Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

Come out and enjoy nature while benefiting the Turtles of Tybee Island.

On June 4th, there will be three races and LOTS of ways to participate in the Sea Kayak Races.

The Tybee River Race is 6 1/2 miles on the back river separating Tybee and Little Tybee.
The Little Tybee challenge, about 8 miles, circumnavigates part of Little Tybee, passing through narrow tidal creeks, broad tidal rivers, open coastal areas and two surf zones.

The Race Across the River is for Gold Sponsor representatives who compete for a grand prize for the Gold Sponsor’s business or group.

This year, for the first time, you can participate in the River Race as a casual paddler–not a racer. Paddle 2 miles for the cause. If you don’t have a kayak, add $20 to your registration fee and use one of ours.

Also new this year will be a drawing for a Perception Impulse 10.0 kayak plus paddle donated by Half-Moon Outfitters. There will be three ways to get tickets: 1 ticket will be given per registration; extra tickets will be given to the race winners; and one can purchase tickets in $5, $10 or $20 lots.

WE NEED HELP. We could use volunteers for the race and to help spread the word about it. Go to www.tybeekayakrace.org or contact Debbie at tybeekayakraces@gmail.com or call 912.844.7817.

The Marine Science Center on Tybee Island, Georgia offers unique outdoor learning experiences for students of all ages. Classroom Modules include:

Dock Lab – Students investigate live animals that reside underneath a floating dock using flexible cameras, large-screen televisions and hands-on experiences. Kindergarten and up (1/2 hour).

Squid Dissection – An amazing video clip introduces students to key external features and the locomotion of squid. Students are paired to perform a guided dissection to learn about these complex creatures. Third grade and up (1 hour).

Gyotaku Fish Printing – The Japanese art of fish printing, Gyotaku, is an international art form. In this program, Continue Reading »

The results are in for the turtle count on Tybee for 2010. Here is the data:

–Tybee had 11 nests; 6 were relocated to safer environments.
–It was estimated that Tybee had 1,035 eggs.
–Only 9 eggs were lost.
–Experts estimate that 807 eggs hatched.
–There were 678 emerged hatchlings with only 9 false crawls.**

The Island is thrilled with the numbers and our volunteers and staff did an excellent job of counting our turtle statistics and keeping the turtles safe. In fact, this is the first year I didn’t see any turtles (alive or dead) on the Tybee Road.

Once turtles hatch they have a hard road ahead, dodging predators, going the right way, getting food and generally staying alive, so every turtle that hatches helps guarantee that at least some will make it and become full-fledged adults–a plus for everyone.

**Source: Tybee Marine Science Center

Recently I visited the UGA Marine Science Center on Skidaway Island. It’s a great little gem, worth a visit especially if children are with you. They have a wonderful set of aquariums, featuring over 200 animals that represent 50 species native to Georgia’s coastal waters, where you can see and study marine life up close and personal, and they have a touch tank where guests can pick up and touch marine animals.  Their displays include a nurse shark, a loggerhead sea turtle and seahorses. They are located on the Intercoastal Waterway, and you can bring a picnic lunch and sit at the picnic tables and lull away an afternoon watching the water. Birds land a take off there, so if you are a bird watcher, it’s great, for that as well. I sat under a pear tree, enjoying the breeze and reading a book while I waited for my group. They do special programs for groups using microscopes, marsh walks and films to illustrate marine life and to teach guests about environmental issues; I was the tour leader for one of those groups.

They have a myriad of posters that are FREE, some of which make wonderful works of art, if framed (Georgia’s Salt Marsh Official Habitat). Some are great for kids rooms (Marine Fishes of Georgia), and they have a great map of the Coast of Georgia. We framed the latter and have it hanging in our rental unit—it always gets interesting comments. We also have a framed copy hanging in the Concierge’s office at Tybee Vacation Rentals.

One particular poster caught my eye.  It was titled “Marine Debris from Land and Sea—In the Environment a Long, Long Time.” I was appalled at the information it provided. It featured a beach and shore, and the shore water had items one might commonly find in the ocean—that is, those things that people toss away–and how long it took for those things to break down.

Did you know that those plastic beverage holders take 400 years to “breakdown” to nothing? Four hundred years!!!!! And people toss these out all of the time. Disposable diapers? Continue Reading »

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center will offer some terrific Sea Camps for the 2010 summer, and all camps are taught by staff marine science educators or certified teachers. Class size is limited to 15.  Here is a list of what will be available. For more information, or to register for the camps contact Karen Rhodes at 912.786.5917 or go to KRhodes@TybeeMarineScience.org .

Pre-K and K

Mini Beach Explorers – June 14, 16, 18 from 10-11:30
Ocean Commotion – July 5, 7, 9 from 10-11:30
Coastal Critters – July 19, 21, 23 from 2:30-4:00
Sea Squirts – August 2, 4, 6 – from 10-11:30

Grades 1-2

A Hidden Universe – June 21-24 – from 10-12:30
Peanut Butter and Jellyfish – July 5-8 –  from 2-4:30
Sea-sational Science – July 19-22 –  from 10-12:30
Sea Camp Junior – July 26-29  – from 10-12:30

Grades 3-4

Wacky World of Invertebrates – June 21-24 – from 2-4:30
Water Wonders – June 28-July 1 – from 2-4:30
Coastal Adventure – July 12-15 – from 10-12:30

Grades 5-6

Marine Quest – June 28-July 1 – from 10-12:30
Sea Turtle Investigation – July 12-15 – from 2:00-4:30