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

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center offers a dynamic marine science and nature-based experience for island visitors, school groups, and scout troops all year round. Whether we’re on the beach, in the marsh, or in our Open-Air Classroom, our exhibits and programs showcase Georgia’s marine life and coastal ecology.

Check out our coastal galleries full of live animal exhibits, interactive stations and life-size animal replicas, plus a fossil room, pirate ship playground, and more!

*We are closed on Tuesdays for tank maintenance, but our public Walks, Talks, and Treks and group programs are available every day!

On Sept. 26, 2026, the marine science center released the loggerhead sea turtle "Ossie" into the Atlantic Ocean. This straggler hatchling from Ossabaw Island spent three years as a TIMSC Marine Debris Ambassador, educating over 300,000 visitors. Now equipped with a tracker thanks to local environmental organization Save Sea Life, we can follow Ossie in the big blue yonder!

Each week we’ll check in on Ossie’s latest travels and see what corners of the ocean she’s exploring. The location data is received by satellites passing over as Ossie surfaces for a breath of air (no, sea turtles can't breath underwater!) Since there’s no live tracker link, this will be your behind-the-scenes pass to follow her adventures!