Tybee Island

How to Get There

Get on US-80 E/Islands Expy in Whitemarsh Island from E President St. Merge onto US-80 E/Islands Expy. Continue to follow US-80 E. Turn left onto 10th Terrace

Overview

Tybee Island is a small barrier island city on Georgia's Atlantic coast, about 18 miles east of Savannah, and it is known for its wide, sandy beaches, its historic lighthouse, and its laid-back beach-town character. The island is nicknamed "Savannah's Beach," and its quirky nature, with small cottages, beach bars, and no high-rise resorts, makes it a favorite for day trips from the city. Dolphins are frequently seen from the beach, and the island is a good place to watch sea turtles nest in summer.

Visitors come to Tybee Island for the beach and the Tybee Pier and Pavilion, for the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, and for dolphin tours and fishing. They also come for nearby Fort Pulaski National Monument, for the island's seafood restaurants, and for events such as the Pirates Fest and the Beach Bum Parade.

History

The island was home to the Euchee people, and the name Tybee comes from a Native American word for "salt." The first lighthouse on the island was built in 1736 by General Oglethorpe to guide ships into Savannah, and the current tower, which dates from 1773 in part, is the tallest and oldest in Georgia. During the Civil War, Fort Pulaski, on nearby Cockspur Island, was bombarded from Tybee, and the Union capture of the fort in 1862 proved that brick forts were obsolete. A railroad opened in 1887 and made the island a resort for Savannah residents. In 1958, an Air Force bomber lost a hydrogen bomb off the coast, which has never been recovered.

Sightseeing and Popular Landmarks

The Tybee Island Light Station is a 154-foot white and black lighthouse that visitors can climb for views of the Atlantic, and the grounds include a museum, a keeper's cottage, and Civil War-era buildings. The Tybee Pier and Pavilion extend into the ocean, and Fort Screven has historic military buildings from the Spanish–American War. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center offers beach walks and exhibits, and Fort Pulaski is a short drive away.

Culture and Museums

The Tybee Island Museum is in the old Fort Screven battery, and the Tybee Island Light Station tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers. The Marine Science Center has exhibits on the ecology of the barrier island, and the Tybee Post Theater hosts films and concerts. Events include the Tybee Pirates Fest in October and the Beach Bum Parade in May, and the island has a lively arts scene of local galleries.

Parks

The beaches are the main outdoor attraction, with the North Beach and Tybee's main beach popular for swimming and sunbathing. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center runs dolphin tours, and Little Tybee Island, a protected barrier island, can be reached by kayak. Fort Pulaski National Monument has trails and a beach, and the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal and Skidaway Island State Park are nearby.

Seasons and Weather

Tybee Island has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, with highs in the upper 80s°F, and winters are mild, with highs in the 60s°F. The beach season runs from late spring through early fall, and hurricane season runs from June to November.

This article uses material from Wikipedia as well as information from official tourism and institutional sources. Key references include Visit Tybee Island, Tybee Island Light Station, Tybee Island Marine Science Center, National Park Service Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia Tourism, and National Weather Service Charleston. Wikipedia material is from the article "Tybee Island, Georgia", and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.