Swamp tours? (Savannah: rental car, rental, home)

[TessaCanada]

My husband and I are trying to decide between deep sea fishing, dolphin tours and swamp tours. I was looking at Okefenokee swamp, but it seems like a long way from Savannah. Is is too far for a day trip? Is there anything closer? We're looking for something in the outdoor adventure type thing, not to far away and not too expensive. Some of the fishing charters are pretty pricey. And we do have a rental car.
We're coming for the week of Nov 2-9th
Thanks,
Tessa

[Padgett2]

It's about 140 miles to the swamp. So plan on about a 3 hour trip. We took our kids when they were young. It can easily be a day trip. It's interesting. If we have a cold snap, the alligators will be hibernating and may not be seen sunning themselves. In fact, if the weather is chilly, the swamp is not exactly what you would call a comfortable place to be. You can easily decide on that when you get here.

Another option, if you choose not to visit the swamp, would be the Ogeechee Canal.

Savannah - Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center

It's right on the outskirts of Savannah and interesting because of the historical background. It's also a good example of how things can be restored when they are appreciated. Plenty of woods for walking around.

[irvm]

Originally Posted by TessaCanada

We're looking for something in the outdoor adventure type thing, not to far away and not too expensive. Some of the fishing charters are pretty pricey. And we do have a rental car.
We're coming for the week of Nov 2-9th
Thanks,
Tessa

Cumberland Island National Seashore is nice if you like hiking, shelling, photography, etc:
Cumberland Island National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) it's about 185km south of Savannah. There are good places to eat seafood along the way

[LunaMoth]

You could go to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, located only about 15 minutes from downtown Savannah just over the border in South Carolina.

Savannah NWR Home Page

Savannah NWR FAQ's

Savannah NWR Map

I HIGHLY recommend the Laurel Hill wildlife drive; you can drive along the dikes of an old working rice plantation, and look into the old fields and canals. There's been plenty of alligators and other local wildlife there in the past.

And the best thing? It's completely free, and open seven days a week from dawn until sunset.

Great place for a picnic, too!

And, if you like the Savannah refuge, you can go to Pinckney Island (see Pinckney Island NWR Home Page), or Harris Neck (very, very cool...old abandoned WWII airfield with lots of nature; Harris Neck NWR - Home Page).

Also look at the companies that offer kayaking; there's several companies (sorry, but I can't give you the website because of the forum's rules, just google around) that put in at Ebenezer Creek in Effingham County (just north of Savannah), and take you through that blackwater cypress swamp. Very cool. And very close; only about 45 minutes north of downtown Savannah.

Have fun!

[TessaCanada]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I'll be sure to look into all of them!

[Hyun-Soo]

Sounds like fun!