THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board a trolley in Savannah, taste local seafood, then glide through Tybee Island’s tidal waterways in search of dolphins. This half-day cruise pairs easy island exploration with coastal history and practical tips for making the most of your outing.
Board a trolley in Savannah, taste local seafood, then glide through Tybee Island’s tidal waterways in search of dolphins. This half-day cruise pairs easy island exploration with coastal history and practical tips for making the most of your outing.
You step off the trolley into salt-snap air and the Atlantic greets you in a chorus of gulls and the low thud of surf. The town feels small but busy: shingled cottages, bicycles leaning like punctuation, and the squat white-and-red Tybee Island Lighthouse standing watch near the beach. From Savannah, the drive relaxes you—moss-draped oaks give way to marshes and oyster beds—until the harbor opens and the boat waits, bobbing gently, promising a close encounter with the bottlenose dolphins that patrol these shoals.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Gray Line Savannah · Tybee Island, Georgia
You step off the trolley into salt-snap air and the Atlantic greets you in a chorus of gulls and the low thud of surf. The town feels small but busy: shingled cottages, bicycles leaning like punctuation, and the squat white-and-red Tybee Island Lighthouse standing watch near the beach. From Savannah, the drive relaxes you—moss-draped oaks give way to marshes and oyster beds—until the harbor opens and the boat waits, bobbing gently, promising a close encounter with the bottlenose dolphins that patrol these shoals.
The cruise threads through the islands and narrow waterways that define Georgia’s coast. Geology here is young and flat: barrier islands built of sand and shells, with tidal creeks carving sinuous lines into salt marsh. Historically, Tybee and nearby islands were strategic markers for colonial and Civil War navigation—Fort Pulaski and Cockspur Island Lighthouse pass by as reminders of the area's maritime past. The Crab Shack, a local institution, sits on pilings above tidal flats; lunch there is a cultural experience as much as a meal, a casual, seafood-forward ritual favored by locals and visitors alike.
On the water, the environment feels alive. Currents push the skiff gently, and dolphins break the surface with a purpose that makes the horizon seem close and intimate. The captain narrates points of interest — where shrimp boats pass, which channels to avoid at low tide, and why eelgrass matters to the ecosystem. Photographers can catch long, low light in the afternoon and a coastline stitched with salt marsh and maritime forest.
Practicalities are straightforward. The excursion is a 5–6 hour round trip from Savannah with trolley or bus transport included. Boarding and disembarkation are on flat docks; the island is mostly level with short boardwalks and sandy streets—no major elevation gain. The lighthouse and its museum are available for photos from outside; admission is not included and the site is closed on Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. Dress in layers for sea breeze and sun exposure, bring motion-sickness remedies if you’re sensitive, and have cash or card ready for a leisurely lunch at the Crab Shack. Expect moderate crowds during summer; bookings can fill fast, and pickups start 30–60 minutes before departure.
This tour is accessible to most travelers: families, photographers, and anyone who wants a half-day escape from Savannah to a living coastline. While dolphin sightings are common, they are not guaranteed. Check weather and reconfirm pickup times the day before. If you want a quieter visit, choose shoulder seasons—spring and fall offer milder temperatures and more room on the sand. By day’s end you return to Savannah with salt on your jeans, a handful of photos, and a clearer sense of the coastal rhythms that shape Georgia’s shore.
easy.
5–6 hours.
Minimal fitness required; suitable for most travelers who can board a small boat and walk short sandy paths
Yes. The tour includes trolley or bus transportation from Gray Line guest office in Savannah; pickups begin 30–60 minutes before departure and exact times are provided on reconfirmation.
No. Dolphins are commonly seen but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed; sightings depend on tide, weather, and natural behavior.
No. Lunch at The Original Crab Shack is on your own; the restaurant is casual and accepts card and cash.
You can photograph the lighthouse from the outside, but admission to climb or enter is not included and the lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays.
Yes. The tour is rated easy and suitable for most ages; infants must sit on an adult’s lap and boarding involves short steps onto docks and the boat.
The tour provider may cancel for severe weather; for a full refund cancel at least 24 hours prior. Check reconfirmation instructions and local conditions the day before travel.
Tybee Island served as a navigational point for colonial and Civil War-era shipping; nearby Fort Pulaski and Cockspur Island Lighthouse reflect its maritime strategic value.
Tidal marshes here are sensitive; stay on marked paths to avoid trampling eelgrass and nesting shorebirds, and dispose of trash properly to protect marine life.
Gray Line Savannah operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the trolley into salt-snap air and the Atlantic greets you in a chorus of gulls and the low thud of surf. The town feels small but busy: shingled cottages, bicycles leaning like punctuation, and the squat white-and-red Tybee Island Lighthouse standing watch near the beach. From Savannah, the drive relaxes you—moss-draped oaks give way to marshes and oyster beds—until the harbor opens and the boat waits, bobbing gently, promising a close encounter with the bottlenose dolphins that patrol these shoals.
You step off the trolley into salt-snap air and the Atlantic greets you in a chorus of gulls and the low thud of surf. The town feels small but busy: shingled cottages, bicycles leaning like punctuation, and the squat white-and-red Tybee Island Lighthouse standing watch near the beach. From Savannah, the drive relaxes you—moss-draped oaks give way to marshes and oyster beds—until the harbor opens and the boat waits, bobbing gently, promising a close encounter with the bottlenose dolphins that patrol these shoals.
The cruise threads through the islands and narrow waterways that define Georgia’s coast. Geology here is young and flat: barrier islands built of sand and shells, with tidal creeks carving sinuous lines into salt marsh. Historically, Tybee and nearby islands were strategic markers for colonial and Civil War navigation—Fort Pulaski and Cockspur Island Lighthouse pass by as reminders of the area's maritime past. The Crab Shack, a local institution, sits on pilings above tidal flats; lunch there is a cultural experience as much as a meal, a casual, seafood-forward ritual favored by locals and visitors alike.
On the water, the environment feels alive. Currents push the skiff gently, and dolphins break the surface with a purpose that makes the horizon seem close and intimate. The captain narrates points of interest — where shrimp boats pass, which channels to avoid at low tide, and why eelgrass matters to the ecosystem. Photographers can catch long, low light in the afternoon and a coastline stitched with salt marsh and maritime forest.
Practicalities are straightforward. The excursion is a 5–6 hour round trip from Savannah with trolley or bus transport included. Boarding and disembarkation are on flat docks; the island is mostly level with short boardwalks and sandy streets—no major elevation gain. The lighthouse and its museum are available for photos from outside; admission is not included and the site is closed on Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. Dress in layers for sea breeze and sun exposure, bring motion-sickness remedies if you’re sensitive, and have cash or card ready for a leisurely lunch at the Crab Shack. Expect moderate crowds during summer; bookings can fill fast, and pickups start 30–60 minutes before departure.
This tour is accessible to most travelers: families, photographers, and anyone who wants a half-day escape from Savannah to a living coastline. While dolphin sightings are common, they are not guaranteed. Check weather and reconfirm pickup times the day before. If you want a quieter visit, choose shoulder seasons—spring and fall offer milder temperatures and more room on the sand. By day’s end you return to Savannah with salt on your jeans, a handful of photos, and a clearer sense of the coastal rhythms that shape Georgia’s shore.