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Tybee Island
Marine Science Center

Our mission is to cultivate a responsible stewardship of coastal Georgia’s natural resources with education, conservation, and research.

Come Explore Marine Science Exhibits in Our New Facility

Admission is $12 per person, kids four and under free.

Come check out our Coastal Galleries with live animal exhibits, interactive stations, life-size animal replicas, Fossil Room, a pirate ship playground, and more!

We are open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our last admission is sold at 4:30 p.m.

Admission is $12 per person, kids four and under are free.

Public Walks, Talks, and Treks are available year-round, Monday through Sunday.

We offer year-round programs for island visitors, scouts, and school groups on the beach, in the marsh, on the water, and in our Coastal Galleries. Group programs can be booked Monday through Sunday.

Public Programs and Events


Interested in learning more about field trips or group programs?

Sea Turtle Nesting Updates

May 1st is the start of sea turtle nesting season on the Georgia coast. Our Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project volunteers walk the beach every morning looking for turtle tracks. Once tracks are found, the nest is located and blocked off with caution tape.

50 days after the nest is found, volunteers start sitting with the nest at night, awaiting the 100 or so babies that will emerge any night. When the nest hatches, or “boils” (so many small bodies moving makes the sand look like it’s boiling), volunteers supervise and protect babies as they make their way to the water. Following the boil, volunteers wait an additional five days before performing an excavation to allow any late hatchlings to emerge naturally.

Finally, an excavation is performed, where volunteers carefully dig into the nest and extract all hatched and unhatched eggs as well as any turtles left in the nest. At that time, any live stragglers are released, or if we are ready for a new hatchling,  we keep one to be our marine debris ambassador for a few years, like Ike—who hatched on September 2, 2020.

You can meet Ike at the science center.

An Authentic Coastal Experience in Tybee Island, GA

At Tybee Island Marine Science Center, we provide marine science and nature-based programs for visitors, schools, and scouts. Whether we’re on the beach, in the marsh, or in our Open-Air Classroom, our exhibits highlight Georgia’s marine life and coastal ecology.

Guests Love Our Marine Science Center

Friendly Staff

Perfect for our kiddos (2 and 4). Outdoor play structure was just the right size and a good stop on the way to explore the outdoor classroom located under the main level of the Marine Center. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. They wanted to answer questions and offered up tidbits of information.

– Ryann W. - Google Reviews
Great Experience!

I loved visiting the Tybee Island Marine science center! It was a great experience. The whole staff was so friendly, and provided so much information on all the marine life and more. A must visit if you're in the Savannah area!

– Tanvi G. - Google Reviews
Can't Wait to Come Back

Great day learning about marine life with the babies! They love nothing more than playing in the mud, catching crabs and seeing, first-hand, the beauty of sea life. Can’t wait to do it again. The staff was patient and with my rowdy kids, and knew how to talk to them on a level they (and I) appreciated.

– Frances M. - Facebook Reviews
Had an Amazing Time!

Our Girl Scout troop had an amazing time! Our guide Lindsay was awesome and patient with our group of girls. She explained things so well and we had so much fun. We love Ike and will be following for his release.

– Nikki S. - Facebook Reviews
We Learned So Much

Worth every penny! My kiddos as well as us adults had an awesome time and learned so much. If you are in the Tybee Island area definitely need to stop by and enjoy this awesome little place.

– My H. - Google Reviews