🌊 Tybee Island | Savannah's Sun-Drenched Coastal Playground

Just a 20-minute drive from Savannah's historic district, Tybee Island is a breezy, laid-back, and utterly delightful barrier island escape where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This is not a glitzy, high-rise resort destination; it's a charming, family-friendly beach town where locals have been escaping the summer heat for generations, offering five miles of public beaches, a historic lighthouse, and that unmistakable salt-soaked, slow-paced coastal vibe that makes you exhale the moment you arrive. ✨ The Tybee Island Experience: The atmosphere is pure, unhurried beach bliss—think wide sandy shores, gentle Atlantic waves lapping the shore, the distant call of gulls, the smell of salt air mixed with coconut sunscreen and something good frying nearby. The pace here is different: slower, easier, measured by tides rather than clocks. Tybee time, locals call it. The island's crown jewel is the magnificent Tybee Island Light Station, Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, standing sentinel since 1736. Climb its 178 steps for breathtaking panoramic views of the island, the Savannah River entrance, the endless Atlantic horizon, and the salt marshes that stretch toward the mainland. The adjacent Museum tells the story of the island's rich history—its role as a military outpost, its Civil War occupation, its evolution from exclusive resort to public treasure. The keeper's cottage and other historic buildings complete the picture of lighthouse life through the centuries. The beaches offer something for every mood. South Beach buzzes with energy near the pier and pavilion, with shops, restaurants, and people-watching at its finest. Mid Beach offers quieter stretches perfect for families building sandcastles and couples seeking solitude. North Beach provides stunning views of the lighthouse and the Tybee jetties, ideal for shelling, sunset photography, and watching ships navigate the Savannah River channel. Back River Beach on the island's west side offers calmer waters and spectacular marsh views, a different kind of beauty from the oceanfront. Beyond the sand, explore the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, where touch tanks and exhibits introduce the region's coastal ecosystems—horseshoe crabs, sea turtles, and the creatures of the salt marsh. Kayak through the serene marshlands, paddleboarding through tidal creeks past herons and egrets. Bike the island's flat, pleasant roads past eclectic beach cottages and through maritime forests. Or simply wander the quirky mix of shops selling everything from beach gear to local art. The dining scene is pure coastal casual and absolutely essential to the Tybee experience. The Crab Shack offers legendary "Lowcountry Boil" on a sprawling, funky outdoor deck where you can feed the resident alligators while you wait. A-J's Dockside Restaurant serves fresh seafood with waterfront views and live music. Sundae Cafe (breakfast and lunch) has achieved cult status for its creative takes on morning classics. Huc-A-Poos Bites and Booze delivers beachfront drinks and live music right on the sand. Tybee Island Social Club offers elevated coastal cuisine in a charming historic building. And you haven't lived until you've had frozen drinks from Fannie's on the beach. The island has a rich cultural life beyond the beach. The Tybee Post Theater, a restored 1930s movie house, shows films and hosts concerts. The Tybee Island Pirate Fest in October brings swashbuckling fun. First Saturday on the Island features art walks and celebrations. And the annual Beach Bum Parade is exactly as silly and wonderful as it sounds. It's a place designed for building sandcastles with kids, climbing lighthouse steps with out-of-town guests, watching dolphins play offshore while kayaking, and understanding why Savannahians have been saying "going to Tybee" for nearly 300 years—because some places just have a hold on you. 📝 Short Social Media Caption: “Salt air, lighthouse stairs, and five miles of Atlantic sand—just 20 minutes from Savannah. 🌊☀️ Tybee Island is the perfect coastal escape: climb Georgia's oldest lighthouse, feast on shrimp at The Crab Shack, and watch the sunset paint the marsh. Pure beach bliss. #TybeeIsland #Savannah #GeorgiaCoast #Lighthouse #BeachDay #Lowcountry #AtlanticOcean #TybeeLightStation #TheCrabShack #CoastalGeorgia