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Tybee Island: North Beach

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Island is the northernmost barrier island on the Georgia coast. This popular vacation destination offers great birding opportunities. One of the best birding spots is located along the beach at the north end of the island. Parking is recommended in the public lots around Fort Screven. Walk along the beach toward the northern tip of the island.

Specialties

Purple sandpiper, piping plover, northern gannets.

Tips

This is the best place in Georgia to find purple sandpipers. Look for them in winter along the rocks and near the beach at high tide. Tybee is also a prime spot to see northern gannets from shore. Bring a spotting scope and look for northern gannets, gulls and terns flying just offshore. Sandpipers, gulls and terns gather in flocks along the beach at high tide. Do not disturb resting or nesting birds. Large flocks of gulls, terns and shorebirds can often be found roosting at high tide.

Other Wildlife Highlights

Sea turtles nest on Tybee beaches. In late summer, gulf fritillary and dragonfly migrations can be impressive along the beach. Tybee is also a great spot for dolphin watching.

Best Birding Seasons

  SPRING SUMMER FALL WINTER
Gull-like Birds ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Shorebirds ✓   ✓ ✓

Fees

Parking fee. Check the Tybee Island website for information on parking.

Website

https://tybeeisland.com/

eBird Hotspot

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L788729

Address

5000 Wildlife Drive NE
Townsend, GA 31331

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Amenities

Boat Ramp
 
Cabins
 
Camping
 
Dock/Pier
 
Fishing
 
Hunting
 
Nature Center/Museum
 
Picnic
 
Primitive Camping
 
Restrooms
✓
Trails
 
Viewing Platform/Blind
 
Visitor Center/Gift Shop
 
Water Fountains
✓

Trail Sites

  • Fort Pulaski National Monument
  • Tybee Island: North Beach
  • Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center
  • Skidaway Island State Park
  • J.F. Gregory Park
  • Fort McAllister State Park
  • Fort Morris State Historic Site
  • Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
  • Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area
  • Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site
  • St. Simons Island: Gould’s Inlet & East Beach
  • Jekyll Island: North End Beach
  • Jekyll Island: Causeway
  • Jekyll Island: South End Beach
  • Crooked River State Park
  • Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
  • Cumberland Island National Seashore
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