Tybee Pier (Tybee Island)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Tybee Pier is an exposed beach break on the Atlantic side of Tybee Island, with waves breaking in an a-frame pattern and offering both lefts and rights off the pier sandbar. The surf can range from mushy to punchier depending on swell quality, and it is generally most helpful around mid tide and on incoming tides. From a seasonal perspective, conditions are most commonly favored from September through December, with additional winter months sometimes producing surf as well. On the best swell windows (particularly with NE to SE swell directions described by providers), the working range is often cited around roughly 0.5–1.5 meters, with the wave character tending toward soft to mixed rather than steep and hollow. Safety is a central concern at this spot because the pier structure creates physical hazards (including pilings) and the water can hold wildlife and hazards typical for the Georgia coast. Sharks are specifically flagged as a presence around the pier area, and stingrays, jellyfish, and rip currents are also reported. Local guidance emphasizes precautions when entering the water (including shuffling feet to reduce stingray risk) and strict attention to any pier/structure surfing restrictions. Overall, Tybee Pier is best approached as a surf-focused destination with an intermediate tilt, where surfers plan around tide and wind grooming effects. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited and seasonal, so sessions should be organized with appropriate caution and equipment for the conditions.
- Exposed pier-adjacent beach break with a-frame peaks
- Lefts and rights off the pier sandbar
- September through December highlighted as the key surfing window
- Consistent, pier-adjacent surfing with both lefts and rights off the pier sandbar
- Works best around mid tide and is described as favorable from September through December
- Facilities and nearby food/drink are available on/near the pier area
- Exposed beach-break means conditions can be influenced strongly by wind and swell variability
- Moderate to significant safety hazards around the pier structure and in the water (including sharks and stingrays)
- Wind reliability is described as low
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers describe the spot’s wind pattern as largely frontal (seasonally shifting wind systems).
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Directly behind the pier structure if wind is from the north
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand bottom with sandy beach access.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Surf size described as small in one provider summary but medium in the physical profile; overall characterization varies with conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Water is described as chop and can be messy, especially when swell is very large.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach, especially at low tide (most relevant for general water access near the pier).
Through the year
Extremely crowded during summer weekends; quiet during winter months.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest probability of tropical activity in August and September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Generally discouraged directly at the pier due to crowds and the physical hazard of the structure; riders are described as preferring to launch further south.
Possible in the area but the pier is a significant obstacle; foilers are described as preferring cleaner waters further south toward the sandbar.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are described as limited near the pier due to obstacles/conditions.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
Exposed pier-adjacent beach break with a-frame beach peaks. Works both left and right off the pier sandbar, with the pier/structure acting as a notable feature in how waves break.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, E, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Providers indicate the spot performs best around mid tide (incoming tide emphasized).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open Atlantic exposure; the break is described as exposed with limited shelter from coastal wind.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore W, NW, or SW winds which groom the small Atlantic swells.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and closed-out on very large hurricane swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Often described as a consistent but often soft beach break; wave quality can vary with swell and wind.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Often described as soft, though it can become punchier on better set waves.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as mushy to punchy with a mixed character.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Often described as mushy to punchy conditions, with generally slow peels typical of the soft beach-peak character.
- Ride Length
- Short — Mushy rides that occasionally connect on better swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are shorter (mushy rides) but can occasionally link together on better swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) in the full forecast view.
Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–22 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NE38°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2422 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 15–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.2–0.5 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharks
- pier pilings
- rip currents
- stingrays
- jellyfish
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited and seasonal.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergencies; nearest comprehensive medical facility is in Savannah (about 25 minutes away).
Rules of the spot
Surfing is generally prohibited directly under the pier or within a specific distance of the structure for safety. Swimmer zones are strictly enforced during summer. Surfacing rules at the pier/structure are important to follow.
- no surfing under pier
- swimming zones (strictly enforced during summer)
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays
- Park in the large South End lot for easiest access to the pier
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Savannah
- Nearest Town
- Tybee Island
- Nearest Airport
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), about 28 miles from the island.
- Parking
- Large paid parking lot at the South End near the pier.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus service between Savannah and Tybee Island; local island transport is primarily by bicycle or golf cart.
- Access
- Located at 16th Street on Tybee Island, at the eastern end of U.S. Route 80 on the Georgia coast near Savannah.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, vacation rentals, and campsites are available on the island.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and bars are located within walking distance of the pier.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as available at local surf and kayak shops near the beach.
- Gear Storage
- Not specifically confirmed at the spot; regional notes indicate private gear storage is limited though some shops may offer short-term staging for lesson participants.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair is available at local surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Tybee Island balances historic Southern charm with beach culture and offers Atlantic surf experiences plus calmer marsh and inlet conditions for paddling.
Georgia's oldest and tallest lighthouse, with views of the Savannah River and Atlantic.
Historic 19th-century coastal fortification on Cockspur Island just west of Tybee.
Historic Tybee Island Lighthouse (built 1867) and museum.
Famous waterfront dining known for seafood platters and an alligator pond.
Explore salt marshes and Little Tybee Island via kayak or paddleboard.
Educational facility featuring sea turtle exhibits and guided beach walks.
14 miles of beaches for swimming, beachcombing, and shell collecting.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tybee Pier (Tybee Island)?
The best overall months at Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) are September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Tybee Pier (Tybee Island)?
Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) works with N, NE, E, SE winds.
What skill level is Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) suitable for?
Tybee Pier (Tybee Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.