About us

Discovering the hidden side of Savannah

Joyride Boat Club was born from our desire to provide an eco-friendly, elevated, and leisurely way to experience the natural beauty of Savannah. The Lowcountry is known for its natural beauty. The marshes, long docks, winding creeks and rivers are nothing short of mesmerizing. Savannah's waterways are one of the most spectacular aspects of the city's beauty and charm, and yet most visitors to our historic downtown rarely have the opportunity to explore these areas.

Through our European-style electric boats, expert captains, and carefully curated experiences, we connect visitors and locals alike with the breathtaking beauty of the Lowcountry while preserving its delicate ecosystem. As a woman-owned business, we're committed to delivering turnkey luxury experiences that blend environmental consciousness with exceptional service, creating unforgettable moments on Savannah's scenic waters.

The Joyride boat's teak bow and canopy with string lights at Savannah Bend Marina
22′ · 100% electric
The boat

Meet the boat

Our boats are 22′ European-style, 100% electric pleasure craft designed for leisurely rides for up to six passengers. Each vessel offers plush, living-room-style seating around a large center table, perfect for conversation, dining, and enjoying the views together, plus Bluetooth speakers for your own playlist or one of ours.

The electric motors run virtually silent, so you can hear the wildlife, enjoy music, and talk without shouting over engine noise. There are no exhaust fumes, which makes the experience pleasant for every guest and gentle on Savannah's delicate marsh ecosystem. The stable design means minimal rocking, and motion sickness is rare. A retractable canopy offers sun protection or stargazing, and our all-weather enclosure keeps guests cozy when winter sets in, so we're open year-round.

Treading lightly

Certified CARE guides

What does it take to cruise the creeks without disturbing the salt marsh? The majority of our captains are certified CARE guides through UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.

CARE stands for Coastal Awareness and Responsible Ecotourism, a conservation training and certification course designed to help captains and guides understand how recreation affects coastal wildlife, especially shorebirds, and learn to run tours that never disturb them.

On your charter, that looks like a captain who reads the tides, gives wildlife the space it needs, and leaves the marsh exactly as they found it. A quiet, eco-friendly electric boat also helps. But treading lightly is a mindset, one that all of our captains bring to every creek bend, every wildlife encounter, every cruise.

This ecosystem is amazing. We intend to keep it that way.

The CARE program is run by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in collaboration with Manomet and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. About the CARE program

A great blue heron wading in the spartina grass along a tidal creek
Room to roam
The crew

Meet the team

Local, licensed captains who know these waters and love sharing them. Most are certified CARE guides.

Audra DiPadova, founder and CEO of Joyride Boat Club

Audra DiPadova

Founder & CEO
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Audra is a passionate serial entrepreneur, dedicated nonprofit founder, and former chef. She discovered her love for the charming city of Savannah in 2019 and made the decision to move with her family to this vibrant area in 2021. Audra and her husband, Justin, are proud parents to two amazing teenage kids and are also the caretakers of two beloved dogs.

In founding Joyride Boat Club, Audra realized a long-held dream she held for years: to bring these stunning electric boats to the picturesque waterways of Savannah. This vision reflects her passion for creating unforgettable experiences for others in this beautiful setting.

Captain Taryn smiling at the helm of the Joyride boat

Captain Taryn

Lead Captain
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As a Georgia native, Taryn has been calling Tybee Island and Savannah home for the past 9 years. Her infatuation with the marsh scenes and the ever-changing tidal waters compelled her to turn a passion for navigating the waters into a career. After the support and encouragement of her community, she received her captain's license in 2022 and now shares her knowledge and passion for all things Lowcountry with anyone who will listen.

If she's not working on a project for her sailboat, you can catch her cruising the rivers in her dinghy searching for megalodon teeth and gushing over Roseate Spoonbills!

Captain Dylan at the wheel

Captain Dylan

Master Captain
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Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Captain Dylan became a captain to chase every opportunity the water could offer. He's not one for routine; the ever-changing nature of the ocean is exactly what drew him in. For him, being a captain is challenging, demanding, and something he takes a lot of pride in. He loves fishing in the fall when the weather's just right and works hard through the busy summer months. When he's not on the water, you'll probably find him working out, learning something new, or taking things apart just to see how they work. Whether he's steering a boat or building something out of nothing, Captain Dylan is always up for a challenge.

Captain Ellie at the helm, the river behind her

Captain Ellie

Captain
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Ellie Duffy grew up on the water around Tybee Island, fishing with her dad and getting to know the salt marsh early on. She studied ecology at the University of Georgia, then spent a couple of years living on a small sailboat and exploring the Caribbean. She earned her captain's license in 2021 while living on her boat in Key West. What keeps her coming back to the water is the sense of freedom and the fact that no two days are ever the same. Now back home in the marsh, she loves spotting night herons, spoonbills, and terrapins. When she's not on the water, she's usually making art, always inspired by the nature around her.

Captain Malcolm at the wheel with the bridge and marina behind

Captain Malcolm

Captain
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Malcolm is a native of Tybee Island who grew up navigating the waters around Little Tybee, developing a deep appreciation for the local lifestyle. A licensed captain since 2021, he combines his love of nature, wildlife, and connection with others to offer guests a welcoming, informative, and memorable experience on the water. Whether he's pointing out his favorite animal, dolphins, sharing a bit of local history, or swapping stories along the way, he creates an environment that's approachable and engaging for all ages. If Malcolm isn't driving the boat, he's likely singing and playing guitar at a local establishment.