Tybee Island Travel Guide

  Tybee Island Lighthouse
by 807Wheaton
 
  • Tybee Island Lighthouse
      Tybee Island Lighthouse
    by 807Wheaton
  • Base of the lighthouse
      Base of the lighthouse
    by grandmaR
  • Just one more view of the South Channel
      Just one more view of the South Channel
    by ChicagoHeidi
  • Water and Wind Surfing, Swimming & Sunbathing!
      Water and Wind Surfing, Swimming &...
    by ChicagoHeidi
  • Information about keepers
      Information about keepers
    by grandmaR
 

Pro

807Wheaton profile photo

 Not crowded but plenty to see and enjoy 


Con

weebrie profile photo

 If you like Hilton Head, polo shirts and golf, you'll hate it. 


In a nutshell

ChicagoHeidi profile photo

 Small & quaint, not too tourist-y! 

 

Explore Tybee Island

Things to Do  

Lighthouse (Aid to Navigation) on Tybee Island

Lighthouse (Aid to Navigation) on Tybee Island, Tybee Island

 grandmaR Says:  We were going to drive out to Tybee Island after we visited Fort Pulaski in 2005, but it got too foggy. So this time we took the opportunity and visited. We took photos of the lighthouse and visited the museum buildings like the lighthouse keepers houses. The lighthouse... 

Lighthouse Museum

Lighthouse Museum, Tybee Island

 grandmaR Says:  The museum consists of the light station with three keeper's houses and other historic buildings. The restoration of these buildings is continuing so check with the website to see what is open when you plan to visit. When we were there in 2008, the 1881 principal keeper's... 

Fort Screven

Fort Screven, Tybee Island

 grandmaR Says:  I think we were told that our ticket included admission to the museum in the fort. We didn't visit the fort as we were only really interested in the lighthouse. The Lighthouse Museum calls the lighthouse location in Battery Garland of Fort Screven as it's most interesting... 

Alligators at the beach?

Alligators at the beach?, Tybee Island

 anaisdreams Says:  The Crab Shack on Tybee island has a very eclectic clientele!The very best views of the water on the island with an incredible outdoor seating area- you must see to understand!Now they have live alligators in a habitat on the vast waterfront property.Great drinks and... 

Tybee Lighthouse

Tybee Lighthouse, Tybee Island

 dustmon Says:  This really is the best thing happening in Tybee. I love lighthouses and this one is a fine example----costs about $6 to go up to the top, but the views of the beach and surrounds are great! There's a little museum at the bottom with some info on the past and such.178 steps... 

Closest Beach to Atlanta

Closest Beach to Atlanta, Tybee Island

 dustmon Says:  This is the closest beach to the Atlanta area, and therefore gets alot of weekenders from there. In my opinion, it might be worthwhile going a little further to find a better beach. It is usually pretty crowded, and gets a lot of litter left on the sand, so watch where you... 

Union Territory in Confederate space.

Union Territory in Confederate space., Tybee Island

 deaglos Says:  Great site girls really enjoyed looking around.Area is pet friendly so Ginger enjoyed also.A Turning Point in Military HistoryIn the days before the Civil War, brick forts were America's main defense against overseas enemies. In one two-day battle during the Civil War, new... 

Take a customized Dolphin & Eco Cruise

Take a customized Dolphin & Eco Cruise, Tybee Island

 807Wheaton Says:  This outing was offered as a complimentary excursion from our stay at the Savannah Beach Inn. We given an excellent one hour cruise from Tybee Island and over to Little Tybee Island by the boat owner Harvey Farrelle. He explained the eco systems around the islands and the... 

Sweet Lowland Tours Dolphin Eco Tour

Sweet Lowland Tours Dolphin Eco Tour, Tybee Island

 807Wheaton Says:  Captain Harvey Farrell picked us up for our Dolphin Eco-Tour. He has lived here all his life and is doing tours in his retirement. He explained the reason that Tybee Island has the cleanest water in the area - the tides rise over 8 feet here. He also pointed out the oysters... 

Hotels  

DeSoto Beach Hotel

 222 Opinions

Howard Johnson Tybee Island

 2 Reviews and 128 Opinions  My boyfriend and I along with another couple went to stay at the Howard Johnson Memorial day weekend... 

Restaurants  

The Tango: This place is a MUST visit place!

The Tango: This place is a MUST visit place!, Tybee Island

 Azonie Says:  Oh wow, how can I describe everything that is good about the Tango..Absolutely EVERYTHING! The ambiance, the food, the service, the FOOD! Everything is great at the Tango..Sadly they don't have a website yet but they SHOULD..The Tango has dishes from about 10 or 12 different... 

The Crab Shack: Best seafood in a while

The Crab Shack: Best seafood in a while, Tybee Island

 deaglos Says:  Such a wonderful place, the girls also loved it. The have a nice moat area filled with live gators for people to feed. The patio area is pet friendly (so pup got to eat with us) and there are many cats running around that are all well fed. Everything. 

Sundae Cafe: Excellent food

Sundae Cafe: Excellent food, Tybee Island

 807Wheaton Says:  We popped in here for lunch and saw that they had a special. We each got something different; I got the pork chops, rice and green beans, my husband got the meatloaf and potatoes and green beans. There were two huge pork chops on my plate when it arrived. They were golden... 

Transportation  

Parking

Parking, Tybee Island

 grandmaR Says:  Since we only visited the lighthouse, we were able to park in the lighthouse parking lot for free. It apparently is unusual to be able to park on Tybee without feeding a meter. If you can find an old film can, they hold a couple of dollars worth of quarters. (That's also the... 

Local Customs  

Leave Only Your Footprints

Leave Only Your Footprints, Tybee Island

 weebrie Says:  Tybee Islanders love to share their island with outsiders, and are the friendliest folks you are ever likely to meet. But one way to get on their bad side - and fast - is to throw your trash on the beach. Tybee is a barrier island with a lot of wildlife and natural habitat... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Meter Maids Are Ruthless!

Meter Maids Are Ruthless!, Tybee Island

 ChicagoHeidi Says:  There is plenty of parking in the beachfront parking lots. It's only $3 for the first hour and then a $1 more each hour thereafter. There are meters for every single available parking spot on the island and for $.25, you get about 15 minutes or so. You can load up the meter,... 

Theft from cars

Theft from cars, Tybee Island

 weebrie Says:  Secure your belongings! Especially during holidays and crowded times, things can get stolen from cars. This was primarily the result of a particular group recently, but it doesn't help to get the warning out - don't leave valuables in full view in your parked car. 

What to Pack  

Nothing terribly "corporate" on this island

Nothing terribly "corporate" on this island, Tybee Island

 weebrie Says:  A bag to carry down to the beach is helpful, but if you forget grab one at Christi's or Chu's. Coolers are handy, but remember, NO GLASS on the beach. Flip flops - the pavement gets hot in the summer. The spring and fall weather is nice during the day, but if you plan to be... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Fishing Holes
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1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ChicagoHeidi 21 reviews
The South Channel with a lovely palm tree
3 more images

Pretty, gorgeous, eh, but kinda stinky. Stayed just long enough to get some good shots. There are little parking areas right off of 80, which leads to Tybee Island, GA. Just stop and walk and you'll run right into the South Channel. There are signs that say "No Pets," just so you know!

Written Nov 19, 2006

Related to:
 Fishing
 Hiking and Walking
 Eco-Tourism

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Favorites  

How did they Live?

How did they Live?, Tybee Island

 grandmaR Says:  Usually when you tour a reconstructed or renovated lighthouse complex you will find out a lot about how the lighthouse keepers lived. Some lighthouses are on tiny islands, and all 'shopping' is done by boat and may take a couple of days.Tybee was a more fortunate location.... 

Necessities on the Island

Necessities on the Island, Tybee Island

 weebrie Says:  You can find your basics at Chu's on Tybrisa, all of your beach gear at any of the many shops, and a small grocery store off of Butler (IGA). But if you need anything more substantial, head off of the island and you will run into a WalMart and a Publix (I believe) right off... 

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Map of Tybee Island