Wilmington Island Or Tybee: Which Fits You?

Torn between quiet, residential island life and a true beach town vibe? You are not alone. Many buyers look at Wilmington Island and Tybee Island for their coastal lifestyle, boating, and proximity to Savannah, and each offers a very different feel. In this guide, you will compare lifestyle, boating and beach access, commute patterns, flood and insurance considerations, rental rules, and practical checks so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Wilmington vs Tybee at a glance

• Wilmington Island: Quieter, year-round neighborhoods, easy access to mainland services and schools, and excellent inshore and Intracoastal Waterway boating. Generally more sheltered from direct ocean exposure.
• Tybee Island: Lively beach town with seasonal visitor energy, direct Atlantic access for surf and offshore boating, and higher exposure to coastal storm surge. Strong short-term rental activity subject to municipal rules.

Weekend lifestyle and vibe

Wilmington Island: Residential rhythm

You will find a calmer, neighborhood-focused pace with local parks, small marinas, and family-oriented restaurants. Even in peak season, traffic typically reflects normal commuter patterns. The feel is more “suburban island,” with a steady year-round community.

Tybee Island: Beach town energy

Tybee runs on a tourism-driven rhythm, especially spring through fall, with busier nights and weekends. You have public beaches, pier fishing, beachfront dining, and frequent events that draw visitors. Expect seasonal crowds and a livelier nightlife near the waterfront.

Boating and beach access

Wilmington Island: Protected waters and ICW

From Wilmington Island you can access the Wilmington River and protected channels that connect to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Savannah River. It is a strong fit for inshore fishing, river cruising, and protected sailing. You will drive to reach ocean beaches, with Tybee only a short trip away.

Tybee Island: Surf and offshore access

Tybee offers direct Atlantic access from island marinas and ramps, which shortens the run to surf and offshore fishing grounds. The ocean-facing setting comes with stronger currents and more exposed conditions. Public beaches with seasonal lifeguards make ocean days simple and accessible.

Commute and connectivity

Drive patterns and seasonal traffic

Wilmington Island usually offers shorter drives to mainland services and hospitals and is less affected by tourism surges. Tybee connects to Savannah via the main causeway, where weekend and in-season events can slow traffic. Both areas are car dependent and see predictable rush-hour patterns, with Tybee experiencing heavier seasonal congestion at access points and parking areas.

Transit and daily logistics

Chatham Area Transit serves parts of the region, but service is limited compared to larger urban systems. Plan on driving for most errands and commutes in both locations. If a consistent commute to downtown Savannah matters, Wilmington Island’s location often feels simpler.

Owning on each island

Housing mix and lot patterns

Wilmington Island offers a range of single-family homes, townhomes, and waterfront properties with docks, often on larger lots in established neighborhoods. Underwriting and insurance tend to be more conventional for many properties. Tybee features beachfront cottages, older bungalows, condos, and vacation-oriented builds on smaller lots, with a higher share of short-term rental properties in certain areas.

Flood, elevation, and insurance basics

Tybee’s oceanfront and low-lying areas face greater storm surge and wave exposure, which can drive stricter building standards and higher insurance needs. Wilmington Island is still coastal and includes FEMA flood zones, but many areas are more protected by marshes and river channels. No matter where you buy, request flood maps and elevation information early and get written quotes for flood and wind coverage during due diligence.

Short-term rentals and local rules

Tybee regulates short-term rentals with permits, occupancy rules, and enforcement. Rental income is common but comes with compliance responsibilities and taxes. Wilmington Island is unincorporated Chatham County, where short-term rental rules vary by HOA and county zoning, so you must confirm restrictions property by property.

Maintenance and coastal wear

Ocean-facing homes on Tybee usually require more frequent exterior care due to salt, wind, and sand exposure. Hurricane preparations can be more intensive near the shoreline. On Wilmington Island, protected-water settings still require marine-aware maintenance, but the exposure tends to be less direct.

Market context and income potential

Pricing dynamics to expect

Tybee’s near-beach and oceanfront properties often command higher price per square foot and can be more sensitive to visitor demand and storm events. Wilmington Island demand is steadier, driven by year-round residents, with waterfront and inland properties trading at different tiers than oceanfront. Use local MLS data for apples-to-apples comparisons among micro-markets.

Rental income considerations

Tybee can deliver strong peak-season demand for short-term rentals, but expect variable occupancy, competition, and ongoing compliance costs. Wilmington Island can offer short-term opportunities at lower nightly rates and stable long-term rental options. If income matters, model conservative occupancy and include management fees, maintenance, and seasonality.

Decision framework: set your priorities

Rank your needs clearly before you shop:

• Lifestyle preference: quieter residential neighborhoods vs active beach town energy.
• Boating goals: protected ICW and inshore vs surf and offshore access.
• Traffic tolerance: steady commute vs seasonal congestion near beaches and events.
• Flood and insurance comfort: premiums, coastal construction standards, and elevation.
• Short-term rental plans: municipal permits on Tybee vs HOA and county rules on Wilmington Island.
• Commute requirements: daily trips to downtown Savannah, hospitals, or schools.

Due diligence checklist

Use this practical list before you write an offer:

• Visit both islands on weekdays and weekends, in peak season and off season.
• Review FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the specific property and request an elevation certificate if available.
• Obtain written premium estimates for flood and wind from insurance brokers based on the property’s elevation and zone.
• Confirm short-term rental rules: Tybee permits and occupancy limits, Chatham County and HOA covenants on Wilmington Island.
• Verify utilities: municipal water and sewer vs septic, plus any required inspections or maintenance.
• Ask for recent comparable sales from the local MLS for each micro-market segment, such as beachfront, near beach, ICW waterfront, and inland.
• Inspect docks, bulkheads, and shoreline structures and confirm permitting requirements.
• If you plan to rent, model conservative income and factor in management, maintenance, and seasonal demand.

Which fits you: quick scenarios

• You want a quieter neighborhood base with easier mainland access: You may lean Wilmington Island for its residential feel and commute simplicity.
• You live for surf days and offshore runs: Tybee likely fits best with direct Atlantic access and a beach-forward lifestyle.
• You want to blend boating and steady daily routines: Wilmington Island offers protected-water boating with less seasonal traffic.
• You plan to pursue short-term rental income: Tybee has strong seasonal demand, paired with municipal permitting and compliance you will need to manage.
• You expect to commute regularly to downtown Savannah: Wilmington Island often reduces congestion challenges compared with peak-season Tybee traffic.

Schools and daily life

Both areas are served within the Savannah-Chatham County system. School boundaries can change, so confirm current assignments for any target address. Day-to-day errands are simple on Wilmington Island due to proximity to mainland services, while Tybee offers unmatched beach access and seasonal events that shape daily rhythms.

How we help you choose

When you work with a local, island-savvy advisor, you can align lifestyle goals with the right property and risk profile. You will get guidance on flood zones and elevation, introductions to insurance resources, and a clear read on short-term rental rules by address. You can also leverage curated tours that compare Wilmington Island neighborhoods with Tybee micro-markets, plus vendor introductions for dock, shoreline, and exterior maintenance assessments.

If you are weighing a sale to fund your move, premium presentation and targeted distribution can lift your outcome. High-resolution photography, video-first tours, and thoughtful neighborhood storytelling help showcase lifestyle as well as structure. When you are ready to explore, connect with a trusted local expert who knows both islands well.

Ready to find your fit on Savannah’s coast? Connect with Liza DiMarco for a tailored plan, private tours, and data-backed guidance.

FAQs

What is the main lifestyle difference between Wilmington Island and Tybee?

• Wilmington Island offers a quieter, year-round residential feel, while Tybee delivers a lively beach town atmosphere with seasonal visitor energy.

How do boating options compare on Wilmington vs Tybee?

• Wilmington Island excels for protected ICW cruising and inshore fishing, while Tybee provides direct Atlantic access for surf and offshore trips.

What should I know about flood zones and insurance on both islands?

• Tybee’s oceanfront and low-lying areas typically face higher storm exposure and insurance needs, while Wilmington Island has flood zones but is more sheltered in many areas.

Are short-term rentals allowed on Wilmington Island and Tybee?

• Tybee allows short-term rentals with municipal permits and rules, while Wilmington Island follows county zoning and HOA covenants that vary by neighborhood.

Which island is better for daily commuting to Savannah?

• Wilmington Island generally offers simpler access to mainland routes and experiences fewer seasonal surges than Tybee’s causeway during peak times.