Things to Do on Tybee Island With Teenagers

Teenagers are the hardest group to plan for on a beach trip. A bucket and a shovel won't do it. A long lunch won't either. They want something to do, something to try, and ideally something that looks good on their phones.

Tybee can deliver that. The island is small, and most of what teens like is a bike ride or a short drive away. This list has nine things we'd actually suggest, not ten for the sake of a round number. If your kids are younger, our guides to Tybee with kids and the calm-water spot at Back River fit better.

We're Dunes Inn & Suites, on Butler Ave, a short walk from South Beach. We're not on the sand. Some of this list is a short walk away, and the rest is a short drive.

1. Surf or boogie board at South Beach

Tybee's waves are not Hawaii. They are small and friendly, which is the point. A teenager who has never stood on a board can get up here without much risk.

North Island Surf & Kayak, at 4C Old Highway 80, rents surfboards, paddleboards and kayaks. It also teaches surf lessons. Rental rates and lesson times change, so check their site before you plan around them.

If you only want to try it, a boogie board is the cheaper start. Swim near a lifeguard tower and watch the flags.

2. Bike the island

Tybee is flat. That makes it a good bike town. Teens get some freedom, and parents don't have to worry about hills or highway traffic.

Tybee Island Bike Rentals rents beach cruisers and e-bikes. They deliver and pick up anywhere on the island for free. You reserve ahead, since it's by reservation only. See tybeebikes.com for what's available.

E-bikes are the crowd-pleaser. A ride from Butler Ave to the north end and back is an easy morning.

3. Paddle toward Little Tybee

Little Tybee is a wild barrier island just across Tybee Creek. You can only get there by boat or kayak. There are no roads, no shops and no crowds.

The crossing is about 1.5 miles and takes around 30 minutes to paddle. That's a real workout for a teen who has been on a screen all week. North Island Surf & Kayak rents the gear, and a guided trip is the safer pick for a first time. Tides and wind matter out there.

Our sister inn has a full write-up: Little Tybee Island at Atlantis Inn. The state's page on Little Tybee covers the island itself.

4. Climb the Tybee Light Station

There are 178 steps to the top of Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse. The tower stands 145 feet. The first tower on the island dates to 1736, and the current one dates to 1867. The lower 60 feet are older, from 1773.

Teens tend to treat the climb as a challenge. The view at the top is the reward: ocean on one side, marsh and river on the other.

The light station is closed on Tuesdays and major holidays. Hours change, so use the official visitor page before you go. Go early in warm months. The stairwell gets hot.

5. Tour Fort Pulaski and the moat

Fort Pulaski sits on Cockspur Island, just before you reach Tybee. For teens, the draw is a story about a weapon.

In April 1862, Union batteries on Tybee Island opened fire on the fort. The new rifled cannon broke through the brick walls in about 30 hours, from roughly a mile away. The fort surrendered. Masonry forts were done as a defense. You can still see the damage at the spot the National Park Service calls the breeched corner.

Walk the walls, look at the moat, and then find the repaired patch in the brick. It makes the history easy to picture. Our Fort Pulaski guide covers the visit. Fees and hours are on the NPS site.

6. Take a dolphin tour

Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure runs boat trips that last 1 to 1.5 hours. The operator says that if you don't see dolphins, you can go again for free.

Teens who say they are too old for a boat ride often change their minds when a dolphin surfaces next to the rail. Bring a jacket, since it's cooler on the water. Schedules vary, so check the operator's site for what's running on your dates.

Our sister property has a closer look: Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure.

7. Hunt for shark teeth at North Beach

This one works well as a contest. Who finds the biggest tooth? Who finds the first one?

The best-known spot is the north end of the island, near the rocks. It's best after a storm and at low tide. Look in the lines of broken shell, and look slowly.

Our full guide to finding shark teeth on Tybee has tide tips and a few guided options.

8. Spend a day in Savannah

Savannah is about 20 to 30 minutes from Tybee. It's a good change of pace if the beach gets old, or if the weather turns.

Teens usually like the squares, the shops on and around River Street, and the food. Rather than outline a whole itinerary here, we'll point you to the Savannah guide from our sister inn: a Savannah day trip from Tybee.

9. Walk out on the pier and pavilion

The Tybee Pier & Pavilion is run by Chatham County Parks. You can walk out over the water, watch people fish, and take in the beach from the end. In season there's live music at the pavilion.

It's easy to fit in at sunset. It's also a good meeting point if your teens want to split off for an hour. For the latest, see the county parks page.

What we left off

We left off a beach bonfire. Open fires on Tybee's beach are not allowed, and that includes a charcoal fire in a grill. The City explains the rules on its beach rules and parking page. Read it before you pack anything for the sand.

We also left off bars with game rooms. They are bars, and they don't suit a list for teens.

A simple way to plan it

If you have three days, try this: surf lesson and pier on day one, Fort Pulaski and the lighthouse on day two, and a dolphin tour or Savannah on day three. Add the bikes on any day. They save a lot of walking, and the shark-teeth hunt fits any morning with a good low tide.

Our amenities page lists what the inn offers, including the saltwater pool for a break between outings. For more ideas, see our things to do page.

Planning your trip? See our rooms and check availability, and we'll see you on Butler Ave.