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Tybee Island or Hilton Head Island? You wouldn't think there would be a big difference since they are 5 miles apart (by boat), 57 miles by car..  You'll likely prefer one over the other. Not too many like both equally.  Here's some info to help you choose!

TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA

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Tybee is a barrier island of  3-square miles on the very northeast tip of Georgia, just south of the Savannah River.  It is Georgia's most accessible island, a 20-minute drive from Savannah through stunning marsh and over the Intra-Coastal Waterway.  It remains a southern-casual,  family-friendly, quirky beach town, rich in history, culture and coastal cuisine. There's 3,500 year round residents.

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  • Quirky southern small-town community

  • 5 miles of beach with lots of dolphins (particularly on the north end of the island) and seldom crowded.

  • Close to nature feeling

  • Limited casual relaxed nightlife (Tybrisa Street is a favorite!)

  • Limited shopping, no national chains, just locally-owned boutiques and typical souvenir shops.

  • Attractions: Tybee Lighthouse, Fort Screven Museum (in the former gun batteries), Tybee Marine Science Center, and Fort Pulaski (just before Tybee Island),

  • Savannah is 20 minutes away and is a great day trip (take a trolley tour to get perspective.)

  • Size of the island limits number of restaurants but the selection is decent.  Try the North Beach Grill (excellent crab cakes), Sundae Cafe (everything great), The Breakfast Club (catered JFJ Jr. wedding event), Huckapoos (locals hang-out, very casual but great and inexpensive), Sunrise Cafe (southern breakfast fare treasure, best grits ever), and AJ's Dockside.

  • Golf cart friendly (most areas).

  • Acceptable for bicycles, but you'll share the streets.  At least it's flat and it's fun to bike right on the beach.

  • My choice for a truly relaxing vacation.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S. CAROLINA

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Hilton Head Island is a 70-square mile barrier island located 20 miles north of Savannah by air, 39 miles by car. About 40,000 people are year-round residents.  In 2023, it was voted America's favorite beach with lots to see and lots to do!

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  • Upscale, lots of luxury resorts

  • 12 miles of beachs, most noteworthy is Coligny (20 minute walk from Ocean Walk). Coligny has everthing, food, entertainment and shopping.

  • Shopping galore-every chain and lots of boutiques

  • 24 golf courses (if you plan to golf, Hilton Head is for you.  There are no golf courses on or near Tybee.  You'd have to drive to Savannah.

  • Livelier night life and lots of events (Harbor Town in Sea Pines is a must see, although there's a nominal gate fee.)

  • More restaurants, many gourmet and very pricey. Looking for reasonable pricing, try the Sea Shack, Frankie Bones (early bird special), Ruan Thai, Stu's Surfside Subs (near Coligny), Southern Coney (breakfast), Crazy Crab, Salty Dog (in Harbor Town), One Hot Mama's, and Lowcountry Backyard Restaurant. 

  • Miles of bicycle trails.

  • Not particularly southern, more cosmopolitan.

  • Free trolley service up and down the beach from April through Labor Day.

  • Home of Sea Pines (beautiful area) but there's an entrance fee to visit. You can pay to take a tour by horse back!

  • My choice for a fast paced, lots to see and do vacation!

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