Chatham County Boat Ramps: Public Launches & Water Access | 912 Coastal

Chatham County Boat Ramps: Public Launches & Water Access

Chatham County has one of the largest concentrations of public boat ramps on the Georgia coast. From the Savannah River and Wilmington River to Skidaway Narrows, Lazaretto Creek and Tybee Creek, these launches provide access to a wide range of coastal waters.

Georgia DNR's current coastal boating-access directory lists 10 Chatham County ramps, while Chatham County Parks maintains the county's network of public ramps and fishing facilities. Coastal DNR

Chatham County Boat Ramps

F.W. Spencer Park Boat Ramp

Location: 3102 Islands Expressway, Savannah, GA 31410

Water Access: Wilmington River

Facilities: Boat ramp, fishing pier and parking

This is a basic public launch near the Savannah River and Wilmington River system. Chatham County Parks

Bell's Landing Boat Ramp

Location: 12450 Apache Avenue, Savannah, GA 31419

Launch Lanes: 1 double-lane ramp

Ramp Surface: Paved

Parking: Paved

Dock: Courtesy dock

Life Jackets: Available

Bell's Landing provides access to the coastal waterways south of Savannah. Coastal DNR

Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp

Location: 25 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31406

Water Access: Skidaway River / Skidaway Narrows

Facilities: Boat ramp, parking, restrooms, pavilion and beach

Also known as Butterbean Beach, this is one of the better-known public launching areas in the Savannah area. Chatham County Parks

See our full Rodney J. Hall Boat Ramp: Savannah Launch Guide.

Salt Creek Boat Ramp

Location: 5323 Ogeechee Road, Savannah, GA 31419

Water Access: Salt Creek

Facilities: Boat ramp, fishing pier, parking, pavilion and playground

See our full Salt Creek Boat Ramp: Savannah Launch Guide. Chatham County Parks

Kings Ferry Boat Ramp

Location: 6851 Ogeechee Road, Savannah, GA 31419

Water Access: Ogeechee River

Facilities: Boat ramp, fishing pier, pavilion, bathrooms, playground and parking

See our full Kings Ferry Boat Ramp: Ogeechee River Launch Guide. Chatham County Parks

Thunderbolt Boat Ramp

Location: 3500 Marye Street, Thunderbolt, GA 31404

Launch Lanes: 1

Ramp Surface: Paved

Parking: Dirt/gravel

Dock: Courtesy dock

Restrooms: Yes

Life Jackets: Available

The Thunderbolt ramp provides access to the Wilmington River near Savannah. Georgia Department of Natural Resources

See our full Thunderbolt Boat Ramp guide.

Turner Creek Boat Ramp

Location: 98 Johnny Mercer Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31404

Ramp Surface: Paved

Parking: Dirt/gravel

Dock: Courtesy dock

Life Jackets: Available

The ramp is located on both sides of the bridge and provides access to Turner Creek and the surrounding Intracoastal waterways. Coastal DNR

Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp

Location: U.S. Highway 80, McQueen's Island

Launch Lanes: 3

Ramp Surface: Paved

Parking: Paved

Dock: Courtesy dock

Life Jackets: Available

Lazaretto Creek is a major public launch near Tybee Island and Fort Pulaski. The National Park Service also identifies the facility as having a large fishing pier, floating dock and trailer parking. Coastal DNR

The ramp is open dawn to dusk and free of charge. Personal watercraft and airboats are prohibited at the Fort Pulaski facility. National Park Service

Houlihan Park Boat Ramp

Location: North Coastal Highway, Port Wentworth, GA 31407

Launch Lanes: 2 double-lane ramps

Ramp Surface: Paved

Parking: Paved

Dock: Courtesy dock

Restrooms: Yes

Life Jackets: Available

Houlihan is one of the largest public launching facilities in the Savannah area and provides access to the Savannah River. Coastal DNR

See our full Houlihan Park Boat Ramp: Savannah River Launch Guide.

Tybee Creek Boat Ramp

Location: Alley Way 3, Tybee Island

Ramp Surface: Paved

Parking: Paved

Boat Size: Recommended for small boats only

Fee: Tybee Island parking fees apply

The ramp is at the end of Alley Way 3 and also includes beach launching. DNR specifically recommends this location for small boats. Coastal DNR

Water Access

Savannah River: Houlihan Park

Wilmington River: F.W. Spencer and Thunderbolt

Skidaway River: Rodney J. Hall

Ogeechee River: Kings Ferry

Salt Creek: Salt Creek Boat Ramp

Turner Creek: Turner Creek Boat Ramp

Lazaretto Creek: Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp

Tybee Creek: Tybee Creek Boat Ramp

Chatham County's ramps cover a large portion of the Savannah-area coast, making the county an important launching point for both boaters and inshore anglers. Chatham County Parks

Chatham County Boat Ramps at a Glance

Largest developed launch: Houlihan Park

Three-lane launch: Lazaretto Creek

Small-boat launch: Tybee Creek

Skidaway River: Rodney J. Hall / Butterbean Beach

Savannah River: Houlihan Park

Ogeechee River: Kings Ferry

Wilmington River: F.W. Spencer and Thunderbolt

Tybee area: Lazaretto Creek and Tybee Creek

More Coastal Georgia Boat Ramp Information

This guide is part of the 912 Coastal boat-ramp series working north along the Georgia coast from St. Marys to Savannah.

For general launching information, see Boat Ramps 101: Everything You Need to Know About Launching a Boat.

Once you're on the water, knowing where to launch is only part of the equation. Learn how to find fish, read the water and approach inshore fishing with confidence in Inshore Fishing 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started.