Finding the Natural Side of Coastal Georgia with Wilderness Southeast

It was low tide in the salt marsh and the Fiddler crabs were scurrying everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Big ones, small ones and those in-between were rushing around as if they had to be somewhere important. I stopped and watched, and silently took pictures. I was so captured by this that I nearly missed discovering a mussels that was still in the ground.

It was hard to believe that I was just minutes off a busy and popular highway in Tybee Island, Ga.

And that was just a small sampling of what I discovered on the tour.

It’s a Saturday evening and I’m being led around by a  naturalist with Wilderness Southeast (map). Not only am I in awe of my surroundings, but having someone who can explain it all in detail has added tremendously to the  experience.

Wilderness Southeast, or WiSE, offers 11 different tours that range from exploring  downtown Savannah’s parks to expeditions at either Wassaw Island National Refuge (map) or Cumberland Island National Seashore (map). Each tour can be customized to your (or your group’s) interest and age(s). While the tours are interesting, I believe what most sets WiSE apart is their guides. Their naturalist are not only knowledgeable in the areas, but also enthusiastic and it’s catching. You don’t walk away with a new or renewed appreciation of nature, then you weren’t paying attention.

WiSE also has “Walks on the Wild Side,” which are scheduled nature tours. Typically happening on the weekends, it’s a great way to experience the tours if you all ready have a packed itinerary.

Savannah and Tybee Island are known for a lot of things: rich history, culinary delights and beaches, to name a few. Next time you’re in the area, with the help of WiSE, turn off the main road and explore. You won’t be disappointed.

The tour was part of a weekend FAM trip to the area; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

photo credit: personal photos