Tucked just twenty minutes from the storybook streets of Savannah, Tybee Island feels like a secret the ocean decided to whisper. It’s the kind of place where flip-flops are a way of life, sunset skies paint the horizon in fire and lavender, and the salty breeze seems to brush all your worries clean away.

If you’re dreaming of a seaside escape that’s equal parts laid-back and luminous, Tybee Island will steal your heart — and you’ll be grateful it did.

A First Glimpse of Tybee: Sunlight, Sand, and Soul

There’s a simplicity here that feels revolutionary. Life on Tybee isn’t about racing through a checklist of attractions. It’s about being — lingering over a seafood dinner, losing track of time under a beach umbrella, or pedaling a cruiser bike past weathered cottages blooming with hibiscus.

The moment you cross Lazaretto Creek Bridge, the world tilts into something softer. Marshes ripple in the breeze. White herons wade through golden grasses. And suddenly, there it is — Tybee Island, a slender barrier island shimmering like a seashell on Georgia’s coast.

The Best Things to Do on Tybee Island

If you’re wondering about the best things to do on Tybee Island, the beauty is in how effortlessly adventure and relaxation collide.

1. Sink Your Toes into Tybee Beaches

The beaches on Tybee are the island’s crown jewels — wide, clean, and inviting. Each has its own rhythm:

South Beach is lively and iconic, anchored by the historic Tybee Pier and Pavilion. Watch fishermen haul in the day’s catch or stroll out over the waves with an ice cream cone in hand. North Beach feels quieter and wilder, perfect for long morning walks where the only sound is your footsteps and the calling gulls. Mid Beach offers a sweet in-between — less crowded, with soft sands made for lazy afternoons. Back River Beach, Tybee’s hidden gem, unfurls along calm waters that glow gold at sunset. It’s the spot for paddleboarding, kayaking, and dolphin spotting.

No matter where you spread your towel, Tybee beaches remind you how good it feels to simply breathe.

2. Climb the Tybee Island Lighthouse

History rises high on Tybee’s northern tip. The Tybee Island Lighthouse, Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, has guarded this shoreline since 1736. Today, you can climb its 178 steps for a panoramic view that’ll stop you in your tracks — endless ocean to the east, the lush river estuaries to the west.

Beside the lighthouse, you’ll find the beautifully restored Keeper’s Cottage and museum — a quiet testimony to the island’s seafaring soul.

Away from the sand, Tybee’s neighborhoods are a patchwork of pastel cottages, swaying palms, and hidden gardens. Rent a bike (because that’s how islanders do it) and explore the quiet side streets. You’ll find secret nooks like:

Memorial Park with its shady oaks and playgrounds The charming shops and boutiques along Tybrisa Street Tiny, colorful beach houses that feel like postcard dreams

There’s an unhurried magic here — the kind of slow travel that seeps under your skin.

4. Kayak Through Marshes and Meet Dolphins

Tybee isn’t just about the open ocean; its salt marshes are another world entirely. Here, you can kayak through winding green rivers, paddleboarding alongside egrets, and maybe even spot dolphins gliding through the shallows.

For a true hidden treasure, book a tour out to Little Tybee Island — an uninhabited barrier island just offshore where wild beaches stretch empty as far as you can see.

If there’s one place you must be when the sun sinks low, it’s Back River Beach. This is Tybee’s secret theater for sunsets, where the sky turns molten gold and boats slip by in silhouette.

5. Wander the Streets of Historic Tybee

Away from the sand, Tybee’s neighborhoods are a patchwork of pastel cottages, swaying palms, and hidden gardens. Rent a bike (because that’s how islanders do it) and explore the quiet side streets. You’ll find secret nooks like:

Memorial Park with its shady oaks and playgrounds The charming shops and boutiques along Tybrisa Street Tiny, colorful beach houses that feel like postcard dreams

A Taste of Tybee: Where to Eat and Drink

The food scene on Tybee is refreshingly unpretentious — big flavors, salty breezes, and plates that celebrate the coast.

The Crab Shack: A Tybee institution. Picnic tables under a canopy of oaks, mounds of fresh seafood, and the feeling that you’re at the best backyard party ever.

Coco’s Sunset Grille: Come for the shrimp and grits, stay for the marsh view that’ll make you swear you’re dreaming.

The Deck Beach Bar and Kitchen: Vibrant cocktails and tacos, just steps from the sand.

And if you’re craving a classic Southern breakfast, don’t skip Breakfast Club — a quirky Tybee favorite where everything feels made with love (and a little butter).

Why Tybee Island Feels Different

Tybee Island isn’t polished or posh. That’s its magic.

It’s sea air that smells like freedom. It’s driftwood on the shore and the rhythm of flip-flops on a weathered boardwalk. It’s kids chasing gulls. It’s the old fisherman with a story. It’s a place that hasn’t forgotten how to be real.

In a world that often moves too fast, Tybee invites you to slow down, look around, and remember how much beauty lives in simplicity.

Plan Your Visit: Quick Tips for Tybee Island

Before you pack your flip-flops and sunhat, here are a few helpful tips for your Tybee Island adventure:

1. Parking Is Easy but Paid

Tybee has public parking everywhere — at beaches, shops, and restaurants — but almost all of it requires payment. Download the ParkTYB app to pay by phone, and make sure you check signs for any time limits.

2. It’s a Bike-Friendly Island

Bikes are one of the best ways to get around Tybee. Rentals are affordable, and you can cruise from beach to beach without ever worrying about parking. Plus, it’s the best way to stumble onto hidden corners of the island.

3. Dolphin Tours Are a Must

Even if you’re not a big tour person, a Tybee dolphin tour is worth it. Companies like Captain Mike’s and Captain Derek’s guarantee sightings — and watching pods of dolphins arc through the water never gets old.

4. Stay Hydrated and Bring Sunscreen

The Georgia sun can be stronger than it feels, especially with the sea breeze. Always carry water and slather on that sunscreen — even on cloudy days.

5. It’s More Laid-Back Than Savannah

Tybee moves at its own pace. Restaurants might open late. Shops might close early. People stop to chat on sidewalks. If you arrive expecting hustle, you’ll miss the magic. Let Tybee’s slower rhythm carry you.

6. Visit in the Shoulder Seasons

While summer is lively and fun, the best times to visit Tybee Island are spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). You’ll find thinner crowds, milder temperatures, and stunning sunsets that feel like private performances.

Final Thoughts

You feel it in the salt drying on your skin, the laughter drifting down a quiet street, the hush of the tide pulling you into its ancient rhythm.

Whether you’re building castles in the sand, paddling through marshland mysteries, or watching the sky catch fire at sunset, Tybee Island reminds you that the simplest moments are often the most unforgettable.

And once you’ve felt Tybee’s soul, a piece of it stays with you — tucked somewhere deep, like a perfect shell found in the tide.