DANGER! The sand bar at the south end of the island looks like it provides an easy and fun walk over to Little Tybee, BUT IT DOES NOT! It as actually over a mile to make the trek, and on sand and going through water, it will take you a much longer time than you think. If you go out at the wrong time in the tidal cycle, you may have only a few minutes before the waters begin to rise. When the tide turns, the water rise very quickly and with a very large volume of water moving over the sand. Water weighs 65 pounds per cubic foot, and its volume and velocity during tide change can very easily knock an adult off their feet with such force that is impossible to regain your footing, carrying you very quickly over the sand and into deeper water. Even when the water looks calm, the current can be shockingly strong - so much so that there has been one drowning per year in this area, despite the efforts of Ocean Rescue.

 

Every year, hundreds of people who have tried to make the journey are sent back by Ocean Rescue in advance of the tidal shift. In order to make these warnings, the lifeguards must enter the water well upstream of the sandbar and swim out to catch the walkers out on the sandbar, endangering their own safety in doing so! In addition, over 50 people every year require rescue despite these efforts. You put your life at risk by going out in this area of the beach, as well as the lives of any rescuers who must come to your aid.

 

PLEASE! DO NOT VENTURE OUT ONTO THE SANDBAR!