10 Best Things to Do in Tybee Island

The Tybee Island Lighthouse Museum is situated right along the Savannah River and includes a working lighthouse dating to the 18th century. The Tybee lighthouse is one of only a few remaining lighthouses from the colonial era, and the museum inside offers a wealth of exhibits and artifacts that stretch back over 5 centuries of history.

The museum galleries were once used as powder stores for the island during its military days, and guided tours are available almost every day.

Little Tybee Island is a pristine nature preserve reachable by boat that offers wildlife viewing, wetlands, bird-watching, fossil hunting, and camping opportunities. It's located on the southern end of Tybee Island and encompasses 6,780 acres of land and marsh space, which actually makes Little Tybee larger than Tybee proper.

It's especially popular for bird-watching because it hosts several endangered species. The island was also the host of the 1996 yachting events of the Summer Olympics, which were held in Wassaw Sound, right off the island's coast.

Fort Pulaski National Monument commemorates the first successful testing of a rifled cannon during the Civil War, which was a landmark event in military history. History buffs flock here by the thousands every year to see the site where the event took place, which rendered brick forts completely obsolete and resulted in the surrender of the Confederate garrison at the site.

The monument isn't on Tybee Island specifically, but entirely covers several islands nearby, including Cockspur and McQueen's islands. The monument offers programs, talks, demonstrations, exhibits, and reenactments related to the Civil War all year long.

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center offers a wide range of exhibits, including many local and exotic species of fish, reptiles, invertebrates, and marine mammals in their natural habitats. The center is community-based, located in the heart of downtown, and has a mission to inform, educate, and preserve the natural resources of Georgia while educating the public and conserving local marine life.

Here, you can see exotic species of marine life, including plants and animals, and take guided walks during which you'll learn all about the ecology of the island and the entire state of Georgia.

North Beach is a great place to just relax on a blanket with a good book, go seashell hunting, or enjoy some bird-watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby marshes. It's located right across the street from the lighthouse where the Savannah River empties into the ocean, and it offers spectacular views of many nearby monuments.

The North Beach Grill is right on the beach and offers light meals. Restrooms and foot washing stations are available, as is a paid parking lot. It's a popular spot for beachcombers, families, and couples looking for a romantic shoreline walk.

Tybee Pier is the choice for those who are looking to find a place to kick back, take in some live entertainment, or cast a fishing line into the ocean. This long fishing pier offers a vast covered pavilion along a relaxed stretch of soft sand, surf, and sun. The pavilion is often used for dances, live music performances, and special events.

The original pier on this site was built in 1891 and was rebuilt after a fire devastated it in 1967. The rebuild took decades of effort, and it was finally rededicated in 1996. Here, you can find public picnic tables, restrooms, and a snack bar to satisfy your hunger. It's located along the Atlantic shores in central downtown.

Cockspur Island Lighthouse is the smallest of its kind in Georgia and makes a popular photo opportunity off the southeastern tip of the island. Its location marks the South Channel of the Savannah River, and it's 12 miles east of the port of Savannah. The islet upon which it sits is covered with marsh grass and oyster shells.

Now lit for historical purposes, the tower has stood since the early 19th century, and you can climb the stairs to get a panoramic view of the surrounding waters and island. It's accessible by an overlook trail and is a popular destination for those seeking a prime photo opportunity.

Tybee Island Museum — Battery Garland served as the gun battery and magazine for a long gun during World War II, and today it exhibits over 400 years of history. The museum is dedicated to the entire history of Tybee Island, from the earliest Gaulle Indian indigenous culture that occupied the land through the earliest European inhabitants and all the way up to today.

The exhibits include artifacts, documents, photographs, and information and have served the residents of the island for over 70 years. It's located on the north end of the island in the heart of the Fort Screven Historic District.

The Tybee Post Theater was originally a movie house for U.S. Army soldiers during World War II and was restored and reopened to show movies to locals and visitors. The theater was among the first in Georgia to show talkies, or sound movies. The theater eventually shut down and was slated for demolition until the Tybee Historical Society saved it and restored it.

Since 2015, it's been a destination for families, showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters and classic films in this deeply historic location. It's in the heart of the Fort Screven Historic District, just a few minutes from downtown.