Welcome
Tybee and Surrounding Islands
Savannah's proximity to
Tybee Island (20 minutes from historic downtown) makes visiting our beautiful city even more exciting. It opens up enormous possibilities for relaxing family reunions, splashy outings for kids, and even romantic getaways for couples. Personified by the locals who reside here, Tybee is remarkably comfortable in its own skin.
Unlike so many commercially overdeveloped beaches elsewhere, Tybee retains its natural historical and ecological value. Day-trips are popular for those who enjoy scouting, and there is abundant wildlife on land and at sea. The area is also a nesting area for Loggerhead sea turtles, so visitors are encouraged to avoid interrupting them when possible. If you are a turtle lover (and who isn't!), check out
SeaTurtle.org which is a great link for information about turtles and updates on various turtle projects.
Take a dolphin cruise or rent a bicycle and tour the Old Savannah-Tybee Railroad Trail. This scenic 6 mile portion of the railroad is perfect for joggers, walkers, and family cyclers. The trail head is adjacent to
Fort Pulaski.
You could visit the fort first and leave your car inside the park while checking out the trail. There is, however, parking alongside Highway 80, but it is not always easy to navigate a good spot.
The Tybee Lighthouse and The
Tybee Museum are also great places to take kids.
While kids and families have a blast on the Island, there are definitely a few places to kick back and enjoy cold drinks and live music. Many restaurants double as bars, growing more adult-oriented as the evening progresses. Cafe Loco offers live Blues music, seafood, and a casual atmosphere. By far, the more interesting places are "dives." Most people enjoy the casual nature of the island, the laid-back dress code, the live music, the games, and the cold drinks. There is plenty of local charm to discover here.
Before you leave Tybee, be sure to eat a few good meals. If possible, schedule a brunch at
The Breakfast Club. Omelets are prepared with fresh vegetables and made to order right in front of you. Hearty portions enable you to split a meal with someone, which will also save a few dollars.
The Crab Shack at Chimney Creek is a traditional favorite. Outdoor seating is imaginatively conceived, and the seafood is fresh and filling. The gift shop evenhouses a few birds, interestingly enough. There is also a gator lagoon, so there are no excuses for not enjoying a visit to this hugely popular Tybee Marina.
With so much preserved natural history, its amazing that Tybee manages to subtly weave contemporary amenities into its design. Be sure to check out the restored Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion while on the South End of the beach. There are fishing supplies for rent, art vendors, shops, picnic tables, eateries, and restrooms.
A visit to Tybee Island is even enjoyable in the off-season. Join the
Pirate Festival in October near Columbus Day weekend. And there is an annual Christmas Parade in early December, complete with decorated floats. Whether visiting Tybee for a day or a week, the enveloping atmosphere of the Island invites you to pack away the stress and just relax into whatever floats your boat!
You don't have to actually stay on Tybee to enjoy all it has to offer. Because it is close to Savannah, you can visit Tybee for a day trip while lodging in Savannah. One option for in-town lodging is Savannah Getaways, a consortium of absentee property owners who rent upscale historic district homes out to vacation and business travelers to this coastal Georgia destination at highly competitive rates by the day, week or month. Visit their website at
www.savannahgetaways.net
Tybee Island 2010 Calendar
The new 2010 Tybee Island Calendar is now available.
Check the following locations: E.Shaver's Booksellers, Parker's on Daryton, Polk's Market on Liberty, World Wide Camera, The Cottage Shop (Abercorn near Victory Dr.), Papa's BBQ on Wilminton, Davis Produce on Hwy. 80. On Tybee: Seaside Sister's, Sea Kayak GA, IGA, The Atlantic Beacon Gallery and the Lighthouse gift shop. They are also available on Nancy Heffernan's web site:
www.NancyHeffernanPhotography.com
The new price is $24.95 plus tax. Worth every penny!
Remember your friends because it will make a terrific Christmas gift.
All will be signed with a percentage of the profits to go to The Tybee Post Theater.
