The Georgia Bight
The pulsing heart of our coastal ecosystem is the tide. Our dramatic high and low tides are a result of coastal Georgia’s unique location as the furthest western coastline on the Atlantic Coast—in the center of the curvature known as the Georgia Bight. As a result, high tide waters are pushed by the shape of the coastline from North Carolina and Florida, forcing water to gather on top of itself and creating six to ten foot tidal changes along our coast. Our coast has the third highest tidal fluctuations on the Eastern Seaboard, behind Canada’s Bay of Fundy and Maine!
Our Coast Drives our Economy and Quality of Life
Coastal Georgia’s most prominent natural feature is the nearly 400,000 acres of marshland between its mainland and string of barrier islands. In total, our salt marsh, sounds, and mud flats provide a nursery for nearly 70% of the species that are fished off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. This dynamic system sustains commercial and recreational fishing that contribute approximately $400 million a year to our state’s economy.
Our coast creates recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. In 2012 alone, nearly 15 million people visited our coast, contributing more than $2 billion a year through the tourism industry. Large majorities pointed to our natural resources —and unique ways to connect with these resources—as primary reasons for their trip.
An Uncertain Future
Compared to neighboring states like South Carolina and Florida, Georgia’s coastal landscape remains largely undeveloped and pristine. But these natural assets bring complex challenges. Our region faces higher tides and storm surge, and flooding and erosion are increasing in critical areas. Additionally, rapid growth, combined with inadequate planning and unbalanced development strategies, threaten our coast as never before.
‘A World of Marsh That Borders a World of Sea’
Our 378,000 acres of salt marsh, which make up one-third of the remaining salt marshes on the eastern seaboard, were immortalized in the 1878 poem, The Marshes of Glynn, by Sidney Lanier.
May the Forest Bewitch You
The maritime forest is the dominant woodland community along our barrier islands. Georgia has the largest amount of intact maritime forest along the South Atlantic coast. Photo by Sarah Weese.
Our Wild Coast
Of Georgia’s 14 major barrier islands, only four (Tybee, St. Simons, Sea, and Jekyll) are accessible by car.
A Landscape of Hemispheric Importance
In 2017, Georgia’s barrier islands were recognized as a Landscape of Hemispheric Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). Photo by Brad Winn.
Our Complicated History
From the Creek and Oconee Native American tribes to the rise of African-rooted Gullah Geechee culture, our coast is steeped in history. Pictured: slave cabins on Ossabaw Island.
Love Seafood? Thank our Salt Marsh.
Our coastal estuaries provide nutrients for 70% of the fish and shellfish harvested in Georgia and South Carolina.
Georgia’s Coast in the News
New York Times | 6/20/21
Oxford American | 6/1/21
Savannah Morning News | 12/4/20
Atlanta Journal Constitution | 11/13/20
GPB | 11/9/20
