Best Things to Do in Tybee Island, GA With Kids
Tybee Island family days: the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum (climb the 178 steps), a morning on the main beach near the pier, a dolphin or sunset boat out of Lazaretto Creek, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center for a rainy-day or midday-heat backup, and a Fort Pulaski day-trip 15 minutes away for real Civil War history. This is a low-key barrier-island town — one lighthouse climb and one boat trip cover most of the 'paid activity' budget.
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1Area photo: BakedintheHole / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Tybee Island Light Station & Museum
One of the most complete historic light stations in the country and Tybee's real landmark — 178 spiral steps to a working light with a 360-degree view over the island and Atlantic. The keeper's cottage and small museum next door round it out to a genuine hour-plus stop, not just a photo op.
Watch out: No elevator and no stroller access on the tower stairs — carry littler kids or plan for one adult to wait below. It gets hot inside the tower by midday; go in the morning. Museum grounds are shaded and stroller-friendly even if the tower isn't.
2Area photo: BakedintheHole / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Tybee Island Main Beach + Pier
The default Tybee day — wide sand, a fishing pier and pavilion for shade and bathrooms, and lifeguards on duty in season near the pier. Gentle enough for little kids, with enough space to spread out even on a busy Saturday.
Watch out: Parking lots and metered street spots fill by late morning on summer weekends; go early or use the trolley. Jellyfish show up some summers — ask a lifeguard before letting kids swim if you see warning flags. The north end near the lighthouse is quieter if the pier area feels crowded.
3Area photo: BakedintheHole / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Lazaretto Creek Dolphin / Sunset Cruise
Dolphins are a near-daily sight in the Tybee/Savannah River channel from spring through fall, and a boat out of Lazaretto Creek Marina is a shorter, calmer trip than most coastal dolphin cruises. Evening sailings add a genuinely pretty marsh-grass sunset.
Watch out: Sightings are common but not promised — ask about the operator's recent track record. Afternoon thunderstorms are routine in a Georgia summer and can cancel or shorten trips with little notice. Book the earlier cruise if anyone in the family gets carsick or seasick.
4Area photo: BakedintheHole / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Tybee Island Marine Science Center
A small, hands-on touch-tank and rescue-animal center steps from the beach — the right call on a rainy morning or when the midday sun is too much for little kids. Staff-led talks and a sea turtle rehab exhibit make it more than a gift-shop stop.
Watch out: It's genuinely small — 60–90 minutes covers it, not a half-day plan. Pair it with a beach morning, not with the lighthouse and a boat on the same day. Parking is limited right at the center; expect to walk a block.
5Area photo: BakedintheHole / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)Fort Pulaski National Monument Day-Trip
A 15-minute drive off the island toward Savannah gets you a genuine 19th-century fort with a moat, cannons, and drawbridge that kids can actually climb around and explore — the best history stop within easy reach of Tybee.
Watch out: No shade over most of the fort walls — hats and water in summer are not optional. It's a National Park Service site, so hours and fee policy can shift seasonally; check before you drive over. Combine with a Tybee beach morning, not a full second beach day.
Frequently asked
Is Tybee Island a good day-trip from Savannah, or should we stay overnight?
Both work. A single day covers the lighthouse, the beach, and lunch. Staying overnight lets you add a dolphin cruise and the science center without rushing, and gives you a quieter evening beach walk after the day-trippers leave.
Can toddlers climb the lighthouse?
The 178 steps are narrow and spiral with no elevator, so it's a tough climb for under-5s. Most families split up — one adult climbs with older kids while another stays at the keeper's cottage and museum grounds with the littlest ones.
Do we need reservations for the dolphin cruise?
Yes, especially for evening sunset sailings in summer — those sell out days ahead. Morning cruises are usually easier to book last-minute.
What should we budget for a 3-day Tybee trip?
Plan $300–$550 for a family of 4 doing the lighthouse, one boat cruise, and the science center. Beach days are essentially free beyond parking.
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