Leave the shade of Savannah Lakes RV Resort after breakfast, and—before your coffee mug cools—you can roll your rig onto Tybee Island’s quartz-sparkled sand, 40,000 years of coastal history whispering under every tire tread.
Key Takeaways
• The beach on Tybee Island is only 36 miles, or about an hour’s drive, from Savannah Lakes RV Resort.
• Leave before 9 a.m. to skip traffic on the bridge.
• Big RVs fit in North Beach’s paved lot; park once and ride the free shuttle to other spots.
• Aim to arrive one hour before low tide; that is when the sand is wide and shark teeth show up.
• Cell phones get 4–5 bars on most of the island, but drop near Back River.
• Closed-toe water shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water keep everyone safe.
• Use boardwalks, take only empty shells below the high-tide line, and pack out all trash.
• Watch the tide chart and leave sandbars two hours before high tide so currents do not trap you.
• Quick learning stops: North Beach jetty, lighthouse view, mid-beach shell line, Back River spit, and marsh boardwalk.
• Rinse your RV with fresh water after the trip to wash off salt and sand.
Wondering if a 38-footer fits the beach lot, which low tide uncovers shark teeth, or where to snag a quiet Wi-Fi corner between calls? Stick with us. This quick-read guide maps the door-to-shore logistics, tide timing, and must-see geology stops that turn a simple day trip into a story worth retelling at tonight’s campfire.
Trip Snapshot at a Glance
The odometer barely cracks 36 miles between Savannah Lakes RV Resort in Hardeeville and the North Beach parking lot on Tybee Island. Even with a coffee stop, plan on 45–60 minutes of drive time if you roll out before 9 a.m.; after that, weekend traffic clogs at the narrow Lazaretto Creek Bridge. Cell and data coverage hold four to five LTE bars near North and Mid-Beach, dip to two near Back River, and surge again once you’re back on US-80 heading toward Savannah.
Oversize RV stripes wait in the paved North Beach lot, so a Class A or long-bed truck can tuck in without three-point turns. That prime pavement sits only a rip-rap wall away from the first jetty—perfect for retirees chasing lighthouse views, kids itching to unload sand toys, or remote pros timing a 9 a.m. video call. Aim to arrive about one hour before low tide; the receding water reveals a broad canvas of ripple marks, shell hash, and the occasional glossy shark tooth.
Door-to-Shore Logistics
Slide into I-95 South, merge onto I-16 East, and then take the direct ribbon of US-80 over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge; once your tires touch that span, you won’t turn the wheel again until Tybee’s welcome sign. If younger passengers grow restless while traffic slows near Lazaretto Creek, point out shrimp boats unloading the morning’s catch or challenge kids to count brown pelicans drafting the bridge’s updraft. Staying eastbound keeps the Savannah River to starboard and lands you at the island only one fuel-gauge notch lower than when you left.
Park once, relax twice. The North Beach lot sits just past historic Fort Screven and offers pay-by-plate kiosks, wide aisles, and a gentle asphalt crown that favors quick leveling with a few blocks. From there, a free seasonal shuttle loops south to the pier, swings by the lively Back River kayak launch, and returns to the lighthouse—no need to wrestle the coach through Tybee’s slender residential lanes. Remote workers love the curb-cut benches along the boardwalk for quick laptop sessions, while retirees appreciate the pier pavilion elevator, shaded seating, and clean restrooms a short, level roll away.
Tybee’s Moving Sands—40,000 Years in Four Sentences
Tybee perches on a Pleistocene core nearly 35,000 years old that hides beneath a much younger Holocene veneer only 4,000 years in the making, according to coastal geologists at UGA’s Marine Extension. Wind, waves, and sediments delivered by the Savannah River push the entire island westward a few feet each century, sending dunes on a slow-motion march toward the marsh. Observe the south beach at dawn and again at dusk: its width can shrink and swell by tens of yards between tides—visual proof the shoreline “breathes.” Across Tybee Creek, Little Tybee Island mirrors that same migration, unburdened by roads or seawalls that might pin it in place.
The story isn’t locked in textbooks; every tide turn edits the narrative. Razor-sharp coquina chips, sculpted oyster clusters, and quartz grains from Appalachian mountains wash up, settle, and depart again, teaching geology’s most patient lesson: nothing on a barrier island stays put for long. Even the lighthouse—rebuilt three times since 1736—stands testimony that humans adapt to sand, never the other way around.
Choose-Your-Pace Itineraries
Retirees and snowbirds often prefer the “Stroll & Learn” circuit: enjoy the 9 a.m. breeze on a jetty observation bench, ride the lighthouse elevator for a bird’s-eye sweep of ancient berm ridges at 10:30, and picnic under live oaks near Battery Garland by noon. Every stop offers ramps, benches, and restrooms within a stone’s throw, so no one needs to brave loose sand or steep stairways. A gentle pace lets history buffs linger at the museum displays without feeling rushed.
Young families favor the “Dig, Splash, Discover” loop woven around low tide. Kids sieve shell lag near mid-beach, race sediment-sorting relays, then cool off under lifeguard eyes beside the pier. Ice-cream cones at Seaside Sweets become the final geology trophy before hopping the shuttle back to the RV.
Remote professionals steal a “Work-Life Shore Balance” agenda: a 90-minute geology walk doubles as a step-counter victory, a hammock strung in a Back River nook hosts a Teams call in the shade, and Tybean Coffee fuels an afternoon e-mail sprint before sunset photos oomph the Instagram grid. Reliable cell coverage keeps VPN connections solid even while gulls wheel overhead. By evening, the same boardwalk bench becomes a gallery seat for golden-hour color studies.
Outdoor enthusiasts seeking “Full Nerd Mode” paddle from Alley III an hour before low tide, beach on Little Tybee for sediment photography, and log grain sizes in both millimeters and inches—no permit required if you leave samples in place. A handheld GPS marks each sample station so measurements line up with the tide chart back at camp. The return crossing at slack water finishes the loop with just enough daylight to scribble notes before headlamps are required.
Self-Guided Geology Circuit
Begin at the North Beach jetty where longshore drift piles sand on the up-current side, scours the down-current side, and sketches textbook erosion control in real time. Sketch the crescent-shaped scour pits in a field notebook; quick drawings sharpen observation better than phone snaps.
Next climb the lighthouse overlook to trace subtle, inland-running ridges—ancient shoreline berms frozen in place when sea level stood higher. Move south to the mid-beach swash zone and compare coarse shell fragments high on the face to fine quartz near the water’s edge, a hands-on lesson in wave energy and grain sorting. Swing over to the Back River spit to inspect migrating “tongues” of sand where stubborn sea oats attempt to root, then finish at the marsh boardwalk by Alley III, spotting brown peat outcrops and fiddler crabs aerating the ooze—lively evidence of bioturbation. Challenge yourself to diagram one sedimentary structure at each stop; by day’s end your notebook becomes a personalized field guide.
Timing the Tides and Staying Safe
Before ever shifting into drive, consult the NOAA Tybee Pier tide table and target an arrival about one hour ahead of the day’s first low tide. The exposed intertidal zone widens dramatically then, multiplying both learning and treasure-hunting potential. Remember to retreat from any sandbar at least two hours before the upcoming high tide; creeks that look lazy on your walk out can double their current speeds in minutes during the inbound rush.
Footwear matters as much as time. Closed-toe water shoes thwart oyster-shell cuts, while a simple hand lens and a plastic gift card let you examine and pry tiny fossils without metal tools that might disturb organisms. Keep children and pets within arm’s reach when currents flip direction, and respect wildlife by observing herons, dolphins, and diamondback terrapins at a distance—they have their own tide schedules to keep.
Low-Impact Collecting and Barrier-Island Etiquette
Tybee rewards leave-no-trace explorers. Stay on boardwalks when crossing dunes; those spindly grasses anchor sand against Atlantic gales. Pack snacks in sturdy, reusable containers because sea breezes weaponize flimsy plastic wrappers, sending them straight into the marsh.
If you must pocket a keepsake, choose only empty, uninhabited shells lying below the high-tide wrack line and limit yourself to a fistful per family. Better yet, share your discovery with a neighboring beachgoer; swapping field notes sparks conversation and builds a tiny community of steward-scientists. Remember: photographs and sketches weigh nothing and inspire future travelers more than depleted shell piles ever could.
Gear and RV Prep Checklist
Salt, sun, and sand demand respect. Load a sun kit that covers broad-spectrum SPF, brimmed hats, polarized sunglasses, and a gallon of drinking water per person—coastal humidity disguises dehydration until it hits hard. Year-round bug spray fends off salt-marsh mosquitoes and sneaky no-see-ums, both of which ignore the calendar.
Before crossing the bridge, close roof vents so ocean gusts don’t flip lids skyward. Stow outdoor mats, chairs, and grills in snap-tight bins; sugar-fine sand infiltrates fabrics faster than a tide race. After returning to Savannah Lakes, rinse exterior surfaces, slide seals, and metal trim with fresh water to fight corrosion, then crack windows half an inch while keeping propane off—interior temps in asphalt lots spike fast, straining batteries and refrigerators alike.
Want More Than a Day? Overnight at River’s End
Sometimes one sunset isn’t enough, and that’s where River’s End Campground & RV Park steps in only a few blocks from the beach and fifteen miles from Savannah’s historic squares. More than 100 full-hookup sites, Tybee’s largest pool, two dog parks, and a 24-hour laundry make extending the adventure effortless, especially for families balancing beach gear with sandy socks. Check-in, plug-in, then wander to North Beach for a moonlit stroll that rewinds the entire geology lesson under starshine (details at River’s End Campground).
Downtown Savannah’s cobblestone streets lie a breezy half-hour drive inland, so pairing colonial squares with barrier-island science turns a single overnight into a two-chapter vacation. For remote professionals, on-site Wi-Fi nooks and a quiet TV lounge provide work hubs; for retirees, the fitness center and community pavilion keep social calendars humming even on drizzly coastal days. Families appreciate the heated pool and playground that let kids burn off energy before bedtime.
Tomorrow’s tide will redraw Tybee’s shoreline, but your home base can stay wonderfully constant. Cap off the day with a freshwater rinse at Savannah Lakes RV Resort, upload your shell-hunt photos on our fiber-fast Wi-Fi, and toast new discoveries around the lakeside firepit. Whether you’re planning a longer Lowcountry stay or just need a comfy launchpad for the next coastal exploration, our spacious, full-hookup sites, heated pool, and pet-friendly walking paths are ready when you are. Reserve your spot today and let Savannah Lakes be the steady shore to every barrier-island adventure ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far is Tybee Island from Savannah Lakes RV Resort, and what’s the typical drive time?
A: The resort sits about 36 road miles from Tybee’s North Beach lot, and if you roll out before 9 a.m. the bridge-to-beach hop usually takes 45–60 minutes; later in the day, backups at the Lazaretto Creek Bridge can stretch the drive closer to 90 minutes, so early departure is your friend.
Q: Can I park a large Class A, fifth-wheel, or long-bed truck once I get there?
A: Yes—head straight to the paved North Beach parking area just past Fort Screven, where oversized striped spaces and wide turning aisles comfortably swallow rigs up to 40 feet, plus the lot’s gentle crown makes leveling blocks quick work.
Q: Is there an easy way for seniors or guests with limited mobility to explore the island’s geology?
A: Absolutely; the North Beach boardwalk is ramped, the lighthouse has an elevator to its museum level, and a free seasonal shuttle loops between key stops so you can sight-see, picnic, and restroom-break without trekking through deep sand or climbing steep stairs.
Q: What tide window is best for finding shark teeth or examining sediment layers?
A: Aim to arrive about one hour before low tide, because the ebbing water exposes a wide, freshly washed swath of shell hash, ripple marks, and the occasional glossy tooth, giving you 90–120 minutes of prime scouting before the flood tide erases your canvas.
Q: May my kids collect shells, fossils, or rocks as souvenirs?
A: Tybee follows Georgia’s “handful rule,” which allows visitors to take a small quantity of uninhabited shells or loose fragments found below the high-tide line, but larger quantities, live animals, or any material from dunes and marshes should be admired, photographed, and left in place to protect the ecosystem.
Q: Where can we find restrooms, shaded picnic spots, and lifeguard coverage for a family beach day?
A: The North Beach lot has clean, ADA-accessible restrooms and a shaded picnic grove under live oaks, while lifeguard towers and snack stands concentrate around the pier and mid-beach area, both reachable by a short boardwalk stroll or the island shuttle.
Q: Will I have reliable cell or data service if I need to jump on a video call?
A: Most carriers pull four to five LTE bars on North and Mid-Beach, dip to two near Back River, and then rebound once you’re back on US-80, so remote pros often perch on the boardwalk benches or grab coffeehouse Wi-Fi at Tybean in the village for rock-solid bandwidth.
Q: Can I launch a kayak or paddleboard to explore Little Tybee, and do I need a permit?
A: You can launch free of charge from Alley III on Back River about one hour before low tide for the easiest crossing, and as long as you leave natural materials where you find them, no special permit is required for day-use paddling to Little Tybee.
Q: What essential gear should we pack in the RV for a geology-focused beach outing?
A: Bring closed-toe water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, a gallon of drinking water per person, a hat and polarized shades, a simple hand lens for close-ups, plus a plastic gift card to pry fossils without metal tools; after the trip, rinse your rig with fresh water to banish salt spray before settling back in at Savannah Lakes.
Q: Are pets allowed on Tybee’s beaches during the day trip?
A: Unfortunately, dogs and other pets are prohibited on all Tybee beaches and dunes year-round, so four-legged companions will need to enjoy a climate-controlled rest back at the resort or a local pet-sitting service.
Q: What does parking cost and how do I pay when I arrive?
A: Tybee uses pay-by-plate kiosks that accept credit cards or the Park TYB app; the current rate is $4 per hour or $30 for a full day, and you’ll need to enter your license number rather than display a receipt, which makes topping up from the beach a breeze.
Q: Does the island shuttle accommodate strollers or foldable wheelchairs?
A: Yes, the free North Beach–to-pier shuttle carries lightweight strollers, folding wheelchairs, and beach carts, and the driver will lower a ramp on request so riders of all ages and mobilities can hop on without hassle.
