Savannah is one of the most charming cities in the US, and feels like some kind of real-life museum with its cobblestone streets, dripping moss, and literally centuries of tales. It’s wonderful from any aspect, but it’s truly something special from the perspective of the Savannah River!

If you really want to experience it the right way, you need to take on a proper riverboat cruise, with professional guides there to lead the way.

I’ve gone ahead and reviewed the 3 top Savannah riverboat cruises available, with each one offering something a bit different from the rest. Let’s dive right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Savannah Ghost Tours and Savannah Food Tours.

Best Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruises

	90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise	2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment	Narrated Harbor Luncheon Riverboat Cruise
Duration:	1.5 hour	2 hours	1.5 hours
Departure:	Riverboat Ticket Office, 9 E River St, Savannah	Riverboat Ticket Office, 9 E River St, Savannah	Riverboat Ticket Office, 9 E River St, Savannah
Start:	1:00 PM, 3:30 PM	7:00 PM	1:00 PM
Includes:	90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Cruise, Fully Narrated Cruise, Take advantage of the great photo opportunities of Savannah’s historic riverfront and skyline	2-Hour Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise along Savannah River, Buffet Style Dinner Included (including carving station, catch of the day, shrimp & grits, and more), Live On-Board Entertainment	Fully narrated lunch cruise, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Soft Drinks and Coffee, Taxes, fees and port charges are included in price
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 3 Best Rated Savannah Riverboat Cruises For 2026

1. 90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise
2. 2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment
3. Narrated Harbor Luncheon Riverboat Cruise

Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise Reviews

1. 90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

There’s a version of Savannah that you just can’t access from the street, and this cruise exists specifically to show it off.

The 90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise is the perfect way to get in a bit of relaxation in your morning or afternoon, with a well-curated itinerary and conversation surrounding the different landmarks.

It feels effortless in a way that most of the walking or bus tours don’t quite possess, because, after all, you are putting in some effort when moving about like that!

There are a ton of different start times over the course of the morning to evening, though I personally recommend doing either an early-morning tour or sunset tour, as the lighting is gorgeous and you have fewer crowds with the former.

We met up with our crew and the rest of our group to board the riverboat, which was just like that one in Disneyland, if you’ve been!

The riverboats definitely set the tone with their classic red, white, and blue, styled after the elegant floating mansions from a much different era, creating a type of nostalgia for a time you’ve never been to.

Not to mention, it’s incredibly photogenic – even more so with the water and city architecture in the background!

You have plenty of choices for where to plant yourself – whether it’s the glass-enclosed, climate-controlled observation deck for unobstructed panoramic views, or the open-air patio (the upper deck bench seats are great for catching some sunlight).

The live captain narration was a pleasant surprise, elevating it from a nice boat ride into an educational experience that covers Savannah’s commerce, conflict, and complicated history.

Gliding past Old Fort Jackson is truly something special, and you’ll get to see some of the oldest original artillery right there on the water (not all of it, of course). If you want a memorable venture outside your walking plans, do yourself a favor and book this one!

More Information & Tour Booking

2. 2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment

If you’re already looking to go out to a restaurant for dinner but really want to make it special, I have the perfect alternative for you.

What better way to celebrate a special night than out on the water with delicious food, live on-board entertainment, and a dance floor area to get your groove on? You can do all of that and more with the 2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment!

Lasting just 2 hours (as the title suggests), you’re not bound to a long route – just a bit longer than you’d likely spend out at a restaurant.

Not to mention, you can expect grade-A customer service with staff and crew who are kind and engaging, and there to answer any questions you may have. Your cruise starts off at 7:00 pm, where you’ll meet your crew and board a stunning riverboat complete with beautiful warm lights glowing all around you to set the mood.

The dinner buffet alone justifies the already-affordable ticket price, complete with a beef carving station, Savannah-style shrimp and grits, baked chicken with artichoke cream sauce, fresh catch of the day, and a full spread of sides, salads, and dessert that genuinely colored me impressed!

I’ll admit that I did perhaps another lap or two to make sure I didn’t miss anything (definitely do NOT miss out on the dessert!). As we ate, we passed the beautiful Savannah skyline and Talmadge Memorial Bridge, along with plenty of other sights to be seen!

You have a glass-enclosed observation deck to keep things comfy no matter the weather conditions, though the open-air patio was calling my name during golden hour!

The dance floor did too – after all, there was some great onboard entertainment and the cash bar kept me on the dance floor the rest of the cruise. It’s perfect if you’re celebrating something like an anniversary, friends trip, or bachelorette party!

More Information & Tour Booking

3. Narrated Harbor Luncheon Riverboat Cruise

Last but certainly not least, is the Narrated Harbor Luncheon Riverboat Cruise. While the previous tour was perfect for dinnertime, this is the best lunch choice, offering a view complete with live historical narration!

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a good Southern buffet, but if you’re a history nerd like I am, you’re also going to love this tour! Lasting just an hour and a half, it’s the perfect amount of time to get a good meal in and learn all about Savannah’s interesting history from local experts!

Your tour starts off at 1:00 pm, so it’s super convenient if you already have morning or evening plans but still want to experience the city from this unique perspective. Board the classic red, white, and blue riverboat, find your seat in either the glass-enclosed observation deck, open-air patio, or upper deck and relax.

The views of the city were truly wonderful, and the boat was slow enough that we had plenty of time to take photos and videos without rushing. The afternoon lighting was impeccable, and some of the photos I got look like they could’ve been postcards!

Unlike the dinner cruise, this one does feature live narration, which further enriches the experience, timed perfectly with the scenery as you pass by. It’s great if you don’t want to go on a full Savannah walking tour but still want to get an idea of the city’s past.

The lunch buffet features plenty of Southern classics like fied chicken, shrimp and grits, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato souffle, squash casserole, turnip greens, warm rolls, and of course, dessert.

For this reason, I was glad the tour wasn’t longer, as I immediately entered a food coma afterward! If you’re looking for gorgeous river views, history, and delicious Southern eats all in one sitting, this is the tour for you.

More Information & Tour Booking