Surf Travel Guide: Tybee Island, Georgia

Georgia is not the first state that comes to mind for surf, and that is exactly why Tybee Island is worth a look. This small barrier island sits about 18 miles from Savannah, and when a late-season hurricane swell or a fall nor'easter arrives, it turns into the best surf in the state. If you are searching for surf near Savannah, or a low-key Southeast surf trip with good food and easy logistics, this guide covers the breaks, the season, the hazards and where to stay.

Why Tybee Island?

Tybee has some of the most developed surf amenities in Georgia, including board rentals, surf schools and beachside hotels. Surf guides describe a mix of pier, jetty and sandbar waves, and one calls the Tybee Pier probably the best spot in Georgia. Swell is not constant here, so a swell day is a small event. Most surf writers point to fall and early winter as the time to be ready.

→ Peak season is roughly September through December, when late-summer hurricane swells from the southeast overlap with fall and winter northeast wind swells.

↳ Summer tends to be flat unless a tropical system is offshore, so a July trip is best for the beach, not the waves.

Getting There & Getting Around

Fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV). Tybee is an 18-mile drive from Savannah along Highway 80.
→ A rental car is convenient but not essential, since many places to stay sit beside the beach.
↳ Check the City of Tybee Island's beach rules before you go, because a busy resort beach has rules about parking, glass and water use.

When to Surf

Aim for September to December. Hurricane swells bring southeast energy in late summer and early fall, and northeast wind swells and nor'easters follow through fall and winter. Winter water needs a thick wetsuit, hood and booties, while summer water is warm enough for trunks.

Tide matters. The pier usually needs a higher tide to work properly, and the 18th Street jetty is mostly submerged at high tide. Surfline notes that Sugar Shack and the south end work best on stronger east-northeast or north swells at mid to high tide, while the pier works on all swells and is best at mid to high tide.

Safety notes:

A lot of water flows through the channel between Tybee and Little Tybee, which can pull paddlers out to sea. Paddle only at a neutral tide and go with a boat.
Rock jetties can be hidden at high tide, so learn where they are before you paddle out.
The pier is the most crowded spot on the island, so respect the lineup.

Surf Breaks

Tybee Pier (16th Street): The central hub. Surf Atlas describes a wedgy, short right on the north side and a left of about 50 meters.
Wave: Short, peeling waves on sand, best at mid to pushing tide.
Level: Beginner to intermediate.
18th Street Jetty: A concrete breakwater that forms a hollowish left on the south side.
Wave: Semi-hollow left over sand and rock.
Level: Intermediate.
Sugar Shack and the South Tybee sandbars: A sandbar point on the north side, plus longer, softer waves toward the south end that suit longboards.
Wave: Sandbar peaks and trimming waves.
Level: Beginner to intermediate.
Little Tybee Island: An uninhabited island with shifting sandbars that fire on east-southeast hurricane swells and east-northeast swells. It needs a boat or kayak.
Wave: Sandbank peaks.
Level: Intermediate, and only with local knowledge.

Photographing Tybee Island

The pier, the lighthouse and the wide, low-tide beach give you plenty of frames when a swell shows up. Swell days are rare in Georgia, so a good session is worth capturing. If you shoot one, upload it to Surf Snaps, where surfers can find photos by spot and date. Photographers keep their copyright, and there is no subscription, listing fee or storage bill, only a revenue share of up to 10% when a photo sells. If you surfed, browse the explore page without an account. Photos start from $8.

Where to Stay (Hotels)

→ Places to stay on Tybee range from motels and campgrounds to oceanfront hotels. No prices are shown, since I did not find current rates.

Budget ($)

Royal Palms Motel
A retro motel described as newly renovated and about 500 feet from the beach. River's End Campground & RV Park is a cheaper option for campers.

Mid-Range ($$)

Tybee Island Inn
A boutique inn a short walk from the beach, with sea-themed rooms.

Luxury ($$$)

Hotel Tybee
A beachfront hotel at 1401 Strand Avenue, close to the beach and the pier, with an on-site tiki bar.

Food & Drink

Post-surf lunch: The Deck Beachbar & Kitchen
→ Described as the island's only true beachfront restaurant, with tacos, poke bowls and fish and chips.
Seafood: The Crab Shack
→ Known for crab legs and Low Country Boil, and for its live alligators and exotic birds.
Oysters: Sea Wolf Tybee
→ Freshly shucked oysters, gourmet hot dogs and cocktails.
Coffee: Tybean Art & Coffee Bar
→ Coffee, tea and pastries to start a swell day.

FAQ: Surfing Tybee Island

Can you surf in Georgia?

Yes, though swell is inconsistent. Tybee Island has pier, jetty and sandbar breaks that work best when hurricane swells or northeast wind swells arrive.

When is the best time to surf Tybee Island?

September through December is the peak season, when hurricane and fall or winter swells overlap. Summer is usually flat unless a tropical system is offshore.

Where is the best surf break on Tybee Island?

The Tybee Pier at 16th Street is the main break and is often called the best in Georgia. It works on all swells and is best at mid to high tide.

How far is Tybee Island from Savannah?

About 18 miles, along Highway 80. A rental car is convenient but not essential.

Where can I find photos of my Tybee session?

Search Surf Snaps by sport, place and date on the explore page. It is free to browse, and photos start from $8.

More Underrated Surf and Kitesurf Spots

Keep exploring with the rest of this series and our other surf travel guides.