Women's Clothing Boutique in Tybee Island, GA

About 18 miles from downtown Savannah, Georgia, Tybee Island is often called “Savanah’s Beach.” Tybee Island has long been known as one of the best on the east coast of the United States. You’ll find over 3 miles of beautiful beaches, gentle waves, sugar sand, and dolphins passing by at all hours of the day.

Unfortunately, you won’t find dogs on Tybee Island’s beaches because no dogs are allowed on them at any time, even during the off-season. Dogs aren’t allowed on Tybee Island’s beautiful beaches because loggerhead turtles nest there. Conservationists worry (and rightly so) that dogs may upset these magnificent creatures or dig up their nests.

The good news is that you’ll find several excellent dog friendly beaches within a few miles of Tybee Island to enjoy with your pup. To help you do exactly that, we’ve listed the top dog friendly beaches near Tybee Island below. If spending a day at the beach with your favorite canine is your goal while visiting Savannah, the info below will be just what you’re looking for!

Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches Near Tybee Island

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Conclusion

It might be distressing to learn that your dog can’t accompany you when you visit Tybee Island, but it makes sense. After all, the island is a haven for loggerhead turtles, and they need to be protected. Lucky for you, there are six beautiful beaches within shouting distance of Tybee Island where dogs are allowed to enjoy the surf and sand. The closest is Little Tybee Island, but you’ll need a boat to get there. The rest are on nearby Hilton Head Island, which is beautiful and well worth visiting.

Whichever beach you choose, be sure to bring plenty of water for your dog. The beaches on Georgia’s coast get hot and sticky and, if you don’t have water, can be overwhelming, especially for dogs with thick coats of fur. Since most of the beaches on our list don’t offer food for sale, bringing treats and poop bags for your dog is also a good idea. Have a fantastic adventure, and enjoy all the dog-friendly beaches near Tybee Island, GA!

Featured Image Credit: sharkolot, Pixabay

Georgia is no ordinary U.S. state when it comes to tourism opportunities. This southeastern destination is known for its coastal environments and mountainous landscapes. For Atlantic Coast travelers, there is plenty to see and do, spanning history, nature, and well-known attractions, ranging from the Dahlonega Gold Museum to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta. The state also has plenty of laid-back communities that encourage slower travel and longer stays. These easygoing towns offer a range of experiences that highlight Georgia’s varied geography, local culture, and regional history.

Dahlonega

Dahlonega, often called “The Gold City,” is a historic town shaped by Georgia’s early gold rush. The Dahlonega Gold Museum, housed in an early nineteenth-century courthouse, preserves regional history through exhibits that include gold nuggets, rare coins, and documents connected to mining life. Visitors can walk through former courtroom spaces and see restored interiors that reflect civic life during the Gold Rush era. At the Consolidated Gold Mine, guided tours lead through preserved underground tunnels where guides explain quartz-vein geology and mining techniques used more than a century ago.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards is a hillside winery known for its European-inspired wines, weekend brunches, and a rustic stone lodge setting overlooking the surrounding foothills. Dining options in town include Shenanigans, an Irish-American pub serving classic fare and draft beers in a relaxed setting. Live music is often part of the experience, making it a popular gathering spot for residents and travelers alike.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a mountain town known for its elevation, forested surroundings, and relaxed pace. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers heritage train excursions that follow the Toccoa River through North Georgia, using restored vintage railcars. These trips typically last several hours and focus on the region’s railroad history, river valleys, and mountain scenery. Nearby Lake Blue Ridge serves as a recreation area with boating, kayaking, and lakeside picnic spaces that draw people seeking time outdoors.

Swan Drive-In Theatre & Diner dates to the 1950s and combines outdoor movie screenings with classic concession-style dining. Food orders can be delivered directly to parked cars during showings, allowing guests to stay in place while watching modern releases. For a more formal meal, Black Sheep Restaurant serves New American dishes in a historic downtown building, offering indoor seating and an outdoor patio that looks onto Main Street.

St. Marys

St. Marys blends coastal history with access to natural areas along Georgia’s southeastern shoreline. The St. Marys Submarine Museum focuses on U.S. naval history, with displays dedicated to submarine service during World War II and later eras. Exhibits include torpedo models, naval artifacts, and a working periscope, along with views of the St. Marys River from the museum’s waterfront location. Nearby, St. Marys Waterfront Park provides shaded walking paths, memorials, playgrounds, and open green space along the river.

Market on the Square is a longtime local shop known for homemade fudge, ice cream, toys, and souvenirs. Many visitors stop in for sweet treats before strolling the surrounding streets. Southern River Walk offers a casual sports bar atmosphere with pool tables, arcade games, and a menu that includes seafood, steaks, and familiar sandwich options, making it a social hub for evenings in town.

Tybee Island

Tybee Island stands out as a coastal destination just east of Savannah. The Tybee Island Light Station & Museum reflects more than two centuries of maritime navigation history. While earlier day-mark towers were ordered during the colonial period, the existing lighthouse structure dates mainly to the nineteenth century. Climbing to the top provides views over the island and nearby waterways. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center offers indoor exhibits focused on coastal ecosystems, with touch tanks, sea turtle education, and hands-on programs related to marine conservation.

Boat tours such as Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure typically last around ninety minutes to two hours and focus on observing dolphins in the surrounding waters. Some trips also pass near Fort Pulaski, offering a different view of the historic site from the river. Dining along the shore includes The Deck Beach Bar and Kitchen, a waterfront restaurant known for casual meals, drinks, and views of the Atlantic.

Ellijay

Ellijay is widely known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia,” drawing visitors during the fall harvest season. The Tabor House Museum explores local history through artifacts connected to nineteenth-century life, including furnishings and exhibits related to the Civil War period. At B.J. Reece Orchards, seasonal activities include apple picking, cider tastings, and a small farm area with animals, making it a popular stop during autumn months.

Outdoor spaces include Harrison Park, a local green space with walking paths and open areas for picnics and community events. Dining options such as The Roof Ellijay provide rooftop seating, pet-friendly policies, and a menu that blends casual fare with regional influences. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a gathering place for residents enjoying evenings downtown.

Madison

Madison is recognized for its preserved architecture and community museums. The Morgan County African American Museum documents local African American history through rotating exhibits, photographs, and educational programs tied to the region’s past. Georgia Safari Conservation Park, located nearby, operates as a drive-through wildlife park where visitors may see animals such as giraffes and rhinos roaming open enclosures, though encounters vary depending on conditions and timing.

The Madison Trolley Company offers guided tours through residential neighborhoods and historic districts, sharing stories about antebellum homes, cotton agriculture, and the Civil War era. Community Roots Market functions as a specialty grocery emphasizing local produce, organic meats, wines, and prepared foods sourced from regional farms and vendors.

Senoia

Senoia is widely known as a filming location for the television series “The Walking Dead,” which has shaped its tourism identity. The Senoia Area Historical Society and Museum presents exhibits on local history, including early land records, period clothing, and community memorabilia that reflect daily life across generations. Water Tower Tours focuses on guided visits to filming locations, combining behind-the-scenes details with explanations of how production impacted the town.

Book Love is a locally owned bookstore offering children’s books, gifts, and light refreshments. Nearby, Bistro Hilary serves French-influenced dishes with a rotating menu that emphasizes seasonal ingredients. Outdoor seating is available during warmer months, adding to the town’s active downtown dining scene.

A Slower Pace of Life

Exploring Georgia through its smaller communities reveals a side of the state shaped by local history, regional food, and varied landscapes. These towns highlight how travel can focus less on speed and more on place, encouraging longer visits and deeper connections. With a mix of cultural sites, outdoor spaces, and long-established local businesses, Georgia offers many ways to experience its heritage and everyday life beyond major cities.

GDOT says several intersections on Tybee rank among the top 10 most dangerous in Chatham County

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. —

The daily drive to and from Tybee Island could soon look very different. The Georgia Department of Transportation is considering shrinking Highway 80 down to a single lane in each direction — a move they say would make the route safer.

On Monday night, the agency revealed where the plan stands and what changes could be coming.

GDOT said several intersections on Tybee rank among the top ten most dangerous in Chatham County, with high numbers of serious injuries and deadly crashes. Leaders insist that lane reductions would calm traffic and cut down on wrecks. But many Tybee residents believe it will do the opposite — slowing traffic to a crawl and creating new problems for commuters, workers and businesses.

Officials say crashes along the corridor continue to rise. According to GDOT, there have been more than 680 wrecks on the stretch of Highway 80 between 2013 and 2024 — one of the main reasons the state is pushing to narrow the road.

“The average increase in travel time only increases about three to 10 minutes on top of the regular travel time,” GDOT project manager Samuel Hunt said.

GDOT presented three updated designs for Highway 80. Hunt said Option 1 is the agency’s preferred approach. That plan includes two lanes heading onto Tybee, one lane heading off the island, a center two-way turn lane, a shared-use path and parallel parking.

“Now you have dedicated space for people to take left-hand turns,” Hunt said. “We do have a fair number of crashes with people hitting each other from the back end, but it also creates a dedicated space for emergency personnel to get off the island."

While some residents said they’re worried the changes will worsen congestion, others argued the current setup is already dangerous.

One business owner expressed concern that traffic backups would keep workers from getting to their jobs:

“All of our employees are coming off the island. They’re not going to come to work. We’re going to lose business by not having enough employees on the island," resident Frank Kelly said.

But another resident said safer crossings and fewer open travel lanes are long overdue.

“We cross Butler every time we go to the beach, and it’s pretty scary. What we have now is not adequate," Melissa Johnson said.

GDOT said it will not move forward with any option unless the city of Tybee Island approves it. City leaders say they’re leaving that decision up to the community.

“We’re elected to represent the people,” Tybee Mayor Brian West said. “If the majority says no, then no — we don’t do it.”

GDOT expects to finalize a design sometime next year.

You can see all three proposed plans — and submit your feedback — here.

People have until Dec. 19 to submit.

Tybee Alliance, a group of property management companies and STVR owners, filed a motion of summary judgement in August 2025, seeking a decision on the claim that Tybee’s STVR ordinance is unenforceable because it violates state codes limiting municipal powers on regulation of residential rental properties.

The motion also asks for a permanent injunction barring the enforcement of the ordinance, preventing any further enforcement of STVRs in their entirety. The City of Tybee Island also filed a motion for summary judgment in November, stating that the defendants are asking for the court to curtail access to information it is entitled to.

The motion hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m., Dec. 18, in Courtroom 4B of the Eugene H. Gadsden Courthouse on 400 W. Oglethorpe Ave.

What is the argument in the lawsuit?

Tybee Alliance argues that the City of Tybee Island is violating two Georgia codes, O.C.G.A. § 36-74-30(b) and O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19. The codes prohibit local governments from requiring registration or conducting inspections of residential rental property unless there is probable cause to believe there has been violations of applicable codes, and prohibits local governments from regulating rent amounts for privately owned residential properties, respectively.

The city introduced STVR regulations in May 2016, with the approval of its first ordinance. It has since been amended 17 times, including most recently, in June 2024, an ordinance further limiting STVRs in residential areas by dissolving STVR permits upon sale or transfer of the properties.

In the amendments since its introduction, Tybee's regulations include requiring annual renewal registration of properties that are not in the R-1, R-1-B or R-2 zones, (STVRs are not allowed in these zones) and submitting an occupational tax certificate to obtain a permit. The regulations also revoke STVR permits if properties aren't rented for at least 60 days the previous year at “full market value."

Tybee Island does not require routine inspections but can conduct complaint-based inspections, random compliance checks, violation follow-up checks and certificate renewal reviews.

In its motion, the City of Tybee Island responds to the claims of Tybee Alliance, saying that their arguments have no basis in Georgia law. The city also states that STVRs, as regulated by Tybee, aren't residential rental properties and aren't subject to the codes that are referenced in the lawsuit.

"Simply put, vacation rentals...are commercial ventures," Tybee states. "Not residential uses implicating state laws concerns about privacy."

The city also says that Georgia law explicitly provides for local government licensing and regulation of vacation rentals and requires that vacation rental owners keep and provide records to local governments for tax purposes, under penalty of misdemeanor. The city also claims that it neither requires registration or investigates property the way Tybee Alliance is implying.

Background on the Tybee Alliance lawsuits

As stated in the most recently filed motion, the City of Tybee Island has long been a vacation destination. The debate between preserving community and catering to the tourism industry has existed since it was renamed Savannah Beach in 1929 as way to draw tourists to the destination. (The community's name returned to Tybee in 1978.) Over the last five or so years, residents in neighborhoods on the island have complained about losing community and loud STVR neighbors.

In an attempt to recover residential neighborhoods on the island, as city councilmember Bill Garbett once put it, the city passed amendments in 2022 to its STVR ordinance, which has existed since 2016. The biggest change occurred in October 2022 when an amendment was approved that banned new rentals in Tybee’s residential neighborhoods, which make up over 80% of the island.

Tybee Alliance filed two lawsuits against the city in October 2022, before the vote to ban new rentals in residential areas, and in November 2022. The first lawsuit sought a declaratory judgment, which clarifies the rights of the parties in a legal dispute, regarding the regulation of STVRs as invalid and unenforceable.

The second lawsuit claimed that the city did not follow local and state rules when it adopted the amendments to the ordinance that year. The Alliance says the city did not state the ordinance in its final form during the second reading and made oral revisions.

Tybee Island filed a motion to dismiss both lawsuits, but Chatham County Superior Court Judge Christopher Middleton rejected both motions.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering the municipalities, and community and cultural programs. You can reach her at DAmbus@gannett.com