A Guide to Savannah's Beaches
As one of the most stunning coastal cities in the South, it’s no wonder Savannah has a variety of beautiful beaches that compliment our carefree lifestyle! Whether you like to bask in the sunlight on the sands of a quiet, hidden gem or party it up with music and beachside bars, this list will have something for you!
Tybee Island is one of the more well-known and popular beach areas in Savannah. The South Beach is where the party happens- there’s more bars and restaurants than you could visit in a weekend! Spend your time bar hopping along the strip before dipping your toes in the cool tides of South Beach. If partying isn’t your thing, you can still make lifelong memories on South Beach, which is perfect for beachcombers! This beach is also home to the Tybee Island Pier- perfect for viewing a stunning sunset on the coast!
If you’re traveling with your kids or prefer a quieter, family-oriented beach, then Tybee Island’s North Beach is the place to be! Soft, white sand will tickle your toes as you run to the slow-moving tides at the mouth of the Savannah River. You can spend the day stretched out on the warm sand as you watch the ships roll into the riverside ports down the river. If you get tired of the beach, you can wander over to the nearby Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum for some cool history and stunning views from the tallest lighthouse in Georgia!
Up next, we have three beaches that are beloved by locals, and hidden off the beaten bath. Little Tybee Island is only accessible by boat, so hop on a Tybee charter boat and prepare for an amazing day on an uncrowded beach teeming with wildlife! If you enjoy a challenge, you can also rent a kayak to make your way out to the island, but beware! The current is very strong and requires at least moderate experience with kayaking. The trip is well worth it, however. This protected island is beautiful, and you’ll have space to roam around without having to worry about crowds.
Butter Bean Beach is well known by Savannah locals as the best picnic spot for those craving the quietness provided by a hidden gem. There is a campground nearby as well, which is perfect if you’re traveling via RV or budget! Little mitten crabs (harmless) scurry across the marshy sands of Butter Bean Beach, making their little houses in piles of discarded sand. Butter Bean Beach may be small, but it is Savannah’s most precious gem.
Wassaw Island’s North Beach is another hidden treasure gracing Savannah’s shores. Wassaw Island is a protected National Wildlife Refuge, and though open to the public; it is important to remember the old adage: “Take only pictures; leave only footprints”. Nevertheless; Wassaw Island’s North Beach is unhindered in excellence and natural beauty. Statuesque pieces of driftwood provide decor for a marvelously untouched beach, and the wildlife around you exists in perfect harmony and balance.
The most important thing to remember when visiting any beach in Savannah and surrounding areas is the sea turtle population. Our beaches are often used as nesting grounds for these graceful and threatened animals, and it is our duty as visitors of the beaches to treat their inhabitants with love and respect. If you’re walking along the beach at night, be careful where you shine your flashlight- it could scare off a nesting mother turtle! Also, please remember to clean up after yourself. Every piece of trash thrown away is a piece that stays out of the gullet of a sea turtle! Thank you for helping us keep Savannah’s beaches beautiful!