18 Best Things To Do On Georgia's Tybee Island

Enjoy a refreshing and unpretentious getaway in this historic beach town.

Traveling east from Savannah and following the Savannah River’s South Channel toward the Atlantic Ocean, the right-angle curve tells me all I need to know. If I head straight, I’ll dive, head first, into the ocean. But if I turn right, I arrive in a world of bare feet, sandy beaches, and three-scoop ice cream cones. As a child who only knew the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, I was overjoyed to know that a mere four hours in the car would bring me to the ocean’s edge.

Decades later, the island mystique hasn’t changed much. As I drive past Fort Pulaski and the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island, known as “Savannah’s Beach” inches closer. Many times, I bypass historic Savannah, knowing a day trip is inevitable, and make a beeline to the island that tempts everyone with a day at the beach.

A barrier island along the Georgia coast, Tybee Island is small yet mighty with its beautiful beaches, deep-rooted history, and local shops. With three miles of beaches, the island offers a refreshing and unpretentious getaway.

What To Do On Tybee

Learn The History Of Cockspur Island

Between Savannah and Tybee, Cockspur Island is home to Fort Pulaski National Monument. The site of the first use of rifled artillery in military history, demonstrations of cannon firings take place throughout the year.

On the island’s southeastern tip sits its stately lighthouse. Only accessible during low tide, Cockspur Island Lighthouse is tiny compared to most lighthouses but decorates the channel with a dignified presence. Its service ended in 1909, and the lighthouse is now preserved by the National Park Service. Though you can't go inside, you can still observe its maritime beauty from afar.

nps.gov/fopu/index.htm, 101 Fort Pulaski Road, Savannah, GA 31410

Take The Family To North Beach

North Beach is family friendly with calmer waves yet plenty of shells and sand. Not as jam-packed as popular South Beach, North Beach is home to the Tybee Marine Science Center which educates visitors about marine life and protects the smallest of creatures, the nesting turtles.

tybeemarinescience.org, 37 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Explore Fort Screven

Next door, ramble through Fort Screven, a coastal artillery fort that played an important role in America’s defense. The fort was built to defend the mouth of the Savannah River and was manned during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. The fort closed in 1947, and later one of the batteries was converted to the Tybee Island Museum and some of the fort's walls were converted to private residences.

Climb Tybee Island Light

Across the way from Fort Screven is the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, an idyllic collection of cottages with a classic striped lighthouse at their center, all enveloped by a white picket fence. Built in 1736 and considered the state’s tallest, the lighthouse is a hefty climb at 178 steps. Catch your breath in the museum and gift shop.

tybeelighthouse.org, 30 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Search For Dolphins

Discover the lure of Tybee’s Back River with Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventures. Take a day or sunset tour and get an up-close view of the Cockspur Lighthouse and Fort Pulaski. Make it a solo trip on a kayak along the marsh waterways or a fast-paced jet ski tour through Dolphin Bay with Tybee Jet Ski and Watersports. Get training before you launch, and keep an eye out for dolphins while you're on the water.

tybeedolphinadventure.com, 3 Old US Highway 80, Tybee Island, GA 31328

tybeejetski.com, 1 Old US Highway 80, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Hit The Beach For Shells And Sunsets

On South Beach, the epicenter of the island’s activity, build sandcastles or search for seashells. Take a walk on the iconic pier to fish or people-watch.

Punctuate the day with a Back River Beach sunset, one of the island’s best-kept secrets. The view of Little Tybee Island from the beach is breathtaking, and the possibility of seeing dancing dolphin silhouettes in the setting sun is even more tantalizing.

Hunt For Fossils On A Nature Tour

Explore what’s beyond the beach with a nature tour from Sundial Charters. Hunt for fossils and sharks' teeth, and perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to find a Megalodon tooth as well. Traverse the maritime forests and seven miles of beach on Wassaw Island. Made up of more than 10,000 acres, this National Wildlife Refuge also contains salt marshes and a driftwood bone yard. It’s a great spot for dolphin viewing, shelling, and birding.

sundialcharters.com, 1615 Chatham Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Explore Uninhabited Little Tybee Island

Unlike its name suggests, Little Tybee Island is twice the size of Tybee Island. Only accessible by boat, the uninhabited nature preserve’s salt marshes, dunes, and pristine beaches are great spots to hunt for fossils, fish, or camp. Get to the island by kayak, boat, or jet-ski, all of which can be rented at local marinas. Before you set out, know that the tides on Little Tybee change radically every six hours.

See The Island By Bike

With bike-friendly roads and miles of trails, Tybee Island is a good place to sightsee on two wheels. TIMS Bikes, Beach, and Disc Golf offers bikes in all sizes, including tandem bikes and pull-alongs. Tybee Island Bike Rentals will bring the bikes to you or set up a guided tour where you’ll learn the island’s history and see things you may otherwise miss. Choose from beach cruisers or e-bikes.

timsbeachgear.com, 1101 US Highway 80, Tybee Island, GA 31328

tybeeislandbikerentals.com, 17 Kingry St, Tybee Island GA 31328

Where To Eat On Tybee

Take A Seat At The Iconic Crab Shack

Start with an icon, The Crab Shack, “where the elite eat in their bare feet.” As long as there’s been a trip to Tybee Island, there’s been a meal at The Crab Shack. Originally Chimney Creek Fishing Camp, the shack was born with a table here and there, for a few days a week. Choose waterside views of the marsh next to the ever-lively baby gator lagoon and feast at a table overflowing with Low Country Boil.

thecrabshack.com, 40 Estill Hammock Rd, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Order Caribbean Fusion At North Beach Bar And Grill

While visiting the light station and Fort Screven, dine at North Beach Bar and Grill, a fun shack by the sea serving eclectic fusion dishes like Plantains and Salsa and Thai Tuna and Spinach Salad. More Caribbean hotspot than Georgia grill, this hideaway serves dishes with jerk spicing as well as the ubiquitous beach meal-on-the-go, the hot dog.

northbeachbarandgrill.net, 33 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Dine Beachside At The Deck Bar And Kitchen

Sandy toes at dinner confirm you're on island time. Dine on the sand, underneath the orange and blue umbrellas at The Deck Bar and Kitchen, the island’s only beachfront dining spot. Located in the Beachside Colony Resort, The Deck serves fresh seafood including fish street tacos complemented by Georgia craft beers, frozen drinks, and fruity cocktails.

thedecktybee.com, 404 Butler Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Get A Caffeine Fix At Tybean Coffee Bar

Launch your island morning with an espresso or cold brew from Tybean Coffee Bar, serving Georgia’s own Dancing Goats coffee. An online shop allows ordering ahead. For an extra kick to begin your day, try their Spicy Mocha with chili powder and cayenne. The menu also features a variety of non-coffee drinks like chai, matcha, and fruit smoothies.

tybeancoffeebar.com, 1213 US Highway 80 East, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Try Something Different At Sea Wolf Tybee

Stepping outside the routine cuisine box is always entertaining. Sea Wolf Tybee serves crazy good cocktails like the Recombobulator. Add Va Va Voom Oysters, vegan dishes, or gourmet hot dogs made with Australian Wagyu. There’s nothing ordinary about this island joint.

seawolftybee.com, 106 South Campbell Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Order A Steamer Platter At StingRay's

After a dip in the ocean, head to StingRay’s where they’ve been serving up delicious seafood dishes and cocktails for more than 20 years. Start with their conch fritters or fried alligator strips, then fill up on Susan’s Famous Crab Stew or Tybee Island Gumbo. With Dungeness crab, oysters, steamer platters, and fish tacos, you can’t go wrong.

stingraysontybee.com, 1403 Butler Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Where To Stay On Tybee

Rent A Private Beach Cottage

Although Tybee Island is one of Georgia’s lesser-known barrier islands, those who know its charm have made it home. Notable celebrities like John Mellencamp, Sandra Bullock, and writer Mary Kay Andrews treasured its quiet charm and slow pace and purchased properties.

A multitude of private homes are available for rent with various island rental agencies. No matter where you stay, reservations should be made well in advance. A native Georgian, Andrews shares her slice of heaven with two properties—The Breeze Inn and Ebbtide—available for rent through Tybee Vacation Rentals. Both are beautifully restored and oozing with coastal charm and flair. And since they're each just steps from the beach, they're ideal for families or large gatherings.

Book A Luxury Room At The Tybee Inn

If a bed and breakfast better suits your needs, the charm of The Tybee Island Inn on North Beach combines luxury with style. Two blocks from the lighthouse and just a quick walk to the beach, the coastal-inspired rooms at this inn are a perfect escape after a day in the sun. The Lighthouse Suite has a private deck for viewing the Tybee Island Lighthouse.

tybeeislandbnb.com, 24 Van Horne Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Step Into The Past At Atlantis Inn

Check out the sandstone-and-mint-edged Atlantis Inn, a quirky 1950s-era beach motel where no two rooms are alike. Within walking distance from the beach, it’s located on South Beach near Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion on a block that is jam-packed with little stores to purchase all your beach-day essentials.

atlantisinntybee.com, 20 Silver Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328

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