Tybee Island Travel Guide

Tybee Island off the coast of Georgia is a gorgeous location filled with history, culture, great food, and incredible places to explore.

Things to Do in Tybee Island

For instance, a great way to start is to visit Tybee Island´s beautiful South Beach and its pier, or Tybee Island Memorial Park. Whichever way you go, make sure to visit Tybee Island´s Lighthouse and museum.

Other historical attractions include Fort Pulaski, and the Cockspur Lighthouse from 1855. However, most popular activities include hiking along the 6-mile long McQueen´s Island Trail, and visiting the natural and undisturbed Little Tybee Island.

Best Time to Visit Tybee Island

The island sees more visitors during the warm months of spring and summer when they can best enjoy beach and water activities. Winters are mild. And, try to make it in October to take part in the Tybee Island Pirate Fest for costumes, crafts, and pirates!

A Local's Guide to Tybee Island

Tybee Island, Georgia, is a fantastic place for a beach vacation. The island is a small city near Savannah and has many wide, sandy beaches including the famous North Beach.

The barrier island sits on the Atlantic Ocean and has a number of interesting places to visit and explore. The unspoilt beachside resort is easy to reach and offers five miles of public beach as well as a calm and laid-back atmosphere. Sun-seekers can soak up the rays or more active travelers can choose to walk or bike one of the many trails, go sailing or fishing and even take a dolphin-watching trip.

Where to Stay

Finding Tybee Island rentals that are close to the beach is relatively easy. With only a small area to choose from, nearly every rental on the island is a beach house with an ocean view. Guests can also soak up the sun in a private pool or hot tub which come with some of the vacation rentals on offer. A beach rental means explorers are right on the coast and can make the most of a Tybee Island vacation.

Butler Avenue is the main oceanfront strip on Tybee Island and is a good spot for a vacation rental. Historic Savannah is just a 30 minute drive away to the mainland and gives visitors the chance to learn about the area’s rich and colourful history. Founded in 1733, Savannah has incredibly preserved historic neighborhoods which let visitors immerse themselves in the America of the past.

Many rentals on Tybee are close to the main tourist areas and offer beach access.

Beaches

There are three main beaches on Tybee Island – South, Mid and North Beach. The most popular is South Beach which has calm waters and the Tybee Pier and Pavilion which offers fishing. There are also concerts and festivals at the beach as well as plenty of places to eat and drink.

Mid Beach is less crowded but has fewer attractions. This area is perfect for sunshine-lovers who want to throw down a towel and bask in the sun.

North Beach is closest to Savannah and a lot quieter than the other two beaches. There’s a marsh area full of wild birds and is the perfect place to take a book. Visitors should take some food and drink with them though as North Beach is a mainly residential area and there are not that many places to grab a bite. Also in the north is Fort Screven which gives visitors a glimpse into the history of the resort as well as the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. The Light Station is an 18th-century lighthouse that still works and vacationers can see it in action.

After just a 30-minute drive from Savannah, Georgia, vacationers can be at a beach rental in Tybee Island. Tybee Island is the perfect spot for a last-minute weekend getaway or a quick one or two night escape. The 18-mile trip can only be done by road however, as there are no trains to the island, the only way on or off is a single highway. Boats do land at various points around the island but the quickest and easiest way to get onto the island is to head to Savannah then complete the journey by car.

May is a great time to visit Tybee Island as the weather is pleasant and the rental homes are cheaper. The most popular time to visit is in early summer, June to July, which sees plenty of sunshine and temperatures up to 90 degrees F.

Condos in Tybee Island

A Tybee beach vacation is certainly unforgettable. Located near Savannah Beach, Tybee Island is easily accessible, and the huge range of Tybee condo rentals means visitors are sure to find a home away from home. Sun-seekers can make the most of the beautiful coastline and walk to North Beach or up to Tybee Lighthouse for a great view. Alternatively, head to the Marine Science Centre to learn about the local underwater environment or visit Fort Pulaski for a snippet of the American Civil War. Fishing enthusiasts can spend the afternoon on the pier before grabbing a bite to eat down Butler Avenue.

Tybee Island sits in the Atlantic Ocean and so many beach rentals come with fantastic ocean views, being just steps away from the beach. Tybee Island vacation rentals have been designed to suite a range of party sizes, from a small one bedroom apartment to a large villa with bedrooms 4 bathrooms. Some beach houses even come with a hot tub, are pet-friendly, and have direct beach access.