LiznJack

We're going to go to Savannah for a quick New Year's weekend trip. This will be our first time in Savannah and were wondering what is the closest beach to Savannah. We pretty much just want to see the Atlantic and walk on the beach for awhile. We'd appreciate any help. Thanks!

bob_brown

Tybee Island is where Savannah Beach is located. Hopefully you will not be gouged to park there in January.

It is a beach with sand, but for some reason it is not one that thrills my button.

That section of the Georgia coast is protected by barrier islands, so without driving to Brunswick or Hilton Head that is about your best bet.

tovarich

On Tybee island visit and climb up the lighthouse there. There's a museum nearby too.Paul

aileen679

Tybee is about 17-20 miles from the Historic District.

Check this out: http://www.desotobeachhotel.com/

You can park on any of the streets leading from Butler Ave to the beach. Also plan to walk out on the pier. Check out the tide tables and if you can make it for an incoming tide, the waves are much bigger.

It's a small beach, and since you are going to be making the ride, plan to stop off at Fort Pulaski. It's just before you get to Tybee Island. Well worth the stop.

OO

My favorite section of Tybee isn't down by the pier, but further north by the lighthouse. The junky shops are gone...it's nice residential and much prettier, IMHO.

If you look north across the mouth of the Savannah River from this area, you are actually looking at Hilton Head, which is only an hour plus depending on traffic, from Savannah. It's quite close as the crow flies, but a circuitous route driving. When we lived in Savannah we'd very often go to the beach in HH, rather than the closer Tybee. If you want to make this trek, there's a nice public beach off Folly Field Rd in HH.

LiznJack

Thanks for all the good information! We really appreciate it. We'd love to get to HH but probably won't this trip. We just moved to Georgia and now live about three hours (I guess) from Savannah. We're from the west coast and are used to having an ocean around. So, we plan on getting to the Atlantic as often as we can. This trip to Savannah will just be a quick one (mostly to eat and drink) but thought it would be a good time to see the water and walk on the beach.

If anyone can think of any other of their favorite spots or places to eat near the beach we'd appreciate it!

Liz

Giovanna

We were in Savannah last September and spent a day at Tybee. Visited the lighthouse and climbed to the top. We had lunch at the Crab Shack. Very unique place, in some respects kind of tacky, but fun and the food was good. Try the Low Country Boil.

Hope your future visits will be in Savannah itself. Much to see and do there. It's a wonderful city that we hope to visit again sometime soon.

aileen679

The North end of the beach is not, strictly speaking, the ocean. It is more of the mouth of the Savannah River. However, it is interesting, and if the tide is right, you may be able to see some of those huge container ships coming into port. They are really spectacular!!!

One BIG word of warning. If you are down at the South end of the beach at low tide, DO NOT be tempted to walk out onto that big sand bar that's exposed. The tide comes in quickly and you may have a long, long way to swim back. It's posted as dangerous, but it looks soooo safe, that people do walk out on it. Dumb idea!!

LiznJack

Giovanna - thanks for the tip on the Crab Shack. We will be sure to try it. I'm glad to hear you had a good trip to Savannah. This will be our first time and I'm sure we'll be back many more times.

aileen - thanks so much for letting us know about the sand bar. I could easily have seen us getting stuck out there!