Need a laid-back beach escape with Southern charm and coastal beauty? Head to Tybee Island! Just 20 minutes from Savannah, Tybee Island offers sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, and fresh seafood in a relaxed, small-town setting. Whether you're kayaking, sunbathing, or dolphin-watching, Tybee is perfect for beach lovers and weekend travelers alike.

Tybee Island, GA Highlights:

  • For Adventurous Travelers: Kayak through salt marshes and tidal creeks – Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the serene backwaters.
  • For History Buffs: Climb the Tybee Island Lighthouse – Visit Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse for panoramic island views.
  • For Shoppers: Browse local shops at Tybrisa Street – Pick up beachwear, handmade goods, and coastal souvenirs downtown.
  • For Couples: Watch the sunset at North Beach – Share quiet moments and ocean breezes on Tybee’s peaceful northern shore.
  • For Families: Explore the Marine Science Center – Hands-on exhibits and touch tanks perfect for kids and curious adults.

Best Time to Visit Tybee Island, GA

The best time to visit Tybee Island is from March through May or September through November. These shoulder seasons offer warm weather, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for beachgoing and outdoor activities.

How to Get to Tybee Island, GA

  • If you are traveling by car: Tybee is about 18 miles east of Savannah via U.S. Route 80, with a scenic drive across marshes and rivers.
  • By Plane: Fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), then rent a car or take a shuttle to the island.
  • By Bike: Active visitors can ride along the scenic McQueen’s Island Trail from Savannah to Tybee.

Where to Stay in Tybee Island, GA

  • Recommended for Families: DeSoto Beach Hotel – Oceanfront with pool access, perfect for families wanting direct beach access.
  • For Couples: Surf Song Bed & Breakfast – Romantic historic home with gourmet breakfasts and Southern charm near the beach.
  • For Beachfront Comfort: Hotel Tybee – Centrally located beachfront hotel with balcony rooms and ocean views.

Best Things to Do in Tybee Island, GA

Fort Pulaski National Monument


Tour historic forts and explore exciting Civil War sights.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

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Fort Pulaski National Monument is a memorial dedicated to preserving Fort Pulaski, the site of the successful testing of a rifled cannon by the Union Army during the American Civil War in 1862. The cannon subsequently rendered brick fortifications obsolete, compelling the Confederate garrison to take cover inside Fort Pulaski and surrender.

Located on Cockspur Island, the National Monument covers most of the Island, the fort, and the adjacent McQueens Island. Fort Pulaski National Monument offers a range of interesting and exciting activities year-round, including daily interpretive talks and programs that explore both the indoor and outdoor exhibits, guided tours, and historic weapons demonstrations.

South Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia


Swim and sunbathe and enjoy a classic summer beach trip.

South Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia

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South Beach is one of Tybee Island’s busiest beaches, and with white sand, mild waves, and professional lifeguards on duty, it is perfect for sea swimmers and families with small children.

Stretching southwards between 14th and 18th Street, South Beach not only offers a long stretch of sand for sunbathing but also boasts excellent fishing from the Tybee Pier & Pavilion, which is a great place to relax and people watch. A variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops are just a step away from the beach while the Pavilion hosts an array of concerts and festivals throughout the year. Head past 19th Street for good surfing waves.

Tybee Island Lighthouse Museum


Climb the lighthouse and admire romantic coastal views.

Tybee Island Lighthouse Museum

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One of seven surviving colonial-era lighthouse towers, Tybee Island Lighthouse is a light station located on the northeast end of Tybee Island next to the Savannah River entrance. The tower has a rich and interesting history, which is highlighted and explored at the Tybee Island Lighthouse Museum, a museum established in 1961 to interpret the rich history of Tybee Island.

Located in Battery Garland of Fort Screven, the museum houses a variety of artifacts and exhibits covering more than five centuries of the island’s history. The museum’s exhibits and displays are spread across seven rooms in the Battery Garland. These rooms were once used to store smokeless gunpowder and projectiles and can be explored on guided tours.

30 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, GA 31328, United States, 912-786-5801

If you are a photographer, don't miss:

North Beach, Tybee Island


Walk peaceful sands and enjoy an easy, quiet escape.

North Beach, Tybee Island

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North Beach is located across the road from the Tybee Lighthouse and Fort Screven, and it is a fantastic place to kick back and relax with a book. The beach is scattered with seashells, which makes for excellent beachcombing and exploring while the nearby marshes are fantastic for bird and wildlife watching.

North Beach boasts beautiful views of the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, and birders will delight in the popular North Beach Bird Viewing Area. North Beach is surrounded by residential areas and a few restaurants – the North Beach Grill sits right on the beach and is ideal for light meals and sundowners. The beach has modern amenities, including restrooms and foot washing stations, as well as plenty of paid parking.

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Back River Beach


Watch sunsets and savor a relaxed weekend with fewer crowds.

Back River Beach

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Back River Beach is a small beach that stretches from the 18th Street South Jetty westwards to the Back River Fishing Pier and boasts beautiful views across the river to Little Tybee Island.

The beach has little waves and a lovely sandy shoreline for sunbathing, strolling, and swimming. It is popular with locals, but accessing this beach is slightly more complicated that getting to others. Back River Beach and Pier also offers excellent fishing for anglers of all ages and is a favorite nesting spot for a variety of herons and egrets.

Tybee Island Marine Science Center


See sea creatures and explore fun attractions for kids.

Tybee Island Marine Science Center

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The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is a community-based organization that aims to cultivate, inform, educate, and preserve coastal Georgia’s natural resources through education, conservation, and research. The center boasts a variety of exhibits that feature local species of fish, reptiles, and invertebrates from Georgia, as well as a plethora of information on marine mammals like sharks, sea turtles, and various shells from around the world.

A tactile touch tank offers children the opportunity to feel different marine animals and plants, and several educational programs such as Walks, Talks and Treks are available for island visitors, school groups, girl and boy scouts.

37 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328, 912-786-5917

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

North Island Surf and Kayak


Paddle the coastline and enjoy an exciting outdoor adventure.

North Island Surf and Kayak

© North Island Surf and Kayak

North Island Surf and Kayak is a small family-owned and operated business specializing in stand-up paddleboard (SUP), kayak, and surfboard rentals, lessons, and eco-tours.

Explore the island’s many rivers, marshes, and inlets on a kayak and observe wildlife such as dolphins and otters, as well as a variety of wading and migratory birds.

Enjoy a few surfing lessons from professional instructors or launch a standup paddleboard from the floating dock and paddle out to the Cockspur Beacon, where you can climb to the top to soak up some magnificent panoramic views of the area.

Tybee Beach Ecology Trips


Discover marine life and enjoy an unusual educational trip.

Tybee Beach Ecology Trips

© Tybee Beach Ecology Trips

Led by marine scientist/biologist Dr. Joe Richardson, Tybee Beach Ecology Trips offer valuable learning experiences about the island’s beaches and the local marine environment. These informative trips provide the opportunity to learn more about the wildlife of Georgia's beaches, its surrounding barrier islands, and their unique coastal habitats.

Explore sandy beaches, tidal pools, rocky inlets, and intertidal zones to discover the life that lives there and learn more about it from Dr. Joe Richardson, who has over 30 years of experience in marine biology, oceanography, invertebrate zoology, and marine chemistry. Trips cater to families, school groups, teachers, and students and include looking for fossils, examining tidal pools, and discussing the intertidal zone, collecting live specimens, and identifying new marine invasive species.

Sundial Charters


Book a private tour and admire scenic sights on the water.

Sundial Charters

© Sundial Charters

Sundial Charters provides a variety of ocean-going and land-based charters and tours, including dolphin tours, nature tours, inshore and deep sea fishing trips, and fossil excursions. Tours are headed up by Captain Heidt, who has over 20 years of experience exploring and working on the waters of coastal Georgia and guarantees to give you an unforgettable tour, whether you are watching playful dolphins frolic in the water or sports fishing off the coast in deeper waters.

One of the unique tours offered is that of fossil hunting, which involves hunting for fossils (think Megalodon and Cappeberra teeth) on the bed of the Savannah River and learning more about the rich history of the area’s ecology as well as its local fauna and flora.

1 10th Terrace Tybee Island GA 31328, United States, 912-786-9470

Where to Eat in Tybee Island, GA

  • Recommended for Families: The Crab Shack – Fun, rustic dining with seafood boils, gator ponds, and a casual coastal vibe.
  • For Ocean Views: Coco’s Sunset Grille – Dockside seafood and cocktails with a sunset view over Lazaretto Creek.
  • For a Casual Meal: Breakfast Club – Popular morning stop for hearty Southern breakfasts and unique egg dishes.

If you are interested in local events:

  • For Art & Music Fans: Tybee Island Wine Festival (April) – Sample regional wines and food at a scenic beachside setting.
  • For Families: Tybee Island Pirate Fest (October) – Celebrate with pirate parades, kids’ activities, and live entertainment.
  • For Holiday Fun: Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade (May) – A local favorite water fight parade with costumes, floats, and soaking fun.

Day Trip Itineraries Within 30 Minutes of Tybee Island, Georgia:

  • For History Lovers: Savannah Historic District (25–30 min) – Walk cobblestone streets, tour antebellum homes, and explore famous squares.
  • For Nature Enthusiasts: Skidaway Island State Park (30 min) – Hike scenic coastal trails and spot wildlife in peaceful surroundings.
  • For Romantic Dining: Wilmington Island (20 min) – Enjoy marshfront restaurants with Southern fare and sunset views.
  • For Culture Lovers: Savannah’s River Street (25 min) – Stroll the bustling riverfront packed with galleries, shops, and bars.
  • For Lighthouse Fans: Cockspur Island Lighthouse (15–20 min) – A scenic photo spot near Fort Pulaski with tidal marsh views.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What makes Tybee Island special?
    • Tybee Island is the epitome of rustic coastal charm, with long stretches of unspoiled sandy beaches, quaint wooden piers, shimmering salt marshes teeming with birds, and colorful fishing boats.
  • Where is Tybee Island located?
    • Tybee Island is located just a short drive east of Savannah, Georgia.
    • It is a scenic barrier island that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Georgia’s big cities.
  • What can visitors do on Tybee Island?
    • Visitors can explore the best restaurants and enjoy various activities on the island.

Next read: Tybee Island Beaches Compared

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