Wilmington Island
ABOUT WILMINGTON ISLAND
Wilmington Island is a residential island about 11 miles east of downtown Savannah, set between the Wilmington River, Turner Creek, and the marshes that run out toward Tybee. It works almost like a small town of its own, with a commercial strip for groceries and restaurants, several marinas, a golf club, a YMCA, and parks.
The neighborhoods range from mid-century streets to newer gated pockets to deepwater estates. Most people land here for the same reason: it sits right in the middle, roughly 15 to 20 minutes from both downtown and the beach at Tybee. You cross the bridge at the end of the day and the pace settles.
The housing stock is varied. You'll find brick ranches from the 1960s and 70s, two-story homes built through the 80s and 90s, newer construction, condos and townhomes, and waterfront houses with private docks along the river and the creeks.
Lots are generally roomy with mature trees, and plenty of streets back up to marsh or water. Deepwater homes with dock access sit at the top of the island's range, while the interior streets stay more moderate. Because the island filled in over several decades, two homes a block apart can come from completely different eras.
The Homes
Water is the throughline. Boaters have their pick of marinas (Hogan's Marina, Bull River Marina, Sail Harbor Marina and Boatyard, and Young's Marina among them), with fuel, dry storage, repair services, charters, and a public boat ramp on Turner Creek.
The private golf club on the island, the Savannah Country Club, has a Donald Ross-designed course and tennis for members. At the southern tip, Wilmington Island Community Park has nature trails and a playground, and the Frank G. Murray Community Center hosts local events. Day to day, you've got grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, and a YMCA without ever leaving the island.
The Amenities & Character
Life on Wilmington Island centers on the water and the outdoors: fishing, boating, kayaking, a round of golf, a walk under the live oaks. It's quieter than the mainland and still close to everything that matters, with downtown Savannah about 20 minutes west and Tybee Island around 15 minutes east.
It helps to know the island is really a collection of neighborhoods. A few have their own pages worth a look: Bradley Point on the southern edge, Wilmington Park (the largest community on the island), and the gated waterfront townhomes at Turner's Cove. Beyond those you'll come across names like The Settlement, Olde Towne, Betz Creek, and the Bull River Yacht Club condos, plus plenty of homes that aren't in any named subdivision at all. I can help you compare them and figure out which part of the island fits.
The Lifestyle
Wilmington Island is served by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS). The island schools sit together just across the water on Whitemarsh Island: Marshpoint Elementary (PreK-5), Coastal Middle School (grades 6-8), and Islands High School (grades 9-12). Islands High opened in 2010 to serve Whitemarsh, Wilmington, Talahi, and Tybee, and it houses the district's scientific research and veterinary science specialty program. Zoning can come down to the specific address, so confirm your assigned schools with the district before you commit. I'm glad to help you check.
schools
Homes for Sale in Wilmington Island
THINKING ABOUT MAKING WILMINGTON ISLAND HOME?
Let's talk about what's on the water, what's on the quiet interior streets, and which neighborhood fits how you want to live.
