Tybee Island Pier is known as one of the main surfing spots on Tybee Island. Located at 16th Street, the pier is a relatively new addition that attracts surfers looking for a place to ride some waves. This area can be accessed easily, but be prepared for potential parking issues during the summer months. Don’t forget to bring change for the parking meters if you're planning to stay a while.
The surf at Tybee Island Pier can be fun, working well with swells from the southeast, east, and even the east-northeast. It usually handles swell sizes between 3 feet (0.9 meters) and 7 feet (2.1 meters), making it suitable for various skill levels, from beginners to experts. The waves can break both left and right over a sandy bottom, with the best conditions showing up around mid to high tide. Wind coming from the west or northwest can create favorable surfing conditions, while northeast and southwest winds may produce stronger currents. The wave type here includes beach breaks and pier breaks, so you’ll have a mix to choose from.
While Tybee Island Pier can be a fun spot to catch some waves, it's not necessarily a surf destination on its own. Expect the surf crowd to be the busiest on the island, but overall, people here tend to keep it mellow. The best seasons to surf are late summer, early fall, and early spring, with the waves generally offering something for shortboards, funboards, longboards, and fish. Keep an eye out for any miscellaneous sea creatures that might pop up in the lineup!