort Yargo, you can swim, rent boats, and have picnics. It’s a calm place that’s great for families. The lake is peaceful and nice for relaxing or having fun.
Besides the beach, there are hiking trails and places to camp in the park. You can also do an activity called geocaching, which is like a treasure hunt. Renting a kayak or paddleboard is fun if you want to go out on the lake.
The hiking trails let you see pretty views and enjoy nature. If you like camping, you can stay overnight in the park and sleep under the stars.
