Women's Clothing Boutique Near Me Tybee Island, GA

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Tybee Island is gearing up for tens of thousands of visitors this Memorial Day weekend.

The holiday marks the kickoff of the summer beach season for many, when large crowds start hitting the sand almost every weekend.

This comes a few weeks after the beach community had what city leaders called a chaotic time during Orange Crush.

“It was not like this the other day. You can see people funneling in,” said Michelle Siegert, who is visiting from New Jersey.

The city is preparing for a busy stretch with officials saying last Memorial Day weekend 150,000 people visited Tybee beaches.

“Today is half more than when we first got here. There’s probably 50% more people,” said Tammy McLellan, visiting from Indiana.

To prepare, the island will have extra officers on duty and lifeguards patrolling the beach.

From Friday to Monday, traffic controls will be in effect.

Southbound Traffic on Butler Avenue will not be able to turn left onto 15th Street or Tybrisa Street.

Inlet Avenue will be closed to traffic as needed.

And now as the city prepares for a crowded weekend, another large unpermitted event could be in store for the island later this summer.

Social media posts are advertising an event called “Turnt Island” in conjunction with Orange Crush organizers scheduled on Tybee the weekend before July 4th.

Flyers promoting the event claim it will be the south’s biggest July 4th beach bash with over 10,000 people expected.

During last month’s Orange Crush party, the island’s leaders came under scrutiny after the roads went into gridlock with nearly 20 arrests and more than 300 emergency calls made in one weekend.

In response to the possible July 4th party, Tybee’s mayor said in a statement that the island is aware of the flyers advertising a non-permitted event saying in part....

”We have been in touch with our county and state officials (including GDOT, CEMA, GEMA) who have ensured their assistance if needed. Multiple actions are being taken to stop these public safety activities from disrupting our residents, businesses and visitors.”

Again, the “Turnt Island” event is being promoted by some of the organizers involved in the recent Orange Crush event.

An event several agencies said they could have better prepared for.

Our investigative team poured over many pages of documents about how the city handled preparations for Orange Crush.

Copyright 2023 WTOC. All rights reserved.

Georgia features some of the best beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, featuring around 100 miles of coastline backed by rolling hills and lush, green forests. There are also over a dozen barrier islands and charming coastal towns dotting the coast. If you don’t live near the ocean, you can take a weekend trip and stay at one of the quaint beach motels or spring for a luxury resort. Discover the eight best beaches in Georgia and plan your summer vacation!

1. Tybee Beach Pier and Pavillion

This relaxed and laid-back beach spot features a long fishing pier, a covered pavilion, plenty of amenities, and many activities for all ages. The water is calm, and there are lifeguards on the beach during the summer. When you’re not lounging in the sand or walking along the pier, you can check out the seafood restaurants and bars nearby. There is also a children’s playground, splash pad, restrooms, and covered picnic tables. While the area can get busy and lively, there is enough room for everyone to spread out.

2. Driftwood Beach

Driftwood Beach is on Jekyll Island’s northern end and is famous for its unique beach trees and driftwood. It’s an excellent area to walk along the beach and take pictures at sunset. But if you don’t like crowds, you may want to go earlier. Swimming is allowed, but most people use the area for hiking, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing. Plus, the area around the water is rocky and muddy. But if you like to be immersed in unique nature, Driftwood Beach is a must-see in Georgia.

3. North Beach, Tybee Island

If you’re looking for a relaxing spot without the crowds, check out North Beach on Tybee Island. It’s a family-friendly beach and is excellent for shell collecting. You may also see dolphins swimming and get to watch giant cargo ships. The famous Tybee Island lighthouse is across the street from the beach, and you can visit for a small fee. The beach features restrooms, outdoor showers, and changing rooms. There is also a bar and grill nearby, so you can get a bite after you’re done splashing and sunning.

4. East Beach, St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island is a scenic area known for its salt marshes and perfect sandy beaches, like East Beach. This dog-friendly beach is a great spot for swimming, sunning, and water sports. And it offers a non-crowded area to relax and have a slice of ocean to yourself. The water is pretty shallow and warm near the shore, so it’s a great spot for families. And there are restrooms, showers, and concessions within walking distance. You can ride your bike along the beach and then check out the downtown area on the island. When you’re not splashing in the water, go fishing on the pier. You can also see Fourth of July fireworks from East Beach!

5. Mid Beach, Tybee Island

Tybee Island’s Mid Beach is a mix between the quiet north side beaches and the lively south beaches. There are nearby hotels, restaurants, and bars, but it is a relatively quiet area with calm water during the summer. Boardwalks take you to the sandy beach, where you will find grassy dunes near the water and unique wooden swings to lounge in. Families and friends come here to swim, sun, boogie board, and just take in the beautiful nature.

6. St. Andrews Picnic Area and Beach, Jekyll Island

St. Andrews is a beach park on the southern tip of Jekyll Island. It’s a popular area for its tree-covered picnic area near the East River and Jekyll Sound. The beach is a unique and breathtaking area, where you will see trees, grassy dunes, and Spanish moss. And there is plentiful wildlife for viewing, such as seabirds and breaching dolphins. The water is warm and calm, perfect for families. And the trees along the shore provide shade, so there’s no need to bring an umbrella. Definitely put this on your must-see list.

7. Jekyll Island Oceanview Beach Park

Situated mid-island, Oceanview Beach Park features hard-packed sand, perfect for walking, jogging, and biking. And because it is located near many of the hotels on the island, it’s a favorite spot for early morning strolls with a coffee in hand. The beach offers a perfect view across the Atlantic and is an excellent area to unwind. There are also picnic tables, grills, restrooms, EV charging stations, and showers.

8. Dungeness Beach

Dungeness Beach is on the south shore of Cumberland Island and offers a white-sand beach and tranquility. You must take a ferry ride to get to the island and then walk some distance to get to the beach from the dock. But the peaceful, uncrowded, and unspoiled sandy beach is well worth the effort. If you need a place to walk, lounge, and unwind, check out Dungeness Beach.

Summary of the 8 Best Beaches in Georgia

Share this post on:

About the Author

Niccoy is a professional writer and content creator focusing on nature, wildlife, food, and travel. She graduated Kappa Beta Delta from Florida State College with a business degree before realizing writing was her true passion. She lives in the Triangle area and enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking!

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Tybee leaders are preparing for a busy holiday weekend around the corner.

The main thing on their mind is safety as Tybee Island has had one death and about a dozen ocean rescues this year.

Tybee Fire Chief Jeremy Kendrick says there were six rescues in the area near the jetties just last Thursday alone while what he believes was a field trip taking place. He wants everyone to do what they can to stay safe.

“People just, they start somewhere on the beach where they don’t see the jetties and the rocks and the tide carries them, or they’re swimming in that area and they get caught up in it.”

It will be all hands-on deck for Tybee Fire crews this weekend for the Fourth of July weekend. As safety concerns rise, Chief Kitchens says they are always watching the north and south end of the beach closely. He also wants visitors to be vigilant.

“We just say know your limitations. When swimming, you don’t know these currents out here. Our guards know these currents. The residents that have been here know these currents, but the rip tides are serious and if you can’t recognize it and you get in it, it can be an issue. I don’t advise swimming in the ocean at nighttime. First of all, there’s no guards on duty after that. We can’t see anything,” Chief Jeremy Kendrick said.

Lifeguard Ben Rahimitavar says they typically have 5 to 10 lifeguards on the beach depending on the day. This weekend they will 12 lifeguards working longer shifts to pair with fire rescue.

He encourages visitors and residents who can’t swim to avoid going more than chest level in the water.

“We can’t babysit people, but we can try to help as many people as we can. Knowing your limits, watching out for yourself, knowing don’t go swimming if you can’t swim,” Ben Rahimitavar said.

He says last year on the Fourth of July lifeguards were out until around 7 p.m.

Copyright 2023 WTOC. All rights reserved.

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. —

The city of Tybee Island is preparing for the possibility of another unpermitted event on July 4 weekend.

City leaders discussed the matter during a council meeting Thursday night.

"I know we’ve all heard rumors that there may be an event that is not permitted, a pop-up event, that is being advertised on social media, perhaps on July 4 (weekend)," Mayor Shirley Sessions said.

The event is called "Turnt Island." During Thursday's council meeting, some residents expressed concern about it.

"I know you all are talking about it, but I would love to hear from you guys before, in case it does get out of hand, what you're doing," said resident Jim Simpson. "Last time, we were left wondering what the plan was. There were all these fingers being pointed."

Sessions said they're planning to have an increased presence of first responders on the island July 4 weekend.

"We will have over 100 law enforcement, medical and safety people and staff on Tybee Island all weekend. So they won't be leaving the island or coming on the island, they will be on the island," Sessions said.

Recommended

Video shows response after man is bitten by shark at Hilton Head Island beach

She added they're also working to take legal action against the organizers of the event.

"We've tried to make contact with the names, numbers we have access to. We’d like to give them a letter of cease or desist," Sessions said.

The council also discussed a request for legislation Thursday that would give the city power to declare a local emergency in connection to events that would overwhelm the capacity of city resources.

"It's not just about this upcoming potential event, it's about looking toward the future, next year, because more and more social media plans are being implemented," Sessions said.

One councilmember expressed concern, saying she worries this kind of legislation might give the city too much power. The council ended up tabling a vote on the matter. They're set to discuss it again on June 22.

"The thing with this is, we have to have a unanimous council," Sessions said.

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Millions of dollars have been invested in something that could wash away when a hurricane hits: the dunes on Tybee Island.

When a tropical system approaches the Georgia and South Carolina coast, they become our first line of defense.

On October 8, 2016, Hurricane Mathew bought a seven to 10 foot storm surge to the 19th Street area on Tybee Island. The aftermath was devastating to many locals and businesses that were left nearly two to three feet underwater in the community. Not to mention, it also left the Island with a near $3 million tab for clean-up and rehabilitation.

Following this devastation, a few years ago Tybee Island did decide to take extra safety precautions and rebuild on the island to further protect it from any future tropical systems.

“The breath and length of your beach is your first line of defense, and the dunes are your second line of defense, and they act together. In 2020, the city decided to build some dunes where they don’t typically grow, and to augment dunes that had been damaged in prior storms Mathew, Irma, Maria,” said Alan Robertson, Head of Tybee Resilience Project.

While they may not look like much. The Sand Dunes are stabilized with large polypropylene bags filled with beach-quality sand. So, they can take the weight of the water when these tropical systems are approaching.

“Dunes are sacrificial. Alright, they are to take the storm surge. Which has happened on the south end of the island. So, if we had a dramatic storm surge you might see a dune like this cleaved in half. Ok, perfect that’s what it did. It absorbed that pressure and kept it from going inland. Then, we just come back in to add more sand and repair it.”

For something, designed and created just to be broken,you’d be surprised how much these sand dunes cost.

“To build the dunes and vegetate the dunes, probably a million dollars. Yeah know, Tybee’s budget is 16-18 Million dollars a year. If you lose a season, That’s dramatic. So, the dunes might cost you 5 to 10 percent of what you’re trying to save. Seems like a good deal.”

And the best part about it is. The longer we go without any tropical systems. The stronger these dunes get, each day and each year to further protect us in the future.

Copyright 2023 WTOC. All rights reserved.