Semaglutide Medical Weight Loss Near Tybee Island, GA

Savannah Morning News

Summer vacation will be here soon, and many Georgians will want to visit a beach.

But which one? Condé Nast Traveler magazine released its list of the 17 best beach towns on the East Coast including recommendations for where to stay. The list was compiled independently by the magazine's editors.

What is the best beach town in Georgia?

The only beach town to make Condé Nast's list was Tybee Island. Here's what they had to say about it:

"Just a short drive from Savannah...this coastal community is in the perfect spot for a day trip. Even during the summer, some parts of it manage to maintain that small-town vibe and don't get unbearably crowded, boasting an assortment of adorable ice cream and coffee shops, long stretches of sandy beaches, and great waterfront access. There's a little something for everyone from families to couples—South Beach is better for those who want a little excitement in their atmosphere, whereas North Beach is a bit more quiet and contained. I've found it particularly great for families (having traveled here with a multigenerational group ages 1-68), and recommend the kitschy Original Crab Shack for a memorable meal."

What are the best places to stay at Tybee Island?

Condé Nast highlighted two AirBNB rentals to stay at in Tybee Island. For those wanting a private pool and hot tub, there's the Blue Crab House. Here's part of the property's description:

"Shake off any lingering salt and sand under the outdoor shower in the fenced-in backyard. Swim in the heated saltwater pool....then soak in the hot tub, ending the day stargazing by the fire pit. Standouts inside include exposed beams and a Smart TV. Just 100 yards from the beach, and right in the center of Tybee Island, The Blue Crab House is exactly where you want to be to enjoy all that this bustling beach town has to offer."

For couples, there's the Siren & Seafarer Cottage:

"Immerse yourself in all that Tybee Island offers with free kayaks, bikes, and an electric golf cart. Unwind in this luxurious getaway and nature-lovers paradise. Relax on your private dock with a cozy swing bed while surrounded by amazing panoramic views of the tidal creek and marshlands. Nestled amongst enchanting live oaks and marsh-side scenery, you'll soon discover something inherently romantic about this historic cozy cottage."

What are the best beach towns on the East Coast?

Here are the rest of the beach towns that made Condé Nast's list:

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email atmlegoas@gannett.com.

“Whim Whamiee” by Pluto and YkNiece played through speakers, connected to a generator on the beach for the fourth time in an hour, for spring breakers dancing and shouting the lyrics under the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion.

Though Tybee Island leadership and Orange Crush festival organizers had worked for months to formalize an actual event for the annual spring break party, the real party for most of the day seemed to be far from where the stage had been set up.

Orange Crush Festival 2025, the version of it that is the first permitted event since 1991, seemed to be a mixed bag of success and failure. Orange Crush, the version that HBCU students across the east have known and loved, spread across college campuses and friend groups by word of mouth, though, was alive and well.

Steven Smalls and New Height Management organized a one-day festival with musical guests and DJs throughout the day, after a 2024 Orange Crush that was safer than 2023, but largely uneventful for attendees.

But many of the estimated 7,000 attendees this year said they didn’t know there was a formal festival, or a ticketed event, and when asked if they bought tickets or planned to buy tickets, the answer was a resounding “... No.”

“It’s a public beach,” said Savannah State University student Mariah Williams, a first-time Orange Crusher. “Why would I pay for anything?”

'This is just college students having a good time'

The area designated the festival space was not set up, and then largely empty once the event started at about 1:30 p.m., about 3 1/2 hours after the festival was scheduled to begin due to issues with a power source, according to event and city staff.

While tents for shade and VIP areas were still being set up, hired security for the event informed those who didn’t have blue wristbands they couldn’t be in the festival area. Admission was $20, and $540 for VIP, according to their website.

The crowd spread and thinned out, stretching from where the stage was set up around 14th Street to the pier, as people who hadn’t purchased tickets for the performances gained entrance, according to one of the hired security.

Kevonte Kelly and his friends hung out at the 15 1/2 Street crossover.

“I do know one of the organizers that is doing this, and he has definitely been jumping through a lot of hoops to make sure he has everything in store for today’s event,” Kelly said. “I’m hoping today goes smoothly, there’s no altercations. However, I think it would be best to make this a community initiative or something, because this is a public beach, and then create another event where they can actually make a profit.”

Kelly suggested maybe they have vendors as well as entertainment, which notably was a part of the organizers original plans for the festival — a three-day affair, with vendors and more. It was negotiated down to one day by the city, with no vendors.

Mayor Brian West said he expected for people to actually be there for the festival and listening to music, but noted that he was ‘pleased’ by the way the event turned out.

“In 2023, the issue was that there were a lot of people that were just looking for trouble,” said City Manager Brett Bell. “This is just college students having a good time. This feels like a good-sized crowd, too.”

West said he wanted the organizers to have a successful event, but couldn’t stop people from bringing their own entertainment.

Jalen Smith, from Atlanta, said that he was unaware there was a festival, and had been camped out under the pier where there was a crowd of people blocking the stage.

“I feel like the real party is down here anyway,” Smith said.

Curtis Spivey and Gary Williams, SSU students, said they were having a good time but expressed concern about law enforcement presence on the island and on the pier, which was partially open this year.

“With our skin color, it’s a little scary just going out, and then you have 50 cops there, and you don’t know if they’re going to be nice,” Spivey said. “If it’s really for security, that’s okay, but it just feels like they’re watching us, not protecting us. But we understand why they’re doing it, but I don’t think you need as much as they have.”

Organizer considers the event a success

Orange Crush usually occurs like this: Spring breakers come to the beach, they bring their own entertainment, boom boxes, volleyballs, other items, they dance, they drink and then, eventually, they leave. In 2023, this version was marred by what Tybee Island leadership calls “bad actors” — non-college students who weren’t there just to have a good time, and gridlocked traffic.

Last year, the City of Tybee Island seemed to find solutions — an increased presence of law enforcement, over 100 officers, traffic checks going onto the island. Flow of traffic was improved through closing off the middle two lanes throughout the island and barricading off street parking, and parking lots near the beach.

Orange Crush 2024 was significantly safer according to those who attended, but there was “nothing to do”, and the event was largely uneventful for those who came. This is how conversations between city leadership and festival organizers produced the one-day event.

Despite challenges with the festival, Smalls, one of the organizers, considered the event a success.

“I think it was excellent, I think it was a beautiful festival, drama free, and everything they thought it wasn’t going to be,” Smalls said. “Next year, I want to be more organized, more prepared and everything to start being set up way earlier. I really appreciate the city of Tybee and Savannah for having my back.”

There were still thousands of people on the beach as night fell at 8 p.m., the end of the permitted festival, until the Department of Natural Resources officers and other law enforcement began riding their four-wheelers on the beach to encourage them to leave. Volunteers came out and picked up the litter covering the beach, to clean it for Sunday's Easter services, but partygoers left the area to standstill traffic getting off the beach.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering the municipalities, and community and cultural programs. You can reach her at DAmbus@gannett.com

As the fourth state to join the Union on January 2, 1788, Georgia takes its Independence Day celebrations seriously. On July 4th, residents of small towns across the Peach State let their collective hair down and throw some of the most memorable National Holidays in the South. For Georgians, the Fourth of July holds special significance as Revolutionary War history runs deep here, with significant battles fought and local signatories of the Declaration of Independence risking everything for liberty.

Today, this legacy is celebrated with colorful parades and firework displays, concerts and singalongs, and community gatherings that celebrate both national pride and local traditions. For residents and tourists alike, these small towns throw the kind of authentic American experiences that truly unite the nation.

The Best Fourth Of July Celebrations In AmericaChock-full of festivities, including parades, fireworks, barbecues, and concerts, this important national holiday was signed into law on June 28, 1870.

Dahlonega

Located in North Georgia, Dahlonega is a mountain town that transforms into a hub of patriotism on July 4th when its Historic Square hosts one of the region's most exciting Independence Day celebrations. The Dahlonega 4th of July Festival kicks off early, with the Firecracker 5K run starting at the Visitors Center at 8 a.m. sharp. This is followed by the Dahlonega Car Club Car Show on Courthouse Hill next to the Lumpkin County Administration Building.

Feeling peckish? Food trucks will be set up from noon onwards around Hancock Park, offering everything from delicious Georgia barbecue grub to traditional fair foods. Other highlights include a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by the popular Patriotic Downtown Parade from the Lumpkin County Courthouse and around the town’s central square.

Traveling with children? They’ll have fun at the Kids Adventure Zone in Hancock Park with face painting, caricatures, and fun games to participate in, while as night falls, musicians take to the stage for free concerts. Afterwards, grab a spot at the University of North Georgia's Drill Field for the event’s grand finale fireworks display.

You’ll also want to pop into the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site in the old courthouse. Built in 1836, the interior of the building and its fascinating Gold Rush-era displays are worth seeing. Dahlonega General Store is also on the square and stocks patriotic merchandise and old-fashioned treats that are perfect for parade watching.

Helen

Famous for having rebranded itself as a Bavarian alpine village, Helen proves that folksy European architecture and American patriotism go hand-in-hand. Here, the fun centers around the field behind the Alpine Village Shoppes, where families spread blankets and set up chairs for optimal firework viewing.

Earlier in the day, you can tube down the Chattahoochee River, which runs directly through downtown Helen. Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing offer full-service tubing trips, a refreshing way to beat the Georgia heat before evening festivities. Restaurants like Paul's Steakhouse and Hofbrauhaus Helen offer outdoor seating with fireworks views, which kicks off between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

If you’re planning on staying a night or two, schedule time to explore Unicoi State Park. Just two miles from downtown, the park features a beach, a 53-acre lake, hiking trails through the mountains, and the pretty Anna Ruby Falls. The Hardman Farm State Historic Site is also worth seeing and offers free tours to military members and their families on July 4th. As for accommodations, a stay at the centrally located Castle Inn, a medieval-style hotel, places you next to the river and in the heart of the alpine village.

Madison

Known as Georgia's Antebellum City, Madison brings plenty of Southern charm to its Independence Day festivities. These occur a day early with a free Independence Day Picnic and Concert on July 3rd at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. From 5:30 to 9 p.m., families can bring picnics and blankets to enjoy a community gathering on the lawn, followed by a spectacular fireworks display put on by Morgan County Parks & Recreation. Pre-event activities, including face painting and bouncy inflatables, start at 6 p.m.

Celebrations continue on July 4th at the annual Fourth of July BBQ in nearby Bostwick, with free live music at the Rutledge Summer Concert Series. The celebrations conclude on July 5th with a Local Heroes celebration at Farmview Market's Farmer's Market, honoring law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and military personnel with a free BBQ, live music, and plenty of local produce and artisan crafts for sale.

Be sure to spend time exploring Madison's historic downtown. Featuring over 100 antebellum and Victorian-era homes, the Madison Historic District also includes architectural gems like Heritage Hall and Bonar Hall. Town Park, with its gazebo, serves as a gathering spot throughout the celebration. If you want to make a weekend of it, check out the rates at the James Madison Inn, a classy hotel located close to the celebrations, or the Brady Inn, a restored Victorian home turned bed and breakfast that’s just a short stroll from historic downtown Madison.

St. Marys

Georgia’s prettiest coastal town, St. Marys, celebrates its 55th annual Independence Day Festival with a variety of exciting events stretching throughout the day. Highlights of this family-oriented event include early morning runs, as well as a Kids Fun Run. Arts and crafts vendors will have set up in St. Mary's Waterfront Park, where most of the day’s action takes place. The much-anticipated themed parade down Osborne Street starts at 10 a.m. and promises to be a highlight of the day with floats and costumed participants representing local organizations and businesses.

Music will also be a highlight, with concerts being held throughout the day at the St. Marys Waterfront Park Amphitheater. Quirky fun includes a watermelon eating contest as well as a seed spitting contest (it’s true!). Fireworks get started at 9:15 (ish), with one of the best viewing spots being aboard the Cumberland Queen II. This replica riverboat offers a special Independence Day cruise departing at 7:30 p.m. for those wanting to view fireworks from the water (and book early, as this epic cruise sells out fast).

Even if you miss the July Fourth fun in St. Marys, this picturesque town serves as the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore, accessible via ferry from the downtown dock. The town's historic district is also fun to explore, with highlights including the Orange Hall Gilman Cultural Center and the St. Marys Submarine Museum. As for accommodations, Spencer House Inn, a restored 1872 Victorian-era hotel, sits three blocks from Waterfront Park and provides elegant accommodations with period furnishings.

Tybee Island

Located just a short drive away from the old port city of Savannah, Tybee Island (Georgia's northernmost barrier island) saves its biggest celebration for Independence Day. The main event, the popular Tybee Island July 4th Fireworks, is slated for a 9:15 p.m. launch from the Tybee Island Pier. This stunning waterfront pyrotechnics display can be viewed from any of the island's eastern beaches, making this one of the most accessible fireworks shows in the state.

Before the evening sky gets lit up, Tybee Island offers a full day of activities. The morning kicks off with a community bike parade at 10 a.m., starting and ending at Memorial Park. North Beach, near the Tybee Island Light Station & Museum, provides calm waters for families to enjoy, while the South Beach area offers more waves and beach volleyball courts perfect for an older crowd.

The Tybee Pier and Pavilion serves as celebration central, with the pavilion hosting bands and DJs throughout the day. Tybrisa Street’s bars and restaurants, such as The Crab Shack and Spanky's Beachside, offer outdoor seating and live music throughout the day and night. Also fun, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center runs special programs, including kids’ sea camps and workshops.

For accommodations with views of Tybee Island’s July 4th fireworks, check for availability at DeSoto Beach Hotel, Tybee's only full-service beachfront, popular for its coastal views and proximity to the pier. The Lighthouse Inn Bed & Breakfast, located in a 1910 beach house near the lighthouse, is another good bet and offers a more intimate setting close to North Beach activities; it even provides bicycles if you feel like joining the morning parade.

These five Georgia towns certainly prove that the best Fourth of July celebrations don't require big-city budgets. From Dahlonega's mountain backdrop to Tybee Island's ocean views, each of these small communities adds a unique twist to America's birthday party. Whether you prefer parades down historic main streets or pyrotechnics over the Atlantic Ocean, these Georgia towns deliver legendary Independence Day experiences.

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Beach weather is upon us and with just a few weeks away until many kids in our area are out of school for summer, lifeguards are expecting the crowds to grow.

Lifeguards said this has been a very busy spring season, especially on the weekends. Right now, as they work to keep the crowds safe, there’s a few things they want you to know.

With summer approaching, tourists are making their way to the island.

“It’s wonderful,” said Donna Howard.

“It’s hard to be bored here,” said Martin Montoya.

As crowds become a more common sight on the beach, Tybee’s lifeguards are getting busy.

“On the weekends, we’ve had a lot of people out here,” said Jarrett Hornick.

This is Jarrett Hornick’s third year as a lifeguard on Tybee, his coworker Drew Peloke’s fourth.

“You just keep getting pulled back,” said Peloke.

The job coming with even more responsibility when you’re not fully staffed.

Right now, the ocean rescue team operating with 27 people, something they call a skeleton crew.

“We don’t have our towers out yet, so we’re just driving in these up and down North Beach, South, covering as much ground as we can,” said Hornick.

With less visibility throughout the beach, they have some tips for you.

First, make sure to watch out for rip currents.

“It’s a strong current that is almost impossible for any swimmer to swim against, so you have to swim sideways to get out of it,” said Hornick.

Second, avoid the sandbar.

“The sandbar goes out very far at low tide. You can go out a half mile sometimes and it looks very idyllic. People want to walk out there, but a lot of times what they don’t understand is when the tide turns, the water will close in behind them,” said Peloke.

And of course, come prepared.

“A lot of water, a lot of sunscreen, coolers with ice in it. Shade, make sure you bring some shade. And if you don’t, make sure you find shade every so often,” said Hornick.

The Ocean Rescue Team still taking applications and hosting tryouts. They’re hoping to be fully staffed by Memorial Day.

Copyright 2025 WTOC. All rights reserved.

While the beautiful but venomous Portuguese man o’ war has begun to wash up on the shores of Tybee Island, the vibrant creature hasn’t yet made an appearance on Hilton Head, according to Mike Wagner, beach patrol director for Shore Beach Services.

The sting from the vibrant blue and purple creature can pack a real punch. If they touch an unassuming beachgoer, the barbed tentacles can cause burning pain and redness, and in some cases more severe reactions.

The creatures have begun washing up on the beach at Tybee Island, Georgia, though no one has reported any stings, according to a Facebook post from Tybee Island Ocean Rescue.

If beachgoers come across the sea animal on the sand or in the water, they should give it a wide berth, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Even dead Portuguese man o’ war that look dried up can still cause severe stings.

The best approach to treating a Portuguese man o’ war sting is to remove the tentacles with tweezers, rinse the site with seawater and apply heat to help manage the pain, according to Tybee Island Ocean Rescue.

Though the long tentacles and translucent body resemble a jellyfish, these creatures are actually made up of individual, specialized polyps that assemble to create their final form. One polyp inflates with gas and floats above the water, while others become tentacles, some specialized to feed and capture prey while others reproduce. At their largest, the tentacles can grow up to 30 feet long.

Under ideal circumstances, the Portuguese man o’ war lives its whole life in the open ocean, drifting along with the currents and wind and trapping small fish and plankton in its tentacles, according to the SCDNR. Sometimes these currents can push colonies into the beach, where people are more likely to encounter them.

This story was updated to reflect Mike Wagner’s title, which is beach patrol director, not operations manager