Tide & Seek: A 4-Night Tybee Family Micro-cation Adventure
Seeking a getaway that's equal parts relaxing and unforgettable? This is your sign to head for the coast. Tybee Island's family-friendly charm, breezy pace and endless outdoor fun make it the ultimate backdrop for a summer micro-cation. And in only four nights? Just right.
Whether you're spotting dolphins 🐬, searching for shark teeth or digging into local seafood, Tybee makes it easy to soak up sunshine and memory-making moments. From beach days to eco-adventures, here's how to make the most of your family's summer escape - Tybee style.
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Book Tybee's only beachfront hotel, DeSoto Beach Hotel.
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Point of View - Tybee Cottages
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Dive into The Crab Shack's legendary Lowcountry Seafood Boil.
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Tybee Island, South Beach
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@taryn_annette
Courtesy of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
Gate Arrival
Touching down at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport? Good news - this award-winning airport is a breeze. With a quick exit, friendly signage and easy rental access, you’ll be out the door and beach-bound in under an hour.
Check-In
Whether you prefer hotel comforts or homey vacation rentals, Tybee has it all. Choose from favorites like DeSoto Beach Hotel, Admiral's Inn, Dunes Inn or Beachside Colony Resort, or stretch out in charming cottages and condos from Tybee Vacation Rentals, The Cottage Collection, The Georgianne, Tybee Joy Vacation Rentals, Oceanfront Cottages, or Tybee Cottages. Just to name a few. 🤭
Discover more Tybee Island accommodations here
Afternoon
Let the vacation begin with warm sandy toes and salt air. After check-in, stroll down to North Beach (quiet and scenic) or Mid Beach (relaxing and lively, the best of both worlds) for a calm afternoon of wave watching, shell collecting and easing into "Tybee Time."
Evening
Kick things off with a hearty family-style seafood dinner at The Crab Shack—complete with on-site gator viewing that the kids won't forget. Afterward, head to The Sugar Shack for ice cream, then take a slow walk down the Tybee Pier to catch a classic coastal sunset.
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Make aquatic connections at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
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You'll leap for joy on Tybee Island!
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Memorial Park
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Become a fossil expert with Tybee Shark Teeth Tours.
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Fannie's On the Beach
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Explore Fort Screven by bike.
Learn and explore during a Beach Ecology Trip with Dr. Joe.
Morning
Start your day at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Book a guided beach walk or hands-on eco tour with Dr. Joe, where your crew will learn about sea turtles, tide pools and the island’s delicate ecosystem.
Midday
Hungry? Grab lunch to-go and picnic at Memorial Park, where you’ll also find a playground, basketball court and plenty of shade for a laid-back midday break.
Afternoon
Channel your inner archeologist adventurer with a Tybee Shark Teeth Tour! The Public Tour is perfect for all ages, offering expert tips on spotting ancient shark teeth and marine fossils. For guests with disabilities, the Seek N’ Sift experience ensures a relaxing and inclusive fossil hunt tailored with extra care.
Evening
Keep it casual with dinner at Fannie's on the Beach or Salt Island Fish & Beer—both family-friendly and within walking distance of beachy photo ops. Wind down with a sunset bike ride along Captain's Row (bike rentals from TIMS Bikes or Tybee Island Bike Rentals make it easy).
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Courtesy of Sea Kayak Georgia
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@stingrays_seafood
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Lazaretto Creek marsh
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Tybee Island, North Beach
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Reconnect on the water.
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Capt. Derek provides front row seats to the historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
Morning
It's time to hit the water! Choose a guided kayak tour with Sea Kayak Georgia or Aqua Dawg Kayak Company, both of which offer family-friendly routes through salt marshes and tidal creeks. Look for crabs, native birds and maybe even dolphins as you paddle the Atlantic.
Midday
Refuel at Sting Ray’s Seafood or grab picnic supplies for lunch at the beach or back at your rental. (Bonus points for a shady veranda or oceanfront balcony and lemonade.)
Afternoon
Older kids and teens will love the thrill of a surf lesson or stand-up paddleboard session with East Coast Paddleboarding or Tybee Surf Lessons. Not quite ready for a board? Sandcastle building and shell collecting are always in season. Let the gritty contest begin!
Evening
Book a sunset cruise with Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure (a fantastic team) for a magical evening on the water. Adorable dolphins, salty breeze and glowing skies? Oh, absolutely.
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@nurseshayna
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Tybee Island Museum Battery Garland
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Shopping besties forever!
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@livetheellis
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@emmasmith_photography
Tybee Island Lighthouse
Morning
Rise and shine - it’s lighthouse time! Take on the Tybee Island Lighthouse climb challenge (178 steps to unbeatable views). Afterward, explore the Tybee Museum next door to learn a little island history.
Midday
Wrap up your adventure with a souvenir stop at The Shoppes at 1207: Seaside Sisters for coastal-chic gifts, Kelly & Co. for essential oils and therapeutic goodies and Gallery 80 and Tybee Art Gallery for local artistry.
Island Gypseas is perfect for something fun and funky. And for the cherry on top, be sure to swing by Seaside Sweets for one last scoop of homemade gelato.
Afternoon
Got time before checkout? Plan a final stroll along the beach - collect those last shells, snap a family photo and soak in the breathtaking view. It's the perfect way to end your island escape...for now.
