Tybee Island

Tybee Island, Georgia’s easternmost barrier island positioned at the mouth of the Savannah River just 18 miles from historic Savannah, preserves a classic American beach town atmosphere across its three-mile stretch of broad Atlantic beaches, historic lighthouse, and distinctive coastal ecology. This small island, measuring just 2.7 square miles with a year-round population of approximately 3,000 residents that swells to 30,000 during summer weekends, maintains its laid-back character through the deliberate absence of high-rise development and chain businesses, instead featuring colorful beach cottages, locally-owned restaurants serving fresh seafood, and independent shops housed in repurposed historic structures. Tybee’s maritime history manifests through the 145-foot lighthouse, Georgia’s oldest and tallest, which has guided mariners since 1736 through numerous reconstructions, reaching its current form in 1867 and remaining one of only seven colonial-era lighthouses still operating in America, with its adjacent museum complex including the head lighthouse keeper’s cottage and support buildings depicting coastal life in the early 20th century. Beyond beach activities centered on the Atlantic-facing Main Beach and Back River Beach offering sunset views over the marshy western shore, the island serves as an important ecological zone where loggerhead sea turtles nest from May through October, migratory birds traverse the Atlantic Flyway using island salt marshes as crucial habitat, and diverse marine life thrives in surrounding waters, which visitors explore through kayaking tours through tidal creeks and dolphin-watching excursions. The island’s unique character reflects its complex history from early Native American usage through Spanish exploration, British colonization, and significant military presence including Fort Screven’s concrete batteries constructed during the Spanish-American War period and Cold War-era Nike missile installations, complemented by unexpected stories like the 1958 loss of a hydrogen bomb in local waters during a training accident (never recovered despite extensive searches). Throughout its development, Tybee has maintained a deliberately slower pace than many Atlantic beach destinations, creating an atmosphere where historic preservation, environmental consciousness, and simple coastal pleasures combine in a destination that appeals especially to families seeking a traditional beach experience within easy reach of Savannah’s urban amenities.