Outdoor Activities in Savannah

Cycling the Savannah Historic District

The 22 public squares laid out in the 1733 Oglethorpe Plan make Savannah one of the more interesting cities to bike in the American South. The terrain is dead flat, and most squares are connected by wide, tree-lined streets. You can rent bikes from several shops along Broughton Street for about $25 to $35 per day. A loop that hits all 22 squares covers roughly 8 miles. Early morning is best, before pedestrian traffic picks up and the heat settles in.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 to 3 hours for a full square loop

Best season

October through April

Birdwatching at Skidaway Island State Park

Skidaway Island, about 25 minutes southeast of downtown, sits where maritime forest meets salt marsh. The Big Ferry Trail and Sandpiper Trail combine for about 3 miles of flat boardwalk and packed-earth path through live oak canopy and past tidal creeks. In winter, painted buntings, wood storks, and roseate spoonbills appear regularly. The park's observation tower gives a wide view over the marsh. Bring binoculars and insect repellent in any season.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 to 4 hours

Best season

November through March

Kayaking the Moon River and Skidaway Narrows

The Moon River (yes, the one Johnny Mercer wrote about; he grew up in Savannah) feeds into the Skidaway Narrows, a tidal waterway where bottlenose dolphins hunt in pods of 5 to 15. Guided kayak tours run about $55 to $75 per person and typically launch from the Isle of Hope marina. The paddle covers 3 to 5 miles depending on the tide. You will see dolphins on most outings, along with ospreys, brown pelicans, and the occasional manatee in warmer months.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

2 to 3 hours

Best season

March through May and September through November

Hiking at Wormsloe Historic Site

Wormsloe's entrance avenue, a 1.5-mile corridor lined with roughly 400 live oaks, is one of the most photographed spots in Georgia. Beyond the avenue, a trail system of about 2 miles loops through tabby ruins from a 1739 colonial estate and along the marsh edge of the Isle of Hope. The trails are flat and sandy. The site closes at 5 PM, so afternoon light through the oaks is the draw for photographers.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

1.5 to 2.5 hours

Best season

Year-round, best October through April

Fishing in the Wassaw Sound

Wassaw Sound, where the Wilmington and Bull rivers meet the Atlantic, produces redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead year-round. Charter boats run from Thunderbolt marina, about 10 minutes east of downtown, for $400 to $600 for a half-day inshore trip (up to 4 anglers). The fall redfish run, typically October through November, draws the most interest. No experience is needed for inshore charters; the captain handles tackle and bait.

Difficulty

Easy to moderate depending on conditions

Duration

4 to 8 hours

Best season

October through November for redfish; year-round for inshore species

Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge

Wassaw Island is an undeveloped barrier island accessible only by boat, about 30 minutes by charter from Thunderbolt marina. The island holds roughly 7 miles of beach and another 10 miles of interior trails through maritime forest, freshwater sloughs, and dune systems. There are no facilities, no vehicles, and no permanent residents. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach from May through August. Bring everything you need, including water, and plan around the tides for landing.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

Full day including boat transit

Best season

October through April for hiking; May through August for turtle nesting season

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Laurel Hill Trail

The Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive and its associated walking trails sit about 20 minutes north of downtown, straddling the Georgia-South Carolina border. The 4-mile Laurel Hill Trail follows old rice field dikes through freshwater impoundments where alligators, wood ducks, and great blue herons are common. The terrain is flat and exposed, so bring sun protection. The refuge is free and open dawn to dusk.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 to 3 hours

Best season

November through March for migratory waterfowl

Ossabaw Island Heritage Preserve

Ossabaw Island is Georgia's third-largest barrier island and is managed as a heritage preserve with strictly limited access. Day trips require advance arrangement through the Ossabaw Island Foundation or participation in an organized program. The island holds maritime forest, salt marsh, and about 8 miles of undeveloped beach. Feral hogs and donkeys roam the interior. The island's former plantation house, built in the 1920s, is occasionally open for tours. This is a logistically demanding outing but rewarding for its isolation.

Difficulty

Moderate to difficult due to access logistics

Duration

Full day

Best season

October through April

Stand-Up Paddleboarding on the Wilmington River

The Wilmington River, which separates the mainland from several barrier islands, offers calmer conditions than the open sound. SUP rentals are available at Tybee Island outfitters for about $35 to $50 for a half day. The stretch near Turner Creek is sheltered by marsh grass and popular for beginners. Dolphin sightings are common, and at low tide the exposed oyster beds attract shorebirds. Paddle on an incoming tide to avoid fighting the current back.

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Duration

2 to 3 hours

Best season

April through November

Sailing on the Savannah River and Wassaw Sound

Several charter companies offer half-day sailing trips from Thunderbolt marina or Tybee Island, typically $300 to $500 for a private trip on a 30- to 40-foot sailboat. The route usually runs down the Wilmington River into Wassaw Sound, where the wind picks up and the barrier islands come into view. Sunset sails are the most popular booking. No sailing experience is needed; the captain handles the boat.

Difficulty

Easy (crewed charter)

Duration

3 to 4 hours

Best season

March through November

Tybee Island Beach Swimming and Surfing

Tybee Island, about 30 minutes east of downtown, is Savannah's public beach. The south beach near the pier is the most popular swimming area, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The water is warm (24 to 29°C) from June through September. Surfing is modest here, with waves averaging 1 to 3 feet, but the north end of the island near the jetties picks up slightly bigger swells during tropical systems. Board rentals run about $20 to $30 for a half day.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

Half day to full day

Best season

May through September for swimming; September through November for occasional surf

Crabbing and Shrimping on Lazaretto Creek

Lazaretto Creek, the tidal channel between Tybee Island and Little Tybee, is a productive spot for recreational blue crabbing and cast-net shrimping. You can crab from the Lazaretto Creek bridge or from a rented johnboat ($100 to $150 per day from Tybee Island outfitters). A basic crab trap and chicken necks for bait cost under $15. Georgia requires a saltwater fishing license ($9 for a one-day non-resident license) for shrimping but not for crabbing from shore.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

2 to 4 hours

Best season

May through October

Forsyth Park covers 30 acres at the southern edge of the Historic District. The 1858 fountain at the north end is the most recognized landmark in Savannah. Beyond the fountain, the park holds a large open lawn, a fragrant garden maintained by the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs, basketball and tennis courts, and a weekend farmers market. The perimeter path is about 1 mile. The park is busiest on weekend mornings but never feels crowded on weekdays.

Highlights: The 1858 cast-iron fountain modeled after fountains in Paris and Cusco anchors the north end. The Fragrant Garden, designed for visually impaired visitors, features aromatic plantings and Braille signage throughout. A Saturday farmers market runs from March through November with local produce and prepared food from Savannah-area vendors.

Tucked into a 10-acre site on Eisenhower Drive, about 15 minutes south of downtown, this garden is run entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. It includes a rose garden, a native plant collection, a children's discovery garden, and the restored Reinhard House, a mid-1800s farmhouse. The gardens are small but well kept and rarely crowded. Open dawn to dusk daily.

Highlights: The native plant garden features species from the Georgia coastal plain, including saw palmetto, beautyberry, and native azaleas. The rose garden holds over 75 varieties. The Reinhard House, restored to its 1850s condition, includes a period-appropriate kitchen garden planted with heirloom herbs and vegetables.

Emmet Park runs along Bay Street on the bluff overlooking the Savannah River. The park is narrow but the views are wide. You can watch Panamax-class container ships pass within 50 meters on their way to the Georgia Ports Authority terminal upriver. A cobblestone ramp at the east end connects the bluff to River Street and the 19th-century cotton warehouse district below. The park is named for Robert Emmet, the Irish nationalist, and holds a Celtic cross monument.

Highlights: The Harbor Pilot monument marks the bluff's east end, where river pilots have boarded ships since the 1700s. Container ships passing at close range make this one of the better ship-watching spots on the East Coast. The Old Harbor Light, one of the oldest surviving range lights in the United States, stands at the park's western edge near the Westin hotel.

This 46-acre University of Georgia research station, about 20 minutes south of downtown in the town of Savannah, is open to the public daily at no charge. The site holds one of the largest collections of bamboo species in North America, along with demonstration gardens, heritage fruit trees, and trial beds for ornamental plants suited to the coastal Southeast. The grounds are well labeled and self-guided.

Highlights: Over 100 bamboo species grow here, including giant timber bamboo reaching 20 meters. Demonstration gardens show what thrives in Zone 8b/9a coastal conditions, useful for anyone gardening in the humid Southeast. A heritage fruit tree collection includes varieties of fig, persimmon, and citrus selected for coastal Georgia's climate.