Savannah Sunset Dolphin Tour: River Explorer & Lowcountry Wildlife

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration2h

GroupUp to 45

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Dolphins at Dusk on Savannah's River: What the Captain Actually Finds

You board the River Explorer at River Street and spend two hours cruising the Lowcountry waterways with a Captain and First Mate who narrate the history and ecosystem as you go. The tour includes dolphin sightings, views of the Waving Girl Statue and Talmadge Bridge, and a sunset return upriver. Bring your own drinks or buy snacks on board, and plan for a few steps to board the vessel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset dolphin tour and sightseeing

Depart from River Street
Cruise past Waving Girl Statue
Pass under or near Talmadge Bridge
Search for Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins
Learn Savannah history from Captain and First Mate
View Lowcountry ecosystem
Enjoy sunset view of Savannah
Return to port

The Experience

The boat was supposed to leave at five, but the Captain was still checking lines at 5:15, and honestly, that's when you know it's a real operation and not a cattle-car tour. We stood on River Street waiting, the cobblestones still warm, and he came down the dock calling out names like he was greeting neighbors. That's the River Explorer — not a big vessel, not trying to be. It holds enough people to feel like a group but small enough that when the Captain points something out, everyone actually sees it.

Once we cast off, the narration started right away. The Captain and First Mate take turns talking through the history of Savannah and the Lowcountry waterways as you move downriver, and it's not the kind of thing where you zone out halfway through. They point out the Waving Girl Statue from the water — a different angle than you get from the shore, and apparently a photo spot people actually use. Depending on the route that day, you either pass under or away from the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, which marks the gateway to the Port of Savannah, and you'll see containerships moving through. It's the working side of the river, not the postcard side.

The whole point is the dolphins, though. Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins live in these waters, and the Captain knows where to look. You also see birds and other marine life — the ecosystem talk isn't filler, it's the reason you're out there. The tour covers all of it: what lives here, how it all connects, what the river does. And then as the light starts to change, you're heading back upriver toward port with the sunset happening around you, which is why the tour is called what it's called. The whole thing runs about two hours, which is long enough to actually settle in but not so long that anyone gets restless.

If you want to bring your own drinks, you can — it's BYOB for alcohol, and people do. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are available to buy on board if you didn't bring anything. The boat has a few steps to climb to board, so it's not wheelchair accessible, and you do have to cross the cobblestones on River Street to get to the dock, which matters if you're traveling with a stroller or have mobility concerns. But if you can manage that, the tour works for all ages and all fitness levels. Book it for late afternoon and you'll finish your Savannah day on the water instead of walking another block through the historic district.

What’s included

Your tour includes a fully narrated cruise by the Captain and First Mate, sightings of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, birds and marine life, views of the Waving Girl Statue and Talmadge Memorial Bridge, and a sunset return upriver.
Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are available for purchase; you can bring your own beverages.
The tour departs and returns to River Street in downtown Savannah.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Savannah Harbor Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to end a Savannah day on the water without arranging your own boat or timing — the Captain handles the narration and the route, and the sunset timing is built into the schedule.