Overview & Suitability

Tybee Beach Public Parking, located near the southern tip of Tybee Island (close to 18th Street and Chatham Avenue beach accesses), serves as an exceptionally convenient surface lot for beachgoers, surfers, and coastal tourists. This outdoor public parking facility is highly suited for standard passenger vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and standard trucks. However, please note that RV parking is strictly prohibited in beach public lots, including this area, from March through October. RVs are restricted to parking at River’s End Campground or designated spaces along Highway 80 at Butler Avenue, where they must pay for multiple spaces. Bus parking is also prohibited year-round in this lot, with dedicated bus parking restricted to Memorial Park or Pulaski Street.

Access, Dimensions & Clearance

As an open-air surface lot, the Tybee Beach Public Parking facility offers an unobstructed height clearance, making it accessible to taller passenger vans and vehicles with roof racks. Entry is smooth, but during peak summer weekends, traffic down Butler Avenue and the adjacent streets can become congested. Standard turn radii are easy to navigate, and the layout features clearly marked spaces. Drivers should be mindful of narrow lane structures on surrounding residential streets and ensure they park only in designated, legal stalls in the direction of traffic flow (parking against traffic is subject to a fine).

Parking Rates, Tariffs & Booking

Tybee Island operates as a strict Pay-to-Park community with year-round enforcement. The primary tariffs are as follows:

• Hourly Rate: $4.00 per hour, enforced daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (including weekends and holidays). During off-season months (November 1 through February 28), the city-managed hourly rate is discounted to $2.00 per hour.
• Daily Pass: $25.00 per day (valid for 12 to 24 hours depending on purchase option), which can be purchased up to 30 days in advance via TybeeIsland.CMRPay.com. Passes can be booked for up to 7 consecutive days ($175.00 total).
• Payment Methods: The City of Tybee has transitioned to a cashless system and no longer accepts coins or bills at pay stations. Parking must be initiated using the Park TYB mobile app (Zone 2100) or via the physical Pay-&-Display kiosks using a credit/debit card. Receipts from physical kiosks must be displayed clearly on the vehicle dashboard.

Security & Amenities

This public parking area is well-lit at night and frequently patrolled by local parking enforcement staff to ensure security and compliance. Key amenities include close proximity to public beach boardwalk access points (dune crossovers), municipal restrooms, trash receptacles, and outdoor showers. In addition, the beach features handicap-accessible mats to aid mobility from the parking zone to the sand. Securely lock your vehicle and remove or hide all personal valuables, as this is a high-turnover tourist spot.

Strategic Alternative

While primarily serving beach visitors, this lot acts as an exceptional alternative parking node for those visiting the local beachfront business corridor, the Walter Parker Pier and Pavilion, and nearby dining favorites like Fannie’s on the Beach or Spanky’s Beachside. Because parking closer to the main pier area on 14th Street fills up rapidly during summer peak hours, choosing this southern-end beach parking lot provides a quieter, less congested entryway to Tybee's coast. For visitors looking to explore the rest of the island car-free, you can park here and utilize the local Tybee Turtle Transit golf cart shuttle service, which operates daily for a nominal per-person fee.

Event & Venue Access: Traveling for an event? Check out full guide and rates for parking near Tybee Island Marine Science Center.