If you are planning a trip to Savannah, Georgia, be sure to make time for a day trip to Tybee Island. It is only about a 25-minute drive from the heart of Savannah, but feels a world away! Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Tybee Island on a day trip.
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5 of the Best Things to Do in Tybee Island
Table of Contents
- 1. Buy fresh peaches at the Davis Produce Stand
- 2. Eat at The Original Crab Shack
- 3. Visit the Tybee Island Lighthouse
- 4. Relax on the beach
- 5. Visit Little Tybee Island
1. Buy fresh peaches at the Davis Produce Stand
As you drive over the bridge from Savannah, the stately homes and cobblestone streets are soon replaced with windswept grasslands, sunny stretches of sand, and the heady fragrance of the salty sea air. Welcome to Tybee Island!
Shortly after crossing the bridge, you’ll see the Davis Produce Stand on your right next to the Shell gas station. The address is 7755 US-80 E, Savannah.
This is the best place around Savannah to buy fresh Georgia peaches, because you can’t come to Georgia and NOT try a fresh Georgia peach!
If you are visiting between May through August, you will find bushels of juicy ripe peaches at this produce stand.
However, even if you are visiting in the off-season, you will still find a variety of other seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Along with fresh produce, you can also sample southern boiled peanuts, or pick up some preserved fruit, homemade desserts, and gourmet dressings and sauces. The bottled peaches with a hint of vanilla were our favorite!
You can even find novelty gifts like “Gator Jam”(Ginger Apple, Tangerine, Orange, and Raspberry)
Be sure to sample some of their homemade desserts, the banana cream pudding, tiramisu, and maple bread pudding are divine!
We also love visiting this stand because the owners are so friendly. There really is something to be said about southern hospitality!
We had a laugh as one of the owners taught us how to eat a scuppernong and we bonded over our mutual love of the Osmonds.
Scuppernongs are oversized seeded grapes with thick skin that can only be found in the South.
The Davis Produce Stand is also a favorite stop for Paula Deen. The fresh ingredients from her “Quarantine Cooking” show came exclusively from the Davis Produce Stand.
She lives only a few miles away on Tybee Island. She recently sold her French Caribbean resort-style home on the banks of Wilmington River for a cool $7.25 million. If you want to drive by and sneak a peak, it is located at 818 Wilmington Island Road.
Her new home is at an undisclosed location about a mile from her former home, if you ask the locals they may just give you directions. We drove by her new home and actually saw the queen of Southern cooking herself as she pulled up in her black SUV!
*And if you’re visiting Savannah, be sure to eat a meal at Paula Deen’s award-winning restaurant, The Lady and Sons. For more foodie recommendations, check out our guide to 8 of the Best Places to Eat in Savannah!
2. Eat at The Original Crab Shack
Our favorite place to eat on Tybee Island is The Original Crab Shack. This place is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience!
Choose a table outdoors and you’ll feel like you’re eating in a treehouse. The slatted wood deck is built around clusters of trees with lights and lanterns hanging from the branches.
The tables overlook Chimney Creek where you can watch the tide receding and spot the occasional dolphin popping out of the water.
Resident cats roam around the deck, rubbing up against the legs of patrons and hoping to get a bite of food that has fallen on the floor.
The Crab Shack serves up some of the freshest seafood and low country boil on the island. You are in for a treat if you order the Seafood Sampler Platter!
If you prefer turf instead of surf, they do have BBQ Chicken, Slow-cooked Ribs, and Pulled Pork Sandwiches, along with the traditional southern side dishes.
After you eat, head to the gift shop where you can buy gator bait to feed the alligators in the gator pond.
For $3, you can buy 4 pellets then use the provided fishing poles to clip on a pellet and lower it into the gator pond.
They’ll quickly gather below you and wrestle for a bite, it is definitely a unique and thrilling experience!
The Crab Shack also has an arcade and a bird rescue room where you can meet the mouthy feathered residents with the funniest attitudes.
You’ll also find a gift shop, a replica of the largest crocodile found, a few photo-ops, and some interesting gator facts posted around the property.
Dining at The Crab Shack is definitely a memorable experience and one of the best things to do in Tybee Island!
*Related Post: Best Things to Do in Charleston SC on a Girl’s Weekend
3. Visit the Tybee Island Lighthouse
If Tybee Island seems like something out of a dreamy movie, that’s because it is!
This cheerful beach town is where Nicholas Sparks’ The Last Song was filmed, starring Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.
And one of the most dreamy spots on the island is the Tybee Island Lighthouse that crowns the windswept coast.
The lighthouse is the tallest and oldest lighthouse in Georgia, with a history dating back to 1736. It is a must-see when visiting the island.
In addition to the lighthouse, you will also find three charming Light Keeper Cottages on the grounds. They serve as museums with a small summer kitchen showcasing archaeological finds.
The Tybee Island Museum can also be found in the Military Battery across the street.
For $10 you can tour the museums and climb to the top of the lighthouse to drink in the panoramic views over the island and surrounding ocean.
*Related post: If you’re planning a trip to Savannah, be sure to check out our guide for The Best Things to do in Savannah and 12 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know About Bonaventure Cemetery!
4. Relax on the beach
If you are visiting during the heat of a dragon breath summer, be sure to escape the humidity on the shores of one of Tybee Island’s beautiful beaches.
Tybee is a barrier island that is home to over three miles of pristine beaches.
North Beach
The long stretch of land on the north end of Tybee Island is considered North Beach. This is where the Tybee Lighthouse is located, along with other historic landmarks, such as the Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Along with a sugary white sand beach, you’ll also find plenty of cafes and shops in North Beach. The Shoppes at 1207 and Tybee Oaks are considered the premier shopping destinations in Tybee Island.
For a fun afternoon, rent a beach cruiser from Tybee Island Bike Rentals and explore around North Beach, or take a guided segway tour!
South Beach
South Beach, appropriately located on the southern tip of Tybee Island, is where the locals hang out. This encompasses the downtown district where you can find a vibrant nightlife.
Head down to the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion and grab an ice cream at the Sweet Dreams Bar & Grill to eat while you walk along the beach.
Mid Beach
Mid Beach is centrally located to many attractions and offers some of the best beachfront accommodations on the island.
The DeSoto Beach Hotel is the only true beachfront hotel on Tybee Island. It features a swimming pool with ocean views, and a private sun deck with beach access.
This is one of the more popular hotels, but if you’re looking for something a little more private, try the DeSoto Beach Bed & Breakfast. This exclusive bed & breakfast has three cozy rooms with private balconies overlooking the ocean.
The Beachside Colony Resort is also a great option for families. The condos have fully equipped kitchens and there are several heated pools, tennis and volleyball courts, and an oceanside restaurant on the property.
There are also several great dining options at Mid Beach, including The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen, Tybee Island’s only beachfront restaurant.
Back River Beach
Back River Beach is considered a hidden gem where you’ll find an empty stretch of sand along Tybee Creek that is void of the usual tourists.
If you are there at dinnertime, be sure to catch a sunset on the outdoor deck of A-J’s Dockside Restaurant while indulging in fresh seafood.
Tybee’s Back River also encompasses the winding river marshlands. Head over to Lazaretto Creek Marina where you can embark on a dolphin tour, or rent kayaks and jet skis to explore the river.
5. Visit Little Tybee Island
Little Tybee Island is an uninhabited nature preserve just south of Tybee Island. Although this island is called ‘Little Tybee’, it is actually twice the size of Tybee Island.
The remote island can only be accessed by boat or watercraft. Boat, kayak, and jet ski rentals are available at Bull River Marina.
Just keep in mind that the tide changes every 6 hours. Be cautious so that your watercraft doesn’t get stranded as the tide goes out.
Little Tybee is a popular spot to find shark teeth and fossils. Consider taking a backcountry wilderness estuary tour with Sundial Charters to explore the nature preserve and hunt for fossils. They also offer crabbing, fishing, hiking, dolphin watching, and birding tours.
For a memorable experience, try camping under the stars on Little Tybee. You can also splurge on a Sunset Dinner Cruise or Sunset Picnic Dinner on your own private island.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in Tybee Island, Georgia!
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[…] *And while you’re visiting Savannah, be sure to make the short drive to Tybee Island and grab dinner at The Crab Shack. It is definitely a unique experience one of the coolest things to do on Tybee Island! […]