Look what we found on Visittybee.com!
By: Ashley Toro, Mermaid Cottages
Who knew there was so many free things to do on Tybee Island?
Watching the sunset or sunrise is a magical part of Tybee Beaches. There are four distinct beaches on our island. And we would love to tell you a little about each of them:
North Beach starts as you come onto the island and stretches to the big anchor at the curve on Butler Avenue. The North Beach is a great place for bird watching. It is also a great spot for watching the cargo ships come into the ports at the Savannah River.
Mid-Island starts at the big anchor and goes to 14th Street. For those looking for an adventure, you can search the beaches for shark’s teeth and unique sea shells along the shore.
South Beach begins at 14th Street and extends to the tip of the island. This is your busiest beach of them all. South Beach includes the Pier & Pavilion where you can see fishermen pull in their catch, people watch, dolphin watch and enjoy the scenery. South Beach is great for all occasions and has many local shopping and eateries across the parking lots.
Back River Beach starts at the tip of the island and goes all the way to Alley 3. This is where you’ll find a more private beach with a pier for fishing. It is a great location for dolphin watching as well. It also has the perfect view of Little Tybee, a small island across the water way accessible by boat.
If the beach is not your cup of tea, Tybee Island also features two wonderfully designed Public Parks with free amenities:
Jaycee Park offers a baseball field, basketball court, grills, fenced in state-of-the-art playground, gazebo, and a beautiful walking trail that stretches across a lagoon and goes completely around the entire park. You’ll see birds, fish, and the occasional turtle while at the lagoon. Bathrooms are located by the side of the ballpark.
Memorial Park includes two tennis courts, a basketball court, and sand volleyball courts so remember to bring your sporting gear. Facilities come complete with bathrooms as well. There are many covered pavilions for family gatherings surrounded by charcoal grills, perfect for those family cookouts. The state of the art fenced in playground is great for kids of all ages and there are open grass fields for those family flag football games.
If you are visiting for the summer, Tybee Island is currently hosting Movie Nights in the Park at Memorial Park once a month. The next movie will be Despicable Me 2 on August 19th at “dark thirty”. So bring your snacks and blankets for a night at the big screen.
Other free activities on Tybee include:
The Fish Art Gallerie. It is an amazing site to see! The infamous “fish art guy” takes miscellaneous items and turns them into artistic ocean-related sculptures. This is a free viewing of art that you don’t want to miss.
The YMCA. If you are a current member of your local YMCA, you can come enjoy our facilities for free as well. Be sure to bring your membership card or bring a letter from your YMCA to verify that you are a member and the front office will extend you a 5 Day Pass to use at your discretion.
Alligator Lagoon. The World Famous Crab Shack offers a free viewing of the Alligator Lagoon and Exotic Bird Exhibit. So come grab some great seafood and enjoy a little fun with the kids at the same time!
