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Tybee Island is one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets. If you told someone that there is a fantastic island on the United States East Coast, they would probably guess you’re talking about somewhere in Florida or the Carolinas.
Little did they know that Georgia has a fantastic beach destination of its own. Tybee is great because you can enjoy a holiday in the sun and not worry about too many tourists or a commercial mindset. The locals are down to earth, and the locales aren’t too crowded.
Of course, one of the best parts of Tybee Island is its beaches. In this guide, we’ll describe Tybee Island’s best beaches in detail. When you get bored or hungry in the sand, we’ll also describe nearby things to do for you to enjoy.
Little Tybee Beach
The nature preserve of Little Tybee Island is just south of Mainland Tybee. The name “little” is misplaced because the preserve is actually twice as big as barrier island Tybee. It’s also only accessible by boat, so you’ll need to rent one to go to this beach.
However, you don’t have to go with a mundane ferry or motorboat. The beach is right across Tybee’s Back River, so you can rent a canoe, a kayak, or even a jet ski to get over there. If you’re not sure about your boating skills, then you can take a class from the Bull River Marina.
You should definitely take the class if not experienced because Tybee is subject to dramatic tide changes. The waterways will flood and drain every six hours, so we suggest checking the tide clocks if you don’t want to get stranded.
After you land on the island, you have several options for activities. The calm surf on the beach is perfect for wading or relaxing. You can also venture inland to explore the nature preserve and everything it has to offer.
Things to Do
Unfortunately, there isn’t much dining you can do on the nature preserve, so we recommend packing a lunch. However, there are plenty of activities you can try.
Fossil Hunting
Tybee’s beaches are full of fossils, and the nature preserve is a great place to look since it isn’t visited as frequently. Search for a shark’s tooth or an ancient crustacean shell on the beach to take home as an awesome souvenir.
Tybee Island Charters
Tybee Island Charters is a fantastic touring company that will take you around Little Tybee and explains its ecology. They will also take you up some of the twisting estuaries on the island and help you find fossils.
They have a sunset dining option so you can enjoy the sunset with a meal made for you.
Back River Beach
Right across the river from Little Tybee is Back River Beach. It’s right at the end of Highway 80, so it’s not as well known as the beaches on the far side of the island. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a passing pod of dolphins while you soak in the sun.
The back river beach is another fantastic place to rent some boats for two reasons: the views and the fishing. You are gifted with gorgeous views of the nature preserve and the coastal flora. Once you find the time to cast a line, you’ll be amazed at how many bites you get in these abundant waters.
There is a lot of accommodation on the Back River because it has some of the most serene views on the island. You can see and enjoy the seabirds and singing wildlife from the comfortable deck sticking up from the water on stilts.
Things to Do
There are several dining options around the back river because of the beautiful views it has to offer. If you go to Tybee, you need to dine at one of these restaurants.
A-J’s Dockside Restaurant
The colorful patio at A-J’s will take you into a calmer state of mind as you listen to the small waves crash against the dock’s support beams. You can order some excellent and freshly caught seafood or beer to aid you in relaxation.
The Crab Shack
The crab shack is the perfect place to get seafood without anything posh or overly expensive. Fishers catch tons of crab around Tybee every day, so whatever they’re boiling is guaranteed fresh. They have one of the best slogans on the island: “where the elite eat in their bare feet.”
South Beach
South Beach has wonderful sand and places for bathing like all of Tybee’s other beaches, but you’ll appreciate its surroundings. It’s right in the middle of downtown Tybee and next to the famous Tybrisa street, a spot filled with excellent dining, lodging, and shopping.
After you leave Tybrisa street, try taking a trip down the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion. The pavilion has delicious food stands serving sweet treats. The pier is a fun place to watch cargo ships as they slowly drift by.
South Beach is another fantastic place to stay if you’re looking for a unique experience. Hotel Tybee and Tybrisa by the beach are right on the water here and offer great rooms and a communal experience for strangers to the island.
Things to Do
If you want to have fun in the sand, you should probably head up to North or Mid beach. This beach is all about the party.
Wet Willie’s1
There aren’t many places in the United States where you can get a cocktail to go. Fortunately, Tybee is one of them. Stop by Wet Willie’s to get a giant Pina Colada or Daiquiri to take your stroll along the pier. You can mix the flavors to create your very own icy glass of heaven.
Rock House
When the sun goes down, and it’s time to get crazy, there aren’t many better places on Tybee than the Rock House. Great for a beer with friends, this bar has both billiards and darts, so you can stay entertained while you’re drinking. Some nights they even offer Karaoke.
Mid Beach
Mid Beach is probably the most popular beach on Tybee Island due to its central location. Tipsy people venture up here from South Beach, and tired travelers venture down from the north. It’s one of the best places to start your day since everything else is a short walk away.
For surfers, this is one of the best spots on the Island. The waves are nothing to write home about, but they will give you plenty of entertainment throughout the day. You can also rent canoes or stand-up paddleboards at the local YMCA right near the entrance to the beach.
You’ll find Memorial Park very close to Mid-Beach, which is an excellent place to get involved in a pick-up basketball game or a tennis match.
Things to Do
Since it’s right in the middle of the island, Mid Beach is a great place for tourists to stay. You’ll have easy access to all the island’s attractions from here.
The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen
Another awesome outdoor dining spot, the Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen, has an open-air deck that looks out onto Mid Beach. The seafood here is very fresh (like everywhere on the island), and you can have a full meal for less than $20.
DeSoto Beach Bed and Breakfast
If you want accommodation like a local, you can’t go wrong with this bed and breakfast. It only has three rooms so it will be a very intimate experience. However, you’ll also have a private balcony with your own ocean view to hide from the other guests if necessary.
North Beach
North Beach is the largest beach on Tybee, so there’s a lot to see here. You can visit the various historical attractions. You can also just walk along the endless sandy coast until you find a good place to sunbathe or take a nap.
As far as historical attractions go, Tybee is one of the richer islands in the continental United States. It was a focal point of the U.S. coastal defense and had two forts: Fort Screven and Fort Pulaski. The island’s historical society preserved most of these landmarks, and now you can visit them.
While it’s a great stretch of nature, there’s also plenty of shopping on North Beach. Try visiting the Tybee Oaks Shopping center for some great deals.
Things to Do
Once you’re done on the sand, try some of these activities to keep the fun going.
Deep Sea Fishing
If you want to catch something really big, you need to head into deeper waters. You can have a blast fishing with Brown’s Reel ‘Em N Deep Sea Fishing. They will take you out to the best places for catching a big one!
McQueen’s Island Trail
This is one of the best hiking trails on Tybee. You’ll enjoy wonderful views of the coast and the Savannah River. You can take your running shoes if you want a little more of a workout.
Plan Your Beach Vacation To Tybee Island
We hope you enjoyed our article about Tybee Island’s beaches. Each beach has its charms, so choose one that best fits your personality. There is space for everyone on Tybee Island.
