Nanny Goat Beach

White sand beach
9PWQ+57 Sapelo Island, GA, USA
48 miles from Savannah, GA
Cleanliness
Water quality
Crowded
Impressions
Overall
Grades suggested by our reviewer
Water Quality
Unknown (read more)

Beach amenities

  • WCPublic restrooms nearby
  • Picnic tablesPicnic benches available
👉 Download a FREE PDF map

About this beach

Warnings and hazards

To visit the island, you need to get a permit of state tourism authorities.

The beach is only accessible by ferry or by aircraft.

The beach is located within 3 miles from the ferry dock station.

No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island.

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:

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Nanny Goat Beach which you can visit:

Beach reviewed by:
Reyven
Photos from Google Maps
Wild beachWooden boardwalk and pavilion on Nanny Goat BeachNanny Goat Beach shieldBeach entranceNanny Goat beach
Show rooms near this beach×

Visitor questions:

Question: Why & how do you obtain a permit? Our local Chamber of Commerce has never heard of needing one. And two, how to find the ferry schedule? Thank you!!
Asked by HEATHER about 4 years ago
Answer: Here is a notice from the local authorities: “There are no roads going to Sapelo Island, therefore access to the island is restricted to pre-registered visitors only”. At the moment, all Public Tours and Group Tours have been canceled due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Should you need more information, please call 912-437-3224. The ferry schedule is as follows (https://sapelonerr.org/visit-sapelo-island/): MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY: Departure from Sapelo - 7am, 12pm, 4:30pm. Departure from Meridian - 8:30am, 3:30pm, 5:30pm. TUESDAY & THURSDAY: Departure from Sapelo - 7am, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. Departure from Meridian - 8:30am, 3:30pm, 5:30pm. SATURDAY: Departure from Sapelo - 8am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm. Departure from Meridian - 9am, 3:30pm, 5:30pm. SUNDAY: Departure from Sapelo – 8:30am, 4pm. Departure from Meridian - 9am, 4:30pm. The Sapelo Ferry does not run on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, M.L. King’s Birthday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

Nanny Goat Beach videos

Drone flight around Sapelo Island's lighthouse
A picturesque drone made video of the island and its lighthouse
Sapelo Island - Nanny Goat Beach
A nice video of people having fun on the beach

Weather conditions

Current weather at the beach and 3 day forecast

Best times to visit

Average temperature (°F)
Beach map and directions
The beach is located in Hog Hammock, Georgia 9PWQ+57 Sapelo Island, GA, USA (Open on Google Maps)
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
Other beaches nearby
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Nanny Goat Beach reviews and photos
Reviewed on: March 1, 2020