Savannah Harbor Cruise — Narrated Riverboat Sightseeing Tour

The narrated harbor sightseeing cruise starts from $42 per person for a 1.5-hour trip. That covers the round-trip riverboat cruise and live captain commentary. Food and drinks are not included but can be bought onboard at the Bar & Grille. Other Savannah Riverboat options — the lunch, dinner and brunch cruises — cost more because a meal is included; you will find those compared further down this page.

The narrated harbor sightseeing cruise runs 1.5 hours from departure to return. Boarding begins 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time, so plan to arrive at the River Street ticket office about 45 minutes early once you factor in parking. The lunch and dinner cruises run roughly 2 hours, and the combo cruise with a city tour runs about 3 hours. New to riverboat cruising? Our guide to what to expect on a Savannah harbor cruise walks through boarding, the route, and timing step by step.

If you want to understand Savannah from the water it owes its existence to, yes. The cruise has a 4.3/5 rating from more than 1,286 verified guests, who consistently praise the captains' storytelling and the relaxed pace. In 1.5 hours you see the historic riverfront, the working container port and Old Fort Jackson — perspectives you simply cannot get on a walking tour. It is one of the most affordable narrated experiences in the city.

The cruise heads downriver from River Street toward Old Fort Jackson, home to one of the oldest original artillery pieces in the country. Along the way the captain points out Savannah's historic riverfront, the city skyline and the modern port, where container ships from around the world load and unload. It is a working-river tour as much as a scenic one — you see Savannah past and present side by side. For a stretch-by-stretch breakdown of the route, see our first-timer's guide to the Savannah harbor cruise.

Cruises depart from the Savannah Riverboat dock on River Street in the historic downtown. Pick up your tickets first at the Riverboat Ticket Office, 9 East River Street — near Olympia Cafe and River Street Sweets. The boat is moored at the dock directly across from the ticket office.

Allow an extra 30 to 60 minutes to find parking in downtown Savannah, especially on weekends. The closest options are the public parking lots on River Street and at Bay Street level, plus the Bryan Street Parking Garage a short walk away. Arriving early for parking also means you will not miss the 30-minute boarding window. Our River Street parking guide for the harbor cruise covers the closest garages, costs, timing, and the free downtown shuttle.

The narrated harbor sightseeing cruise is casual — wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a camera. The boat has both an air-conditioned interior and an open-air top deck, so a light layer is useful. The evening dinner cruises lean a little dressier (smart casual), but the daytime sightseeing cruise has no formal dress code.

The narrated harbor sightseeing cruise focuses on the historic riverfront and port rather than wildlife, so dolphin sightings are occasional rather than guaranteed. If watching dolphins is your priority, choose a dedicated dolphin eco cruise instead — those run from the river out toward the salt marsh and Tybee Island, where bottlenose dolphins are far more common. You can compare both in the cruise options below, or read our harbor cruise vs dolphin tour comparison to decide which boat suits you.

The 1.5-hour harbor sightseeing cruise does not include a meal — it is a sightseeing trip, not a dining cruise. A Bar & Grille onboard sells snacks, light bites and drinks you can purchase during the cruise. If you want a full meal included, book the Savannah lunch cruise or the buffet dinner cruise with live entertainment instead.

Savannah is not an ocean cruise-ship embarkation port — large cruise lines do not sail from here. What Savannah offers is riverboat cruising on the Savannah River: narrated sightseeing, lunch, dinner, brunch and dolphin trips aboard the Savannah Riverboats. This site covers those local harbor cruises, which depart right from River Street downtown.

The cruise operates rain or shine, and the air-conditioned interior cabin keeps it comfortable in poor weather or summer heat. Note that you will not be offered a refund if you miss the boat, so arrive within the boarding window. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on this tour. Wondering which season is best? See our month-by-month guide to the best time for a Savannah harbor cruise.

The narrated harbor sightseeing cruise is the shortest and most affordable — 1.5 hours, from $42, no meal. The sightseeing lunch cruise adds a midday buffet over a 2-hour sailing. The buffet dinner cruise is the premium evening option: a 2-hour cruise with a Southern-style buffet and live entertainment. All three cover the same scenic stretch of the Savannah River — the choice comes down to whether you want a meal and what time of day you prefer.