It’s tough enough figuring out what to do when traveling solo. So, it’s near impossible to decide what family activities are worth checking out when traveling with your whole crew. You’re probably already picturing all of the ensuing arguments and dysfunctionality. Isn’t vacation supposed to be relaxing? That’s where we come in! With Tybee’s beautiful beaches, great weather, and fun activities, there’s something for everyone!
Here is a list of some of the best activities on Tybee Island for the entire family, but it doesn’t stop here. Get out and explore for yourself!
Beach Days!
While it may be hard to gather the troops for an early sunrise, it’s well worth it! Tybee’s Mid-Beach is the perfect spot to watch the sun come up over the horizon and offers one of the most stunning views on the entire island. If you’re looking to sleep in a little longer, head to Tybee’s North Beach for a relaxing day of fun in the sun. The jetties at this portion of the beach act as a divide and split it up based on activity level. The area right before has easy beach access and tends to draw larger crowds, which offers some prime people watching. However, if you keep traveling past the jetties, you’ll find a natural oasis with large dunes, great dolphin watching, and calmer waters!
A Sunset Bite!
There’s no shortage of great spots to grab a bite to eat with your family on Tybee, but few have sunset views like Bubba Gumbo’s and CoCo’s Sunset Grille! Bubba Gumbo’s is a great waterfront eatery where you can sit right on the dock along the Lazaretto Creek while enjoying fresh, fried shrimp. You may even get to see the otters play in the creek below! Head next door to CoCo’s Sunset Grille to catch the sunset from their top deck and while watching the shrimp boats return with the day’s fresh catch!
A Dolphin Tour Everyone Will Love!
All aboard! Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours is sure to be a hit amongst everyone in your family. Departing from the Lazaretto Creek Marina, you’ll get the opportunity to see some of Tybee’s iconic landmarks, including an up close view of the Cockspur Lighthouse. All the while, you’ll get to watch bottlenose dolphins play in their natural habitat. They’re unusually friendly and frequently come right up to the boat for an unmatched experience!
A Family Fishing Frenzy!
How about some family bonding over a fishing trip? The Tybee Island Pier or the Back River Fishing Pier are great places to start. Just be sure to have a fishing license! For 50 years of unmatched local knowledge of the waterways, jump on a fishing charter with Miss Judy Charters for both inshore and offshore adventures that everyone will love. Likewise, Southern Saltwater Charters can take you on a guided experience of light tackle fishing, shark tooth fossil hunts, backwater excursions, or a beautiful sunset cruise.
Bike Around Tybee!
There’s no better way for the family to explore Tybee Island than on a bicycle. It’s one gigantic bike path, so you can cruise along the beach, or use the trails marked “Bike Route”! Didn’t bring a bike on your vacation? No problem! Tim’s Bike & Beach Gear or Fat Tire Bikes can hook you up with all your biking needs. From bikes for adults and children to tandems and trikes, they’ve got you covered. Make sure to head to the Back River Beach for a relaxing ride and the best sunset view on the entire island.
Perfect Picnic Spots!
A picnic in a park is the perfect outing for the whole family. Stop by the Tybee Market IGA for a deli sandwich on your way to some of Tybee’s family-friendly parks! Jaycee Park is an 8.5-acre park that features a winding waterway right through the middle with a great, recently update playground and field for playing! Memorial Park also features a fantastic playground, but also has tennis courts, pickleball courts, volleyball, basketball, and more!
A Kayak Adventure!
Looking for a water adventure everyone is sure to love? Look no further than North Island Surf and Kayak, which offers kayak rentals, guided tours, surf and paddleboard lessons, camping, fishing excursions and more. You can even launch right from their dock! If you’re looking for the perfect paddleboard experience, visit East Coast Paddleboarding. They’re the only dedicated paddleboading outfitter in the area, and their nationally certified instructors can get you out and about in no time! Once out on the water, head to Little Tybee Island, a quiet uninhabited island, or just paddle through the quiet marshes and rivers in and around Tybee Island. Despite the name, it’s twice the size of Tybee Island and completely uninhabited. This natural gem is well worth the trip with it’s coastal salt marshes, pristine beaches, tropical forest, and tons of wildlife.
An Ecological Excursion!
Tybee Island is home to a wide array of wildlife, and there are so many different ways to get up close and personal! Why not make your family beach trip more than just a trip to the beach? Make it a valuable experience discovering and learning about the animals and habitats of Georgia’s beaches. Grab your beach shoes and head to the shorelines with Tybee Beach Ecology Trips! Led by marine biologist Dr. Joe Richardson, a professor of Marine Sciences, is a family favorite and will teach you all about the local critters! Be sure to check out the Tybee Island Marine Center where you’ll encounter sea creatures seldom seen with just a trip to the beach!
Wide Open Views of Tybee Island!
The Tybee Island Light Station is a sight to behold on the island as it’s the oldest and tallest lighthouse in the entire state of Georgia! Dating back to 1736 and standing 145 feet tall, the lighthouse is one of the best-preserved in the nation with lightkeeper’s cottages on the grounds. Check out the exhibits to be transported back in time or venture up the 178 steps to the top for a gorgeous 360-degree view of the entire island!
Family Fun at Fort Pulaski!
The Fort Pulaski National Monument, located on Cockspur Island, is a great place to go if you’re traveling with your whole family, especially if you’ve got a dog! As long as your pet is leashed, they are allowed on the grounds and even inside of the fort. There are a ton of great trails to explore and you might even catch a canon firing while you’re there!
Bonus Activity!
For the month of June, Main Street Tybee has created a scavenger hunt around Tybee Island! Visit all of your favorite landmarks on the island and take a photo to show that you’ve been. If you’re staying with us, then you get their scavenger hunt as a part of your guest gift! It’s fun for the whole family and a great way to get around Tybee.
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