So you're planning a trip to Tybee Island? Smart move. I've been going there since I was a kid dragging a rusty bucket along South Beach hunting for sand dollars. These days I split my time between Savannah and Tybee, and let me tell you – most visitors barely scratch the surface of what this place offers. You'll see plenty of "top 10" lists, but this? This is the real deal from someone who knows every cracked sidewalk on Strand Avenue.
Tybrisa Street is what locals call the main drag near the pier. If you hear someone say "back in the Tybrisa days," they mean before the big redevelopment in the 90s. Little insider lingo for you.
Hitting the Beaches: Your Sandy Headquarters
Look, all beaches aren't equal here. Where you plant your umbrella changes everything.
| Beach Area | Best For | Parking | Facilities | Local Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Beach (Pier Area) | People-watching, pier fishing, snacks | Metered ($3.50/hr) or paid lots ($12/day) | Restrooms, showers, rentals | Go before 10am or parking's gone |
| Mid Beach | Families with kids (gentler waves) | Free street parking (Butler Ave) | Limited facilities | Access stairs between 14th-16th St |
| North Beach | Quiet, lighthouse views, shelling | Small free lot near lighthouse | Restrooms at lighthouse | Best sunrise spot on island |
| Back River | Kayaking, paddleboarding | Free at public boat ramps | None (wilderness area) | Launch at Alley 3 for calm water |
The parking situation? It's brutal July weekends. Last Fourth of July I saw tourists circling for 45 minutes. Either get there early or rent bikes. Seriously – best $25 you'll spend.
Personal rant: Those blue meter boxes? They eat credit cards like it's their job. Always carry quarters. Always. Learned that the hard way when mine got stuck during a downpour.
Must-Do Activities Beyond Sunbathing
Tybee Island Light Station & Museum
178 stairs. Sounds awful until you're up there seeing dolphins slice through the waves. They open at 9am daily (closed Tuesdays off-season). Admission's $12 for adults. Pro tip: Buy the combo ticket with the Battery for $15 – saves you cash.
Kayaking the Creeks
If you don't get on the water, did you even visit Tybee? I use Tybee Island Kayak Tours (Jones River Landing, $55/person) because their naturalist guides spot things you'd miss. Like last month when we followed a river otter for 20 minutes. Book early – their sunset tours sell out weeks ahead.
- Fort Pulaski National Monument - Surprising history lesson ($10 entry). Go at low tide to see the cannon damage up close. Bring bug spray – mosquitoes are brutal near the marsh.
- Fishing Pier at Night - Free after 10pm. Buy a cheap rig at Seaside Sisters ($15). You might catch whiting or sharks. Saw a kid land a 4-foot sand tiger last summer.
- Marine Science Center - Touch tanks fascinate kids ($12 adults). Check their sea turtle release schedule – magical when they do public releases.
- Bike the Island - Fat tire rentals from Tim's ($18/day). Ride to Fort Screven early before the heat. The crumbling gun batteries feel like post-apocalyptic movie sets.
- Cockspur Island Lighthouse - View from Lazaretto Creek pier (free). Impossible to visit without a boat but makes killer photos at golden hour.
Eating Like You Mean It
Skip the tourist traps near the pier. Here's where locals actually eat:
| Spot | What to Order | Price Range | Hours | Honest Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Crab Shack (40 Estill Hammock Rd) | Steamer pot with snow crab | $$$ ($45/person) | 11:30am-10pm | Touristy but fun. Gators in the pond freak out city folks. |
| Huc-A-Poos (1213 Strand Ave) | Slice of pesto pizza | $ ($8 slices) | 4pm-3am | Dive bar perfection. Cash only. Walls covered in dollar bills. |
| Sundae Cafe (304 1st St) | Shrimp & grits | $$ ($28 entrées) | 5:30-10pm (closed Mon) | Worth the splurge. Reservations essential. |
| Tybee Island Fish Camp (106 5th St) | Fried oyster tacos | $$ ($14 lunch plates) | 11am-9pm | Best bang for buck. Outdoor seating with live music weekends. |
Confession: I judge Tybee restaurants by their she-crab soup. AJ's Dockside (1315 Chatham Ave) wins. Creamy with proper sherry kick. $6 cup or $8 bowl. You're welcome.
Making Memories With Kids
My nieces get bored after two hours on sand. Survival strategies:
- Tybee Island Marine Science Center - Let them hold hermit crabs (10am-2pm weekdays)
- Savannah Coastal Ecotours - Dolphin spotting cruise designed for kids ($35/child)
- North Beach Grill Playground - Eat fish tacos while they climb (free play area)
- Low Tide Fireworks - Summer Fridays at 9:15pm. Spread blanket where tide recedes – reflections double the show
Nightlife That Doesn't Suck
We're not Miami. Nightlife means cold beer and live tunes:
- Rock House Bar (1207 Hwy 80) - Blues bands Thurs-Sat. Cover charge usually $5
- Fannie's on the Beach (1613 Strand Ave) - Ocean view cocktails. DJs after 10pm weekends
- Bernie's Oyster House (13 Water Ave) - Dive bar with $1 oysters 5-7pm weekdays
- Full Moon Bonfires - Check Tybee Calendar. Locals build beach fires during full moons. Bring your own chair
Fair warning: Tybee's "late night" means midnight. Bars close at 3am but most folks bail earlier. If you want real clubs, drive to Savannah.
When Things Go Wrong (Because They Will)
Real talk from someone who's been stranded:
- Tide Charts Matter - High tide floods parking at North Beach. Check Savannah tide tables
- Jellyfish Stings - Vinegar stations on lifeguard stands. Or pee on it (yes, really)
- Lost Keys - Tybee Rocks (102 Lovell Ave) makes copies. Opens at 9am
- Sunburn ER - Urgent Care on Butler Ave (open till 8pm). Trust me, I've needed them after forgetting my back
Money-Saving Hacks Only Locals Know
Because resort towns drain wallets:
- Park free at the library (405 Butler Ave) after 5pm and walk everywhere
- Wednesday happy hour 4-6pm at Coco's Sunset Grille (1 cent wings with drink purchase)
- Rent gear from Tybee Time (bikes, kayaks, chairs) – 20% cheaper than pier vendors
- Free history tours at Fort Screven every Saturday at 10am (meet at Tybee Museum)
Seasonal Secrets They Won't Tell You
When to go for what:
| Season | Perks | Downsides | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| March-May | Dolphin babies in creeks, mild temps | Water too cold for swimming | Medium (spring break surge) |
| June-August | Warm ocean, all businesses open | Humid, afternoon thunderstorms | Pack sardine levels |
| September-October | Water warmest, shrimp season peaks | Hurricane risk, fewer tours | Low (best secret time) |
| November-February | Empty beaches, lowest prices | Many restaurants close weekdays | Ghost town vibes |
Tybee Island Things To Do: Your Burning Questions
Can you actually swim at Tybee?
Yes but check flags daily. Green = safe, yellow = caution, red = no swimming. Rip currents happen often near the pier. Lifeguards patrol South Beach May-Sept.
Is Tybee walkable or do I need a car?
If you stay near Butler Avenue, everything's walkable. But to explore North Beach or Fort Pulaski? Bring wheels. Free shuttle runs summers but stops at 7pm.
Where can I see sea turtle nests?
May-October on North and Mid beaches. Marked with yellow tape. Never touch! Report hatchlings to Tybee Marine Science (912-786-5917). Saw one emerge last August – magical.
What's the deal with parking permits?
Locals have permits. You don't. Paid lots cost $12-$20/day. Cheapest hack? Park free at River's End Campground ($5 donation requested) and bike everywhere.
Final Reality Check: Tybee isn't some pristine paradise. It's a working-class beach town with potholes and peeling paint. That's its charm. You want manicured perfection? Go to Florida. But if you want real saltwater soul with cold beer and shrimp nets drying in the sun – you found your spot.
Look, I've lived the Tybee life for decades. The true magic isn't ticking off "things to do in Tybee Island" from some list. It's sitting on a driftwood log at dawn as pelicans skim waves. Or chatting with shrimpers unloading their catch at the Back River dock. Slow down. Put your phone away. Let the island happen to you. That's when you'll understand why we call it "The Way Life Should Be."
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