Tybee Island may be known for its beaches, but the island is also one of the best places near Savannah to experience coastal wildlife. Between the Atlantic Ocean, Back River, salt marshes, tidal creeks, dunes, and nearby Fort Pulaski, visitors have plenty of opportunities to see birds, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life.
A wildlife-focused Tybee trip does not need to be complicated. You can walk North Beach with binoculars, take a dolphin tour, visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, watch for shorebirds near the waterline, or explore nearby marsh habitats around Fort Pulaski.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Tybee gives travelers a strong chance to experience the natural side of Coastal Georgia in a way that goes beyond a traditional beach day.
Bottlenose Dolphins
Dolphins are one of the most popular wildlife experiences on Tybee Island. Bottlenose dolphins are often seen in the waters around the island, especially near the Savannah River, Back River, tidal creeks, and surrounding waterways.
The best way to look for dolphins is on a guided dolphin or eco tour. Local boat tours give visitors a chance to see dolphins from the water while also learning about Tybee’s coastal environment, marshes, and nearby landmarks.
Where to look:
Back River
Savannah River entrance
Waters around Little Tybee Island
Dolphin and eco tour routes
Scenic boat tours from Tybee
Best time to go:
Dolphin tours run seasonally and availability can vary, so check current schedules before planning. Morning and late-afternoon tours can be especially enjoyable because temperatures are often more comfortable and the light is softer.
Responsible viewing tip:
Always choose a reputable tour operator and let the captain maintain a safe distance. Dolphins are wild animals, and the best experiences happen when visitors observe without chasing, feeding, or disturbing them.
Sea Turtles
Tybee Island is part of Georgia’s important sea turtle nesting habitat, especially for loggerhead sea turtles. During nesting season, trained and permitted volunteers with the Tybee Sea Turtle Project monitor the beach for nests and help protect hatchlings.
For most visitors, seeing a sea turtle in the wild is unlikely and should never be expected. The more meaningful experience is understanding how important Tybee’s beaches are to sea turtle conservation and how visitors can help protect the nesting habitat.
Where to learn:
Marked sea turtle nesting areas on the beach during season
Educational signage and conservation materials
Tybee Sea Turtle Project updates when available
Best season:
Sea turtle nesting activity generally begins in late spring and continues through summer, with hatching extending into early fall. If you visit during this time, you may see marked nesting areas on the beach, but nests should always be viewed from a distance.
How to help protect sea turtles:
Keep lights off or shielded at night during nesting season
Do not use flashlights or flash photography near nesting areas
Fill in beach holes before leaving
Knock down sandcastles before dark
Take all trash with you
Stay away from marked nests
Never touch a turtle, hatchling, or nest
Why it matters:
Sea turtles are part of what makes Tybee’s beach ecosystem so important. A responsible beach visit helps protect the same coastline travelers come to enjoy.
Shorebirds and Migratory Birds
Birdwatching is one of Tybee Island’s best year-round wildlife experiences, and fall is an especially good time to pay attention to the skies, shoreline, and marshes. Migratory birds move through the Georgia coast during seasonal transitions, making October and the cooler months especially appealing for birders and nature-focused travelers.
North Beach is one of the easiest places to start. Visit Tybee highlights North Beach as a strong birding area, with opportunities to see species such as Northern Gannets, Purple Sandpipers, American Oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, Red Knots, and gulls depending on season and conditions.
Where to look:
North Beach
North Beach Birding Trail
Back River
Tidal marshes
Beachfront near dunes and jetties
Nearby Fort Pulaski
Best time to go:
Early morning is often best for birdwatching because beaches are quieter and birds may be more active. Low tide can also create better feeding opportunities for shorebirds.
Responsible viewing tip:
Give birds space, especially when they are resting, nesting, or feeding. If birds move away from you, call loudly, or take flight, you are too close.
Marsh Wildlife
Tybee’s salt marshes are full of life, even when visitors do not notice it right away. The marsh ecosystem supports fish, crabs, oysters, birds, turtles, and many smaller species that form the foundation of coastal wildlife.
The best way to experience the marsh is by slowing down. Walk near Back River, take a kayak or eco tour, or visit areas around Fort Pulaski where marsh views are easy to access.
Wildlife you may see:
Egrets
Herons
Ospreys
Brown pelicans
Fiddler crabs
Diamondback terrapins
Fish and other tidal creek life
Occasional dolphins in nearby waterways
Where to look:
Back River
Tidal creeks
Marsh edges
Kayak tour routes
Fort Pulaski natural areas
Best season:
Marsh wildlife can be seen year-round, but cooler months make walking, paddling, and birdwatching more comfortable. Fall and winter are especially good for visitors who want a quieter nature experience without peak summer crowds.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center
The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is one of the best places to begin a wildlife-focused visit. The center helps visitors understand the animals, habitats, and conservation work that shape Tybee’s coastal environment.
This is especially helpful for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants more context before exploring the beaches and marshes. Exhibits and programs may include marine life, sea turtle education, coastal ecology, beach walks, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Why it is worth visiting:
It explains Tybee’s coastal ecosystem
It helps visitors understand sea turtle conservation
It is family-friendly and educational
It adds context before beach walks, dolphin tours, or birdwatching
It is a good option when the weather is cooler or less beach-focused
Visitor tip:
Check current hours and program availability before you go, especially outside peak travel periods.
North Beach
North Beach is one of the best wildlife-watching areas on Tybee Island because it combines beach access, birding, dolphin spotting possibilities, and proximity to the Tybee Island Light Station and Marine Science Center.
This area is especially appealing for visitors who want a low-effort nature experience. You can walk the shoreline, watch for birds, look for shells, visit nearby attractions, and spend time by the water without needing a full tour.
What you may see:
Shorebirds
Seabirds
Pelicans
Gulls
Possible dolphins offshore
Seasonal sea turtle nesting areas
Beach and dune wildlife
Best for:
Birdwatching
Morning beach walks
Families
First-time visitors
Photography
Local tip:
Bring binoculars if you have them. Even a short walk can become more interesting when you can see birds and boats more clearly.
Back River and the Tidal Marshes
Back River is one of Tybee’s most scenic natural areas and a great place to experience the quieter side of the island. The water, marsh edges, and views toward Little Tybee Island make it a strong area for sunsets, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Visitors may spot dolphins, birds, crabs, and other coastal wildlife depending on the season, tide, and time of day. The Back River area is also a good reminder that Tybee is more than an oceanfront beach destination. Its marshes and waterways are just as important to the island’s identity.
Best for:
Kayaking
Paddleboarding
Dolphin spotting
Birdwatching
Sunset walks
Quiet nature views
Local tip:
Pay attention to tides if you are paddling or exploring near the water. Guided tours are a smart choice for visitors who are not familiar with tidal creeks and marsh conditions.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument is best known for its military history, but it is also a strong wildlife and nature stop near Tybee Island. The park protects large areas of salt marsh, maritime forest, and coastal habitat between Savannah and Tybee.
The National Park Service notes that Fort Pulaski supports a wide range of wildlife, including birds, deer, alligators, raccoons, coyotes, snakes, turtles, and aquatic species. Birdwatching is especially strong here, with the park supporting hundreds of bird species across its diverse habitats.
What you may see:
Shorebirds
Wading birds
Waterfowl
Songbirds
Turtles
Marsh wildlife
Occasional alligators in appropriate habitat
Best for:
Birdwatching
Families
History plus nature
Wildlife photography
A Savannah-to-Tybee day trip
Local tip:
Pair Fort Pulaski with a Tybee beach day or lighthouse visit. It is an easy stop between Savannah and the island.
Best Times of Year for Wildlife Watching on Tybee
Tybee offers wildlife viewing year-round, but different seasons bring different experiences.
Spring:
Good for bird activity, warmer weather, and the start of sea turtle nesting season.
Summer:
Best for classic beach trips, dolphin tours, and sea turtle conservation awareness, though heat and crowds can be higher.
Fall:
A great time for bird migration, cooler beach walks, dolphin tours when available, and quieter outdoor exploring. October is especially good for travelers who want nature without peak summer intensity.
Winter:
A peaceful time for birdwatching, beach walks, Fort Pulaski visits, and quiet coastal scenery.
No matter when you visit, keep expectations flexible. Wildlife follows its own schedule.
Responsible Wildlife Viewing Tips
Tybee’s wildlife is part of what makes the island special, and visitors play an important role in protecting it.
Follow these simple guidelines:
Keep a respectful distance from all wildlife
Never feed dolphins, birds, turtles, or other animals
Stay off dunes and protected nesting areas
Keep dogs leashed where required and away from wildlife
Take all trash with you
Use red or turtle-safe lighting near the beach during nesting season
Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles before leaving the beach
Follow posted signs and local guidelines
Choose responsible tour operators
The goal is simple: enjoy the wildlife without changing its behavior or damaging its habitat.
How to Plan a Wildlife-Focused Tybee Day
A simple wildlife-focused day on Tybee could look like this:
Morning:
Start at North Beach for birdwatching and a quiet beach walk.
Late morning:
Visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center to learn more about local marine life, sea turtles, and coastal habitats.
Afternoon:
Take a dolphin or eco tour, or explore Back River by kayak or paddleboard.
Late afternoon:
Stop by Fort Pulaski on the way back toward Savannah, or save it for a separate half-day outing.
Evening:
Return to Tybee for dinner and a sunset walk near Back River.
This kind of itinerary gives you a mix of education, wildlife watching, beach time, and coastal scenery without overpacking the day.
Stay Near Tybee’s Wildlife Experiences with Southern Belle
A wildlife-focused Tybee trip is easiest when you stay close to the beach, marshes, and waterways you want to explore.
With Southern Belle Vacation Rentals, you can choose professionally managed homes in Tybee Island and Savannah. A Tybee stay puts you close to North Beach, Back River, dolphin tours, the Marine Science Center, and the island’s quieter natural areas. A Savannah stay gives you easy access to Tybee while keeping you close to the Historic District, restaurants, museums, and nightlife.
Browse Tybee Island vacation rentals, explore Savannah vacation rentals, or visit the full Southern Belle Vacation Rentals website to find the right home base for your Coastal Georgia trip.
Experience Tybee’s Wild Side
Tybee Island is more than a beach destination. It is a place where the ocean, river, marsh, dunes, and nearby protected areas create a rich coastal wildlife experience.
You may see dolphins from the water, shorebirds along North Beach, sea turtle nesting areas in season, marsh birds near Back River, or wildlife at nearby Fort Pulaski. You may also leave with a better understanding of how fragile and important these coastal habitats are.
For travelers who want nature, wildlife, and beach time in one easy trip, Tybee Island is one of the best places near Savannah to explore.