Beaches Near Savannah
Downtown Savannah has a riverfront, not an ocean beach. Tybee Island is the practical beach trip, about 17.5 road miles away on US-80.
By Savannah Visitor GuideUpdated September 2026
Choose a Tybee beach area rather than searching for a beach within Savannah's Historic District. All main Tybee areas use the same island parking system, but facilities, atmosphere and access differ. Traffic on the single main approach makes travel time variable, particularly on busy weekends.
Tybee beach areas compared
| Area | Good fit for | Facilities and access | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Beach | Lighthouse area and a Fort Pulaski pairing | Beach access and nearby facilities; check the exact lot | Separate the beach plan from lighthouse or museum admission |
| Mid Beach | A beach-first day away from the pier hub | Access points spread through a more residential stretch | Fewer concentrated services than South Beach |
| South Beach | Pier, food nearby and the island's busiest visitor area | Concentrated facilities and parking demand | The signed south-end sandbar is off limits |
| Back River | Sunset orientation and a quieter river setting | Different access points from the ocean side | Do not assume ocean-beach conditions or lifeguard coverage apply |
| Little Tybee | A guided or private boat outing | Boat access only, with no visitor facilities | Needs tide, weather, operator and return planning |
Current parking cost
Tybee currently charges $4 per hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. year-round. A calendar-day pass is $25. Check the city parking page for payment instructions and changed rates. A day pass can cost less than seven paid hours, but only if its terms match where and when you park.
Beach rules and swimming decisions
Current city rules prohibit pets, glass, smoking, litter and disturbance of dune vegetation on the beach. The city also closes the signed south-end sandbar area to entry. For swimming, read the posted flag, check the Ocean Rescue guidance and stay near a lifeguard when staffed. Lifeguard presence varies by place and season; this page cannot determine conditions for a future date.
Mobility access is location-specific
The city identifies Mobi-Mats at three access points and beach wheelchairs available subject to availability. A Mobi-Mat reaches across sand at a named entrance; it is not a claim that every beach area, tide line or nearby business has step-free access. Confirm the current access point and equipment process with the city.
When another coast stop belongs elsewhere
Hilton Head, St. Simons and Jekyll Island are separate destinations with different driving and parking decisions. They do not solve a short Savannah beach break as directly as Tybee. Little Tybee is closer but has no road or public visitor facilities. Keep those options for a trip whose purpose is the coast rather than padding a Savannah itinerary.
Treat Tybee as a separate block
Do not put a fixed-time downtown tour immediately after the beach. US-80 delays can consume the buffer even when the map distance looks modest.
Sources checked
Primary and first-party pages checked September 1, 2026. Recheck a linked source before relying on a changing price, schedule, closure, or rule.
- Visit Tybee: getting here — road distance and US-80 access
- Visit Tybee: beach areas — area facilities and characteristics
- City of Tybee Island parking services — current rates and enforcement hours
- City of Tybee Island beach rules — current rules
- Tybee Island Ocean Rescue — flags and lifeguard guidance
- City of Tybee Island accessibility — Mobi-Mats and beach wheelchairs