Tybee Island Beaches

Tybee Island North Beach

The north island beach is most commonly recognized as the beach area that stretches from 1st Street north to the Savannah River beach. This area of Tybee is known for its picturesque historic homes, the historic Tybee Island Lighthouse, and Tybee Island’s new Marine Science Center. A large public parking area and restrooms make the beach area in front of the Lighthouse station popular for beach day-trippers. The North Beach recreational area is also home to one of Tybee’s most popular restaurants, the North Beach Bar and Grill. The north island beach’s northernmost tip is where the Atlantic Ocean flows into the Savannah River. This beach area is known as the Savannah River Beach and is known to have the most Dolphin activity and one of the best areas for seashell hunting!

Tybee Island Mid Beach

The mid-island beach is most commonly recognized as the beach that stretches from 1st Street to 14th Street. This beach area is considered to be less crowded than south beach due to limited public parking and no public restrooms. 1st Street is where the mid-island beach is, and popular Tybee restaurants like Sundae Café, The Sugar Shack, Salt Island Fish, and Beer, Agave Mexican Restaurant, and Cockspur grill are located. Other shops located off 1st Street include Tybee Golf Carts, Tim’s Beach Gear, Savannah Praline Company, and the Oceanfront Cottage Rental’s office. Situated between 4th and 5th Street is Tybee’s Memorial Park, where you will find sandy volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, and new children’s playground. As you travel from mid-beach to south beach, you will also pass the IGA grocery store and other popular Tybee restaurants and shops like the only grocery store on Tybee, the IGA grocery store located between 11th and 12th Street.

South Beach Tybee Island

The south beach area of Tybee is most commonly recognized as the beach south of 14th Street. The most popular attraction of the south beach is the Tybee Pier and Pavilion. This beach area is considered the most popular, and the shops, restaurants, parking, and public restrooms make it a convenient location for most beach visitors. The Pier is a popular fishing area and will often be the host for live music events throughout the year. The south beach area of the island is considered “downtown Tybee” and is the leading hub for most tourist attractions on the island. While visiting the south beach, the restaurants like Pier 16, Fannies on the Beach, Wet Willies, Stingrays, and many more are all right around the corner from each other.

Back River Beach Tybee Island 

At the southernmost tip of Tybee, the Atlantic Ocean enters the Tybee Creek creating the area Tybee locals refer to as the “back river” beaches. Because of the lack of public access points and limited public restrooms, this is not as popular of a beach area compared to the other beach areas on Tybee. The back river is one of the most popular beach areas for kayakers because of the easy launch points and quick access to Little Tybee located across the Tybee Creek. Located off of Fisherman’s Walk is the “back river” fishing pier and where, depending on the time of day, you are almost always sure to reel in a catch. Visitors are advised to be cautious on the back river because no lifeguards are present. The back river area is also home to the famous AJs on the Back River.