The Perfect 3-Day Georgia Coast Itinerary

Georgia’s coast packs colonial forts, lighthouses, salt marshes, and barrier island beaches into a strip you can drive in a couple of hours. This itinerary starts near Savannah and works south along I-95 to the Golden Isles, so you see a new stretch of coast each day without doubling back. Savannah itself deserves its own trip, so if you have extra time, see our Perfect Weekend in Savannah Itinerary.

Start at Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island, just before you reach Tybee Island. The fort was built between 1829 and 1844 to guard the sea approach to Savannah, and it is famous for what happened in April 1862, when rifled cannons shattered its walls from more than a mile away. After 30 hours of bombardment the fort surrendered, and the battle showed the world that masonry forts were obsolete. Walk the towering walls, the artillery tunnels, and the moat, and plan on a couple of hours.

Continue to Tybee Island for the afternoon. The Tybee Island Museum sits in Battery Garland, an 1898 coastal artillery battery at Fort Screven, with exhibits on island life from colonial days through World War II. Admission includes the Tybee Island Lighthouse and its grounds, and the climb is 178 steps to a view of the whole island. Save the last of the day for the beach. Our Tybee Island page has more on things to do and places to stay.

Head south in the morning to Fort McAllister State Park on the Great Ogeechee River. This 1,725-acre park holds the best preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy, and it is where General Sherman’s March to the Sea came to an end. Take the self-guided fort tour, browse the Civil War museum, and walk a little of the 4.3 miles of trails under giant live oaks beside the salt marsh.

From there it is about an hour and a half to the Golden Isles. Cross the causeway to St. Simons Island and visit the St. Simons Lighthouse, where a plantation owner deeded four acres of land to the federal government in 1804 for the price of one dollar. Then head to Fort Frederica National Monument, where the archeological remains of an 18th-century fort and town are protected. Frederica’s troops defeated the Spanish, securing Georgia’s future as a British colony, and the park’s Bloody Marsh Unit marks a 1742 clash between English and Spanish forces. Our Golden Isles page covers St. Simons and the rest of the islands in more detail.

Jekyll Island is the southernmost of the Golden Isles, about 30 miles from the Florida border, and it has ten miles of golden sand beaches. It also has a story few beach towns can match. In 1885 the Jekyll Island Club was incorporated as a private winter retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families, including the Rockefellers, Morgans, Macys, Vanderbilts, and Goodyears. The State of Georgia bought the island in 1947, and the restored historic district is open to visitors today.

Spend the morning in the historic district, then give the afternoon to the beach. If you still have energy and a fourth day, Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island, with more than 17 miles of beaches and wild horses roaming the ruins. It is reached from St. Marys and deserves a full day of its own.

Where to stay: Savannah or Tybee Island works for the first night, and Brunswick, St. Simons, or Jekyll for the second and third. See our Lodging & Accommodations page for options.

Parking and fees: Georgia State Parks like Fort McAllister require a vehicle ParkPass, and Jekyll Island charges a daily parking fee per vehicle. Check each site’s own page for current fees and hours.

Bugs and weather: Bring insect repellent for the marsh areas in warm months. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, so check the forecast before you book a summer or fall trip.

Want more coast ideas? See our Coast & Islands page and the full list of Georgia travel guides.

How many days do you need for the Georgia coast?
Three days lets you see Fort Pulaski and Tybee Island, Fort McAllister and St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island without rushing. Add a fourth day for Cumberland Island, which is reached from St. Marys.

What is the best time of year to visit the Georgia coast?
Spring and fall bring milder temperatures than summer, while summer is the best season for the beach. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, so check the forecast before you go.