Skidaway River & Marshes


The Skidaway marshes as seen from Wormsloe Historic Site.

A large expanse of tidal marsh stretches from the eastern edge of Savannah to the ocean: Skidaway Island and the Skidaway, Bull, Vernon and Wilmington Rivers; the small riverfront communities of Isle of Hope and Thunderbolt; and a network of smaller islands interspersed by tidal creeks and forested hammocks.

Only a few miles from downtown Savannah, the marshes of Skidaway and its vicinity provide a beautiful, sheltered place to kayak or paddleboard, or to see Georgia’s lowcountry scenery and wildlife – including dolphins, birds of prey, and even the occasional manatee – by boat.

If you prefer to see Skidaway’s marsh environments on foot, options include the town of Isle of Hope, offering picturesque views over the Skidaway River and marsh, or nearby Skidaway Island State Park.

See also:
Savannah’s must-see sights
Dolphin tours and other boat tours and charters in the Savannah area
Boat and kayak tours of Wassaw Island NWR
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

!Please check all details directly with the tour company or guide before planning your trip. Availability may vary by season, and tours may be changed or withdrawn without notice.

Skidaway By Kayak

Skidaway Tour, 2hrs-2hrs30. With Moon River Kayak Tours. Kayak tour of the Skidaway Narrows and Moon River, departing from the Rodney J Hall Boat Ramp. $55 per person. Call 912-344-1310 for reservations or book online. More details

Isle of Hope Tour, 2hrs30. With Savannah Coastal EcoTours. Kayak tour of the creeks around Isle of Hope and Skidaway Island State Park, departing from Isle of Hope. $65 per person. More details

Salt Marsh by Land and Sea, 3hrs. With Wilderness Southeast. Kayak tour of the salt marshes near Savannah; location may vary. $180 for 1-2 people, plus $30 for each additional person to a maximum of 6. Call 912-236-8115 or book online. More details

Skidaway Narrows, 3hrs, 4hrs or 5hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Kayak tour of Skidaway Narrows and its forested creeks, with excellent opportunities for bird watching. A longer variant of this tour, visiting the parts of the Intracoastal Waterway and creeks near Skidaway Island State Park, includes on-land hiking and a picnic. 3-hour tours $65 per person, 4 hours $75, 5 hours $85. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. See details of 3- and 4-hour tours or 5-hour tour.

Wormsloe History Tour, 4hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Paddling in the Skidaway River, plus a tour of the colonial-era Wormsloe Plantation. $79 per person. Limited availability. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

Custom Marsh Kayak Tour, 5-7hrs. With Savannah Coastal EcoTours. Kayak tour of the marshes near Savannah, customised to your group’s interests and skill level. $250 for up to 2 people, plus $125 for each additional person to a maximum of 6. Call 404-512-0040 for reservations. More details

Sunrise & Sunset Tours

Isle of Hope Sunrise or Sunset Tour, 3hrs. With Savannah Coastal EcoTours. Kayak tours of the creeks or marshes (depending on the tide) around Skidaway Island State Park, at either sunrise or sunset. $65 per person. More details

Sunset Paddle, 3hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Sunset tour of the Skidaway Narrows. $65 per person. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

Full Moon Paddle, 3hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Maximum-tide moonlight kayak tour of the Skidaway Narrows. Limited availability. $65 per person. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

Skidaway By Paddleboard

Skidaway Narrows, 3hrs. With Savannah Canoe and Kayak. Paddleboard tour of Skidaway Narrows, including an introduction to paddleboarding. $55 per person. Call 912-341-9502 for reservations. More details

Boat Tours Of Skidaway & Vicinity

Numerous boat tour and charter companies operate in the Savannah and Tybee Island region. A few offer tours of the Skidaway and Wilmington River area itself (other, longer tours to the nearby barrier islands of Wassaw and Ossabaw may also include a ride through the Skidaway region), and most charter companies will be willing to arrange a tour of the area on a per-hour basis.

See details of boat charter companies near Savannah

Marsh Tour (6 max) 3hrs. With Savannah Coastal EcoTours. Nature tours of the marshes and creeks near Savannah, from Isle of Hope. $280 for up to 4 people, $70 each for up to 2 additional passengers. Call 912-220-6092 for reservations. More details

Sunrise & Sunset Boat Rides

Isle of Hope Sunrise or Sunset Tour (6 max) 3hrs. With Savannah Coastal EcoTours. Sunrise and sunset cruises of the Skidaway River, from Isle of Hope. $280 for up to 4 people, $70 each for up to 2 additional passengers. Call 912-220-6092 for reservations. More details

More Things To Do Outdoors Near Savannah

Kayaking at Tybee Island
Little Tybee Island
Ossabaw Island tours
Ebenezer Creek blackwater swamp
Fort McAllister State Park
Blackbeard Island and Sapelo Island tours

See also:
Savannah events
Beaches near Savannah
Things to do in Tybee Island
– Food festivals near Savannah in spring and summer and fall
Wormsloe Historic Site