Sapelo Island is known and protected for its rich ecological zones and Nanny Goat Beach is nestled at the very heart of them – a lovely place for strolling, communing with nature, beachcombing, birdwatching, and watching sunrises and sunsets.
The shore is often deserted, so it is quiet and tranquil. Sometimes naturalists with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve bring groups here and use this beach as an outdoor classroom. Scientists host educational walks and classes.
Location and Access
Nanny Goat Beach is located on the southeastern edge of Sapelo Island, just south of Cabretta Beach. In order to reach Sapelo Island, you have to go by ferry provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Contact Sapelo Island Visitors Center to get informed about the seasonal ferry timetable.
Also, there is an option to reach the island by aircraft. The island features its own local airport.
Amenities
There are toilets and picnic tables available. There is also a sheltered pavilion facing the ocean, which is great for family gatherings and lunch.
Sand and Water
The beach is clean. It is known for the most extensive undisturbed natural beach dunes along Georgia’s coast. There are about 2 miles of sandy shore. The sand is pristine, white, and hard-packed – quite good for strolling, jogging, and doing exercises.
Building sandcastles is another good option especially if you’re traveling with kids. Hunting for whelk shells and sand dollars are also popular activities among the beach’s visitors. The water is warm and shallow.
Birdwatching
The area is home to a wide diversity of birds, including ospreys, blue herons, bald eagles, egrets, and plain chachalaca.
Gray’s Reef
Nanny Goat Beach is the closest beach to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, a huge near-shore live-bottom reef – actually one of the biggest in the Southeast. It lies 16 miles off Sapelo’s eastern shore.
Other Activities
There is a one-mile nature trail running through five ecological zones to the historic R.J. Reynolds House, former home of a tobacco entrepreneur, which is now a museum hosting exhibitions and other events.
Driving Time (till Sapelo Island Visitors Center)
You can drive till Sapelo Island Visitors Center, leave your car on the parking lot near the ferry dock, and then take a 30-minutes ferry ride to Sapelo Island. Mind you that Nanny Goat Beach is located within 3 miles from the Sapelo Island Ferry Dock. The road from the dock to the beach will take you 1 hour on foot or 15 minutes by bicycle. We recommend you to take your bicycle with you.
- 35 minutes from Brunswick, GA
- 1 hour from Savannah, GA
- 1 hour 20 minutes from Jacksonville, FL
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Nanny Goat Beach which you can visit:
- Cabretta Beach (3 miles)
- Little St. Simons Island Beach (10 miles)
- Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge Beach (10 miles)
- St. Catherines Island Beach (17 miles)
- Gouldâs Inlet Beach (18 miles)