Discover Tybee

Tybee Island is a breath of fresh ocean air, located just 18 miles east of Savannah, Georgia. This small barrier island boasts five miles of newly re-nourished public beaches that are backed by sea oat-covered sand dunes. It’s the perfect place for sunbathing, people-watching and frolicking in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Nature lovers will enjoy this little slice of paradise while bird watching, taking a dolphin cruise or exploring the marshes by kayak. The island's south-end pier and pavilion is a splendid venue for strolling above the ocean and listening to the music from live bands.

Although vacationers are lured to Tybee mainly because of what it provides in the way of recreation and relaxation, those with a love of history won't be disappointed. Tybee offers: Fort Screven, The Tybee Island Lighthouse (dated 1773), an intriguing museum, and Fort Pulaski which is just west of the island on Hwy 80.

While Tybee is a resort complete with a full range of restaurants, and hundreds of affordable accommodations, it's also a residential area stocked with a few thousand of the friendliest, most fun-loving locals you’ll ever meet. Get to know Tybee Island – Voted “Best Beach” by the readers of Georgia magazine.

Tybee Island… Come See Where Savannah Let’s Her Hair Down

January Polar Bear PlungeJoin thousands of others for a group plunge into the icy Atlantic. Come to South Beach at noon and join in the fun at the traditional Polar Bear Plunge. It’s a great way to dive in to the new year! www.tybeetime.com (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

February Critz - Tybee Island 1/2 Marathon & 8KCritz Tybee Island 1/2 Marathon and 8K, 7a; race begins on the South End and ends on Tybrisa. For more information please call Fleet Feet Sports Savannah, 355-3527

Super Museum Sunday on TybeeFree admission to Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, Tybee Island Marine Science Center and Fort Pulaski National Monument. www.georgiahistory.com

Tie the Knot on Tybee Tie the Knot on Tybee is a unique and romantic event open to the public that will be a group wedding ceremony and vow renewal celebration. There will be food, drinks, music, photographers and vendors. Even though this event is geared towards couples wishing to get married or to renew their wedding vows, it is open to everyone. www.tietheknotontybee.com(912) 786-5319

Mardi Gras TybeeJoin in the fun for Tybee’s Mardi Gras Celebration! Festivities include the Fantasy Masquerade Ball, a Mardi Gras Parade, & the Tybrisa Street Party with free Live Entertainment & more! For more details, please visit: www.mardi grastybee.com (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

March

Tybee Island St. Patrick's Heritage Celebration Parade Great family friendly parade. Parade route runs South on Butler from 4th St. to Tybrisa St. 3:00pm. www.tybeeisland.com(912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

Tybee Island Calendar of EventsDiscover these events and many more that take place on Tybee every year!

For a complete list of events visit: www.tybeeisland.com

Photos courtesy of TybeeIslandWeddings.com

Photo by: Sherri Simmons - spotted.savannahnow.com

Tybee Island Lighthouse Take a trip with us and explore the history of

Tybee Island's most established landmark. Under the watchful eye of Light Station Keeper Cullen Chambers and his staff, the Tybee Island Light Station stands as one of North America's most beautifully renovated Light Stations. A must see for everyone. The Light Station and Museum are surely a stop you do not want to miss. We welcome individuals, families, and groups here. We encourage you to visit our Gift Shops to support our efforts. We also look forward to seeing you after your journey up our 178 steps to the top.Tours are self guided. For groups of 10 or more, please call for a reservation. At the Lighthouse and Head Keepers Cottage there are volunteers on hand to answer questions.

Tybee Island Light Station & Museum (912) 786-5801 Last ticket sold at 4:30 pm.

Hours of Operation 9:00 am till 5:30 pm Daily - Closed Tuesdaywww.tybeelighthouse.org

Also on the grounds...Headkeeper's House - This building was constructed in 1881 for the Headkeeper and his family, The ground floor had a living room and bedroom, the second floor had two bedrooms. All rooms were heated by a fireplace and cooled by the deep front and rear porches and dormer windows. A "summer kitchen" was added at the rear of the building in 1910 to eliminate cooking in a separate building. Summer Kitchen - One of the oldest buildings in Chatham County, this building dates from 1812 and served as the kitchen, to reduce heat and threat of fire in the main houses, for all three keepers until 1910. After 1910 it served as a storage room. 1st Assistant Keeper's House - This building was constructed in 1885 on the site of the original Keeper's house which burned in 1884. Its floor plan is identical to the Headkeeper's house. Garage - Built in the 1930's, this three car garage was to provide sheltered parking for the three keepers of the Tybee Light. Soon after its construction the staff was reduced to one keeper. Fuel Storage Building - This structure was built in 1890 soon after kero-sene became the fuel for the Tybee Island Lighthouse. It was designed to be entirely fire proof with brick walls, a concrete door and a tin roof. At one time the Coast Guard housed a diesel generator to provide power to the lighthouse. 2nd Assistant Keeper's House - This building was constructed first as a confederate barracks in 1861. Union forces occupied the Tybee Light Station during the War between the States and the building served as Union Headquarters on Tybee Island, In 1867 the 2nd Assistant Keeper was assigned to this cottage.

For decades families have chosen Tybee Island for their family vacation destination. Extended families have been gathering at Tybee cottages, making them their home for a week or longer during the summer season. Staying together offers a chance to truly reconnect with loved ones and create memories to cherish for a lifetime.

These days Tybee Island is a year-round choice for friends and family to get away and enjoy a relaxing beach vacation. Vacation rentals are abundant on Tybee and remain a popular lodging choice for repeat visitors to the island. In fact, there are now over 900 vacation homes, cottages and condos on Tybee that are available to rent for short term stays. Tybee has an excellent selection of professional vacation rental companies to help families choose the right property and assist in their vacation planning. Vacation Rentals remain popular today for the same reasons they have been for generations.

Vacation rentals offer...

• Great value! Families and groups of friends can share the cost and save money. • More space to spread out and come together. Homes range in size from one to five+ bedrooms and can accommodate large families. • Fully equipped kitchens, which means savings when it comes to meal time. Many properties also offer grills and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. • A variety of locations. Properties are located all over Tybee. Whether you're looking for a quiet, secluded beach cottage or a prime beachfront location you will find exactly what you seek. • Lots of amenities to choose from - pools, hot tubs, high speed internet, cable TV, and comfortable furnishings. All the comforts of home and then some! • Pet friendly - many rentals are pet friendly so you can bring all your family members on vacation!

Today's hectic pace means that sometimes you can only get away for a couple of days and many of Tybee's vacation rental companies now offer minimum stays of as little as two nights. So whether you are looking to get away for the weekend, a week, or longer, come discover your home away from home on Tybee Island.

Discover the Perfect Setting for Your Next Traditional Beach Vacation!

April

TIMSC Turtle Trot & Celebration Celebrate the start of Sea Turtle Nesting Season with a 5K beach race followed by additional educational activities, games, and crafts throughout the afternoon. Race begins at 11:00am, same day registration from 9:00am - 10:45am. Call for details on early registration. For more information visit:www.tybeemarinescience.org or call 912-786-5917.

MaySCAD Sand Arts FestivalThe festival features competitions in sand castle design, sand sculpture, sand relief and wind sculpture. Contestants may work individually or in teams. Entries in the sand castle, sand sculpture and sand relief competitions are judged for creativity of concept and design, as well as excellence of craft and detail. Entries in the wind sculpture competition are evaluated according to structural development, surface decoration and ability to fly. SCAD faculty members judge all competitions. The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.scad.edu or call (912) 786-5444.

Tybee Island Bait & Tackle Fishing Tournament Fishermen and women can fish from the surf, pier or boat and will be graded on a point system. Pre-registration is required. Prizes will be awarded. Tybee Island Marina at Lazaretto Creek. For more information visit www.tybeeislandbaitandtackle.com or call (912) 786-7472.

Tybee 500 Catamaran Race 500 mile race where high performance catamarans scream up the eastern seaboard pitting teams from all over the world against extreme conditions and each other. Race will challenge even the most physically and mentally competent sailors. The race finishes on Tybee Island’s South Beach. Boat landing times vary. Go to www.tybee500.com for more information or call(912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322.

Beach Bum Parade Join us for the world famous Beach Bum Parade, a wet & wild adventure like no other. For more information or call (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322.

Tybee Kayak Race Multiple Sea Kayak races on Tybee River to benefit the Tybee Marine Science Center. More information TBA. Visit www.tybeemsc.org or call (912) 786-5917.



A Tybee Island Wedding is...

Whether you are eloping, planning a small private wedding or a grand affair with all your family and friends, a Tybee Island wedding is a simple, affordable and wonderful way to say “I do”.

In a world of TV shows about travel and weddings, Tybee has certainly marked its place on the map as a wedding destination. With wonderful weather, gorgeous beaches and a laid back southern elegance, you can plan a wedding and a honeymoon in one, almost any time of year.

How to Plan a Tybee Island Wedding

There are many different ways you can plan your Tybee Island wedding – you and your betrothed can elope on the spur of the moment, hire an officiant who will get you a beach wedding photographer, get a bouquet, and walk out onto the beach in your

favorite sundress and khaki pants at sunrise or sunset (or sometime in between). Then enjoy a 5-star dinner at a local restaurant to cap off the night.

If you wish to invite friends and family to come to your Tybee Island wedding, a local wedding coordinator can easily assist you in your planning. You can reserve rooms at local hotels for your guests, or rent whimsically decorated homes on the island. Don’t forget a rehearsal dinner. Tybee Island offers a wonderful array of restaurants that range from casual to someplace you can dress up, but still show off your tan after a day at the beach.

You can have your ceremony on almost all of Tybee’s miles of sandy beaches. There is charm to any of the locations on the island - natural settings like sea oats in the dunes, a tropical backdrop, beaches with

jetties or the historic Lighthouse will look wonderful in your w e d d i n g photos.

Now you’re m a r r i e d and you want to thank your guests for

coming to your destination wedding with a great party! Fabulous parks, reception halls or Tybee’s landmark Pier can be used for your wedding reception. The Tybee Pier & Pavilion offers a beautiful, romantic and fun weather-sheltered location.

For your honeymoon in Tybee, there are a lot of things to do – cruises, boating, shopping for beach art, and of course soaking up the sun while soaking up the atmosphere.

For weddings from 2 to 200, if you’re lucky enough to get married at the beach, you’re lucky enough! Leave only your footprints but take a lifetime of memories with you.

Photos courtesy of TybeeIslandWedding.com.

The Cockspur Beacon

The Cockspur Beacon sits on an islet off the s o u t h e a s t e r n tip of Cockspur Island and marks

the South Channel of the Savannah River. The Beacon

can be seen as you cross Lazaretto Bridge entering Tybee Island.The islet, covered by high tide, is comprised of oyster shells and marsh grass. Documented references suggest the first brick tower, used as a daymark, was built on Cockspur Island between March 1837 and November 1839. August 9, 1848, John Norris, a New York architect, was contracted to supervise construction of an illuminated station. Norris's duties were to "repair, alter, and put up lanterns and lights on Cockspur Island...and to erect a suitable keeper's house." This first tower had a focal plane 25' above sea level. The beacon housed a fixed white light emanating from five lamps with 14" reflectors visible for nine miles. At the start of the American Civil War, the light was temporarily extinguished. April 10, 1862, Union forces in eleven batteries stretching along the beach at Tybee Island, started the bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Thirty-six guns participated in a thirty hour siege of the Fort with Cockspur Beacon directly in the line of fire. When Fort Pulaski surrendered on April 11, 1862, miraculously, the little beacon suffered only minor damage. Soon after war's end, April 25, 1866, the beacon was relit and painted white for use as a daymark.Throughout it's life, hurricanes plagued the Cockspur Beacon. August 27, 1881, a massive storm struck Cockspur Island causing water to rise 23' above sea level.

The storm surge filled the lighthouse interior and destroyed the Keeper's residence.Jeremiah Keane, the Assistant Keeper Charles Sisson, and two Fort Pulaski caretakers took refuge inside the Northwest stair tower of the brick fort when the great hurricane of 1893 struck. Afterwards, a two story house was built atop Fort Pulaski for the lightkeeper. Man, not nature, extinguished forever the little light. No longer would this light guide vessels up the shallow South Channel of the Savannah River. To accommodate large freighters, the increasingly busy Savannah port routed vessels to the deep, more navigable North Channel. Effective June 1, 1909, the beacon light was snuffed.August 14, 1958, by presidential proclamation, the Cockspur Beacon was transferred from the United States Coast Guard to the National Park Service. The National Park Service is dedicated to the preservation of this historic marker.

June Tybee Tour of Homes Tour some of the islands

most unique and

eye-catching homes.

Call (912) 786-7704 or

visit: www.tybeetourofhomes.com

July Fireworks at the BeachTybee annual celebration of America's birthday. Come early and plan to stay late as this is one of Tybee’s busiest days of the year and the island fills up fast. The show starts around dark thirty (around 9:15pm). The fireworks are staged on the pier, but they are easily viewed from any of Tybee’s eastern beaches. www.tybeeisland.com (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

September Labor Day Beach BashEnjoy the ocean breezes, while live music fills the air from the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion. Come to the 2nd Annual Labor Day Beach Bash featuring free live entertainment by the Swingin' Medallions & fireworks - oceanfront! For more details, please visit: www.tybeefest.com.

or call (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322


Tybee Island Calendar of

EventsDiscover these events and many more

that take place on Tybee every year!

Original art courtesy of Debbie Brady Robinson.

nest sitting starts. It is very important for the nest to be watched for any disturbances from tidal events, animals or humans.

Once a nest hatches, the sea turtle hatchling number is estimated by the number of tracks leading away from

the nest and into the ocean. Sea turtle hatchlings move towards the reflective moonlight on the ocean, unless there is a brighter horizon. The Science Center's "Sea Turtle s Dig the Dark" campaign educates island visitors and residents of the hazards of night lights on sea turtle hatchlings. This cooperative effort between the city of Tybee Island and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center is to reduce the number of exterior and interior lights that shine towards the ocean. Reducing the ambient light from the near shore houses will decrease confusion of sea turtles emerging from the nest. The Science Center's Sea Turtle Project raised more than $4000 and purchased "turtle friendly" lights. We encourage home owners and visitors to close curtains after 9 p.m. and turn off exterior lights that will disorient hatchlings and prevent them from reaching the ocean.

The Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project monitors sea turtle nesting activity on Tybee Island from May 1st through October 31st. Tybee Island Marine Science Center staff members and volunteers conduct daily dawn patrols to monitor sea turtle activity; such as, sea turtle crawls, false crawls, strandings, and nesting events. Dawn patrol consists of walking the entire four miles of Tybee Island's beaches beginning at sunrise each morning and occurring throughout the sea turtle season.

The volunteers on dawn patrol look for evidence of sea turtle nesting. In particular, they are looking in the sand for sea turtle tracks which signify that a sea turtle crawled out of the ocean and onto the beach to nest. When a crawl is suspected, the Science Center sea turtle project coordinator is called to the site to verify the presence of a nest. Once a nest is confirmed, the area is blocked off and an informational sign on sea turtle activity is posted. In some cases female sea turtles will crawl out of the ocean and onto the beach without nesting. This event, known as a false crawl, generally occurs because the female was disturbed by lights or human activity. Or she may have encountered objects that blocked her path to the dunes or compacted sand that made it impossible to dig the nest.

The rate of incubation or the estimated date of sea turtles hatching from the nest is typically 60 days after the nest was laid. Toward the end of the 60 day incubation

Please help us protect these magnificent creatures

by remembering a few simple things:

- Sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, so it's against the law to touch or disturb sea turtles, hatchlings, or their nests.

-Avoid using flashlights or flash photography while on the beach at night.

-Turn off outside patio lights and shield indoor lights from shining directly onto the beach at night.

-Don't leave litter, toys, or chairs on the beach.

Come visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and learn more about these spectacular creatures. Be sure to reserve space at one of the Sea Turtle Talks

we offer.

If you think you see turtle activity, please call the Sea Turtle Project hotline at (912) 786-5917.

This Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project coordinated by the Tybee Island Marine Science Center in cooperation with the

Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the City of Tybee Island.

Dolphins Enchant Humans Like No Other Sea Creature!

If you visit Tybee Island without getting on the water you are missing half the experience. Imagine riding

through pristine waterways, observing Egrets, Herons, and Pelicans, hunting for their next meal. Watch the dolphins ride in your wake,

flirting with you with their constant smile. All

these adventures and more await your discovery!

General Information on Dolphins

-Dolphins are carnivores that primarily eat fish, crustaceans and squid.

-Dolphin’s teeth are used mainly for capturing and holding prey as opposed to biting, tearing and chewing food for swallowing. Dolphins mainly swallow their prey whole.

-It is universally accepted that dolphins can not only detect objects using their echolocation system but can also sense the density and "see into" the object similar to ultrasound scanning.

-Bottlenose dolphins generally grow to a maximum size of approximately 3 to 4 meters (10-13 feet) from a normal birth size of a little over 1 meter (approximately 3.5 to 4 feet).

-Female dolphins give birth approximately every two years and may show mating behavior throughout the year. Gestation is approximately 12 months.

-The Dolphin Project in Georgia has identified over 700 different individual bottlenose dolphins to date. The

information is housed in a catalog that also documents the date, time, and location of the sighting as well as weather conditions, behavior at the time and tide state.

-The smile on a bottlenose dolphin's face is just the natural shape of their mouth and remains in place no matter what the situation. Dolphins can be extremely aggressive.

-Dolphins may swim at speeds approaching 40 km/h.

-The lifespan of a dolphin may range from 25 to 65 years.

-In coloration, bottlenose dolphins may appear from light to dark gray above with a pale underside that may range from white to bright pink.

Visit www.thedolphinproject.orgfor more information on dolphins!

tuna, dolphin, and wahoo to name a few.Most offshore boats can accommodate up to six people, however a few can handle up to 10 or 20 passengers. Some boats mix and match individuals and groups while others do not. Trips run from 4 to 16 hours and prices vary. It is recommended to book ahead as most require reservations

and a deposit.Inshore light tackle fishing is supported by Georgia's coastal marsh system in which hundreds of saltwater rivers and creeks

While Tybee has a number of outdoor recreational activities, the most popular is saltwater fishing. There are two distinct and different types of saltwater fishing out of Tybee, offshore (deep sea) and inshore light tackle fishing.The Atlantic Ocean supports Tybee's offshore fleet of fishing boats. Bottom fishing is popular for black sea bass, snapper, grouper, sheepshead and a variety of sharks. Trolling is another type of offshore fishing fun for spanish, king mackerel,

Tybee Saltwater Fishing Adventures

dump into sounds at the Atlantic's edge. These calm coastal waters can be compared to freshwater bass and lake fishing. Inshore fishing is Georgia's fastest growing segment of recreational family fishing. You can sight fish for huge reds (fly/spinning) with artificals or live bait fish for speckled sea trout, flounder and small composite sharks (favorite among children). Most inshore boats also offer custom eco tours to barrier islands and dolphin watches.Most inshore boats accommodate 3 to 4 people, however for eco trips some boats can take as many as 6 passengers. Trips run from 4

to 8 hours and prices vary. Most boats do not mix and match, but multiple boats are available through some companies for large groups. It is recommended to book ahead as most require reservations and a deposit.Whether it's offshore in the Atlantic ocean or inshore in the saltwater sounds don't

miss out on some of the east coast's finest saltwater fishing while visiting beautiful Tybee island Georgia.

More detailed info can be found under charters/marinas at

www.tybeeisland.com.

Fort Pulaski National

The Battle for Fort Pulaski in April 1862 marked a turning point in military history. It featured the first significant use of rifled cannons in combat. These accurate, long-range weapons shattered Fort Pulaski's walls from over a mile away. After thirty hours of bombardment, the fort surrendered. The battle surprised military strategists worldwide, and signaled the end of masonry fortifications.

The impressive brick fort is located on Cockspur Island in the mouth of the Savannah River. Construction of the fort began in 1829, and required 18 years and 25 million bricks to complete. A young Robert E. Lee was one of the engineers who helped to build the fort.

Recommended Activities: Musket demonstrations and ranger-guided tours of the fort are offered daily. Cannon firings are offered every Saturday. The park includes several miles of hiking trails. Pets on leash and bicycles are allowed on all of the park's trails. The park also includes a Visitor Center, Picnic Area and several fishing areas. Fort Pulaski is open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and till 7:00 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.

U.S.Hwy 80 East (912)-786-5787

October Tybee Island Pirate Fest AHOY MATES! Swashbucklers of all ages will be converging on Tybee Island’s South Beach to participate in the 5th

Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest! Featuring a Buccaneer Ball, pirate invasion, pirate victory parade, free live entertainment, costume contest, children's events and the Thieves Market filled with treasures, grog and grub! For more details, please visit: www.tybeepiratefest.com. (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

Tybee Rod Run Show for all hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, classic cars and street rods. Over 150 entries are expected this year. Registration will be on Friday from 12:00-6:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am-1:00pm. Show hours are Saturday 8:00am-6pm and Sunday 8:00am-12:00pm. For more information about the event, to participate, or sponsorship information contact Frank Shuman at 912-786-4032 or email [email protected]

Tybee Festival of the Arts New place, bigger prizes and more artists! South Beach in a magnificent tent! Upscale Art and Fine Craft Show with Exceptional Artists, Live music and Entertainment, Culinary Delights, Wine and Spirits. www.tybeearts.org(912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

December Lights on for TybeeThe annual lighting of the Tybee Christmas tree will take place during Lights On For Tybee. Festivities will begin at 6:30pm. For more details, contact Chantel Morton 912-786-4573.

Tybee Island Christmas ParadeFun, family Christmas themed parade featuring Santa Claus and other unique participants. The parade begins at the Pier and proceeds up Tybrisa Street to Butler Ave. and ends at Memorial Park and is immediately followed with a Children's Christmas Party. Come and join the fun as we celebrate the season island style!

New Year's Eve Fireworks Bring in the New Year with a bang! Enjoy the show launched from the Tybee Pier at the stroke of midnight at one of Tybee's many restaurants and bars, or watch it from the beach. It promises to be spectacular! www.tybeeisland.com(912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322



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Discover Tybee