Beaches Close To Atlanta That You Can Drive To!

My family is definitely more beach life than snow and ski now and we are always looking at beaches we can drive to in under a six hours from the Atlanta area.

Hilton Head is our go to as the convenience is tough to beat. We visited over Memorial Day and have more details and updates from my last post. I am also including surrounding beaches that are within a six hour drive from Atlanta.

This visit we stayed north at the Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Club. To date this has been the best VRBO and location! In Folly Field our adorable one bedroom with bunk beds in the hallway was perfect for the three of us! Donna, our host, was amazing! She communicated throughout the booking process and made check in a piece of cake! We were also able to check in early which was a huge bonus. The only downside was no washer and dryer but that isn’t a deal breaker that I wouldn’t book here again! The condo was immaculate and everything you would need to make your stay fantastic, was there! Even my husband didn’t find a complaint and he critiques everything.

In the mornings we enjoyed our coffee on the patio while viewing the beach. The walk to the beach was super short and if you weren’t in the mood for the beach there is a wonderful pool that is beach front. There is a restaurant and bar with a snow cone stand as well. We were able to enjoy live music one evening as well as an outdoor movie. There are also tennis and pickleball courts but we did not utilize them. We visited our favorite places to eat of course with The Sea Shack being the first! We also dined at Skillets which is another favorite. We also tried a new spot with some friends of ours the Frosty Frog Cafe. With 27 different daiquiris this is a frozen beverage lovers paradise! Of course we can’t go to Hilton Head without playing putt putt at Pirates Island! All in all this was once again an amazing trip!

Destin is on the gulf and the water is some of the most spectacular that you will find. It is about five and a half hour drive to Destin from Atlanta. With 13 public beaches you can’t go wrong. There is plenty of activities to keep everyone busy. Here are a few:

Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

I will write more next month as this is our next trip!

Here is a great list from Atlanta Parent! We have visited Jekyll, Tybee, Myrtle, & St. Simons. The remaining is on the list to visit!

St. Simons Island, Georgia

St. Simons Island is a five and a half hour drive from Atlanta. Neptune Park is a favorite for families, an oceanfront public park with a playground, pool, mini-golf course and a fishing pier. The lighthouse museum is a great introduction to Georgia’s maritime history, and kids will love the views after climbing to the top. Don’t forget to hunt out the Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island: 20 face carvings in trees around the Island, making for a fun scavenger hunt.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island is a five and a half hour drive from Atlanta. Kids will go crazy about climbing over and under the giant driftwood pieces situated on Driftwood Beach, located on the North end of Jekyll Island. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is also a special opportunity to meet sea turtles and learn about rehabilitation efforts. The Jekyll Island Club Resort has tons of history between the walls, with millionaires such as the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts once taking residence. Check out the croquet court and walk the grounds.

Tybee Island, Georgia

Tybee Island is a five hour drive from Atlanta.  Tybee is known as Savannah’s beach, located only 30 minutes from Downtown Savannah. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, you can see for miles down the long stretches of beach. Grab some ice cream from Seaweed’s and walk down to the pier to watch fishermen. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is a fun place to learn about marshes, beaches and wildlife on the Island. Then stop by the Tybee Lighthouse or drive into Savannah for a trolley tour of the city.

Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is a five hour drive from Atlanta. Ride the ferry to Cumberland Island and explore 18 miles of undeveloped beaches (pack a lunch as there are no concessions on the island). Go see the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, and if your kids like submarines, the St. Marys Submarine Museum, with displays including a working periscope, models of torpedoes, a deep-sea diving suit and submarine uniforms. St. Marys Waterfront Park has a playground for kids.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach is a six hour drive from Atlanta. A big draw to this beach destination is the water and amusement parks at Oceanside. Family Kingdom has a variety of thrill rides with ocean views. Wild Water & Wheels has go-karts, speed slides and mini-golf. Myrtle Waves Water Park is also a great choice with 20 acres of water rides.

Panama City Beach, Florida

Panama City Beach is a six hour drive from Atlanta. The city is more family-friendly, beyond the wild spring break days of the past. Visit Pier Park for family fun, which includes a small-scale amusement park, shops and restaurants. Don’t miss Ripley’s Believe It or Not, WonderWorks and the giant walk-through maze and putt-putt at Coconut Grove Mini-Golf. Gulf World Marine Park and Shipwreck Island Waterpark are also fun picks.

Highway 30A, Florida

30A (pending on what area) is a six hour drive from Atlanta.  The beaches along this stretch of sand are packed-full of fun for kids. Hop on bikes and travel from Rosemary Beach to Alys Beach to Seaside and WaterColor. Stop in Seaside for snow cones out of an Airstream trailer, or other treats such as grilled cheese or fried pickles. The Seaside REP Theatre is always hosting puppet shows or theater productions for kids. Rent stand-up paddle-boards at the WaterColor Boathouse for calmer fun away from the ocean.

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Pensacola Beach is a six hour drive from Atlanta. Take a dolphin cruise here; you will be sure to see many pods of dolphins playing in the water. Pensacola sits within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which has plenty of places to build white sandcastles. The City is also full of military history—visit the National Naval Aviation Museum to see many types of aircraft and don’t miss the Navy’s Blue Angels practice tricks high above the beach.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is a six hour drive from Atlanta. This Alabama beach destination has lots to offer families. Visit the beachy play areas at Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s (tip: they have an allergy-friendly menu just for gluten, shellfish and other allergies) and The Hangout, both waterfront restaurants. Waterville USA is a waterpark full of big water slides, lazy rivers and walk-through water fountains. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is also a fun spot, which has a variety of exotic animals, including tigers and black bears.

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is a five and a half hour drive from Atlanta. Surf, swim or bask in the sun on Jacksonville’s beaches, hike or bike on a nature trail, or learn about the wildlife in its woodlands, marshes and waterways. Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve has 46,000 acres of pristine coastal wetlands. Visit the city’s fishing pier—no permit required—or walk one of its historic neighborhoods. Dining options range from upscale bistros to down-home fish camps.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Kiawah Island is a six hour drive from Atlanta. Don’t forget your bikes at this beach and resort near Charleston with 30 miles of paved bike trails. Enjoy shopping and eats at Freshfields Village, with tasty restaurants, jewelry stores, clothing stores, a bookstore and more.

Amelia Island, Florida

Amelia Island is a six hour drive from Atlanta. Located near the Georgia border in northeastern Florida, Amelia Island has beautiful stretches of beach, a vibrate dining scene in nearby Fernandina Beach, and shopping.

St. George Island, Florida

St. George Island is a six hour drive from Atlanta. Near Tallahassee and south of the Apalachicola National Forest, this barrier island has 22 miles of serene beaches, fishing tours, St. George Island Lighthouse and paddle boarding.

Fripp Island, South Carolina

Fripp Island is a five and a half hour drive from Atlanta. About 20 miles from beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina, Fripp Island has over six miles of pristine beach, nature opportunities, restaurants and acclaimed golf and tennis. Just five minutes away from Fripp, explore Hunting Island State Park with camping, hiking and a historic lighthouse.

Folly Beach, South Carolina

Folly Beach is a five and a half hour drive from Atlanta. Near Charleston, South Carolina, Folly Beach has canoeing and kayaking, boat tours, dolphin and whale watching and more.

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Pawley’s Island is a six hour drive from Atlanta. One of the oldest beach towns in South Carolina, you’ll love the small town feel of Pawleys Island. Visit the cute shops like Hammocks Shop Village, Island Art Gallery and Litchfield Books. Nearby in Huntington State Beach, visit beaches, wetlands and Atalaya, a Mediterranean style castle built in the 1930s.

Topsail Beach, North Carolina

Topsail Beach is a six and a half hour drive from Atlanta. Located about an hour north of Wilmington, North Carolina, Top Sail beach is a 26-mile barrier island. Check out nearby Soundside Park in Surf City, mini-golf, Topsail Beach Skating Rink, restaurants and shopping.