Tybee Island beaches are located on an island and city in Georgia’s Chatham County, less than a half hour from historic Savannah in the southeastern United States. This location is Georgia’s easternmost point and the best known of all the Georgia beaches on the state’s eastern coast. Though only about 3,000 people are official residents of Tybee Island, thousands of visitors come each year, especially in peak tourist months revolving around the North American summer. The community on the island is eclectic and the atmosphere is welcoming with friendly island residents and lots of history mixed in with modern facets.
Tybee Island was connected to the mainland via a causeway completed in the 1920s creating the beginning of tourism which eventually led to the island as a resort. Two decades, four hotels, and several moderate lodges later, the island gained exposure as a Georgia resort island. By 1996, the island received its first pier, which created a reputation for great fishing, and also a large pavilion offering families and friends a shady place to gather. These fixtures and many more developed over the years on the east shore, along with all the popular Tybee Island beaches while the west side is home to tidal salt marshes and an array of wildlife species. Where once a dense, capacious maritime forest occupied the island interior, a greatly reduced one lives there now because of the development skirting it.
There are scores of ways to enjoy Tybee Island beaches. If traditional beach fun is your forte, hit the sand armed with an umbrella, beach chair, and towel and prepare to while away the sunny days with dips in the water, lunch on the beach, and a game or two of volleyball. If active pursuits are your style, there are many appealing endeavors to try. Windsurfing and body boarding are two popular sports. Jet skiing and sailing are also possible. If a few drinks and a great beach view sound good, dining and bar-hopping along the shore is a fun way to explore the island’s culinary and nightlife scene.
Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities. Fishing from the rocks on the far south and far north beach points is possible. Look for a spot along the rock outcroppings jutting out from the beaches. These are also prime spots for crabbing. On the island’s back side is the Tybee Island Fishing Pier, off Jones Avenue along the dead end and off the first street on the left. There is a parking lot adjacent to it. From the pier, anglers can fish in both the Atlantic and Back River. Little Tybee Island is visible and can be reached by boat for more excellent fishing.
From the continuous expanse of island beaches, visitors will find many outfitters and companies offering sunset cruises and dolphin watching tours. The creeks and rivers are a common point of interest. One of the most popular routes is along Black River, venturing toward Little Tybee Island, a natural, protected paradise and uninhabited island. On route, enjoy a few cocktails, spot playful dolphins, and take pleasure in the vibrant sunset.
