Snorkeling in Tybee Island, Georgia – “Savannah Beach”

Poor visibility due to significant amount of silt flowing in the nearby Savannah River combining with a lack of marine ecosystem makes snorkeling in Tybee Island an unpleasant experience.

Once the exclusive playground for the wealthy of Savannah, this barrier island in Georgia is now a resort destination for many in the southeastern United States. Located at the tip of the border between Georgia and South Carolina, this 3,000 acre island has approximately three miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches on its eastern shore facing the Atlantic Ocean. The warm sand that is manicured to the finest detail will make you want to lie down.

Tybee Island is not only beautiful, but also full of history. This is a great family vacation spot for sure. But alas, not all places are perfect. Snorkeling in Tybee Island is a very poor experience. Very similar to Myrtle Beach and Charleston, both of which are just up the coast, there is lots of silt in the waters and no sufficient marine ecosystem by the shore.

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Tybee Island Snorkeling Profile:

• Water Visibility: Horrendous. It’s all swamp water so you can’t see past your hands.
• Current Strength: Average. Wind may make the swells strong time to time but generally soft and not a surfing destination.
• Coral Presence: None.
• Marine Life: Not much around the shore.
• Crowd: Can get crowded at times.
• Summary: Poor water visibility, lack of coral presence, and minimal marine life around the shore makes it easy to see why snorkeling in Tybee Island is not recommended.

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Getting There

Closest Major Airports: Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (Savannah, GA)- 25 miles away, 50 minute drive

• Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport is located west of downtown Savannah. So you would have to go across the city to get to Tybee Island. You will inevitably encounter some traffic, but it should not dent your plans too much.

Closest Major Metro Area: Savannah, GA

• The historic city of Savannah, the fifth largest city in Georgia, is approximately 15 miles away from Tybee Island. Any trip to Tybee would require a visit to Savannah, which is one of the most fascinating destinations in the country. If you are visiting the area for a long weekend, make sure to stay at least one day in Savannah.

Recommended Method of Transportation to Destination: Fly into Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport and Drive to Tybee Island

• Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport has connections to major cities in the east coast by major airlines. The drive to Tybee Island can be painful but there is no quicker connection. If you are coming from South Carolina, it might make sense to drive into the island rather than fly as it’s a two and half hour drive from Charleston and three from Columbia.

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Introduction

Tybee Island is rich in history due to its strategic location on the east coast of the United States. Originally settled by the Spanish during the 16th century, the island switched hands several times as the English attempted to settle in the area. When the Spanish eventually retreated to Florida, it became one of the first settlements in Georgia. The English built a lighthouse on Tybee Island in 1736 to guide ships into the newly-settled city of Savannah, which would soon become the capital of colonial Georgia.

The island played a major role during the Civil War due to its proximity to Savannah and Fort Pulaski. Savannah was a prosperous seaport and the sixth largest city in the Confederacy by the time of the war. Given its importance as a commercial center and the sizable seaport, Union forces laid siege to Fort Pulaski to control the access to the Ocean. The Siege of Fort Pulaski in the early days of the war essentially blocked the port of Savannah, a major blow to the Confederates. The fort is now a national monument where you can take a stroll and see a piece of history.

Tybee Island began its transformation as a resort city in late 19th century when folks seeked beaches to get away from the polluted, congested cities. With construction of railroad and highways into the island, development grew and it became a destination for folks in the southeast. It was during the mid-20th century when the island was briefly dubbed as Savannah Beach in order to attract more tourists. But the name never stuck and it was soon reverted back to Tybee Island.

How is Snorkeling in Tybee Island?

Tybee Island has three beach areas, all of which offer something different. North Beach is next to the lighthouse and has some great walking trails within the marsh areas. Mid-Beach is perhaps the least crowded of the three, with minimal amenities, but can provide tranquility and calm. South Beach is the most popular with beautiful sand and the pier and pavilion standing tall. So how is snorkeling in Tybee Island with these gorgeous beaches?

To be brief, there is no good snorkeling in Tybee Island. The rivers around the island, most namely the Savannah River, are all blackwater rivers and carry lots of silt so the visibility is poor. In addition, there is no significant marine ecosystem by the shore. The bottoms by Tybee Island are all sandy and do not house a thriving marine life that would contribute to a great snorkeling adventure. So if you can’t see and there is nothing to see, what is the point of snorkeling?

Ideal Itinerary:

Snorkeling in Tybee Island, much like other coastal destinations in southeastern United States such as Hilton Head, Charleston, or Myrtle Beach, is a poor experience. The rivers flowing out to the Atlantic Ocean carry too much silt and the waves can be powerful. The visibility isn’t great and you won’t find any significant marine life around. For divers, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is one of the country’s largest near-shore live-bottom reefs and is a great destination. There are boats that go from Tybee Island, so check the listings to see if you can take a trip out there. Walk by the beautiful beaches and play at the pier instead during your trip to Tybee Island.

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Snorkeling in Tybee Island Rating: 1/5 Snorkels – Yuck, Do Something Else!

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