Georgia’s four public beach areas charge in four completely different ways: by the hour, by the car, not at all, and by the person. Here is what each one publishes, checked against the operator’s own page on September 17, 2026.
| Beach | Parking | Longer stays | Dogs on the beach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tybee Island | $4 an hour by app or kiosk, enforced 8 a.m.–8 p.m. every day of the year | $25 day pass (online, up to 7 days for $175); annual decal $304 | No dogs on the beach or its structures; $300 fine |
| Jekyll Island | $10 per car per day to enter the island; covers every beach, including Driftwood | $100 annual pass; $15/day for vehicles over 8 ft; +$5 on special-event days | Leashed at all times, leash up to 16 ft |
| St. Simons Island | Free public beach parking | No pass needed | Time-limited. Memorial Day–Labor Day, no dogs 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; 6 p.m.–9 a.m. dogs may be off-leash under immediate control |
| Cumberland Island | No cars — reached by ferry from St. Marys | $15 per person entrance (age 16+, valid 7 days); $45 annual pass covers 4 adults; ferry fare is separate | Day visits only — leashed; the ferry does not carry pets, so dogs must come by private boat. Not allowed in campgrounds or the wilderness area |
What the numbers mean for a day trip
- Tybee: the $25 day pass beats the hourly rate once you stay past about six hours (6 × $4 = $24). A full 8 a.m.–8 p.m. day on the meter costs $48. The pass is sold online only.
- Jekyll: you pay once, at the causeway, and park at any beach all day. That makes a multi-beach day cheaper here than on Tybee.
- St. Simons: free, but on a summer day you cannot bring the dog onto the sand between 9 and 6.
- Cumberland: the fee is per person, not per car. A family of four with two teenagers 16 or over pays the entrance fee four times, before the ferry.
Questions
How much is parking on Tybee Island?
Tybee Island charges $4.00 an hour, paid through the Park TYB app or at a kiosk, enforced 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. year-round including weekends and holidays. A day pass costs $25 and is sold online for up to seven consecutive days ($175). An annual parking decal is $304. Source: City of Tybee Island Parking Services, checked September 17, 2026.
Is there a fee to get onto Jekyll Island?
Yes. Every vehicle pays a parking fee to enter Jekyll Island: $10 per day, $15 for vehicles over 8 feet, or $100 for an annual pass. Daily parking costs $5 more on designated special-event days. The fee covers every beach on the island, including Driftwood Beach. Source: Jekyll Island Authority, checked September 17, 2026.
Can you bring a dog to the beach on Tybee Island?
No. The City of Tybee Island prohibits dogs and other pets on its beaches and beach structures, with a fine of up to $300. Source: City of Tybee Island beach rules, checked September 17, 2026.
When are dogs allowed on St. Simons Island beaches?
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, dogs are not allowed on St. Simons beaches between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., leashed or not. Between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. they may be off-leash if they are under the owner’s immediate control. Source: Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau, checked September 17, 2026.
Which Georgia beach is cheapest to park at?
St. Simons Island, where public beach parking is free. Jekyll Island costs $10 per car per day; Tybee Island costs $4 an hour or $25 for a day pass. Cumberland Island has no car access and charges $15 per person aged 16 and over.
How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on . Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.
Sources
City of Tybee Island — Parking Services · City of Tybee Island — Beach rules · Jekyll Island Authority — Parking · Golden Isles CVB — Beach FAQ · StSimonsIsland.com — Beach parking · National Park Service — Cumberland Island fees · National Park Service — Cumberland Island pets. All checked September 17, 2026. Rates change; confirm before you go.
Related: Jekyll Island vs St. Simons · Tybee Island with kids · Dog policies for 303 Georgia places
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.