Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

I am a grandparent, and those of you who are also grandparents know that nothing’s too good for our grandchildren. We’ll spend far more than we mean to to get just the right gift, take just the right trip, or do just the right activity for our beloved grandchildren.

Tybee Island, Georgia is the IDEAL grandchildren’s paradise. We have THE BEACH, but we have far more. For example:

–THE BEACH – just renourished, it is clean, beautiful, has waves for mini-surfers (our mayor even surfs), has easy access to restaurants and restrooms, and is generally just wonderful for all ages.

–FT. PULASKI – right at the entrance to Tybee, this fort is fun for all ages. There’s a movie about it, there are cannons and they are fired every weekend, there are gun demonstrations, the kids can climb up on the walls, they can visit the barracks, they can go into the demilune tunnels, they can go over the bridge and see the gators sunning themselves on the moat edges, they can see the old cannonballs in the sides of the walls, they can visit the prison, and the shop has some cool kids stuff for souvenirs.

–THE MARINE SCIENCE CENTER- This wonderful “aquarium” has many varied fish and wildlife found on Tybee. There’s a touch-tank where kids can actually handle marine life. The Center offers wonderful beach discovery walks for all ages, letting the kids “discover” critters found in and around the sand and sea. Continue Reading »

There isn’t any better hiking or biking than along the water or marshland. Tybee Island, GA offers one of the best trails in the area, The McQueen’s Island Trail-part of the nationwide effort known as the Rails Into Trails program to transform abandoned railroad lines into recreational areas.

Just refurbished, the palm-lined trail is part of the old Savannah-Tybee Railroad Historic and Scenic route where the trains brought rich Savannahians to the Tybee beach. The railroad line, something of an engineering miracle at the time, was built in the 1880s over 17.7 miles of salt marsh, rivers and tidal creeks, and it stretched from eastern Savannah to Tybee Island. The first regularly scheduled run ran in July of 1887 and continued until the 1930’s.

Established in 1991, the trail is 6 miles long, and runs parallel to the south channel of the Savannah River. A 3-mile section of that trail has been stabilized and resurfaced by the Chatham county Public Works and Park Services Department who used bags filled with oyster shells to make the path stronger. The oyster shells eventually will mold together naturally through calcification to block further erosion.

The trail is outfitted with 18 fitness stations and 30 wooden picnic tables. Call 912-786-5853 for more information.

The terrain on Tybee Island, Georgia is pretty flat, and the island is only 2.75 miles long, so you can get almost anywhere without gasoline.Tybee’s designated bike route is a combination of paths and safe streets, and is a great way to tour our neighborhoods, which you can also walk.

Biking is allowed on the beach, and it isn’t tough pumping if you go right after a high tide. The sand is solid and you can breeze along while enjoying the sights of the sea and the island. Of course, walking on the beach is a delight, and we have about 5 miles of them which are clean and pristine. You can go shelling when the tide goes out and find nice specimens of shells, fossilized shark teeth, and other “goodies,” especially on the north beach. (A reminder: if you see starfish, don’t pick them up or they’ll die.) You can also see the birds that inhabit coastal Georgia.

Ft. Pulaski also has great biking and hiking trails. It costs $3 to get in, even with a bike, but the ticket is good for 6 days, and there’s no doubt that you’ll want to go back. The park includes 5,623 acres of scenic marsh and uplands that support a variety of animal life characteristic of southern barrier islands.  White-tailed deer, alligators, and raccoons as well as resident and migratory birds grace the landscape.  Spanish moss drapes from yaupon holly bushes and vegetation includes cabbage palms, various wetland grasses, and a variety of temperate hardwood and pine trees. You also can see ruins of former buildings and lookouts, and visit the place where John Wesley, founder of Methodism, landed when he came to Savannah. The ticket also admits you to the Fort which is an outstanding park and monument.

There is a scenic, six-mile long Old Railroad Trail along US-80 which is one of the Rails to Trails sites of former railroad tracks. The tracks were built in the late 1800’s to bring Savannahians to Tybee and the train thrived until the road was built in 1923. The last train went out in 1931 and the tracks were abandoned. They now offer a wonderful hiking/biking trail along the Savannah River, the Bull River and wonderful marshland. To get there go off of the island and once over the Lazaretto Creek bridge, go about 2 miles. Parking and the trail will be on your right.

Need a bike? We have Tim’s Beach Gear and Bikes who will deliver and pick-up bicycles anywhere on the island. He also has a stand at the beach end of 13th St. We also have Fat Tire Bikes located on 1405 Butler Ave. where you can rent a bike.

The terrain on Tybee Island, Georgia is pretty flat, and the island is only 2.75 miles long, so you can get almost anywhere without gasoline.Tybee’s designated bike route is a combination of paths and safe streets, and is a great way to tour our neighborhoods, which you can also walk.

Biking is allowed on the beach, and it isn’t tough pumping Continue Reading »

Tybee Island is the perfect place for eco-tourism, i.e., responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.  With its pristine marshes, clean beaches, and uninhabited surrounding islands, Tybee and her population strive to conserve the natural beauty of the area. You can kayak your way around the clean, unspoiled rivers, creeks and marshes; rent a boat and see the natural beauty of the coast line; hike the bird trails and hiking trails, including our six-mile Old Railroad Trail and Ft. Pulaski’s grounds; bicycle; witness the dolphins playing in the waves; and generally enjoy nature. Visit the Marine Science Center for a study of the Coastal environment and what you might find in its waters. 

Just off Tybee is a terrific animal sanctuary with educational exhibits and animals presented in their natural habitat. Oatland Island is great for anyone interested in nature.