Savannah by Sea: A Six-Hour Private Charter to the Barrier Islands

The Bull River wakes up like a slow-breathing giant—smooth in the early light, then ruffled by tide and breeze as the marsh stretches out in green ribbons to the horizon. Pelicans draw lazy arcs overhead. Somewhere toward the mouth, the Atlantic exhales. Your captain eases the throttles forward, and the boat noses into that expanse of sky and salt where Savannah hides one of its best-kept secrets: miles of wild, uninhabited barrier islands where time runs on tide and sun. This is the kind of day built for choosing your own pace. Lean into the wind as the boat knits through spartina creeks. Stop for an unhurried beach walk where sand dollars stud the tide line and the surf whispers, then demands, then retreats. Drift off the stern as currents nudge you along a sandbar’s edge. Pause for a mid-day cocktail at a dockside tiki bar, the river winking in the afternoon glare. With a Coast Guard–licensed captain at the helm and fuel included, the 6-Hour Private Charter with Captain is equal parts freedom and ease—no schedules to keep, just a route you sketch with the skipper, then adjust with the weather and your mood. Savannah’s barrier islands are the stars of this trip. These are the quiet ones—undeveloped, wind-shaped, and generous with shells after a strong tide. Sandbars appear and vanish on a lunar rhythm. Dolphins play tag in the boat’s wake, and the marsh keeps its own counsel, rustling like it has better stories than anyone on board. The islands are a fine partner for whatever day you want to have: a celebratory cruise with a wedding party, a couples’ escape for sun and salty hair, or a family ramble where kids dart after fiddler crabs while adults collect shark teeth like souvenirs from another era. You can also add paddle boards or even a floating dock/beer pong table for a little extra fun if the mood strikes. A private charter adds something people forget they needed: the permission to leave watches in a dry bag and design the day as you go. Want to linger when the shelling hits a lucky seam? You linger. Want a swim when the tide is kind and the water warms? Overboard you go—though the current will make its case, pushing and pulling like an old friend who can’t resist. Nature here isn’t a backdrop; it insists on being a character. The river dares you to jump in. The breeze negotiates your route. The sun keeps the clock with clean, unambiguous authority. Your captain reads all of it—the tides, the chop, the best beach landing—and points you toward the quietest stretch of sand. Coastal Georgia rewards curiosity in ways that feel subtle at first. Those bronze-haloed marshes? They’re part of one of America’s great ecological engines, protecting shorelines and feeding fisheries. Local lore carries across the tides too. From old quarantine stations at Lazaretto Creek to the tough, enduring traditions of Gullah-Geechee culture along the coast, these waters have always been highways for stories. Even a tiki bar stop nods to a long-standing Savannah truth: the river is where people gather, laugh, and relax. The practical joy of this charter is how simple it is to show up prepared and then let the day roll. Adults can bring their own beer, wine, or preferred beverages—coolers are on the boat and ready. Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a hat are not optional luxuries here; they’re survival tools under the bright Georgia sun. Non-slip shoes or water shoes will make your life easier when you hop ashore. Pack a towel, a light layer for the run home, and a waterproof bag to keep phones, wallets, and cameras from learning hard lessons. Hydration matters, especially on sunlit water. You’ll find that the line between trip and ritual blurs quickly: a short beach walk turns into an hour of combing for shells and teeth; a quick dip becomes a lazy float where the tide does the work; a simple plan becomes exactly the memory you needed. And if you’re the type who enjoys local wisdom, tap into trusted guidance before you go—Savannah’s captains and guides share the sort of timely, tide-savvy advice you only get from seasoned pros, and you can browse helpful insights from local experts here: Savannah boating local experts. When to book? Spring and fall deliver warm days and manageable humidity, with steady breezes and water temperatures that invite a swim. Summer brings peak heat and pop-up storms, but the long days mean more time to play sandbar roulette. Winter is for glassy-morning runs and crowd-free beaches—a moodier, quieter version of the coast. No matter the season, the 6-hour window hits a sweet spot: enough time to chase dolphins, beachcomb, snack-and-sip, then find a late-day rhythm that leads you back upriver as the light softens and the marsh burns gold. You’ll disembark sun-tired and satisfied, with pockets rattling a little from shells and teeth and a camera full of moments where the coast felt like it belonged to you. Keep the momentum going by reading up on more regional know-how from local adventure specialists—then bring that curiosity back to the water. The river has a way of rewarding people who listen.