What to Do at South Beach When Tybee Turns Cool

Most people picture Tybee in July. Sun, sand, a cooler on wheels. Then the cold front comes through and the beach goes quiet.

That quiet is the point. South Beach in the cool months has room to walk, a pier with no line, and a strip of restaurants that you can reach without starting the car. This list covers eight things worth doing, all within a short walk of Tybrisa Street. Nothing here needs a swimsuit.

A note on the cold. The water is not swimming water in the cool months. NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Savannah put a December day at a high of about 64°F and a low of about 43°F. That is jacket weather, and good weather for walking.

1. Walk the pier

The Tybee Pier and Pavilion is free and open to the public, and the pier stays open until 11 PM. In summer it fills up. In the cool months you can walk to the end and stand at the rail with only a few other people.

Go at the end of the day, when the light turns low and gold. Wind off the water bites, so bring a layer you didn't think you needed. For more on what the pier and pavilion offer, read our local's guide to the pier and pavilion.

2. Take a long beach walk

This is the best thing South Beach does in the cool months, and it costs nothing. The sand is firm and the crowd is gone. You can walk for an hour and hear mostly wind and gulls.

Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet, since the tide decides how much sand you get. Look up the tide chart before you go. A low tide gives you the widest beach.

3. Hunt for shells at low tide

Low tide is when the beach gives things up. Shells wash in and sit in the wet sand, and in the cool months you have the pick of them with no one else bending over beside you.

Keep your expectations about the right size. South Beach is a shell-and-sand-dollar stroll, not a trophy hunt. If shark teeth are what you want, those are a North Beach game, and the Back River side is the calmer spot for shelling.

4. Sit under the pavilion

The pavilion is part of the free public pier complex. It gives you a roof and a bench with a view of the water. On a gray day that is a fine way to spend twenty minutes with a hot drink in your hands.

It is also good for people who want the beach without the sand. Bring a book. Watch the waves come in.

5. Watch the sunset over the Back River

South Beach faces the Atlantic, so the sun does not set over the ocean here. The west side of the island is the sunset side, along the Back River. From the south end it is a short bike ride or walk.

The sky puts on a better show when it's cool and clear. Go a little before sunset and stay till the color fades. Dress warmer than you think you need to, because the air drops fast once the sun is down.

6. Walk the Tybrisa Street strip

The street is the hub of South Beach, and it is where Sea and Breeze sits. In the cool months it slows down, which makes it easier to look around.

Nickie's, Farace's Finest, Windrose, and The Surfing Goat are all near the pier on the south end. Each has its own pace in the off season. Hours shift with the season, so check each venue's own page before you go. Our block-by-block guide to Tybrisa Street goes through the strip in order.

7. Warm up with a hot drink or a meal

A cold walk deserves a warm finish. The restaurants on the south end are within a few blocks of the pier. Pick one, order something hot, and take your time.

We don't serve breakfast at the hotel, so mornings mean a short walk. Our guide to breakfast near the Tybee pier lists places to start.

If you want a night out after dinner, the Post Theater is on the north side of the island, about 2 miles away. That is a short drive, not a walk. Our Tybee Post Theater spotlight has the details.

8. Fish from the pier

Fishing is a quiet cool-season habit on Tybee. The pier is open for fishing from 6 AM to 11 PM. You need a Georgia fishing license, and a Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit as well. Read the full rundown in our guide to fishing on Tybee Island.

Dress in layers and bring a thermos. Even if you catch nothing, the pier is a pleasant place to stand for an hour.

Look for dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins live in these waters all year, so they are not only a summer sight. If you want to go looking, Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure runs trips of 1 to 1.5 hours. If you see no dolphins, the second trip is free. Check its site for the current schedule, since the dock is on the west side of the island and needs a short drive.

Our Captain Derek's spotlight tells you more about what a trip is like.

People-watch the winter surf

This one needs no plan. Pull a chair or a bench toward the water and watch. The surf looks different in the cool months. The waves run gray and steady, and the sky does most of the work.

It is a fine way to end a day, and it gives you an excuse to sit still.

More ideas

The lighthouse and North Beach are about 2.4 miles from Tybrisa Street, so they aren't on this walking list. If you want a broader list of free options, see our free things to do on Tybee Island and 8 things to do near the Tybee pier.

For a wider cool-season plan, see our sister hotel Admiral's Inn.

Where to stay

Sea and Breeze is at 16 Tybrisa Street, steps from South Beach. The pier and most of the restaurants are a few blocks or less away. Parking is free on site, one car per room, so you can leave the car and walk.

The rooms don't have ocean views. What you get is a short walk to the water and the pier.

Planning your trip? Check availability and see what the cool months look like from Tybrisa Street. For air conditions before you pack, check the National Weather Service forecast.