Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

Recently we had a question about the Tybee Island beach. “How much has the southend or point eroded over the years? Is it comparable now to the way it was fifty years ago?” Good question.

Mr. Erik Olsen our City Coastal Engineer, was kind enough to answer the question.

The condition of the South end of Tybee is now stabilized (via groins and beach fill), and has been at its most seaward location since at least the 70’s or 80’s. In 1995, prior to groinfield construction, there was literally no beach at high tide at that location. The water was back to the 1930s seawall. In the 1960’s, prior to the COE dredging sand from Tybee Inlet, it may have extended a little farther south as a sandy spit. At that time, however, there was no dry beach around the corner seaward of the parking lot near the pier until the initiation of large scale beach restoration by the COE in the 70’s. The “take away” here is that with a renourishment project every 7-8 years, the sandy beaches of Tybee are in their most robust condition.

Good news!!!!

In 2009, Miley Cyrus made a movie on Tybee Island, GA called The Last Song. A chapel was constructed for part of the story, and Tybee Island was able to acquire it so it could stay on the Island. Now, we are happy to announce that beginning in August, weddings, events, receptions and such can be held in the building!!!!

The 1,800 sq. ft. chapel is absolutely delightful, with beautiful wood floors, leaded windows and a red roof. When ready for rentals, it will have a 700 sq. ft. caterer’s kitchen, a groom’s restroom, a bride’s changing room and two restrooms so it can serve as an all-inclusive spot for wedding and reception or serve as a backup for couples who want insurance against getting rained out on the beach. Parking will include 37 spaces, with additional parking on the street. The location will be the north end of the Island right on US Hwy 80. You’ll be able to rent the building on an hourly basis, and even though it’s sign says “Baptist Church,” it will be nondenominational.

Tybee Vacation Rentals will offer wedding packages – stay in one of our honeymoon cottages, or beach front houses or condos; rent other places for family members (we have over 110 places from which to choose PLUS 40 pet friendly properties); and get married in the chapel and have your reception there, as well. Call us for details. 912-786-5853.

The Color For 2010. Did you know the new color for 2010 is turquoise? Yep! If you are re-doing, redecorating, or refurbishing, go turquoise. According to an article in the Savannah Morning News, the sea color will be the “in” one for this year. Perfect for those of us on Tybee–we live with turquoise everyday.

Big Necklaces are “The Thing.” Want to be in style? Wear a chunky necklace. They are supposed to be the fashion statement for 2010. Penelope Cruz will wear them in her new movie, Broken Embraces, and they’ll be no doubt you’ll know she’s in charge when she turns into the creepy tycoon’s mistress, just from her necklace. The necklace, let’s just say, makes a statement. And so can yours – as bold, brazen or joyous as you like.

Large, dramatic “statement” necklaces are all the rage right now, and “everyone from Forever 21 to Barneys has them,” says Andrea Linett, creative director at Lucky magazine. “They pack a lot of style for not so much money, so they seem opulent,” Linett says, “but they’re actually pretty fun and attainable.”

Sometimes a necklace says it all. (From the Savannah Morning News.)

Whoa, There’s A Gigantic Chess Board in Forsyth Park! Have you ever heard of “people chess?” Savannah has it at Forsyth Park. Get yourself together 32 friends and go to the park to play chess using your bodies as the pieces. The “chess board” sits just south of the Forsyth Park fountain, using 64 hand-painted squares as its base. NICE. It’s Public “art”, for the public good. (For a view, try the full sized slideshow ».) This venue is cool and important for several reasons, according to the artist, Chris Miller. “First of all, it’s just weird and unique,” says Mr. Miller.  “Lots of places have chessboards in parks, etc (which by itself is cool and hopefully something this may lead to), but not that many places have chess boards ON parks. It’s also public art. The kind that you interact with, literally.”

He continues, “and at the end of the day, it’s just a neat example of a smart attraction (tourist or otherwise), and an education-level-agnostic one at that.   The dude that sells palm-frond roses?  He was OWNING the board. Whooping everyone. It was great.”

Want to play but want to use pieces?  Miller is “leaving his card” next to the board for people to call if they feel like a game. At a moments notice he’ll bike out the Chess Trailer (he actually has a little green trailer that carries the pieces) and let you have a go. Or you can use your friends as pieces and play. http://blog.thecreativecoast.org/there-is-a-gigantic-life-sized-chess-board-in-forsyth-park/2008/07/22 

Doug’s Fish Art! If you want a really weird/fun/eclectic/goofy/crazy piece of art, check out Doug’s Fish Art on Tybee Island, GA. This place is right on Hwy 80 as you come onto the island (on the left) and you can’t miss him–his is the place with all the hanging, standing, laying, stuff in the front yard. He takes just about anything made of metal and makes art out of it. Want a giant pitchfork sculpture in your living room? He’s got it. How about a 6 foot fish? You’ll find it here. Want something smaller? Check out his fork-windchimes. Or how about the metal sculpture of a blow fish? Whatever your idea of art, Doug’s is fun to visit and you may want to buy something REALLY unusual for Aunt Bertha’s birthday. No website available.

Two New Movies Made in the Area. Miley Cyrus’s new movie, The Last Song, was filmed on Tybee Island, GA and is supposed to some out in the spring. This was a fun venue for tourists and residents alike. Ms. Cyrus and her famous dad, Billy Ray, popped up in local establishments (Miley even sang), signed autographs, posed for pictures and generally was quite charming. The movie will showcase Tybee and all of her charms.

Robert Redford finished filming The Conspirator right before Christmas. While we haven’t heard a release date yet, the movie should be out soon. It’s about Mary Surratt, the lone woman executed for her involvment in Abraham Lincoln’s assination. Savannah is featured all through the movie and our star shines brightly.

Warm weather, beaches, good seafood, and fun. Come to Tybee Island, Georgia this year and enjoy. You can get a place on the north side of the island and just be quiet and relax, or you can go to the southside and be in the midst of the hub-bub. We have wonderful marshes with exotic seabirds; we have wonderful walking trails including those at Ft. Pulaski, one of the most outstanding National Monuments in the U.S. (www.nps.gov/fopu.org)  we have 5 miles of newly-refurbished beaches; we have the oldest and tallest Lighthouse in Georgia; we have a fabulous Marine Science Center with Beach Discovery Walks for the family and camps in the summer time (www.Tybeemarinescience.com); we have a wildlife center with animals in the wild including a wolf pack www.oatlandisland.org) to name a few AND Savannah is only 20 min. away so you get 2 for 1!!!

Have a family reunion at Tybee! We have properties that will sleep 16 and others next to each other so you can have more people but be close in proximity. You’ll have a kitchen to help keep expenses down; some have pools and boat docks; many have views of the ocean–we even have 40 pet friendly properties. We also run various specials throughout the year.

Want a quiet getaway for you and that significant other? We have delightful cottages that look like they just came out of a fairy land. They are cozy, fun, and they can transport you to another world where there are no troubles or worries. You and your loved one can enjoy your enchanted place.

Want to have a company retreat? We have the venues to hold your meetings; we have a trained specialist on the island to facilitate (setliffassoc@bellsouth.net); we have caterers who have outstanding fare for your meals); we have things to do for the spouses; and we can arrange golf packges, Civil War history tours, African-American history tours–you name it, we have it.

Want a girls’ getaway weekend? Do we have the place for you!!! Bring your hats, your boas and your bathing suits and come to the beach for a fun-filled weekend. Get your old friends together and share the memories. Have some you haven’t seen in a while? Come on down and re-connect. Life is too short not too.

Guys, want to have a weekend to yourselves? We can arrange golf, cab rides, a progressive drinking tour, you name it. Let us plan your bachelor party.

Want to get married at the beach? We have gazebos, a pier, and 5 miles of beaches on which to have your ceremony. We can set up your chairs, your tents; cater your food and provide your music. And our honeymoon cottages or condos re to die for.

Grandparents – bring your grandchildren to Tybee Island for a memorable experience that will last a lifetime. Don’t let the time get by you without establishing those memories. Get to know your grandchildren at the beach.

Need to have a vacation with the kids but can’t afford a big trip? We can fix you up–stay at one of our properties at or near the beach and build some memories for your kids. Kitchens help in eating expenses, and staying in a house, cottage or condo is much cheaper in the long run than staying in a hotel. (Who wants to eat pizza at the foot of the bed?) Let us help you with that memorable experience.

In short, Tybee Island, Georgia offers much in the way of a get-away for ANY occasion you can think of. Call us today and let us give you the experience of a lifetime. 912.786.5853.

Happy 2010!