Tybee Island: Tours and Guided Visits

A couple of minutes' drive from Savannah, Georgia and you’ll find yourself in another world.

It’s a place where community, family-orientated fun and pristine beaches all combine to create the perfect refuge from Savannah’s hustle and bustle. And the best way to enjoy this sanctuary is with a Tybee Island tour.

Tybee Island has been a popular vacation destination since the 1800s, and it’s acquired the moniker “Savannah’s beach” as a result. The island is dotted with local restaurants dishing up delicious southern fare, laid-back bar shacks and spotless beaches.

The beach and sea are undeniably Tybee Island’s main attractions with most visitors content to simply soak up the sun or frolic in the waves.

The gentle surf makes it relatively safe for people of all ages, while also providing the perfect setting for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.

Here's all you need to know about Tybee Island, one of the most exhilarating options for sightseeing tours in Georgia.

Where is Tybee Island located?

Tybee Island is located just to the southeast of Savannah on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The island boasts over 5 kilometers of white sandy beaches, making it a popular getaway spot for locals and visitors alike.

How to reach Tybee Island by car

A journey by car from Savannah is as easy as pie. From the Historic District in the city, simply head east towards the city limits.

Then take the Island Expressway and stay on it until it becomes Highway 80. The journey by car is 30 kilometers and will take about 30 minutes to complete.

Guided tours to Tybee Island

One of the most convenient ways of exploring the haven that is Tybee Island is by going on a guided tour from Savannah.

Not only will you complete your journey in an air-conditioned vehicle, but you’ll do so worry-free — with all of the logistics taken care of for you.

There are also Tybee Island dolphin tours on offer, promising the unforgettable chance to watch these amazing animals’ antics as they swim along your boat.

What are the best things to do on Tybee Island?

For such a small town and community, Tybee Island punches way above its weight class.

Most of the best activities are centered around the ocean and the great outdoors, but those done indoors — like enjoying some southern hospitality at a local restaurant or beach bar — should not be scoffed at.

Tybee Island Beach

The sandy beaches, gentle waves and warm waters are the main events when visiting Tybee Island. Pack your beach gear, or simply rent some from a local shop, and spend the day lounging about and soaking up the sun.

Tybee Island Dolphin Tour

There are a number of protected areas and conservancies around Tybee Island — a fact that is reflected in the abundance of wildlife you’ll encounter just 30 kilometers out of the city.

One of the most revered and celebrated natural inhabitants of Tybee Island are the bottlenose dolphins — which can be viewed from shore or up close from a boat.

Biking

Biking on Tybee Island provides the perfect excuse to synchronize yourself with the pace of island life.

Ditch the car as you peddle your way through the island's streets in search of adventure. The island is full of bike-friendly trails and there are a couple of shops offering bike rentals.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Fort Pulaski was completed in 1847 to serve as an important fortification to protect the port of Savannah.

Today, its pocked marked redbrick walls still stand, drawing visitors from all over. The fort served as a prisoner-of-war camp during the American Civil War and there's a small exhibition about its history on site

Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum

The Tybee Island Lighthouse dates back to the 18th century and it is Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse.

It also features a museum where you’ll find a well-preserved record of the area and its history. If you’re not afraid of heights you can climb your way to the top for a birdseye view of the landscape.

What are the best tours to visit Tybee Island?

Finding the best Tybee Island tours come down mostly to what you want to experience while exploring this slither of coast. There are a couple of Tybee Island tours available — each catering to a different type of traveler.

Tybee Island half-day tour from Savannah, Georgia

This half-day tour starts with a pickup from your place of residence in Savannah, Georgia. From there you’ll first head to Fort Pulaski and spend some time exploring the grounds.

The battle scars you’ll encounter aren’t from skirmishes, but rather from tests done by the Union Army — which helped them abandon fort-based warfare during the American Civil War.

The next stop is the Tybee Island Lighthouse, where you’ll learn about the region's history, before exploring the town and the beach. You may also choose to enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants before heading back to the city.

Tybee Island boat cruise from Savannah, Georgia

Exploring Tybee Island by boat is an absolute must when visiting. This tour allows you to do just that by providing a pickup and drop-off service from your hotel in Savannah — followed by a leisurely cruise around the island.

Keep an eye out for some of Tybee Island’s wildlife, with the boat cruise providing ample opportunity for birdwatching. The cruise also stops at the Tybee Island Lighthouse, where you’ll get the opportunity to stretch your legs and learn about the local history.

Tybee Island dolphin-watching tour from Savannah, Georgia

Tybee Island is home to a large population of bottlenose dolphins who’ve set up residence in these waters. The best way to watch them in an unobtrusive manner is through a dolphin-watching tour from Savannah, Georgia.

Your captain and guide are well-schooled in the ways of the water, and they’ll know exactly where to go to view these amazing creatures.

That being said, you should remember that dolphins are wild animals, and as such, they’re sometimes just not where they are supposed to be.

Tybee Island beach day experience from Savannah, Georgia

This tour is perfect for travelers who feel that the best experience at the beach is to be found while soaking up the sun and enjoying the surf. Your beach day will start with a pickup in a private vehicle, which will make its way to Tybee Island.

Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by your chairs, umbrellas and ice-stocked coolers already prepared. All that’s left for you is to buy your drinks and enjoy your day at the beach — before being transported back to your place in Savannah.

What are the prices of Tybee Island tours?

Prices for tours to Tybee Island from Savannah, Georgia tend to hover around the US$60 per person mark.

However, this depends on the type of activities included, as well as the duration of the tour.

A Tybee Island boat cruise from Savannah will cost US$65 per person, and it includes all the safety gear once you are aboard the vessel — as well as a stop at the local lighthouse.

A Tybee Island dolphin-watching tour from Savannah will also cost US$65 per person, but it doesn’t always include a stop at the lighthouse.

A Tybee Island half-day tour from Savannah will cost US$90 per person — while the Tybee Island beach day experience from Savannah will cost US$95 per person.

Where do Tybee Island tours start?

Most Tybee Island tours include a pickup and drop-off service and as such, they start and end at your place of residence in Savannah, Georgia. Always confirm this with the tour company when booking.

When is the best time to visit Tybee Island?

The best time to visit the island is from early April to middle May, and again from late September to early November. It needs to be noted that the island gets quite busy during springtime, but nowhere as packed as some surrounding areas.

Travel tips

• Consider wearing sunscreen when spending time on the beach.
• Take cash, some of the local restaurants and bars do not have card facilities.
• Confirm your pickup and drop-off location when booking and again 24 hours before the tour.