Enjoy a Slice of Paradise on Tybee Island This Summer
June 2, 2021
Tybee Island has long been a year-round hot spot for travelers and boasts endless accolades from “One of the 20 Coolest Beach Towns in America” to “The Best Family Beach on the East Coast”. This charming barrier island is a small piece of paradise on the Georgia coastline with an eclectic beach town, relaxed island ambiance, rustic costal charm, and easy social distancing!
Travel confidence continues to rise with vaccine rollouts and declining COVID cases, and travelers are making up for lost time resulting in a boom in summer travel plans across the US. Tybee Island has seen a surge in vacation rental bookings with many local Tybee Island property managers reporting an intense volume of bookings, back-to-back occupancy since April, and limited availability through Labor Day. Don’t leave your summer vacation plans to the last minute! Xplorie combines the best places to stay with fun, local and free and additional activities for every day of your stay this summer on Tybee Island, Georgia.
Top Reasons to Visit Tybee Island this Summer
From the historical Tybee lighthouse in the north to the iconic Tybee Pier in the south, this quaint barrier island offers an abundance of natural attractions and activities, family-fun adventures, historical landmarks, festive events, glorious sunny skies, and warm temperatures year-round. Here are our top reasons to visit Tybee Island this summer.
Miles of Unspoiled Sandy Beaches
Spend quality family time on Tybee Island’s top attraction, miles of unspoiled sandy beaches! Take a surf lesson, search for seashells, build sandcastles, play in the calm Atlantic Ocean, or parasail through the skies. Each stretch of sand has its own personality from the quieter shores of North Beach and Mid Beach to vibey South Beach, home to the Tybee Beach Pier & Pavilion. For dolphin-watching and gorgeous Tybee sunsets, head to Back River Beach or take a boat ride to Little Tybee Island for crabbing, fossil hunting for shark teeth, and scenic seclusion on Tybee’s best-kept secret.
Socially Distanced Outdoor Activities
Travel confidence is up which is highly evident by the surge in summer travel, but social distancing is still the smart choice. It’s easy to escape the crowds on the beaches, waterways, trails, and nature preserves of Tybee Island. Kayak through the salt marshes, paddleboard the estuaries, hike the trails rich with birdlife and wildlife or book an eco-adventure, air-boat tour, or dolphin cruise to discover the best of Tybee Island with a local guide. Tybee is a bike-friendly community with endless trails and bike paths, bring your own bike or rent a fat tire bike and cruise Tybee’s pristine shoreline. If fishing is on your list of things to do on Tybee Island this summer, you’re in luck! There are three public piers for fishing: Lazaretto Creek Pier, Fisherman’s Walk on Back River, or the iconic Tybee Pier. Alternatively, stay socially distanced on a deep-sea fishing charter to the Savanah Snapper Banks and artificial reefs for a first-class Tybee fishing experience.
Day Trips from Tybee
Tybee Island is only a 15-minute scenic road trip from downtown Savannah and a quick boat ride to the surrounding islands. Take a segway tour through the historic streets of Savanah, stroll through the Live Oaks at Colonial Wormsloe Plantation, browse the galleries and one-of-a-kind stores in one of the “world’s friendliest cities”. For adventures of a different kind, take a day trip by boat on the Back River to Little Tybee or Cockspur Island.
Historical Attractions
Tybee Island has a rich history dating back to Spanish explorers, Tybee pirates, the Revolutionary War, and Civil War. Several historical landmarks and attractions remain today for visitors to step back in time and learn about the fascinating history of Tybee. Visit Fort Screven, home to the iconic Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, Battery Garland, and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Take a kayak tour to Cockspur Island, home to the smallest lighthouse in Georgia, the Civil War battleground at Historic Fort Pulaski, and the historic 6-mile McQueen’s Island Trail along with the historic Savannah & Atlantic Railroad.
Dining & Entertainment
Tybee Island has quite the culinary scene and it’s all local! You won’t find any chain stores or restaurants here, instead a diverse selection of locally-owned restaurants serving up ocean-inspired cuisine and creatively crafted cocktails, with a side portion of southern hospitality. Indulge in fine seafood dining at an oceanfront eatery, watch the sunset, cocktail in hand, from an outdoor patio, then move on to a buzzy watering hole for a night of live music and dancing. Tybee hosts a number of summer events and outdoor concerts at the Tybee Island Pavilion, though things may be a little different this year. Check for upcoming events on Tybee Island prior to your stay.
Switch to Tybee Time
If it’s the only reason to visit Tybee Island, it’s good enough! It’s been a funky year and for many summer break is their first post-pandemic vacation. If all you’re looking for is a little R&R away from home, Tybee Island is perfect. Leisurely browse the stores and art galleries, sip sundowners watching the sunset, take a yoga class, or indulge in a private massage in the comfort of home. Tybee is a haven for creative minds, nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, and families searching for quality time in a safe environment.
A Safe Stay
Tybee vacation rentals are filling up fast for the summer months so don’t delay in booking your safe and secluded summer vacation on Tybee Island. Whether you’re searching for a charming beach cottage, oceanfront condo, or a secluded retreat on the coastal marshes, our Xplorie partners Tybee Time Vacation Rentals and Tybee Joy by Natural Retreats have a diverse selection of vacation homes and condos in the North End, South End, and Mid Island on Tybee Island.
