Where to Book Your Stay on Tybee Island, Georgia

Escape to Tybee Island in Georgia and enjoy a laid-back vacation on the coast | Courtesy of Bart's Back River Retreat / Expedia

Mark Nayler

7 December 2021

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Rolling sand dunes, swaying palm trees and endless boardwalks characterize this sparsely populated barrier island off the Georgian coast. Go kayaking, cycling or dolphin spotting along the 3mi (5km) coastline, plus make sure you try fresh seafood at the legendary Crab Shack. Here’s our rundown of the best places to book if you’re planning a visit to Tybee Island.

Bright, airy beach house with wraparound porch and garden

Courtesy of Little Tara / Booking.com

Families and groups of friends will enjoy a stay at Little Tara, a pretty timber beach house shaded by century-old palm trees. Situated half a block from the pier and a block from the sand, its airy, white-and-blue lounge opens onto a covered veranda and a shaded garden with a barbecue grill. The three bedrooms – one king, one queen, one twin – have hardwood floors, and open directly onto the first floor porch and let in palm views through sash windows.

Spacious contemporary house, primed for large gatherings

Courtesy of Carpe Beachem / Hotels.com

Sitting handsomely behind a white picket fence, with purple shutters on a pale green facade, Carpe Beachem is a five-bedroom house sleeping up to 15 guests. A spacious first-floor veranda, a garden with barbecue, a cavernous lounge and a billiards room mean you’ll never get on each other’s toes. Five bathrooms ensure there’ll be no morning queues, either. Cook up a feast in the enormous kitchen or walk two minutes to the acclaimed Sting Ray’s Seafood restaurant.

Traditional creekside property with hot tub and private dock

Courtesy of Marsh Mellow / Expedia

Aptly named Marsh Mellow has a private dock on Chimney Creek, a gentle tidal bay in the quiet northern section of Tybee Island. It can accommodate up to eight guests and two dogs across four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Soak up the view of the sloping, grassy yard that stretches down to the waterfront from the veranda – or the outdoor hot tub. Come dusk, sink into the sofas around the ornamental fireplace or sing the Otis Redding classic while sitting on the dock of the bay – three chairs provided.

Three-bedroom seaside home with views across Tybee Creek

Courtesy of Bart's Back River Retreat / Expedia

This elegant coastal retreat boasts three double bedrooms and an open-plan kitchen-living room with balconies overlooking Tybee Creek. All rooms feature Mediterranean blues, pristine whites and nautically inspired paintings – even the three bathrooms celebrate the creekside setting with lighthouse and sailboat wallpaper. There’s a generously sized garden and patio out back, complete with grills and seating for long evenings by the water. Both the beach and pier are a 10-minute walk away.

Quirky, family-friendly rental home, just five minutes from the beach

Courtesy of Barefoot in the Park / Expedia

Lurking behind the understated facade of this renovated 1920s property is a bright, modern interior abounding in eclectic design touches, from wall-mounted fish and whale ornaments to reclaimed wood furniture and cowskin-covered recliners. It sleeps up to eight people across three bedrooms and a sofa bed. Communal spaces comprise an open-plan lounge and kitchen, a screened porch packed with kids’ games and a garden with a grill. It backs onto a public park with a baseball diamond, basketball court and playground.

Desoto Beach Bed & Breakfast, for the ultimate oceanfront getaway

Courtesy of Desoto Beach Bed and Breakfast / Expedia

Separated from the Atlantic by a short boardwalk, this bed and breakfast boasts the only beachfront accommodation on Tybee Island. Characterized by pine wall panels and fittings, most rooms have furnished ocean-view balconies, as well as walk-in showers and access to an outdoor plunge pool. Fuel up on the complimentary breakfast before strolling across the boards for a day on the sand. When you return, shoot some pre-dinner pool in the ocean-view games room.

Beachview Bed & Breakfast, for a pampered retreat

Courtesy of Beachview Bed and Breakfast / Expedia

Stay in one of 13 individually themed suites or the self-contained Love Shack with its own pool and garden at Beachview. Thoughtful touches include foldable chairs, oversize towels and coolie boxes to take to the beach, as well as bikes on which to explore. There’s also a salt spa and treatment center on site for that much-needed vacation massage. Feeling brave? Book the elegant Ocean View double, which is said to be haunted by a – benign – former resident named Ophelia.

Surf Song Bed & Breakfast, for a historic stay

Courtesy of Surf Song Bed and Breakfast / Expedia

Originally built as an officer’s mess in 1900, this storied property revels in original aspects such as a one-piece, coffered tin ceiling, shiny pine floors and coal fireplaces decorated with painted woodwork and Italian tiling. Its five uniquely decorated rooms have access to a wraparound veranda and a garden that used to be a parade ground and shooting range. Load up on complimentary soft drinks and snacks from reception, and take 300 steps to the beach via a private boardwalk.

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