Tybee Island is Savannah's beach: a barrier island about 18 miles east of downtown with wide Atlantic sand, the historic Tybee Island Light Station, a pier and pavilion, and quiet Back River marsh. Homes range from classic raised beach cottages to newer coastal builds, condos, and marsh-front properties, and many buyers use them as a primary home, a getaway, or a vacation-rental investment. Browse live Tybee listings below and get a local, no-pressure plan from ARC.
Atlantic beachfront Historic lighthouse ~25 to 35 min to Savannah Vacation-rental potential
What is it like to buy a home on Tybee Island, GA?
Tybee Island is a barrier island in Chatham County, about 18 miles east of downtown Savannah, known for wide Atlantic beaches, the historic Tybee Island Light Station, a pier and pavilion, and quiet Back River marsh. Homes range widely, from condominiums and classic raised beach cottages to newer coastal builds and oceanfront homes well over a million dollars, so prices cover a broad span and depend heavily on location and view. Many buyers purchase as a primary home, a second or vacation home, or a short-term-rental investment, though rentals are regulated by the City of Tybee Island and much of the island sits in FEMA flood zones where flood insurance is typically required. You can be in downtown Savannah in about 25 to 35 minutes via US-80. Browse live listings below, then let ARC help you weigh location, flood and insurance costs, and rental rules with a clear plan. Ask ARC for today's numbers.
~18 mi
East of Savannah
Chatham Co.
Barrier island, SCCPSS
25 to 35 min
To downtown Savannah
Wide range
Condos to oceanfront
Want a Tybee Island shortlist built around your budget, view, and rental goals?
Every active Tybee Island listing on the live MLS, updated daily. Filter by price, beds, and property type, and save searches so the right home reaches you first.
Tybee Island is Savannah's beach, and the appeal is easy to feel the moment you cross the marsh on US-80.
The biggest draw is the beach and the setting. Tybee is a barrier island about 18 miles east of downtown Savannah, with wide Atlantic sand, the historic Tybee Island Light Station, a pier and pavilion, and the quiet Back River known for sunsets and boating. It is a small town with a beach-community feel, not a high-rise resort strip.
The homes are part of the charm. You will find classic raised beach cottages, newer coastal builds, condominiums, and marsh-front properties, and prices cover a wide range from condos and smaller cottages to oceanfront homes well over a million dollars. Many buyers purchase as a primary home, a second or vacation home, or a short-term-rental investment. Rentals are a major part of the market but are regulated by the City of Tybee Island, with permitting and limits that have evolved, so always verify the current rules before buying for rental income. Ask ARC for today's numbers.
One more thing every Tybee buyer needs to plan for is water. As a barrier island, much of Tybee sits in FEMA flood zones, flood insurance is typically required, and many homes are built raised on pilings. That materially affects your budget, so it is worth factoring in early. It is a genuine balance of beach lifestyle, character, and investment potential, which is exactly why so many buyers fall for it.
Tybee Island's wide Atlantic beach
Thinking about a move or a beach investment on Tybee? Let's map out your options.
Tybee is a small island, but each part has its own feel and each property type its own trade-offs. A few of the most asked-about:
North Beach & Fort Screven
The historic, quieter north end near the Tybee Island Light Station and the old Fort Screven batteries, with character cottages and a calmer, residential feel.
The South End near the pier
The lively heart of the island near the pier, pavilion, and business district, walkable to restaurants and shops and a popular spot for vacation-rental demand.
Back River
The west side of the island known for sunsets, boating, and dock access, a favorite for buyers who want water on the marsh side and a quieter pace.
Oceanfront & ocean-view homes
Premium properties facing the Atlantic, the high end of the Tybee market, prized for views and rental appeal and priced accordingly. Ask ARC for today's numbers.
Classic raised beach cottages
The signature Tybee home, built up on pilings for flood resilience, full of character and a common fit for primary residents and getaway buyers alike.
Condominiums
A more accessible entry point to island ownership, often lower-maintenance and a frequent choice for second homes and rental investors. Confirm HOA rules and any rental restrictions.
Not sure which part of Tybee fits your budget, view, and plans?
A snapshot of the island itself: the beach, the pier, the dunes, and the small-town coastal character that makes Tybee feel like Savannah's backyard at the ocean.
The Tybee Island pier and pavilionDunes and sea oats on TybeeWelcome to Tybee Island
Want to tour homes near scenes like these on Tybee?
What everyday life actually looks like once you are on the island.
Schools: Tybee Island is served by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). Attendance zones can change, so always confirm the exact school zone for a specific address.
Commute: about 25 to 35 minutes to downtown Savannah, roughly 18 miles away, via US-80, the single causeway road that connects the island to the mainland through the marsh.
Beach & water: wide Atlantic beaches, the pier and pavilion, the Back River for sunsets and boating, salt marsh, and the historic Tybee Island Light Station and Fort Screven on the north end.
Shopping & dining: a walkable cluster of restaurants, shops, and bars near the South End and pier, with everything else in Savannah a short drive away.
Who it suits: beach lovers and boaters, buyers wanting a second or vacation home, short-term-rental investors who do their homework on the city's rules, and year-round residents who want small-town coastal life near Savannah.
Questions about Tybee schools, flood zones, or the drive to Savannah?
No pressure and no guesswork, just four clear steps with a local guide beside you.
1
Set your budget & goals
We talk through price range, monthly payment comfort, beds, and whether this is a primary home, a getaway, or a rental investment, including how flood insurance and rental rules shape your real budget.
2
Get a tuned Tybee Island search
I set up a saved MLS search and instant alerts so the right Tybee homes reach you first, filtered by your part of the island, view, property type, and price.
3
Tour the right homes
We focus on properties that fit your plan, check flood zone and elevation, piling and condition, HOA and any rental restrictions, and skip the ones that don't, so your time is spent well.
4
Offer & close with confidence
I handle offer strategy, inspections, flood and insurance questions, and closing coordination so you move with a clear head and no surprises.
Tybee spans everything from condos to oceanfront, and island ownership has its own rules around flood, insurance, and rentals. ARC helps you buy with a clear head.
Island-buying know-how
Flood zones, elevation, piling construction, wind and flood insurance, and condition all matter more on a barrier island. We help you read them so you do not get surprised after closing.
Rental rules, done right
Short-term rentals are a big part of Tybee but are regulated by the City of Tybee Island. We help you verify current permitting and any limits before you buy for rental income, never after.
Honest market reads
We tell you what a Tybee home is really worth, what to expect on inspections, flood, and insurance, and when to move or wait, no pressure, options first. Ask ARC for today's numbers.
Veteran-owned and local
We are a veteran-owned Savannah and Coastal Georgia team that knows the island well, whether you are a year-round buyer, a getaway buyer, or relocating to the area.
Buy on Tybee Island with a local guide on your side.
Tybee Island prices cover a wide range, from condominiums and smaller cottages to oceanfront homes well over a million dollars, and view, location, and condition drive a lot of the difference. Because it is a beach market with limited inventory, prices move with demand and season. Ask ARC for today's numbers in the specific part of the island and property type you're considering.
Is Tybee Island, GA a good place to live or buy?
Many buyers think so. Tybee is Savannah's beach, a small barrier-island town with wide Atlantic sand, a historic lighthouse, a pier and pavilion, and an easy 25 to 35 minute drive to downtown Savannah. It suits year-round residents, second-home buyers, and rental investors, as long as you plan for flood insurance and verify the city's rental rules.
Can I use a Tybee Island home as a short-term or vacation rental?
Often yes, and vacation rentals are a major part of the Tybee market, but they are regulated by the City of Tybee Island with permitting and limits that have evolved over time. Always verify the current short-term-rental rules and any zoning or sector restrictions for a specific address before buying for rental income. ARC can help you check this early.
Do I need flood insurance on Tybee Island?
Usually yes. As a barrier island, much of Tybee falls in FEMA flood zones where lenders typically require flood insurance, and many homes are built raised on pilings for that reason. Flood and insurance costs materially affect your budget, so always check the FEMA flood map and the elevation for the specific home before you buy.
How far is Tybee Island from Savannah?
Tybee is about 18 miles east of downtown Savannah, roughly a 25 to 35 minute drive via US-80, the single causeway road that crosses the marsh to the island. Traffic can be heavier on busy summer beach days, so plan accordingly.
What types of homes are on Tybee Island?
Tybee has a mix of classic raised beach cottages, newer coastal builds, condominiums, and marsh-front properties, plus premium oceanfront and ocean-view homes. Buyers purchase as primary homes, getaways, and rental investments, so the right property type depends on your budget, goals, and how you plan to use it.
What are the different areas of Tybee Island?
The island has a few distinct parts: North Beach and Fort Screven on the historic, quieter north end near the lighthouse, the mid-island, the South End near the pier and business district, and the Back River on the west side known for sunsets and boating. ARC can help you compare them for your plans.
What schools serve Tybee Island?
Tybee Island is part of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). Attendance zones can change, so always confirm the exact school zone for a specific address before you buy.
No pressure, just a plan
Ready to find your Tybee Island home?
Tell me your budget, timeline, and goals and I'll send matching Tybee Island listings, weigh location, flood, insurance, and rental rules, and tell you straight what to expect, with zero pressure.
