Weekend itinerary

Tybee: Lighthouse to Back River

Walk South Beach after check-in, climb the Light Station Saturday morning, and spend the afternoon at Fort Pulaski. Substitute one booked water outing when the forecast and departure time are settled.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Beach-access boardwalk at sunrise

Best length

2 nights

Arrive Friday for South Beach, spend Saturday between North Beach and one fort or water outing, and leave Sunday after breakfast and one last shoreline walk.

Stay

Hotel Tybee

Oceanfront South Beach hotel near the pier district, with two pools and a tiki bar; the full-service choice for…

Main activity

the beaches

Pair North Beach with the Light Station, then use the afternoon for Fort Pulaski. Substitute one booked tidal-water outing rather than adding both.

Pace

Beach, lighthouse, and one half-day outing

A two-night visit covers South Beach, the Light Station, seafood, and Fort Pulaski. A booked dolphin cruise or kayak trip can replace the fort when water conditions support it.

Boardwalk through coastal dunes toward the beach at sunrise — Beach-access boardwalk at sunrise

Tybee Island lighthouse beyond North Beach — Pair the Light Station with North Beach

Fort Pulaski brick walls and moat on Cockspur Island — Give Fort Pulaski its own half-day

Friday

Check in near South Beach and walk the pier before dinner.

Use Friday for the pier, pavilion, and the beach nearest your lodging, followed by The Deck or another restaurant on the same side of the island.

4:00 PM

Check in

Stay at Hotel Tybee.

Oceanfront South Beach hotel near the pier district, with two pools and a tiki bar; the full-service choice for travelers who want the busiest beach blocks within walking distance.

Recommended stay

Hotel Tybee

Oceanfront South Beach hotel near the pier district, with two pools and a tiki bar; the full-service choice for…

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Upgrade

DeSoto Beach Hotel

Beachfront hotel north of the South Beach pier district, with a heated and cooled pool and beach-chair rentals;…

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6:30 PM

First dinner

Start with The Deck.

Beachfront South Beach restaurant serving Australian-, Mexican-, and Hawaiian-influenced food. It does not take reservations, and waits can build on busy evenings.

First-night pick

The Deck

Beachfront South Beach restaurant serving Australian-, Mexican-, and Hawaiian-influenced food. It does not take…

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Saturday

Climb the lighthouse, then spend the afternoon at Fort Pulaski.

Cross to North Beach after the Light Station, then drive to Fort Pulaski for the afternoon. Replace the fort with one booked dolphin cruise or kayak trip when the forecast and operator schedule support it.

8:30 AM

Breakfast

Start with Sunrise Restaurant.

Casual Tybee breakfast and lunch restaurant serving scratch-made biscuits and local favorites from 6 AM to 2 PM daily; it opens early enough for both weekend breakfast slots.

Breakfast / coffee

Sunrise Restaurant

Casual Tybee breakfast and lunch restaurant serving scratch-made biscuits and local favorites from 6 AM to 2 PM…

Open restaurant

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Compare Tybee Island restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

10:00 AM

Main activity

Climb the Light Station, then cross to North Beach.

The tower has 178 steps, is closed Tuesdays, and may close in poor weather. Ticket-holder parking is limited to two hours, so check the official visitor page before arrival.

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Read the beaches

See access, timing, distance, parking, and route information.

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Browse more attractions and activities

See additional things to do around Tybee Island.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Return from Fort Pulaski or the water before dinner.

Fort Pulaski sits back on Cockspur Island, while boat and kayak trips follow fixed meeting times. Leave enough travel time to return to Tybee before the Saturday dinner reservation.

7:00 PM

Dinner

Reserve dinner at Sundae Cafe.

Dinner restaurant in Tybee’s interior that takes reservations Monday through Saturday and closes Sunday; place it on a Saturday itinerary.

Special dinner

Sundae Cafe

Dinner restaurant in Tybee’s interior that takes reservations Monday through Saturday and closes Sunday; place…

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Sunday

Eat breakfast, take one final beach walk, and leave by US 80.

Sunrise Restaurant opens early enough for the itinerary. Check current street and bridge advisories before the drive through Savannah.

9:00 AM

Sunday morning

Start Sunday with Sunrise Restaurant.

Start at Sunrise Restaurant, then walk the nearest beach or Back River before checkout.

Breakfast / coffee

Sunrise Restaurant

Casual Tybee breakfast and lunch restaurant serving scratch-made biscuits and local favorites from 6 AM to 2 PM…

Open restaurant

Compare

Compare Tybee Island restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

11:00 AM

One last stop

Choose one US 80 stop before leaving.

Choose the Marine Science Center, Fort Pulaski, or a beach crossover only when its hours and your drive home allow enough time.

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Browse Tybee Island things to do

See short stops to consider before leaving Tybee Island.

More Tybee Island guides

Beaches

Compare South Beach, North Beach, Mid Beach, Back River, and Little Tybee, including current beach rules and parking hours.

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Things To Do

Check Light Station access, Fort Pulaski alerts, and current bookable water outings.

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Where To Stay

Compare South Beach convenience with quieter lodging farther north.

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Restaurants

Choose breakfast, seafood, pizza, or a reservation by island location and operating day.

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Getting Here

Check US 80, paid parking hours, and the current 14th Street and Chatham Avenue advisory.

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North Beach morning

Keep North Beach and the lighthouse together.

The Light Station, museum, and North Beach belong in one north-end visit. Use Fort Pulaski as the afternoon destination, or replace it with one scheduled boat or kayak trip.