Things to do nearWilmington River

The Wilmington River stretches roughly ten miles through Chatham County, connecting the Back River near Savannah to Wassaw Sound at its southeastern end. The river has long served as a working waterway, used by shrimpers, crabbers, and commercial fishermen who know its tides intimately. The community of Thunderbolt, once a hub of the Georgia shrimping industry, still lines its western bank and gives the river a lived-in, unhurried character.

On the water, kayaking is one of the best ways to appreciate the river's ecology up close. Bottlenose dolphins follow the tidal current through the main channel, ospreys nest on channel markers, and wood storks wade the marsh edges in summer. Anglers find the Wilmington River reliable for spotted seatrout, flounder, and red drum, particularly around the oyster beds and grass flats that fringe the banks.

Just offshore, Wassaw Island is accessible by boat and protects a stretch of undeveloped barrier beach that feels remote despite its proximity to Savannah. The surrounding waters also support fishing charters that run regularly from nearby marinas. The Wilmington River is a place where Georgia's coastal wilderness remains genuinely intact, making every visit feel like a discovery.