6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Tybee Island, GA

Discover the coastal charm of Georgia as you navigate the best places to paddle board in Tybee Island.

Imagine yourself gliding through gentle waves, accompanied by dolphins and picturesque views.

Join us in exploring the top paddle boarding spots on this beautiful island.

Are you ready to embark on this adventure?

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Map

Planning Your Paddle in Tybee Island

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. July is the warmest month, averaging 87 °F.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in Tybee Island

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Tybee Island Back River

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Chatham Avenue Public Dock (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, seabirds, turtles
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Little Tybee Island, beautiful marshes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of boat traffic, avoid nesting areas

At the southern end of Tybee Island, the Back River offers a calm and scenic paddle boarding experience.

Explore the beautiful marshes bordering Little Tybee Island and catch a glimpse of local wildlife as they swim alongside you.

#2 Tybee Island, North Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: North Beach Parking Lot (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate ocean swells, afternoon winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, sea birds, coastal fish
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Tybee Island Light Station, surrounding dunes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution near rocks and jetties, be mindful of swimmers

North Beach on Tybee Island boasts sandy beaches and beautiful views of the iconic Tybee Island Light Station.

The moderately calm ocean swells provide a fun challenge for paddle boarders, while the surrounding dunes add to the picturesque scenery.

#3 Lazaretto Creek

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Tybee Island Marina (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, protected from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, herons, egrets
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Marshes, Cockspur Island Lighthouse
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect private properties

Lazaretto Creek offers a tranquil paddle boarding experience, as its calm waters are sheltered from strong winds.

Paddlers can enjoy the company of dolphins and coastal birds while admiring the historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse.

#4 Wilmington River

Jud McCranie, Wilmington river & Wilmington Island, GA, US, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 4.0

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Butterbean Beach boat ramp (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, protected waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, alligators, wading birds
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Skidaway Island, marshes and inlets
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be alert for alligators, obey boating regulations

Explore the beauty of the Wilmington River, which runs between Tybee Island and Skidaway Island.

This area, flanked by marshes and inlets, provides stunning views and a gentle aquatic environment perfect for a peaceful paddle boarding experience.

#5 Savannah River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Fort Jackson Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate currents, tidal influences
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, turtles, fish, and birds
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Savannah skyline, historic sites, bridges
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, adhere to river regulations

Though slightly further away from Tybee Island, the Savannah River offers a rich historical paddle boarding experience.

Enjoy the urban skyline and historic sites of Savannah, as you navigate the river’s moderate currents and tidal influences.

#6 Ogeechee River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Kings Ferry Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, protected from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Alligators, turtles, fish, and birds
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Forests, marshes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of fast-moving boats and potential alligator encounters

A bit further from Tybee Island, the Ogeechee River offers an immersive paddle boarding experience through forests and marshes.

Observe wildlife as you paddle along the gentle currents, while staying mindful of potential alligator encounters and fast-moving boats.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case