The closest beach to Nashville, TN on the Gulf of Mexico is Panama City Beach, FL (461 miles, 7 hrs, 58 Minutes) Travel down I-65 Also nearby is Destin, FL and Mexico Beach. If you want WAVES on the Atlantic Ocean, head to Savannah, GA (Tybee Island Beach) - 497 Miles, but only 7 hrs 56 minutes. Travel from Nashville on I-24 through Chattanooga to Atlanta to Macon, GA to SAVANNAH. While there, be sure to visit the Tybee Island Lighthouse. Also, just a short 30 minute drive north of Savannah is HILTON HEAD ISLAND which has public beaches.