Best Outdoor Activities in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah's reputation as a city of history, architecture, and Southern charm sometimes overshadows its outdoor offerings — but the city and its surroundings are genuinely spectacular for outdoor enthusiasts. From kayaking through tidal marshes to cycling the Historic District's shaded streets, here are the best outdoor activities in and around Savannah.

The waterways around Savannah — the Savannah River, the tidal creeks, and the vast salt marshes of the Georgia coast — are some of the most beautiful paddling environments in the Southeast.

The salt marshes between Savannah and the barrier islands are a paddler's paradise. The creeks wind through golden marsh grass, past oyster beds and shorebirds, with almost no motorized boat traffic. Several outfitters offer guided kayak tours and rentals.

Recommended outfitters:

• Savannah Canoe and Kayak — Offers guided tours and rentals on the Savannah River and surrounding waterways. Their sunset tours are particularly popular.
• Sea Kayak Georgia (on Tybee Island) — Guided tours through the Back River and surrounding marshes.

The Wilmington River, which runs past Bonaventure Cemetery and Isle of Hope, is a beautiful paddleboarding destination. The water is calm, the scenery is stunning, and the wildlife — herons, egrets, dolphins — is abundant.

Savannah's Historic District is one of the most pleasant urban cycling environments in the South. The streets are relatively flat, the squares create natural traffic-calming, and the distances between attractions are short.

Several bike rental shops in the Historic District offer hourly and daily rentals. A self-guided cycling tour of the squares takes about 2 hours at a leisurely pace and covers far more ground than walking.

Recommended: Savannah Bike Tours offers guided cycling tours of the Historic District and surrounding neighborhoods — a great way to get oriented on your first day.

About 15 miles east of Savannah, the McQueen's Island Trail is a 6.5-mile paved trail along the old Savannah-Tybee Railroad right-of-way. The trail runs through beautiful coastal marshland and is popular with cyclists, walkers, and birders. It connects to Tybee Island at the eastern end.

Just 18 miles east of Savannah, Tybee Island offers the closest beach access to the city. The main beach is wide and sandy, with a classic Georgia coastal character — laid-back, slightly quirky, and genuinely beautiful.

What to do at Tybee:

• Swim at the public beach (lifeguards on duty in summer)
• Climb the Tybee Island Lighthouse for panoramic views
• Kayak or paddleboard from the Back River
• Eat fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants

Read our full Tybee Island guide →

The Georgia coast is one of the premier birding destinations in the eastern United States, and the Savannah area offers exceptional birding opportunities year-round.

Located just across the South Carolina border, about 10 miles from downtown Savannah, the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre complex of freshwater marshes, tidal rivers, and bottomland hardwoods. The 4-mile Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive is excellent for spotting wading birds, waterfowl, alligators, and — in winter — large concentrations of migratory birds.

Best time to visit: Fall and winter for migratory waterfowl; spring and summer for wading birds and breeding species.

About 40 miles south of Savannah, Harris Neck is one of the best birding spots on the Georgia coast. The refuge has a large wood stork nesting colony (spring and summer), excellent shorebird habitat, and a beautiful 4-mile wildlife drive.

About 15 miles south of downtown Savannah, Skidaway Island State Park offers 22 miles of hiking trails through maritime forest, salt marsh, and tidal creeks. The trails are well-maintained and offer excellent wildlife viewing — deer, armadillos, and various bird species are commonly seen.

Practical info: Day use fee applies. Open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM.

For a more urban outdoor experience, Forsyth Park's 30 acres offer a pleasant walking and running environment in the heart of the Historic District. The perimeter path is about 0.75 miles; the park's interior paths add additional distance.

Read our full Forsyth Park guide →

American alligators are common throughout the Savannah area. The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge and Skidaway Island State Park are reliable spots for alligator sightings, particularly in warm weather when they bask on the banks of ponds and canals.

Safety note: Never approach or feed alligators. Maintain a safe distance and keep pets and children away from the water's edge.

Bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen in the waterways around Savannah, particularly in the Savannah River and the tidal creeks near Tybee Island. Kayak tours often encounter dolphins, and they're sometimes visible from the Tybee Island waterfront.

Spring (March–May): The best season for outdoor activities. Temperatures are comfortable, the azaleas are blooming, and the wildlife is active. Ideal for kayaking, cycling, and hiking.

Summer (June–August): Hot and humid. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening. The beach at Tybee Island is at its most popular. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

Fall (September–November): Another excellent season. Temperatures moderate, the crowds thin, and the fall migration brings excellent birding opportunities.

Winter (December–February): Mild by national standards. Outdoor activities are still possible and often very pleasant on clear days. The best time for birding at the wildlife refuges.

The Historic District is the best base for cycling and walking. For beach access, consider staying on Tybee Island itself — several hotels and vacation rentals are available, and you'll wake up steps from the water.

Browse Savannah hotels →

Compare Savannah and Tybee Island hotel rates →

• Tybee Island day trip guide →
• Forsyth Park: complete visitor guide →
• Savannah Neighborhoods — where to base yourself →
• Best family activities in Savannah →

Savannah's outdoor offerings are one of the city's best-kept secrets. Whether you're paddling through the marshes at sunrise or cycling the shaded squares in the late afternoon, the natural environment here is as compelling as the history.