Tybee Island, Barrier island in Chatham County, United States
Tybee Island is a barrier island off the coast of Georgia in Chatham County, shaped by sandy beaches, dunes, and tidal creeks. The island stretches over several miles (about 5 km) and connects residential neighborhoods with public beach access points and conservation areas.
Spanish explorers reached the island in the 16th century and used it as a navigation point for accessing the mainland. Later it was fortified and served as an observation post during the American Civil War for monitoring Savannah harbor.
The name comes from the Euchee word for salt and refers to the tidal marshes surrounding the island. Today you see fishermen working their nets early in the morning at the pier and families gathering shells along the beach at low tide.
Parking fills up quickly on summer weekends, so arriving early or using a bicycle for short distances across the island works well. The beach remains accessible throughout the year and tends to be quieter at sunrise than later in the morning.
Dolphins swim regularly near the shore and can often be spotted from the beach as they hunt in shallow water. Sea turtles come ashore at night to nest in the sand during breeding season between May and October.
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