Steeped in history and picture-postcard views, Tybee Island has been one of Georgia’s most popular beach retreats since the late 19th century. You can almost imagine Victorian couples strolling the Tybee Island Pier in top hats and frilly dresses, out for an evening constitutional. These days, visitors come from all over to swim, sunbathe, fish, kayak, birdwatch, fill up on Low Country boil and banana pudding ice cream, and spot bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the whitecaps. Booking one of the beachside bungalow rentals on Tybee puts you within easy biking or walking distance of many attractions, including Georgia’s oldest lighthouse, the North Beach shopping district, and historic military installations like Fort Screven and Fort Pulaski. And with the colonial charms and award-winning food scene of Savannah just a 30-minute drive away, it’s like getting two vacations in one.

Two airports serve the Tybee Island area: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), which is about 30 miles away, and the smaller Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) in neighboring Beaufort County, South Carolina, 52 miles away. Either option will have you checking into your vacation rental in about an hour. You can get by without a car on tiny Tybee, which is easy to explore on foot and on two wheels; golf carts are also available to rent. There’s also a daily shuttle that runs between Tybee Island and the Savannah Visitor Center — convenient for those who want to pair a beach escape with a visit to the city’s historic district, with its picturesque live oaks draped in romantic Spanish moss.

Temperatures on Georgia’s Atlantic Coast tend to be pleasant and mild most of the year, and Tybee Island is at its best in spring and summer, when the mercury creeps up from the low 70s to the high 80s Fahrenheit by midsummer. And this is not a dry heat: expect high humidity and summer rains (August is the region’s wettest month). Be sure to keep up with the news if your trip falls during hurricane season, which runs from June through November. Wintertime highs are usually in the 60s and temperatures can dip as low as 45 overnight, so pack a scarf and sweater for those sunset beach walks. When swimming, be mindful of riptides.

Beaches

Tybee Island has several beach neighborhoods to explore, each with its own vibe. On the bay side, big and bustling North Beach is home to mom ’n’ pop shops and historical sites, while South Beach has more of a downtown feel, with good fishing off the Tybee Pier. On the south end of town, where Tybee Creek meets the sea, you’ll find two less-visited beaches: The relaxed Back River Beach has gorgeous sunset views and dockside dining, while just across the channel lies Little Tybee Island, a pristine nature preserve beloved by birders and accessible only by boat.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Though its thick brick walls were no match for Union artillery, this imposing Civil War-era fortification has been fully restored. Today, visitors come for a dose of history and nature: the verdant paths of the North Pier Trail lead to secluded beaches that make perfect picnic spots.

Tybee Island Light Station and Museum

Standing 145 feet high, this iconic beacon is Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse. It’s 178 steps to the top, where panoramic island views await you.