Photo: Dsdugan, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Tybee Island is Savannah’s beach, about 20 minutes east of downtown on U.S. 80. It is a small, laid-back island town with a wide Atlantic beach, Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, a Civil War fort on the way in and an uninhabited island next door you can paddle to. It is the closest Georgia beach to Atlanta, about 267 miles away. Here are the best things to do on Tybee Island.
- From AtlantaAbout 267 miles, 5 hours 5 minutes without traffic
- From SavannahAbout 20 minutes on U.S. 80
- Known forIts lighthouse, wide beaches, the pier, dolphin tours and Fort Pulaski
- Beach rulesNo dogs on the beach year-round; most parking is metered
Top Things to Do on Tybee Island
1. Tybee Island Lighthouse
Climb 178 steps for a view over the whole island. The ticket also covers the keeper’s cottages and the Tybee Museum. Closed Tuesdays; tickets are sold on site only.
2. Tybee Museum at Fort Screven
Inside Battery Garland, an 1898 coastal artillery battery, with exhibits on island life from colonial days through World War II. Walk the rest of Fort Screven on the north end.
3. Fort Pulaski National Monument
On Cockspur Island just before the causeway: moats, drawbridges and walls still scarred by the 1862 bombardment. $10 per person ages 16 and up, cards only. From the trail you can see the tiny Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
4. Tybee Pier and Pavilion
The pier at the south end is the island’s gathering place for fishing, sunsets and summer events, with the busiest stretch of beach on either side.
5. Tybee Island Marine Science Center
Small aquarium exhibits of coastal Georgia sea life, plus beach and marsh programs. It also runs Tybee’s sea turtle nesting program from May to October.
6. Paddle to Little Tybee
An uninhabited barrier island of marsh and empty beach just south of Tybee. Book a guided kayak trip unless you know the tides and currents.
7. Dolphin tours
Bottlenose dolphins feed in the creeks and sounds around Tybee year-round. Several boat tours leave from Lazaretto Creek and the Back River; most run about 90 minutes.
8. North Beach and the marsh
North Beach, by the lighthouse, is quieter than the pier area and looks out on passing container ships. For marsh views, watch the sunset from the Back River side of the island.
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Events and Seasons
Beach season runs from May through September, with crowds peaking on summer weekends and holidays. Sea turtles nest from May through October, so fill in holes and keep lights off the beach at night. Fall brings cooler water and smaller crowds, and Tybee’s pirate festival in early fall is its biggest party; check the city calendar for dates.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair this trip with Savannah, Darien or St. Simons Island, or see every stop in our 20 best things to do on the Georgia coast. Our Tybee Island page has more on beach rules and places to stay. For a ready-made route, follow the perfect 3-day Georgia coast itinerary, and see our best beaches in Georgia, Georgia lighthouses guide and lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
What is Tybee Island known for?
Tybee Island is known for its lighthouse, wide public beaches, the pier and pavilion, dolphin tours and its location 20 minutes from Savannah.
How far is Tybee Island from Atlanta?
Tybee is about 267 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 5 hours 5 minutes by car without traffic.
Are dogs allowed on Tybee Island beaches?
No. Dogs are not allowed on Tybee’s beaches at any time of year, though they are allowed on leash elsewhere on the island.
Is the Tybee lighthouse open every day?
No. The Tybee Island Light Station is closed on Tuesdays, and it can close without notice for bad weather. Tickets are sold on site only.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Tybee Island Historical Society: lighthouse days, tickets and what the ticket includes
- National Park Service: Fort Pulaski entrance fee ($10 ages 16 and up, cards only)
- Visit Tybee: beach rules and paid parking
- Tybee Island Marine Science Center: sea turtle nesting program
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.