Savannah River at Sundown, With an Eye Out for Dolphins
Two narrated hours on the Savannah River from River Street, looking for wild bottlenose dolphins and finishing on the sunset.
The River Explorer leaves the River Street waterfront for about two hours on the Savannah River, with the captain and first mate narrating the history of the city and its waterways. Out on the water the crew looks for the local Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and points out birds and other marine life along the way.
Dolphins here are wild, and the operator's own FAQ says sightings can never be guaranteed. The trip ends with the sun going down as the boat heads back up the river to the dock.
The booking below has adult tickets from age 13 and child tickets for ages 3 to 12, and infants two and under are added to the same order alongside an adult. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Savannah Sunset Dolphin Eco TourTwo hours aboard the River Explorer from River Street · Narrated by the captain and first mate · BYOB for 21+www.viator.comWalk to Spanky's, Not the Company Address
Boarding is at the River Street Landing dock on the water side of River Street, directly in front of Spanky's at 317 East River Street and across from The Shrimp Factory. The crew checks guests in at the top of the ramp and starts boarding about 30 minutes before departure.
The company's listed street address is 502 East River Street, and a map search for its name lands there; walk to Spanky's instead. Travelers in 2024, 2025 and as recently as February 2026 wrote that the address they found online did not lead them to the dock, and one of them missed the boat.
Out Past the Waving Girl, Back Up the River at Sunset
On the way out the boat passes the Waving Girl statue. The listing says that, depending on the route, it either runs under the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, the gateway into the Port of Savannah, or heads the other way, and container ships bound for the port are part of the view.
Conditions can change the plan: a traveler in September 2026 wrote that choppy water led the crew to modify the tour, and the boat still found dolphins. Narration covers the history of Savannah and the Lowcountry ecosystem around the river.
A Flat Boat With Benches, a Restroom and Ice for Your Drinks
One traveler in August 2026 summed up the River Explorer as a big flat boat with benches on each side and plenty of room; another, in April 2026, wrote that the photos had suggested a bigger ship. The operator says the boat has areas out of the direct sun and weather, a restroom on board and handrails throughout, and carries up to 49 passengers.
No alcohol is sold aboard. Adults 21 and over may bring their own, with valid ID, and the boat has ice and coolers to keep it cold. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are sold on board.
A Few Steps to Board, and Cobblestones on the Way
The boat is not wheelchair accessible: there are a few steps up to board, and reaching the dock means crossing River Street's cobblestones. The booking page marks the trip as suitable for all fitness levels and fine for strollers, but those boarding steps still apply, so plan for them. Service animals are allowed.
🐬 As of October 27, 2026, the booking calendar and the operator's own calendar agreed on one sailing a day through December: 4:30 PM until October 31, then 3:30 PM, mostly Wednesday to Sunday in November and Thursday to Sunday in December. The booking calendar keeps 3:30 PM Thursday-to-Sunday sailings through February and moves the start later as the days lengthen, reaching 6:30 PM in June and July.
- Arrive 30 minutes early with the booking confirmation on your phone.
- Parking is not included and is limited on River Street; the operator asks guests to be parked and within walking distance an hour before departure, and a boat missed for lack of parking is not refunded.
- Cruises can still run in rain. The operator cancels only when weather or water make it unsafe, and then offers another time or a refund.
- Gratuities are not included, and one traveler in 2025 advised choosing shoes carefully because waves can splash water onto the deck.
The last stretch of the ride is the sunset over the river on the way back to the dock.