Tybee Island Beach

Tybee Island is Savannah's beach — a small, unpretentious barrier island at the mouth of the Savannah River, just 20 minutes east of the Historic District. Unlike the mega-resort beaches of Florida, Tybee maintains a laid-back, small-town character that families find refreshingly authentic. There are no high-rise condos, no chain restaurants on the beachfront, and no admission fees — just three miles of wide, sandy beach and a community that revolves around salt water and sunshine.

The main beach area around the Tybee Pier and Pavilion is the most popular for families. The pier provides a landmark meeting point, the pavilion has public restrooms, and nearby vendors rent beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards. The waves here are gentle enough for young children, and the beach is lifeguard-patrolled during summer months.

Parking at the pier area is metered but conveniently close.

For a more secluded experience, North Beach at the island's tip offers quieter stretches of sand, views of passing cargo ships entering the Savannah River, and some of the best tide pooling on the Georgia coast. The rock jetties at low tide reveal pools teeming with small marine life — hermit crabs, tiny fish, crabs, and occasionally sea stars. It's an unforgettable hands-on nature experience for curious kids.

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center, located near the pier, runs beach ecology walks and has an indoor aquarium with touch tanks. For families who want a structured educational component to their beach day, this is an excellent add-on. The center also runs turtle-nesting awareness programs during summer months.

Tybee's dining scene is casual and family-welcoming. The Crab Shack is a legendary family destination with outdoor picnic-table seating, a gator lagoon, and massive seafood platters. On the main drag, pizza shops, ice cream parlors, and casual cafes cater to sandy, sunburned families who want quick, unfussy meals.