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From beach to marsh and back again, Tybee Island is a coastal haven teeming with sea life and ecological treasures. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is dedicated to exploring and preserving this special habitat, and it off ers must-see K L M T U R N E R LET'S LEARN Explore the Tybee Island Marine Science Center DOLPHINS: Coastal Georgia bo lenose dolphins can be seen from the beach or within the island's rivers and estuaries. Georgia's uniquely large dal range allows dolphins to forage by strand feeding to snag the fi sh right off the mud. HORSESHOE CRABS: Members of the arachnid group of animals that includes spiders and scorpions. A harmless creature, it uses its long, pointed, s ngless tail mostly for turning itself back over when it gets knocked upside down. JELLYFISH: Dri ing ashore between May and September, these warm-water-loving, gela nous sea creatures peak around August. The nonpoisonous cannonballs are among the most common jellies along our shore. If you get stung, rub sand on the area to remove the s nger, then spray with vinegar, available at the lifeguard stands. T Y B E E I S L A N D M A R I N E S C I E N C E C E N T E R T Y B E E I S L A N D M A R I N E S C I E N C E C E N T E R DON'T MISS Gray's Reef Na onal Marine Sanctuary exhibit that off ers visitors a chance to virtually experience NOAA'S Gray's Reef Na onal Marine Sanctuary, the live-bo om reef 19 miles off of the coast of Georgia. Wes e, the current resident loggerhead. Hatched on Ossabaw Island, Wes e is what's referred to as a "straggler," a turtle that didn't quite make it out of the nest on their own. The Gi Shop, which features hundreds of marine-related ed- uca onal books, videos, puzzles, games and toys to enrich your child's mind and fabulous fi nds for mom and dad, too. T Y B E E I S L A N D M A R I N E S C I E N C E C E N T E R T Y B E E I S L A N D M A R I N E S C I E N C E C E N T E R programming for all ages that nur- tures a las ng love and responsible stewardship for the Georgia coast. Located on Meddin Drive just off North Beach, this sprawling facil- ity hosts bird walks, beach walks, marsh treks, sea camps for kids and so much more. On-site, you'll fi nd spacious galleries like the East Gal- lery, featuring live-animal exhibits, such as the sea table touch tank fi lled with sea stars, sand dollars, hermit crabs and snails. The center is also home to a diamondback terrapin, loggerhead sea turtles, baby American alligators and local fi sh like eel, sea robin and fl ounder. There is also a mindful beachcombing exhibit that teaches what may and may not be taken from the beach. The center's West Gallery includes the Ship Watch Lo and Fossil Room. Tybee Island Marine Science Center u lizes a catch and release program where most of the animals are kept for short periods, used as educa onal tools to connect with visitors, and then released back into the wild. 64 VisitSavannah.com | VisitTybee.com