Little Tybee Island
Little Tybee, Williamson, and Cabbage islands are sparkling young jewels on Georgia’s coast, reachable only by boat and open to outdoor recreation. If you can reach these islands, you will be treated to a barrier island in its unspoiled state. On Little Tybee and Williamson islands, shelling, picnicking, nature hiking, bird-watching, and fishing are first-class experiences. Little Tybee, with 6,780 total acres including marsh, is actually more than twice the size of Tybee Island to the north. Its beach is as long as Tybee’s, but its upland is half the size of Tybee’s with only 600 acres. Williamson is a recently emerging island that has evolved from a sand bar. Cabbage Island, located south of Wilmington Island and west of Little Tybee, is mainly marsh with some beachfront.
Little Tybee, owned by the state of Georgia, is an uninhabited barrier island lying just to the south of Tybee Island. It is made up of salt marsh interspersed with hardwood hammocks and fronts the Atlantic Ocean with pristine beaches. It is an undisturbed nature preserve with no hotels or other dwellings on the island, but camping is allowed.
The only way to get to Little Tybee is by boat or kayak. Many local charter services on Tybee will take you to tour the island or to camp and kayak rental and tours are available.
Rarities that have been sighted on Little Tybee include: roseate spoonbill, reddish egret, and the curlew sandpiper. Osprey and bald eagles nest on the island. In the winter large numbers of shorebirds gather to rest on its beaches including whimbrels, dowitchers, and piping plovers. Egrets, herons, ibis, and storks are numerous and there are a few nesting spots on the island for these birds. In the summer oystercatchers, Wilson’s plover, and the endangered Least Tern nest on its undisturbed beaches. These birds are easy to see but you are requested to stay away from the posted nesting sites.
Interested in booking a guided tour? We recommend Tybee Island Charters. Not only do they have a 2-4hr guided tour but they also offer a Sunset Picnic on Little Tybee.
Want to get there yourself? Rent a Kayak and spend the day or the night. Just remember to leave only your footprints and take your trash with you.
Comments
27 Comments
How far is it to canoe or kayak to Tybee Island? And where would we park if we wanted to go camping for the night?
Fishermans Warf or Alley 3 are both good spots. It’s not far at all.
Little Tybee Is. access question(s)…
I see kayaks listed a lot; can you rent a canoe overnight to access camping on Little Tybee Is.
How far of a “paddle” (if you will) from the mainland and closest rental/ferry on Tybee to Little Tybee Is?
Dogs are ok on Little Tybee Is.?
How bad are the mosquitos and no-see-ums on the island this time of year?
The island is “open” despite Covid 19, yes?
Thank you so much Charissa. We are staying on Tybee but planning a quick over night June 2nd or 3rd on LTI.
Yes you can. Check out North Island Surf and Kayak.
Would like to know who to contact on getting to Little Tybee island. What boat and how much will it cost for 3 adults and one 6 year old? How long to you stay? Is it best to make reservations before coming? We will be at Tybee beach July 14 – 21.
Hi Melanie, are you trying to camp or just go for a tour? Sundial Charters does a fantastic Little Tybee Unplugged Nature Tour. More Info Additionally Tybee Island Charters does a 2-4hr guided tour or a full picnic on the beach to watch the sunset.
Where do I rent a boat to take two adults and a dog to little tybee island? How much would that cost?
Hi Angel, here is a link to Tybee Island Marina. They rent boats hourly. Click Here
Hi! This weekend my boyfriend and I plan to go to little tybee and we have our small dog coming with us. We want to camp. Is there a boat that will just take us there or you need to rent one?
Hi Danielle, you can charter a boat or rent kayaks overnight and get there yourself. Sea Kayak Georgia offers a guided camping trip, as well North Island Surf and Kayak has overnight rentals. For boat charter give Crab Creek Charters a try: (912) 658-5158. Or Tybee Island Marina (912) 786-5554
If camping overnight, is there someone to check in with or do you just go at will?
You just go at will.
How do i book transport to Little Tybee for weekend camping, this weekend? (10-20 — 10-22)
Hi, I would suggest contacting one of our Charter Boat companies.
My husband and I are coming next week. Where would we launch our kayaks to get to the islands? We are bringing our own.
Thanks,
Which Island? Little Tybee? You would leave from Alley 3.
Is there dolphin tours in October?
Yes there are Lisa.
We are staying in Tybee in August. Do you know if paddleboarding is allowed on Little Tybee Island? It looks so peaceful and breathtaking.
Hi Stephanie, yes paddleboarding and kayaking are allowed to Little Tybee.
Thank you very much! I am looking forward to our trip there.
I grew up in savannah and we used to call little Tybee pettichew do you have any knowledge of this old name and how to spell it?
Hi Marian, this may be before my time. I can ask a few folks that have been here their whole life for you though.
Petit Chou means “little cabbage” in French. It was probably used to refer to Cabbage Island.
I am interested in a surprise camping trip for my husband on Little Tybee. How do we get our tent and supplies to the island? I tend to travel Not So Light.
Does Little Tybee Island have wild horses?
Hi Esther,
No there are no wild horses on Little Tybee. Cumberland Island is the only Georgia Island with Horses. Here’s a cool Day Trip story from Cumberland Island.