Savannah Coastal Ecotours
Savannah Coastal Ecotours
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About
Savannah kayak and boat tours of the gorgeous waterways of our salt-marsh, barrier islands, and blackwater swamp environments. We specialize in small, private tours customized to the interests of your group. Wildlife is abundant and we commonly see dolphin, a wide variety of birdlife including osprey, eagles, herons & egrets, sometimes alligators, deer, wild pigs, sea turtles or manatee. Captain Fran Lapolla is a Coast Guard certified captain and veteran educator with many years of experience on the water, in the field, and in the classroom. Kayaker Kathryn Lapolla is certified by the American Canoeing Association as a Level 4 Coastal Kayak instructor and has completed the UGA Coastal Master Naturalist program.
Savannah, Georgia
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Savannah Coastal Ecotours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
151 reviews
Excellent
151
Very good
0
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0
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0
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Don L
2 contributions
Oct 2021
We booked a half day boat tour with Fran LaPolla of Savannah Coastal Ecotours during a visit to Savannah. We cannot express what a wonderful day we had with our guide Fran in the Warsaw Island National Wildlife Refuge. Fran is incredibly knowledgeable and expert on the area. We highly recommend Savannah Coastal Ecotours and have already told friends and family to be sure to book a trip next time they are in Savannah.
Written November 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne317
Savannah, GA2 contributions
Jul 2020
I've done numerous trips with Fran and Kathryn and all have been fantastic. They both are knowledgeable of the history of the area and of the waterways. I highly recommend booking kayak tours and beach trips with them. Loads of fun and they are the nicest people you will ever meet.
Written July 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John N
2 contributions
Oct 2021
My family and I were visiting from Atlanta and enjoyed an awesome boat tour on a warm October evening with Captain Fran at the helm and Kathryn as photographer and co-guide. Their knowledge of the waterways, wildlife, and ecology of the surrounding Isle of Hope and Skidaway Island was extensive and added a real depth to the experience. They were both true professionals who made you feel as if you were just out for a boat ride with friends. Which we were by the end of the evening. Thank you both for the pleasure of your company!
Written October 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey B
knoxville93 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Our family of four spent two memorable days with Fran and Kathryn—enjoying an amazing boat tour to Wassaw Island and a relaxing kayak tour around Isle of Hope. Our family had the beach on Wassaw to ourselves, and we had ample time to enjoy the sand and surf and found at least a dozen intact sand dollars. The boat ride was awesome—we saw at least a dozen dolphins, a bonnet head shark, and scores of shore birds. The kayaking trip was very pleasant. Kathryn was very knowledgeable about the area, and the pace was perfect. I would highly recommend any of their tours—you will not be disappointed. To top it all off, they provide a CD of photos Fran takes of each activity. So no need to fumble for your phone or camera—just enjoy the trip!
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy34160
Gurnee, IL21 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
We took a tour out to the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. We are a retired couple visiting Savannah and trying to do safe activities during the pandemic. The private boat tour was just the 2 of us along with the 2 tour guides. Everyone in the boat wore masks and we felt safe. We hadn’t planned on a boat trip so I didn’t have a warm coat but they lent me a coat and gloves to ensure that I was warm enough while the boat was moving.
We saw dolphins, bald eagles and an eagles’s nest. We stopped and got out of the boat to walk on an area piled high with shells.
The guides were friendly and we learned a lot about the area, got to see the marsh up close and had a nice day on the water. I would recommend this tour to others who want to get out and experience nature.
We saw dolphins, bald eagles and an eagles’s nest. We stopped and got out of the boat to walk on an area piled high with shells.
The guides were friendly and we learned a lot about the area, got to see the marsh up close and had a nice day on the water. I would recommend this tour to others who want to get out and experience nature.
Written February 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claude Ray - AC4SH
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Friends
Ham Radio and Parks on the Air? Many people don't understand how much fun it can be. Thanks to Capt. Fran for getting AE4XO, KY4BX and me AC4SH to Ossabaw Island on a beautiful, but colder day in February. Fran was great fun to be with and took some wonderful photos of our radio activation of the island. Captain Fran was a pleasure to deal with before our trip and went beyond our expectations on our boat trip, He adapted to our needs on island and pointed out great places for us to operate Amateur Radio from. 73 de AC4SH
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell B
2 contributions
Feb 2023
Captain Fran Lapolla not only brought myself and 2 friends to Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge so that we could set up radio gear and activate that very rare one for the Parks on the Air program (POTA), but heard us talking about getting back out some day to activate Ossabaw Heritage Wildlife Management Area and suggested he bring us over to that island which is another very rare POTA activation. He didn't charge any extra. Cpt Fran made sure we had a very memorable day and bent over backwards to make sure our activity was a huge success! Beautiful trip and recommend him 100%!
Written February 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pine852
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Family
Our family was so lucky to spend the day with Captain Fran. He gave us a fantastic tour of Georgia’s marshes that was full of dolphin sightings and a special stop to see a marsh up close. Captain Fran’s knowledge of the salt marsh is exceptional but it is his way with people that makes Savannah Coastal Ecotours the best. We felt like part of his family and he taught my kids use his camera and binoculars to see and capture photos of the dolphins and other wildlife. They were excited, engaged, and learned so much. They want to go again! Thank you for this wonderful experience.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MSAKA1908
Atlanta, GA1 contribution
Oct 2020
After watching numerous Georgia Public Television shows about the Georgia Sea Coast, my family and I were keen to see this beautiful landscape for ourselves. We found Savannah Coastal Ecotours online and Fran responded to my email inquiry in less than 24 hours. An exceptional professional, Fran answered all of our questions and periodically kept in touch right up to the hour before our trip was scheduled.
The 3+ hour trip was absolutely incredible! Fran's knowledge of flora and fauna along with the history of the land and coastal communities made the experience an absolute delight. We saw bald eagles, dolphins, pelicans, oysters, cranes and more. My family and I HIGHLY recommend Savannah Coastal Ecotours!
The 3+ hour trip was absolutely incredible! Fran's knowledge of flora and fauna along with the history of the land and coastal communities made the experience an absolute delight. We saw bald eagles, dolphins, pelicans, oysters, cranes and more. My family and I HIGHLY recommend Savannah Coastal Ecotours!
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia M
3 contributions
Apr 2023
My girlfriend and II went on the Sunset Tour with Frank It was amazing. Frank was so nice and knowledgeable. Learned about how rising ocean levels and higher tides are affecting the marshes. WE saw pelicans, herons and terns and Dolphins. We stopped at Dead Man's Hammock and got to walk around. It was a beautiful night and we saw a great sunset. I would highly recommend a tour with Frank for anyone who wants to get out on the water and experience nature up close
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How to sign up for the Ossabaw Island tour, the price of tour and days of operation? Tour would be for my husband and I. We are in the area from 8/29 - 9/2/2015.
Written July 28, 2015
All tours are custom tailored - there are no regularly scheduled tours of Ossabaw. I am booked on 8/30-31 but am available on 9/1. I suggest that you look at my website for a full explanation of the trip. Briefly though, the Ossabaw Island Foundation has a day use fee of $180 for 1-6 individuals and then there would be my fee of $320 on top of that. I would have to check with the Foundation to make sure the island is accessible that day - usually not a problem with a day trip. The full day's tour lasts 6-8 hours including a 50 minute boat ride each way to and from the island. There are other tours to experience coastal Georgia waterways. Please email with other questions or for other information. If none of the above fits your needs you might try the regular ferry service to Sapelo Island about 45 minutes south of Savannah. Information and reservations search for Georgia State parks - Sapelo Island.
Written July 28, 2015
How do I sign up for the tour. It would be for my husband and I. We would like to take a tour of the Ossabaw Island on Sunday8/30/2015 or 31st or 9/1/2015?
Written July 28, 2015
All tours are custom tailored - there are no regularly scheduled tours of Ossabaw. I am booked on 8/30-31 but am available on 9/1. I suggest that you look at my website for a full explanation of the trip. Briefly though, the Ossabaw Island Foundation has a day use fee of $180 for 1-6 individuals and then there would be my fee of $320 on top of that. I would have to check with the Foundation to make sure the island is accessible that day - usually not a problem with a day trip. The full day's tour lasts 6-8 hours including a 50 minute boat ride each way to and from the island. There are other tours to experience coastal Georgia waterways. Please email with other questions or for other information. If none of the above fits your needs you might try the regular ferry service to Sapelo Island about 45 minutes south of Savannah. Information and reservations search for Georgia State parks - Sapelo Island.
Written July 28, 2015
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