If you are looking for an experience that you won’t soon forget, and a completely unique Hilton Head Boat Tour, the Savannah Run by boat is hands down one of my favorite things to do in Hilton Head. Most people thinking about Hilton Head water activities don’t even think about how close Savannah is by boat. On most days it’s within an hour and fifteen minutes from almost any dock on the island. That makes this little gem of an excursion a fantastic day trip that is 100% fun for the whole family.
Our normal journey starts on the north end of the island and takes you past tons of attractions in Hilton Head like – Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge, the Harbour Town Lighthouse, and past Daufuskie Island along the banks of the Cooper River. Turning away from Daufuskie, the cruise glides through the backwaters and lush marshes and then drops a hard right turn into the Savannah River. When you get into the Savannah River, you are almost always guaranteed to pass by a floating skyscraper either coming into or heading out of Savannah’s busy port. Even for the experienced Captain, passing by one of those massive cargo ships is a sight to behold.
Prior to pulling up on River Street Savannah, the route goes past Old Fort Jackson – a beautifully preserved Civil War fort, and past the busy industrial section of Savannah. Within minutes, you are docking smack dab in the middle of River Street directly across from Wet Willy’s. We recommend their frozen “Call a Cab” on a hot summer day. Did we mention that Savannah is an open container city? This means you can wander around and take in all the sites with your adult beverage in hand. Nice!
Once you disembark on River Street, there are an infinite number of places that you can explore. Some of our favorite attractions include:
- Broughton Street Savannah – If you are looking to get your shopping on, there are tons of local stores and boutiques as well as restaurants to keep you entertained for more than a few hours.
- Historic River Street – Is steeped in history and walking along the cobblestone streets – you can also smell the saltwater taffy and confectionary treats. River Street is full of shops where you can get your knick-knacks for the kids or pop up to one of its numerous rooftop bars/lounges and watch the big ol’ container ships just pass on by.
- The Plant Riverside District – Is an exciting new development located along the banks of the historic Savannah River. This vibrant and eclectic area has a range of activities, attractions, and cultural experiences for visitors to explore. From outdoor concerts, festivals, and markets to museums, galleries, live entertainment venues, restaurants and more – there’s something for everyone in this bustling district. Insider’s tip – go check out the JW Marriott – there are some larger-than-life things there that you need to see, trust me.
- City Market Savannah – The City Market of Savannah, is a vibrant and bustling area located right in the heart of downtown. It’s an ideal place to explore and experience local culture while also enjoying some shopping or dining. The market features unique shops and restaurants that are sure to please any taste. Vinny Van Go Go’s is the spot for Pizza – I think it’s the best Pizza around. You can also dip into the Prohibition Museum or book a horse and carriage ride around the city as well, amongst many other things.
If you hope to hit all of those locations in a day, I’d bring your walking shoes and some very light clothes. Insiders tip – the humidity in Savannah can be intense during the summer and if you aren’t from the south, the air is pretty thick and humid. So, wearing breathable clothes and staying hydrated all day is key.
After pushing off the dock and heading back to Hilton Head, we usually stop at Freeport Marina on Daufuskie Island. It’s basically 40 minutes away and the halfway point between Savannah and our home base on Hilton Head. By that time, everyone is ready to make a pit stop and grab a famous Scrap Iron at the Old Daufuskie Crab Company. It’s not unusual to see other tour groups there as well like Island Head, H2O Watersports, Tour Daufuskie and Outside Hilton Head, which usually makes for lots of people and fun times. When it’s time to leave the island, we generally cut through Bull Creek and go the scenic way – finishing up down the May River and into Skull Creek.
Your day trip can be as long or as short as you want it to be, but I would recommend anywhere from six to eight hours total from start to finish. Which usually gives you enough time to get home, take a nice shower, grab a quick power nap, and then start thinking about dinner and tomorrow’s next adventure.
About the Author – Neil Arlett has lived on Hilton Head Island for the past 19 years. Neil is a partner and Captain with Hilton Head Boat Charters (www.hhiboatcharters.com) – a boat charter company that runs private Hilton Head Dolphin Tours, Hilton Head Sunset Cruise, custom four- and six-hour tours, large group wedding charters, and Hilton Head Bachelorette Party cruises. Neil is somewhat of an authority on the fun and sometimes unusual things to do in Hilton Head, and in this ongoing blog series, he shares his local insights.
