Hilton Head, SC Dolphin Tours
If you want to see Hilton Head’s famous population of local bottlenose dolphins, there are a wide variety of boat tours available that can show you the dolphins in their natural habitat.
The dolphins of the lowcountry are known for a unique behavior they exhibit – seen nowhere else in the world – called strand feeding, where the dolphins herd schools of fish onto the banks of the area’s creeks in order to catch and eat them.
Up to about 200 dolphins live around Hilton Head year-round, joined by several hundred more outside of the winter months. Even in winter, you are likely to see a dolphin — many companies will offer you a free tour later in the week if you don’t see any the first time you go out.
For a closer look at the dolphins, a tour on a smaller boat is ideal, as it allows you to travel further up small creeks and get closer to the animals. Tours on a larger boat, on the other hand, are generally cheaper.
If you want a chance to see the dolphins strand feeding, choose a tour at low tide, as this is when they engage in this behavior. At high tide, the dolphins are more playful, and you are likely to see them in larger groups, jumping and otherwise enjoying themselves in the water.
→ Hilton Head weather by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
See also:
– Hilton Head Island festivals
– Boat rentals and charters in Hilton Head
– Kayak tours (on which you can often also see dolphins)
– Sailing tours and charters out of Hilton Head (you can see dolphins on these too)
!Availability may vary by season, and tours may be changed or withdrawn without notice. Please check all details directly with the company or guide before planning your trip.
Short Dolphin Tours (1 Hour)
– Dolphin Tour, with H20 Sports
1hr. 14 people max. Available daily. Adults $32, children (12 and under) $22.
Departs from Harbour Town Yacht Basin. More details
– Out & Back Dolphin Tour, with Live Oac
1hr. $198 for up to 6 people. Additional passengers can be accommodated by arrangement.
Departs from Safe Harbor Skull Creek Marina. More details
– Discovery Tour, with Island Explorer
1hr. 12 people max. Available May-September. $225 for up to 6 people, additional fee for extra passengers.
Departs from the docks of the Old Oyster Factory restaurant. More details
Small Boat Dolphin Tours (Up To 6 People)
– Dolphin Boat Tour, with Dolphin Discoveries Nature Tours (Kayak Hilton Head)
1hr45. 3 people min, 6 people max. Several departures daily. Adults $45, children (12 and under) $35.
Dolphin-watching boat tour of Hilton Head Island. More details
– Dolphin Cruise, with Hilton Head by Boat
1hr30. 6 people max. Adults $45, children (12 and under) $25.
Boat tour of Hilton Head’s dolphins and wildlife. More details
– Dolphins & More, with Commander Zodiac
1hr30. 6 people max, or 12 max in two boats. Available daily. 1-3 passengers $145, $45 per additional passenger.
Dolphin-watching and sightseeing boat tour of Calibogue Sound. More details
– Private Dolphin Tour, with Live Oac
1hr-4hrs. 6 people max per boat. 1hr $178, 1hr30 $238, 2hrs $288, 3hrs $398, 4hrs $508.
Private dolphin-watching boat tour out of Skull Creek. More details
– Dolphin Nature Cruise, with Island Time Charters
2hrs or 3hrs. 6 people max. Available daily. 2 hours $285, 3 hours $365.
Dolphin-watching boat tour of the waters around Hilton Head. More details
– Evening Nature/Dolphin Tour, with Stray Cat Charters
2hrs. 4 people min, 6 people max. Adults $40, children $20.
Evening boat charter of the waters near Hilton Head with a fishing charter company. More details
– Infinity Charters Dolphin & Nature Tours, with the Island Rec Center
6 people max. $275.
Private dolphin-watching boat tour. Call 843-681-7273 or book online. More details
Larger Boat Dolphin Tours
– Daytime Dolphin Tour, with Sonny C Charters
1hr30. Available daily. Adults $20, children (2-11) $10, young children (0-1) free.
Dolphin-watching and sightseeing boat tour of Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound. More details
– Dolphin and Nature Cruise, with the Coastal Discovery Museum
1hr30. Seasonal tour, Wednesday and Friday 3pm. Adults $24, children (1-12) $14.
Boat tour of Broad Creek’s dolphins and wildlife with a docent from the Coastal Discovery Museum. More details
– Daytime Dolphin Watch Cruise, with Captain Mark’s Dolphin Cruise
1hr45. Seasonal tour, Monday-Saturday. Adults $21, children (3-12) $11, young children (0-2) free.
Dolphin-watching boat tour out of Shelter Cove Harbor. More details
– Ocean Dolphin Cruise, with Vagabond Cruise
1hr30. Year-round, daily during peak season. Adults $33, children (3-12) $11, young children (0-2) free.
Sightseeing and dolphin-watching tour of Calibogue Sound and the ocean near Hilton Head, aboard a large passenger boat. More details
– Dolphin Tour, with Dolphin Seafari
1hr30-2hrs. Sunday-Friday, several departures most days. 20 people max. Adults $35, children (3-12) $20, young children (0-2) $10.
Dolphin-watching and nature tour from Shelter Cove Marina, on a 30-foot covered pontoon boat. More details
– Donuts With Dolphins, with Dolphin Seafari
1hr30-2hrs. 20 people max. Tuesday and Thursday, 9am. Adults $38, children (3-12) $25, young children (0-2) $10.
Morning dolphin tour from Shelter Cove Marina, with coffee or juice and donuts. More details
– Dolphin Tour, with One HHI
1hr30. 22 people max. Available daily. Adults $35, children (2-12) $25, young children (0-1) free.
Dolphin-watching and sightseeing tour of the waters near Hilton Head on a covered pontoon boat, from Palmetto Bay Marina. More details
– Dolphin Ecological Cruise, with Sky Pirate Parasail
2hrs. Available daily. Adults $39, children $29.
Dolphin-watching powerboat tour, out of Broad Creek Marina. More details
– Dolphin Encounter, with Island Explorer
2hrs. Several departures daily. 12 people max. Adults $45, children (12 and under) $35.
Dolphin-watching boat tour of Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound. More details
– Dolphin Eco Tour, with Outside Hilton Head
1hr30/2hrs. Several departures daily. From Shelter Cove: adults $45, children (2-12) $35, young children (0-1) free. From Palmetto Bluff: $110 per person.
Dolphin-spotting boat tour of the waters around Hilton Head Island. Sunset departures also available. Departs from Shelter Cove or Palmetto Bluff. More details
More Things To Do In Hilton Head, SC
– Sunset boat tours
– Ecology boat tours
– Paddle boarding
– Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
– Hilton Head water sports
See also:
– Savannah events
– Beaufort, SC events
– Savannah Historic District
– Things to do in Savannah