By:
Submission
Little Tybee, owned by the state of Georgia, is an uninhabited barrier island lying just to the south of Tybee Island. It is made up of salt marsh interspersed with hardwood hammocks and fronts the Atlantic Ocean with pristine beaches. It is an undisturbed nature preserve with no hotels or other dwellings on the island, but camping is allowed.
The only way to get to Little Tybee is by boat or kayak. Many local charter services on Tybee will take you to tour the island or to camp and kayak rental and tours are available.
Rarities that have been sighted on Little Tybee include: roseate spoonbill, reddish egret, and the curlew sandpiper. Osprey and bald eagles nest on the island. In the winter large numbers of shorebirds gather to rest on its beaches including whimbrels, dowitchers, and piping plovers. Egrets, herons, ibis, and storks are numerous and there are a few nesting spots on the island for these birds. In the summer oystercatchers, Wilson’s plover, and the endangered Least Tern nest on its undisturbed beaches. These birds are easy to see but you are requested to stay away from the posted nesting sites.
The bugs were horrible, totally unprepared for the bugs, next time must have game plan and firewood ,island has been ravaged of any and all firewood, plenty of greenwood but I don't think you're allowed to burn that or break it and kill it, so bring firewood and bring bug protection if you come!
We took a private boat trip to the island. It is truly beautiful. We were the only people on the beach. Found lots of sand dollars. Thank Capt Harv.
We paddled out and camped for the weekend. We parked at the boat launch near fisherman's Walk and used the ParkTYB app to pay for parking while we were gone. You have service on Little Tybee island, so it was not a problem using the app. Make sure you download the tide chart before you go and plan your paddling in and paddling out with the tides. If you paddle against the tide you'll more than triple your travel time. There are protective sandbars that keep the water calm enough to canoe or SUP all the way to the front of Little Tybee Island when it's low tide. At high tide the sand bars are breached and the waves come all the way to shore. Even if it's cool weather take your bug spray, because the gnats are real! also all the stories you've heard about the raccoons being smarter than your college roommate are real too!
Quick paddle to the “boneyard” From alley 3 if going out with the ebbing tide. Sand fleas and biting midges are vicious. I cover up completely from head to toe all year around to avoid sun exposure and insect bites. Best sunrise you will ever witness. Often have the whole island to ourselves when camping. No issues at all with cell reception. Dolphins often feed right off shore. Parking is $3/hour 8 am to 8pm. No charge 8pm to 8am making it $36 for 24 hours.
Little Tybee is unspoiled , natural beautiful beach! Great kayaking and fishing!
