Tybee Island or Jeckyll Island? Thoughts or comparisons?

[gdsterrett]

We have been to Jeckyll 3 or 4 times for about a month at a time. We are considering going to Tybee for a month this year. Just wondering if anyone has been to both for comparison.

[mgirardo]

Dtaylor wrote:
If you like BBQ, you have to eat on St Simon. Cant recall the name at the moment but it is on the traffic circle on St Simon.

It's called Southern Soul.

-Michael

[Dtaylor]

I have stayed at both. Tybee, depending on the size of your rig, you have to choose your site carefully as some are very tight. So tight you may not be able to open your awning. Most of those are the inner sites in front of the office. It is a small campground. Many of the sites border a busy street with no buffer between your campsite and the road. If you have small children this might be an issue. Savannah does have a lot to offer, both food and sites. If you really want to go to the Savannah area, check out Skidaway.
Jekyll is a larger campground. Some of the roads can be a little tight but easily maneuverable. The trees, which are nice to look at, but completely shade the campground. There is a build-up of leaves on the campground floor. No grass because of the shade. If you like to bike, the island has 25 miles of bike trails, most are paved. There is a historic district on the island that is kinda cool. There is a lot to do in the area and the surrounding islands. If you like BBQ, you have to eat on St Simon. Cant recall the name at the moment but it is on the traffic circle on St Simon. If on a budget, Jekyll is lessor of the two

[Steve_B_]

I can only speak to Tybee. I've walked through the campground there and it seemed ok. Tin Can Tourists are now having a rally there each winter. I have friends that rent a condo there every winter, for the last 8 years at least. It is laid back, quiet and some good restaurants. Seems like a nice place to spend the winter, just not as warm as further south. Lots of sun, and good beach walking. Savannah is great, many nice restaurants, places to see, shop and antiquing.

[LindsayRichards]

We loved Tybee Island. There are also some very nice historical sites in the area as well as a great Fort tour. The Breakfast Club is also very nice.

[Dandy_Dan]

Don't know if they still have it at Tybee, but when we were there they have a shuttle service from one of the local Trolleys in Savannah come out to the campground and will take you into Savannah and drop you off at the Trolley. Tickets for all day can be had from the campground office. The Crab Shack is a neat place to eat. It west of Tybee a couple of miles. The only downside of Tybee was that it didn't matter where you went you better have a parking pass. Other than that we had a great time. Good Luck in your choice and Happy Camping.

[SkipnPatty]

We are probably the minority here. We love Tybee. Every chance we can we head there. We like going towards the end of Sept. The sites are not bad, water good, wi-fi better than most, great pool, great work campers. What we love about it is the closeness to Tybee. We park the rig and truck and bike everywhere. We have spent a week there and never started the truck. A lot of places to eat, drink and watch the sunsets. Water is nice, dolphin watching from the beach, great beach to walk. If you are all about sitting under your awning and watching the world go by, it can get busy next to the street and some of the traffic on the weekends. Short drive to Savannah for a day trip.

[mgirardo]

Although I've never stayed at River's End Campground, I was a little surprised by its location. As Chuggs said, it is right there "nestled" between a neighborhood and a sanitation facility. The sites we saw from the street seemed pretty tight. It was not the type of place we'd like to stay at.

We love Jekyll Island, but don't care for the campground. We stayed there once and wouldn't do it again. The no-see ums are ever present at Jekyll Island Campground, except during the heat of the summer. We live 20 minutes from Jekyll and go often with our Motorhome, but just stay for the day. We setup camp in one of the parking areas along the beach or at St. Andrew's Sound. Clam Creek is a great place to go too, but taking a larger motorhome there can be problematic. The trees hang low along the road to Clam Creek.

If you prefer a state park feel and lots of wildlife then Jekyll is the place to go. The deer will let you get almost close enough to pet them. There are alligators and birds galore. More often than not you can watch dolphins chase their dinner. We've seen all sorts of sea life in the rivers, creeks and ocean.

If you want to see the sites and eat out a lot, then Tybee with Savannah a short drive away is probably a better fit. There are several forts near by and they are all great. We've been to Old Fort Jackson and Fort Pulaski and were fortunate enough to get guided tours at both.

You can get the state park and still be close to Savannah by staying at Skid-away Island State Park. We love Skid-away Island and now they have a handful of Full Hook-up sites that make it even more attractive for longer term stays. It's about as far from Savannah as Tybee Island is and is in a quieter area, but not far from all the sites.

-Michael

[NanciL]

I wouldn't go to either.
The color of the ocean water is terrible compared to the beaches much farther south or north.
All the estuaries draining out taint it a brownish color and the water is not clear.

Jack L

[chuggs]

Tybee doesn't have the dense tree canopy. The sites, IIRC, are first come, first serve...some sites are a bit uneven, have some roots and a few trees which may interfere with slideouts. Park is wedged between a neighborhood and a sanitation facility. Short walk to the beach. Lighthouse. Fort. Good seafood on the Island with beautiful sunsets sitting out on the dock. They have a swimming pool and a screened in community shelter...great for football games. Fills up on weekends.

I don't know what to say...it's got good and bad like every park. I kinda like the community feel of Jekyll, bike paths, walking the dogs in the morning down to clam creek... If I were going for more than a couple of weeks...I think I would go to Jekyll...but Tybee would be a nice change of pace...especially if you like eclectic seafood restaurants.

[spoon059]

I have not... but I can recommend the BREAKFAST CLUB on Tybee Island. We stayed on Tybee a couple years ago, very cute little beach town. We generally stay closer to Savannah when we are down there now. But... we always make a trip to the Breakfast Club when we are down there.