Tybee Island Kayak Tours & Rental

Peaceful marsh scene at Tybee Island, GA.

Excursions by kayak are one of the best ways to experience the nature and landscape of the Georgia coast, as they allow a closer look at the marsh landscape and its wildlife, traveling along creeks that would be difficult to access by larger boat. Tybee Island itself offers many opportunities for kayaking, with sheltered creek and river and estuary locations to paddle in.

From the Savannah River, north of Tybee Island, you can enjoy views of the houses and historic lighthouse of northern Tybee, or of Cockspur Island (with its own little lighthouse) and Fort Pulaski a short distance upriver. Dolphins can often be seen here, and there is an abundance of birdlife.

This is a convenient spot to kayak in, with launch available from near the Tybee Island Marina on Lazaretto Creek. The creek itself cuts Tybee Island off from the rest of the marsh, with paddles to the south end of the island also possible from this location.

To the south of Tybee Island are the sandbars at the mouth of the Tybee Creek and a little further inland is Chimney Creek, both popular places to kayak or paddleboard.

Any of the guided kayak trips below should usually be suitable for beginners. If you have experience of kayaking or paddleboarding and knowledge of the area, you can alternatively rent the necessary equipment and make an unguided excursion of your own.

Alternative nearby destinations for shorter paddles include Little Tybee Island and the Skidaway River and its vicinity. Experienced paddlers may also enjoy a longer excursion to one of the more distant barrier islands of the upper Georgia coast, Wassaw or Ossabaw.

!Please check availability and all details directly with the respective companies when planning your trip. Availability may vary by season, and operators may withdraw or change specific tours or services without notice.

Tybee Island Kayak Rental

Several companies offer rental of both single and tandem kayaks in the Savannah/Tybee Island area. In many cases, delivery to local launch spots is available for an additional fee (reservations for which are often required). Inquire directly for details.

– North Island Surf and Kayak Half-day rental: single kayak $40, tandem $50. Full-day rentals: single kayak $50, tandem $60. Walk-up rentals possible, depending on kayak availability. Call 912-786-4000. More details

– Tybee Jet Ski and Watersports/AquaDawg Kayak Company 4-hour rentals, no fixed start or end time. Single kayaks $45, tandem $58. Call 912-786-8062 or book online. More details

– Moon River Kayak Half-day rentals: single kayaks $40 and tandem $55. Full-day rentals: single kayaks $55, tandem $70. Reservations required, call 912-897-3474. More details

Guided Kayak Tours Of Tybee Island

The picturesque Cockspur Island lighthouse is the focus of most kayaking trips that stay in the waters immediately around Tybee Island. Here you can often see dolphins, pelicans and other bird life; shrimping boats and cargo ships in the Savannah River; and enjoy views of Fort Pulaski and the bay.

These tours will often be suitable for absolute beginners, and most should not require too much physical exertion. In all cases, reservations are required, and availability will depend upon the tides.

Shorter Tours

– Cockspur Lighthouse Kayak Tour, 1hr30. With Tybee Jet Ski and Watersports/AquaDawg Kayak Company. Cockspur Island and north Tybee, from Lazaretto Creek. In tandem kayak: adults $55, children (12 and under) $45. $5 extra for a single kayak. Call 912-786-8062 for reservations or book online. More details

– High Tide Drift Wood Beach Tour, 1hr30. With Tybee Jet Ski and Watersports/AquaDawg Kayak Company. High tide tour of north Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouse, from Lazaretto Creek. Tandem kayak: adults $55, children (12 and under) $45. $5 extra for a single kayak. Call 912-786-8062 for reservations or book online. More details

– John Boy’s Hidden Marsh Tour, 1hr30. With Tybee Jet Ski and Watersports/AquaDawg Kayak Company. High tide tour of a newly-discovered route through the marshes. Tandem kayak: adults $55, children (12 and under) $45. $5 extra for a single kayak. Call 912-786-8062 for reservations or book online. More details

– Tybee Island Kayak Tour, 2hrs-2hrs30. With North Island Surf and Kayak. Kayak tour of Tybee Island’s northern end. $50 per person. Call 912-786-4000 for reservations. More details

Longer Tybee Island Kayak Tours

– Cockspur Lighthouse, 3hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Kayak tour of Cockspur Island and the Savannah River estuary from Lazaretto Creek. $69 per person. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

– Tybee Island – Horse Pen Creek, 3hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Kayak tour of the marshes and waterside community of Horse Pen Creek area. $69 per person. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

– North End of Tybee to Lazaretto Creek, 3hrs. With Sea Kayak Georgia. Adults $65, children (17 and under) $55. Call 912-786-8732 for reservations. More details

– Lazaretto Creek to Tybee Creek, 4hrs. With Sea Kayak Georgia. Tide-dependent tour of Tybee Island’s creeks. Adults $75, children (17 and under) $65. Call 912-786-8732 for reservations. More details

Sunset Kayak Tours

– Evening/Sunset Tour, 2hrs. With Sea Kayak Georgia. Adults $65, children (17 and under) $55. Call 912-786-8732 for reservations. More details

Sunrise and sunset tours are also available to Little Tybee Island and the Skidaway River, sometimes with the additional option of full moon tours to these destinations.

Kayaking Lessons

– Kayaking Instruction, 4hrs. With Savannah Coastal EcoTours. Kayak instruction in the Savannah area suitable for a range of skill levels. $125 per person. Call 404-512-0040 for reservations. More details

More Things To Do Near Tybee Island, GA

– Tybee Island tours
– Fort Pulaski
– Old Fort Jackson
– Savannah events
– Skidaway Island State Park
– Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge