Tybee Island Marina is a working waterfront hub on Georgia's coast, offering boat access, dolphin-watching excursions, and a genuine taste of island life.
Tybee Island Marina sits along the Back River on the western edge of Tybee Island, Georgia's easternmost barrier island and the closest beach community to Savannah. The marina has long served as a working hub for the local fishing community, and that heritage is still visible in the weathered boats and gear that line the docks alongside newer recreational craft. The surrounding landscape of tidal creeks and salt marsh is characteristic of the Georgia coast and gives the marina a sense of place that feels genuinely rooted.
Visitors come here primarily for water access. Charter fishing trips targeting redfish, flounder, and speckled trout depart regularly, and dolphin-watching tours have become a reliable draw given the healthy population of bottlenose dolphins that feed and travel through these coastal waterways. Kayak and paddleboard rentals make the marsh accessible to those who want a slower pace and a closer look at the herons, egrets, and fiddler crabs that populate the tidal edges.
The marina also functions as a practical gateway for boaters traveling the Intracoastal Waterway, with fuel, slips, and basic amenities available dockside. The atmosphere is unhurried and unpretentious, more working waterfront than resort marina, which gives it an authenticity that visitors tend to appreciate. Tybee Island Marina is worth a visit for anyone who wants to engage with the Georgia coast on its own terms, beyond the beach.
Visit during the early morning hours when the shrimp boats are heading out and the light on the Back River is at its most striking.
Try a dolphin tour departing from the marina, as bottlenose dolphins are a common and reliable sight in these tidal waters.
Bring sunscreen and polarized sunglasses, since the glare off the water can be intense even on overcast days.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the surrounding salt marsh creeks, which are best navigated around high tide.
Check the local tide charts before planning your visit, as low tide exposes mud flats that can limit some water activities.
Ride a Jet Ski off Tybee Island near Cockspur Island Lighthouse
Rent a pontoon for 2–6 hours and explore Lazaretto Creek
Cruise Tybee Island's coast on a shaded tiki boat with dolphin sightings
Cruise to a secluded sandbar with swim time, music, and a USCG-certified crew
Family-friendly 90-minute tiki cruise with private charter options