Things To Do In Tybee Island
Updated: Aug 14
Planning a trip to the Georgia coast? There are plenty of things to do in Tybee Island, whether you want to spend your days relaxing on the beach, exploring the water, enjoying fresh seafood, or checking out the island's laid-back nightlife.
Tybee Island is one of my favorite places because it has a personality all its own. Unlike many popular beach destinations, Tybee hasn't been taken over by mega-chain restaurants and businesses. You'll find plenty of local restaurants, bars, shops, and experiences that make the island feel unique.
It's also a very walkable destination. With a great place to stay in Tybee Island, you can leave the car parked and walk to the beach, restaurants, bars, shops, and many of the area's most popular attractions.
Before you arrive, however, there are a few things worth knowing.
A Few Things to Know Before Visiting Tybee Island
Two things can be a little challenging on Tybee Island: groceries and parking.
There is a grocery store on Tybee Island, but it's a good idea to plan ahead and pick up groceries before arriving, particularly if you're visiting during a busy holiday weekend such as Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.
Parking is another consideration. If you have a Tybee Island vacation rental or you're staying at a hotel, you'll typically have at least one parking space, and some accommodations provide two.
If you're traveling with a larger group, consider riding together onto the island whenever possible. Once you're settled in, you may be surprised by how little you actually need your car.
Best Things to Do in Tybee Island
From spending the day on the sand to kayaking around Little Tybee Island, there are activities for just about every type of beach vacation. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Tybee Island, Georgia.
1. Spend the Day at the Beach
You can't make a list of things to do in Tybee Island without starting with Tybee's beaches.
Tybee Island is known for its beautiful coastline, soft sand, and laid-back atmosphere. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, walk along the shoreline, or simply sit back and listen to the waves, the beach is where you'll probably spend a good portion of your trip.
Bring your beach chairs, towels, sunscreen, and a cooler and settle in for the day.
One of the best parts of staying near the beach is being able to walk back to your vacation rental whenever you need a break instead of packing up the car every time you head out.
2. Visit the Tybee Island Pier
The Tybee Island Pier is another must-see while you're here.
Located right by the beach and downtown area, the pier is an easy place to stop while you're exploring Tybee. You'll find food, frozen cocktails, and restrooms nearby, making it especially convenient during a beach day.
The pier is also a great place to walk out over the water and take in the views. At night, there is sometimes live musical entertainment that adds to the fun atmosphere.
Fishing is also popular from the end of the pier. If people are casting, just give them a little extra room as you walk by.
3. Explore Downtown Tybee Island
One of the great things about Tybee is that the downtown area is only steps away from the beach.
You can spend the afternoon on the sand and then walk downtown for something to eat or drink without ever getting back in the car.
Stop by Fannie's on the Beach for a bite to eat or head over to Tybee Time if you're in the mood for a frozen cocktail.
There are also local shops and businesses scattered around the area that are worth exploring as you walk around.
4. Enjoy Tybee Island Nightlife
Tybee Island may have a relaxed beach-town atmosphere during the day, but there's still plenty of fun to be had after the sun goes down.
There are several local bars within walking distance of the beach and downtown area.
Nikki's 1971 often features karaoke or live performers. Doc's Bar is another local spot where things can get lively.
One of the best parts of staying near downtown Tybee is being able to walk to dinner, grab a drink, enjoy some music, and then walk back to your rental.
5. Kayak Around Little Tybee Island
If you're looking for more adventurous things to do in Tybee Island, get out on the water.
One of my favorite options is taking a kayak trip around Little Tybee Island with Aqua Dawg.
Little Tybee is actually an undeveloped barrier island located just south of Tybee Island. Exploring it from the water gives you a completely different perspective of the area.
A guided kayak trip is especially interesting because you can learn about the local ecosystem and wildlife while exploring the waterways surrounding the islands.
It's a great way to break up your beach days and experience the natural side of coastal Georgia.
Where to Eat in Tybee Island
Food is definitely part of the Tybee Island experience.
After spending the day on the beach or exploring the island, you'll find plenty of local restaurants where you can relax with seafood, pizza, drinks, and other coastal favorites.
The Crab Shack
The Crab Shack is one of the most entertaining places to eat in Tybee Island, especially if you've never been before.
It's known for seafood, but the setting is a big part of the experience. There are alligators out front, exotic birds, and a huge outdoor deck overlooking the backwater.
It's casual, fun, and a great choice for groups or families looking for a memorable Tybee Island meal.
The Sundae Cafe
For something a little different, try The Sundae Cafe.
It's a small restaurant, but the food is fantastic. Because the restaurant isn't very large, you'll usually want to make reservations if you're visiting on a weekend or during a busy time of year.
Huc-A-Poos
If you're craving pizza, Huc-A-Poos is my recommendation.
It's casual, quirky, and fits perfectly with Tybee Island's personality. It's a great place to grab pizza and drinks after spending the day at the beach.
Things to Do Near Tybee Island
If you're staying for several days, it's worth setting aside some time to explore beyond the island.
One of the biggest advantages of visiting Tybee Island is that you're close enough to Savannah to combine a beach vacation with one of Georgia's most historic cities.
Downtown Savannah is roughly 20 miles from Tybee Island, making it an easy day trip.
Spend a Day in Savannah
Savannah gives you an entirely different experience from Tybee.
You can spend one day barefoot on the beach and the next walking beneath Spanish moss, exploring historic squares, eating at incredible restaurants, or strolling along River Street.
Once again, one thing you'll want to consider is parking. The fewer vehicles your group needs to park, the easier your trip will be.
For larger groups, it may even be worth pitching in on a limo or private transportation. Nobody has to worry about parking, and everyone can enjoy a drink if they want one.
Visit Forsyth Park
Forsyth Park is one of Savannah's most recognizable destinations and is well worth visiting if you're spending the day in the city.
The park is surrounded by Savannah's beautiful historic architecture and makes a great starting point for exploring downtown.
While you're in the area, consider grabbing a meal at Saint Bibiana, one of my favorites.
Savannah has an incredible restaurant scene overall, so it's difficult to go wrong when choosing somewhere to eat.
Walk Along River Street
Another popular thing to do near Tybee Island is visit Savannah's River Street.
Walk along the Savannah River, explore the shops, grab a drink or something to eat, and watch the massive ships make their way along the river.
It's one of those places where simply walking around and taking everything in can easily fill a few hours.
Take a Savannah Tour
Savannah is packed with history, stories, and more than a few legends.
If you're looking for something entertaining, check out the Savannah for Morons comedy bus tour.
There are also ghost tours, historic walking tours, museums, comedy shows, live music, and other activities throughout downtown Savannah.
If you're spending several nights on Tybee Island, a Savannah day trip is an easy way to add even more variety to your vacation.
Make the Most of Your Tybee Island Vacation
The best thing about Tybee Island is that you don't necessarily need a packed itinerary.
Spend the morning walking on the beach. Grab lunch somewhere local. Take a kayak trip in the afternoon. Head back to your rental to clean up, then walk downtown for dinner, frozen cocktails, or live music.
That's part of Tybee's charm.
You can keep your vacation as relaxing or as active as you'd like.
And because Savannah is just a short drive away, you can easily combine the relaxed atmosphere of a beach vacation with restaurants, history, nightlife, tours, and sightseeing in downtown Savannah.
Places to Stay in Tybee Island
Where you stay can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy everything there is to do in Tybee Island.
Choosing a rental close to the beach and downtown means you can spend less time driving and looking for parking and more time actually enjoying your vacation.
Wingo Properties offers short-term rentals in Tybee Island with convenient access to the beach, restaurants, nightlife, and many of the island's most popular attractions.
You can also check out this Tybee Island condo from Wingo Properties for your next trip.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, family beach vacation, couples trip, or a longer stay on the Georgia coast, there's no shortage of things to do in Tybee Island, Georgia.
Come for the beach, explore the island, eat somewhere local, spend a day in Savannah, and enjoy everything that makes Tybee such a unique place to visit.
