Tybee Island, a picturesque coastal town near Savannah, Georgia, offers a unique opportunity for kayaking enthusiasts. With its serene waterways, diverse wildlife, and stunning natural beauty, Tybee Island has become a popular destination for kayak rentals and tours. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best kayak rental companies, the options for exploring Little Tybee Island, guided tour offerings, popular launch locations, rental costs, and the best times of year to enjoy this outdoor adventure.
What are the Best Kayak Rental Companies on Tybee Island?
Tybee Island is home to several reputable kayak rental companies, each offering a unique experience. Let’s take a closer look at the top options:
Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports
Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports is known for its premier waterfront location and the use of stable, sit-on-top kayaks from the Ocean Kayak brand. They offer self-guided and guided kayak adventures to Tybee Island, Little Tybee Island, and the surrounding areas. The company is also pet-friendly, allowing pets with prior kayak experience and meeting certain safety requirements.
Aquadawg Kayak Tours
Aquadawg Kayak Tours is another prominent company providing kayak tours and rentals. They offer free instructions and training, making it accessible for those with no prior experience. Aquadawg Kayak Tours also caters to pet owners, with life vests available for their furry companions.
Sea Kayak Georgia
Sea Kayak Georgia offers a variety of kayak, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and canoe tours, rentals, and instruction. They are highly rated for their guided tours, especially to Little Tybee Island, and are known for their knowledgeable guides.
What are the Kayak Rental Options for Little Tybee Island?
One of the unique features of kayaking in Tybee Island is the opportunity to explore the uninhabited Little Tybee Island. Both Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports and Aquadawg Kayak Tours offer self-guided tours to this pristine island, allowing paddlers to explore the beach at their own pace. These tours typically start around one hour before low tide to ensure access to the island’s beach.
Paddlers may also have the chance to encounter indigenous wildlife, such as dolphins, during these tours, adding to the overall experience.
What are the Guided Kayak Tours on Tybee Island?
In addition to self-guided options, several companies on Tybee Island offer guided kayak tours. These tours provide a more immersive experience, with knowledgeable guides who can share insights about the local wildlife and the area’s history.
Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports
Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports offers guided tours, although specific details on schedules and costs are not readily available.
Aquadawg Kayak Tours
Aquadawg Kayak Tours provides guided tours with free instructions and training. Prior experience is not necessary, but a certain level of paddling effort is required.
Sea Kayak Georgia
Sea Kayak Georgia is known for their guided tours, especially to Little Tybee Island. Their guides are knowledgeable about the area and provide insights into the local wildlife.
What are the Popular Kayaking Spots and Launch Locations on Tybee Island?
Tybee Island offers several launch locations for kayakers, including:
Alley 3 Location
This location is used by Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports and Aquadawg Kayak Tours for launching kayaks to Little Tybee Island and other areas.
Lazaretto Creek
This launch site is used by North Island Surf and Kayak for solo kayaking and guided tours.
While specific permits are not mentioned, safety regulations are emphasized, such as the requirement to wear life jackets at all times and having prior experience for certain tours.
What are the Rental Costs, Kayak Types, and Additional Equipment on Tybee Island?
Rental Costs
The exact rental costs are not provided in the sources, but it is suggested that the costs vary based on the tour duration and type.
Kayak Types
The companies on Tybee Island primarily use sit-on-top kayaks, which are known for their safety, stability, and comfort. They also offer single and tandem kayaks, with the latter accommodating children aged 4-12 with an adult.
Additional Equipment
All the kayak rental companies provide life jackets, which must be worn at all times, as well as paddles and seats.
What is the Best Time of Year for Kayaking on Tybee Island?
The best time for kayaking on Tybee Island is generally during the warmer months, from April to October, when the weather is more favorable. However, specific weather conditions can affect the safety and enjoyment of the activity.
It’s important to note that the peak tourist season, particularly during the summer, may impact the availability and pricing of kayak rentals and tours.
Reference:
1. Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports: Kayak Adventure – Tybee Jet Ski & Watersports
2. Reddit Discussion: Kayak Tour Recommendations : r/savannah
3. Aquadawg Kayak Tours: Aquadawg Kayak Tours – Kayak Adventure