Best Day Trips from Savannah: Coastal Escapes & Lowcountry Highlights

Savannah rewards slow exploration, but some of the most memorable experiences lie just beyond the city limits. Whether you are planning full day trips from Savannah or looking for a few easy trip ideas nearby, the Georgia coast and Carolina Lowcountry offer some of the most rewarding excursions in the region. Some destinations are best treated as full-day excursions, while others can be combined into a relaxed day at your own pace.

Many guests at East Bay Inn explore the region by car, which makes it easy to reach the coast, the Golden Isles, and nearby South Carolina destinations at your own pace rather than following fixed tour schedules. Guided tours are still available for most major destinations if you prefer a more structured day.

Tybee Island Pier - Photo Credit: Visit Savannah / Geoff L Johnson

Tybee Island & Fort Pulaski

The closest beach to Savannah, Tybee Island sits at the end of Highway 80, an easy 18-mile drive through the coastal marshes. The island has a laid-back character, with wide stretches of beach, casual seafood spots, and a lighthouse dating to 1773 that you can climb for views across the Atlantic.

On the way, Fort Pulaski National Monument on Cockspur Island is worth a stop. This brick fortification was considered state-of-the-art when completed, until Union artillery breached its walls in 1862, marking a turning point in military engineering. Today, the fort, its museum, and surrounding trails make for an engaging visit.

Getting there: By car: Drive Highway 80 east from the Historic District. The marsh scenery along the causeway is part of the experience. Parking is available at both locations. By tour: Guided excursions to Tybee and Fort Pulaski operate from Savannah and typically include transportation and commentary.

Worth knowing: Dogs are not permitted on Tybee’s main beach. Entrance fees apply at Fort Pulaski. Pairs well with a morning along the Wilmington River if you want to extend the day.

Tybee Island Light Station - Photo Credit: Visit Savannah

Bonaventure Cemetery, Isle of Hope & Old Fort Jackson

Just beyond the Historic District, this stretch along the Wilmington River offers one of the most characteristic landscapes in the Savannah area. Bonaventure Cemetery is the focal point, known for its live oaks draped in Spanish moss and the graves of figures such as Johnny Mercer and Conrad Aiken. The setting is quiet and expansive, best explored slowly with a map from the entrance.

A short drive further along the bluff brings you to the Isle of Hope. This small residential area is not a formal attraction, but the drive along Bluff Drive, lined with historic homes and views over the river, is one of the more understated and scenic detours in the area.

Old Fort Jackson sits along the same corridor and can be added if you have time. Dating to the early 1800s, it is Georgia’s oldest standing brick fortification and hosts daily cannon firings overlooking the Savannah River.

Getting there: By car: All three stops are within a short drive of each other, making this an easy route to follow out of the city. By tour: Bonaventure and Fort Jackson are often included in guided half-day excursions from Savannah.

Worth knowing: Bonaventure is free to enter and best visited in the early morning or late afternoon. Fort Jackson charges an entrance fee. Most guests combine this route with Tybee Island or Fort Pulaski to create a more complete day.

Bonaventure Cemetery - Photo Credit: Visit Savannah / Casey Jones

Jekyll Island & the Golden Isles

About an hour down I-95, Jekyll Island offers a mix of history and coastline that rewards a slower pace. Once a private retreat for families such as the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, the island’s historic district preserves their late 19th-century cottages, now open to visitors.

Elsewhere on the island, there are over 20 miles of bike trails, quiet beaches, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Driftwood Beach, lined with weathered oak trunks, is one of the most photographed stretches of coast in the region. Nearby St. Simons Island offers a different coastal atmosphere if you have time to extend the day.

Getting there: By car: I-95 south to Exit 29, then across the Jekyll Island Causeway. A small entry fee applies. By tour: Full-day excursions from Savannah are available, often including transport and guided visits within the historic district.

Worth knowing: Bike rentals are widely available. Allow time to explore beyond the main historic area.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Just across the state line, Beaufort offers a quieter, more residential take on Lowcountry life. The Point neighborhood and Bay Street are well suited to a slow walk, and the waterfront park provides an easy place to pause along the Beaufort River.

The area also carries important Reconstruction-era history. The Penn Center on nearby St. Helena Island, originally established as a school for formerly enslaved people, is now a National Historic Landmark. The influence of Gullah Geechee culture is evident throughout the region.

Getting there: By car: I-95 north into South Carolina, then east toward Beaufort. By tour: Less commonly included in organized tours from Savannah, making this better suited to independent travel.

Worth knowing: St. Helena Island is about 15 minutes from downtown Beaufort.Pairs well with an afternoon on Hilton Head.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head offers a different coastal experience from Tybee, with broader beaches, a more developed resort setting, and an extensive network of cycling paths. Coligny Beach Park is the easiest access point, while Harbour Town and its lighthouse provide a recognizable focal point.

Getting there: By car: US-278 east from I-95 leads directly onto the island. By tour: Some guided excursions from Savannah include Hilton Head.

Worth knowing: Dogs are permitted on Hilton Head beaches with seasonal restrictions. If you are visiting Savannah with your dog, this is be one of the more flexible coastal options nearby. Bike rentals are available across the island. Combines well with Beaufort for a full day along the South Carolina coast.

Skidaway Island State Park

For a quieter escape into nature, Skidaway Island State Park offers an easy option. Trails wind through maritime forest and salt marsh, with frequent wildlife sightings and views across tidal creeks from an observation tower. It is close enough to return comfortably to Savannah by early evening.

Getting there: By car: A straightforward drive south from downtown.

Worth knowing: A small state park day-use fee applies. Cooler months are generally more comfortable for walking.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is the longest trip on this list but offers a complete change of pace. Like Savannah, it reflects a blend of European, African, and Caribbean influences, though with its own distinct character. The historic district, the Battery, Rainbow Row, and the Charleston City Market are all easily explored on foot.

Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, can be reached by ferry from the harbor.

Getting there: By car: Approximately two hours north of Savannah. I-95 north is the fastest route, while Highway 17 offers a more scenic coastal drive. By tour: Full-day guided trips between Savannah and Charleston are available.

Worth knowing: Booking Fort Sumter ferries in advance is recommended. Parking in the historic center is limited, so arriving early helps.