Savannah Historic District skyline with moss-draped oaks

Beyond the Historic District

Savannah day trips — beaches, islands and Lowcountry escapes

Savannah is an outstanding base for coastal day trips. Within 30 to 60 minutes you can be swimming at Tybee Island, walking Hilton Head's beaches, or gliding through dolphin-filled estuaries. Here's how to make the most of every one.

Book a Savannah tour

⚡ Seasonal beach and dolphin trips fill up fast in summer — free cancellation up to 24h before.

In short

Savannah day trips are guided or self-drive excursions from downtown to nearby destinations, most notably Tybee Island (18 miles east, about 30 minutes) and Hilton Head Island (40 to 45 miles northeast); options include dolphin-watching cruises, lighthouse tours, kayak trips and Lowcountry nature tours.

Best day trips from Savannah — an overview

Savannah's location on the Georgia coast puts it within easy reach of some of the Southeast's most appealing natural and cultural destinations. To the east, the barrier islands of coastal Georgia and South Carolina offer undeveloped beaches, wildlife reserves and historic lighthouses. Inland, the Georgia lowcountry is a landscape of tidal creeks, marshes and centuries-old plantations. For those who want to stay closer to the city, guided excursions to Bonaventure Cemetery and the surrounding Isle of Hope neighborhood offer a quieter, more contemplative half-day. The two standout full-day options are Tybee Island to the east and Hilton Head Island across the South Carolina border — both easily reached without a complicated journey, and both dramatically different in character. For visitors who want to combine sightseeing with activity — kayaking, dolphin watching, or exploring a lighthouse — guided day-trip packages from downtown Savannah are the most seamless choice.

Tybee Island — Savannah's beach town

Tybee Island sits 18 miles east of downtown Savannah — about 30 minutes along US-80 through the Lowcountry marshes. It's the closest ocean beach to Savannah and has a pleasantly laid-back, unpretentious character: a compact main strip, a long stretch of sand, seafood shacks, and the landmark Tybee Island Lighthouse — the oldest and tallest lighthouse in Georgia, built in 1736 and open to climb for panoramic views of the Georgia coast. On the water, dolphin-watching tours and kayak tours depart from Tybee's marina, offering a close encounter with the bottlenose dolphins that inhabit the estuaries year-round. Summer weekends bring significant crowds, so an early start — or a guided tour with logistics handled — is advisable. The shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) are excellent for Tybee: warm enough for the beach, calm enough to explore without the crowds. Many Savannah tour operators offer guided Tybee day trips with round-trip transport from downtown, lighthouse access and a dolphin excursion bundled together — ideal for visitors without a rental car.

Hilton Head & the Lowcountry coast

Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is roughly 40–45 miles from downtown Savannah — a 45-to-60-minute drive depending on traffic. It's a larger, more resort-oriented island than Tybee, with 12 miles of Atlantic beach, a world-famous cycling trail network, Harbour Town's colourful lighthouse and marina, and Coligny Beach's lively boardwalk area. A Hilton Head day trip comfortably fits beach time, a seafood lunch and one or two activities — kayaking through the sea creeks, a dolphin cruise or a round of mini golf. The Lowcountry coastline between Savannah and Hilton Head is itself worth exploring: the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge (free to enter, outstanding for birdwatching) and the Bluffton oyster-trail village are both easy additions. Guided Savannah day-trip packages to Hilton Head often include an expert naturalist guide who can decode the Lowcountry ecosystem — the salt marshes, the live oaks and the tidal rhythms that have shaped this coastline for millennia. If you're also exploring Savannah's cultural side, pairing a Hilton Head beach day with an evening ghost tour back in the city makes a near-perfect full-day itinerary.

How to do Savannah day trips — guided vs self-drive

Self-driving is the most flexible option for Tybee and Hilton Head — both are straightforward routes with no complex navigation, and parking (while busy in summer) is manageable with an early start. A rental car opened up from downtown Savannah gives you the freedom to linger at a lighthouse, eat at a specific seafood spot or stop at the wildlife refuge on the way back. The trade-off is that you're responsible for logistics and can't enjoy a coastal cocktail at lunch. Guided day trips make the most sense for visitors without a rental car, those traveling with children who benefit from structured itineraries, or anyone who wants a richer experience with expert commentary on the history and ecology of the coast. Several Savannah-based operators run small-group and private day excursions to Tybee, Hilton Head and the Lowcountry with hotel pickup included. For Bonaventure Cemetery, a guided tour (rather than self-driving to an unfamiliar location) is particularly recommended — see the dedicated Bonaventure Cemetery tour page for the best options. Timing-wise, aim to leave Savannah by 9 am for a full beach day, and factor in that summer weekend traffic on US-80 to Tybee can add 20–30 minutes each way.

Recommended tours

Book your Savannah experience

Live availability, real traveler reviews and instant confirmation — most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Tours powered by GetYourGuide. We may earn a commission — it never costs you more.

FAQ

Frequently asked

What are the best day trips from Savannah?

The most popular day trips from Savannah are Tybee Island (the local beach town, about 18 miles east), Hilton Head Island in South Carolina (40–45 miles northeast), and guided excursions to Bonaventure Cemetery and the Lowcountry marshes. Tybee is the easiest — a 30-minute drive and very manageable as a half-day or full-day outing. Hilton Head works well as a full day with beaches, dining and optional water sports. Guided day-trip packages from downtown Savannah often include transport, a local guide and admission to key attractions.

How far is Tybee Island from Savannah?

Tybee Island is approximately 18 miles from downtown Savannah — about 30 minutes by car along US-80 East. The route passes through the Lowcountry marshes and over several causeways, making the drive itself scenic. There is no direct public transit from downtown Savannah to Tybee, so self-driving or joining a guided tour with transport included is the practical option. Parking on Tybee is metered and can fill up on summer weekends, so arriving early or booking a guided tour (which handles logistics) is advisable.

Can you do Hilton Head as a day trip from Savannah?

Yes — Hilton Head Island is about 40–45 miles from downtown Savannah, roughly 45–60 minutes by car depending on traffic and the bridge crossing. A day trip is very doable: you'll have time for the beach, a meal at Harbour Town or Coligny Beach, and optional activities like kayaking, cycling the trails or a dolphin-watching cruise. Some Savannah tour operators offer guided Hilton Head day trips with transport included, which takes the driving stress out of the equation. South Carolina's day-visitor beach parking can be limited on peak summer days, so an early start or guided tour is recommended.

Do you need a car for Savannah day trips?

A car makes day trips significantly easier, but it's not your only option. Several Savannah tour operators run guided day excursions to Tybee Island with round-trip transport from downtown hotels. Dolphin-watching tours and Tybee lighthouse tours often depart from organized meeting points with their own transport arrangements. For Hilton Head and the broader Lowcountry, a guided tour with a vehicle is the most practical choice if you don't have a rental car. Within Savannah itself and for Bonaventure Cemetery visits, rideshare and taxi services also work well.

Location

Where is Forsyth Park?

Forsyth Park is a 30-acre public park at the south end of Savannah's Historic District in Georgia, bordered by Drayton Street, Whitaker Street, West Gaston Street and Park Avenue — about one mile south of River Street. It's free and open daily from sunrise to 10 PM.

Address: Forsyth Park, Drayton St & W Gaston St
Savannah, GA 31401
Hours: Daily · sunrise–10 PM
Entry: Free · no tickets
Coordinates: 32.0686° N, 81.0951° W
Good to know: South end of the Historic District · ~1 mile (20-min walk) from River Street · street parking on the surrounding squares.

Get directions Open in Google Maps

Book your Savannah day trip

Guided excursions with transport, expert local guides and free cancellation. The coast is closer than you think.

See all Savannah tours →

Keep exploring

Walking tours Cemetery tours Segway tours Bike tours Private tours Bus tours Night tours Hop-on hop-off