Overview
Tybee Island is a popular beach town and barrier island 18 mi east of Savannah along the Atlantic coast of Georgia.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tybee Island
Tybee Island Light Station
Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse at 144 ft, includes a complex of historic support buildings and 187 steps to the top!
Tybee Island Marine Science Center
Part science center and part aquarium, featuring touch tanks and many kid-friendly exhibits.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
An imposing Civil War era fort designed to protect the coastal region of SavannahThe fort was the site of a siege battle between the Confederates who usurped the fort and Union soldiers determined to take it over. The 7.…
Tybee Island Museum at Fort Screven's Battery Garland
Inside a coastal defense fort first used during the Spanish-American War, this museum outlines the history of Tybee Island as an integral part of America's coastal defense system. Don't miss the WWII submarine periscope …
Fat Tire Bikes
Rent bikes to see the island at a relaxed pace. Can also call ahead to have bikes delivered to where you're staying.
The Beach
Tybee Island is very strict about preserving its beach; dogs and glass bottles are forbidden, and fines are very steep.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Sep–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Savannah)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HHH Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head Island — 17 mi away. Directions
- SAV Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, Savannah — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
GA-26/US-80 is the only route onto the island and passes directly through Savannah on its way east.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $70–$179 a night (typical $164), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$240, comfortable ~$340.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tybee Island Light Station, Sea Kayak Georgia, Tybee Island Museum at Fort Screven's Battery Garland
- Lunch Sundae Cafe
- Afternoon The Beach, Tybee Island Marine Science Center
- Dinner The Tybee Bakery Featuring Cafe Miss Korea
- Evening Doc's Bar
Day 2
- Morning Fort Pulaski National Monument
- Lunch The Crab Shack
- Dinner AJ's Dockside Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
GA-26/US-80 is the only route onto the island and passes directly through Savannah on its way east.
By plane
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 45 minutes away from the island, about 20 minutes north of Savannah, and is served by seven airlines. The airport is directly served by Interstate 95.
By bike
It's about 18 miles from Savannah along route 80, and most of the highway has no bike lanes or paved shoulder to ride on. However, it is a scenic ride, and flat.
Get around
By car
GA-26/US-80 is the main street through town and is known locally as Butler Ave. The main drag along the beach is Strand Ave and runs from 14th Street to 18th Street.
By bike
The island is quite accessible by bike, and is the preferred method of getting around with a more relaxed, beach attitude. Bikes can be rented for this purpose (see the Do section below).
See
See Tybee Island Museum at Fort Screven's Battery Garland
Inside a coastal defense fort first used during the Spanish-American War, this museum outlines the history of Tybee Island as an integral part of America's coastal defense system. Don't miss the WWII submarine periscope just inside the entrance.
See Fort Pulaski National Monument
An imposing Civil War era fort designed to protect the coastal region of SavannahThe fort was the site of a siege battle between the Confederates who usurped the fort and Union soldiers determined to take it over. The 7.5 ft solid brick walls still feature cannon fire damage.
Do
Do Fat Tire Bikes
Rent bikes to see the island at a relaxed pace. Can also call ahead to have bikes delivered to where you're staying.
Do The Beach
Tybee Island is very strict about preserving its beach; dogs and glass bottles are forbidden, and fines are very steep.
Buy
Eat
Eat AJ's Dockside Restaurant
Great neighborhood setting on the back river. Serves seafood outside on a dock which is the setting for some spectacular sunsets.
Eat The Crab Shack
Laid back seafood restaurant with extravagant decorations and a zany atmosphere. Be sure to buy some gator food to feed the live alligators!.
Eat Sundae Cafe
Fine dining featuring both traditional southern dishes and seafood.
Eat Fannies on the Beach
Large restaurant with full bar overlooking the beach; has an open-air dining area on the second floor. Ask to sit in the boat if you have young kids who want to steer a ship while enjoying a meal.
Eat The Tybee Bakery Featuring Cafe Miss Korea
A home-made bakery and coffee house with a Korean food cafe. Located inside a 99 year old train station on the Savannah and Tybee Railroad.
Drink
Sleep
Go next
- Savannah - The historic riverside birthplace of Georgia.
- Hilton Head - A lush seaside paradise in the neighboring state of South Carolina.
Nearby
Skidaway Island
City / town · 13 mi away
Hilton Head Island
City / town · 29 listings · 13 mi away
Savannah
City / town · 116 listings · 15 mi away
Bluffton
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Port Wentworth
City / town · 2 listings · 22 mi away
Beaufort
City / town · 20 listings · 31 mi away
Ridgeland
City / town · 1 listings · 34 mi away
Midway
City / town · 1 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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