Location
Spanish Hammock, the quiet end of Tybee
Spanish Hammock is the Tybee most visitors never see: a quiet residential pocket on the north end of the island, shaded by live oaks, a street or two from Lazaretto Creek and the tidal marsh. No boardwalk crowds, no rental towers — neighbors, herons, and the tide going about its business.
You are close enough to everything. The Crab Shack is practically a neighbor — twenty minutes on foot, two by car. The beach, the lighthouse, and the pier are minutes away, and Savannah's Historic District is about thirty minutes door to door.
Distances
From the front porch
| Place | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Crab Shack | 0.8 mi | 2 min drive / 20 min walk |
| A-J's Dockside Restaurant | 0.8 mi | 2 min drive |
| Lazaretto Creek public boat ramp | ~2 mi | a few min drive |
| Fort Pulaski National Monument | 2.5 mi | 6 min drive |
| North Beach & Tybee Lighthouse | 2.7 mi | 8 min drive |
| Tybee Beach Pier & Pavilion | 4.2 mi | 10 min drive |
| Savannah Historic District | 17 mi | about 30 min |
Local Guide
Food & drink worth the walk
Recommendations from people who actually live with this island, not a listicle. If you want tide charts or a specific tour booked, reach out — that is the kind of thing we enjoy.
The Crab Shack 0.8 mi
Practically a neighbor — twenty minutes on foot, two by car. A Tybee institution: Lowcountry boil, seafood baskets, and an alligator lagoon. Go early or embrace the wait.
A-J's Dockside Restaurant 0.8 mi
Currently closed for renovation — a longtime local favorite for Back River sunset views, worth checking again once it reopens.
Breakfast Club 1.4 mi
Old-school Southern breakfast, done properly. Hearty, classic, worth the line.
Sundae Cafe 4 mi
Frequently called the best kitchen on the island — Southern cuisine, fresh seafood, cozy room. Reserve for dinner.
Bubba Gumbo's 0.9 mi
Marina seafood by the shrimp boats on Lazaretto Creek.
The Deck Beach Bar & Kitchen 3.5 mi
Waterfront with beach access — shrimp rolls, tacos, whatever came in fresh.
Huc-A-Poos Bites & Booze 3 mi
Dive-bar energy, big pizzas, live music. A true local hangout.
Fannie's On the Beach 4.3 mi
Casual beachfront standby near the pier.
North Beach Bar & Grill 2.7 mi
Live music and a casual menu, steps from the quieter north shore.
Zunzibar
The island outpost of the Savannah favorite — coastal small plates, peel-and-eat shrimp, and a serious cocktail list. Golden Hour runs 4–7pm daily.
Pier 16
A block off the beach, with a rooftop deck worth the climb — seafood and burgers over a view of Tybrisa Street.
Sunrise Restaurant
On Butler Ave since 1987. Shrimp grits, plate-sized pancakes, and the island's best claim on a breakfast institution. Mornings only — closes at 2pm.
Sea Wolf Tybee
A funky neighborhood spot on S Campbell Ave — oysters, creative cocktails, gourmet hot dogs, and a menu that keeps changing.
The Window
A tiny walk-up spot for breakfast without the sit-down wait — scratch-made biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls. Grab it and head to the beach.
BG's Seafood Co-op
Dockside seafood market at Tybee Marina — pick up local shrimp and the day's catch to cook back at the house.
Local Guide
Coffee, before anything else
Tybean Coffee Bar
1.6 mi away and the island favorite for coffee and breakfast burritos — the earliest open, at 7am, which matters more on vacation than people admit.
Sand Cat Coffee
Whimsical cat-themed café on 1st Street roasting local PERC beans, with ice cream and pastries from Auspicious Bakery. Outdoor seating.
Mi Vida
Butler Ave spot for acai bowls, smoothies, and a latte people specifically ask for by name. Breakfast and lunch only, closed Tuesdays.
Ripe Ingredients
Sushi, cold-pressed juice, and smoothie bowls on Tybrisa Street — the island's closest thing to a health-food institution. Also closed Tuesdays.
Arries Ice Cream and Loaded Teas
A fun stop near the pier — hand-scooped ice cream, waffle cones, milkshakes, and loaded teas.
Seaside Sweets
Gelato, ice cream, saltwater taffy, and other old-fashioned treats. The Tybee Marsh Mud flavor is a local favorite.
Things To Do
Marsh first, then everything else
Little Tybee Island by kayak
An uninhabited 6,500-acre preserve just south of the island, reachable only by water. Pristine beaches, driftwood, dolphins along the way. North Island Surf & Kayak and Sea Kayak Georgia both run trips — our single most recommended outing.
Tybee Island Light Station
Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse — 178 steps to a view of ocean, river, and island. Often closed Tuesdays.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center
Touch tanks, sea turtles, and guided beach walks. Family favorite; also closed Tuesdays as a rule.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
A Civil War brick fort six minutes from the house, with trails and living history. A solid half-day.
North Beach
The serene end of the shoreline — lighthouse views, cargo ships sliding past, good birding light in the morning.
Dolphin tours & nature charters
Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure runs day and sunset trips; Sundial Charters covers private ecology outings, crabbing, and shark-tooth hunting on the spoil islands.
On the water
Sailing, jet ski rentals, and inshore fishing charters are all bookable on the island — ask us and we will point you to who we would actually call.
Savannah Historic District
About thirty minutes: grand squares, Wormsloe's oak avenue, Bonaventure Cemetery, and dinner worth the drive back in the dark.
Local Guide
Shopping worth a slow lap
Tybrisa Street
The island's main strip for browsing: Beach Bum Boutique for sunglasses and beach finds, The Surfing Goat for beachwear, and T.S. Chu & Co. — a Tybee institution — for everything from sunscreen to pool floats.
Tybee Art Gallery
Work from more than twenty local artists and makers, inside The Shoppes at 1207. Worth a slow lap for something that did not come off a gift-shop rack.
Good to Know
Small things that make the trip easier
- Open containers are allowed on Tybee beaches — a wonderfully laid-back local rule.
- The lighthouse and Marine Science Center are typically closed on Tuesdays; several cafes (Mi Vida, Ripe Ingredients) keep the same day off.
- Tides matter. Marsh kayaking, Little Tybee access, and using our own dock are all much easier at the right tide — check charts or ask us.
- Parking is paid at most beach accesses (kiosk or app). The lighthouse and North Beach lots are often free.
- A car makes exploring easiest, though The Crab Shack and the creek are bike or walking distance.
Timing Your Trip
See what's happening while you're here
Pirate Fest, the Beach Bum Parade, the Seafood Fest — Tybee runs on a real event calendar, and it is worth checking before you land on dates.
See the events calendarBook Direct
Stay where the island is quiet
Book direct and we'll happily point you to the right tide, the right table, and the right beach.
Check availability