Hilton Head Beachcombing, Sandbar & Ecology Boat Tours
Hilton Head’s scenic setting amidst the varied and wildlife-rich marsh landscape of the lowcountry is one of the island’s best features, and a boat trip out into the creeks and marshes is often the highlight of visitors’ trips.
Dolphin tours are probably the most popular kind of tour, but other excursions focusing on other aspects of the local landscape and its recreational opportunities are also available.
Beachcombing tours can take you to less-visited beaches on hard-to-visit islands, increasing the chance of finding larger and prettier shells, sharks’ teeth and other interesting items. Other excursions are more oriented toward relaxation on a quieter stretch of beach.
Other tours focus on watching the local wildlife, with alligator-spotting and bird-watching trips available to local wildlife refuges and nature sites. Some tours examine the ecology of the local marsh ecosystem more generally.
→ Hilton Head weather by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
See also:
– Hilton Head dolphin tours
– Sunset boat tours
– Sailing tours and charters
– Hilton Head boat rentals and charters
!Please check all details before planning your trip. Availability may vary by season, and operators may withdraw or change specific tours and services without notice.
Beachcombing Tours
– Dolphin Watch and Beachcombing Tour, with Dolphin Discoveries Nature Tours (Kayak Hilton Head)
3hrs. 4 people min, 6 people max. Available daily. Adults $65, children (under 12) $55.
Dolphin-watching boat tour of Hilton Head Island, plus beachcombing on either Vanishing Island or Daufuskie Island. Call 843-684-1911 or book online. More details
– Beachcombing Cruise, with Outside Hilton Head
3hrs. Available daily. Adults $65, children (12 and under) $60.
Dolphin-watching boat tour, with a stop on a sandbank to beachcomb. Call 843-686-6996 or book online. More details
– Dolphin Watch With Beach-Combing/Shelling Tour, with IslandAce Adventure Tours
3hrs. 6 people max. Up to 4 people $295, 5 people $325, 6 people $350.
Dolphin-watching boat tour, then time on a beach at Vanishing Island or Daufuskie Island to beachcomb. Call 843-422-2930 for reservations. More details
– Sand & Sea Beachcombing Adventure, with Live Oac
1hr-4hrs. 6 people max per boat. 1hr $178, 1hr30 $238, 2hrs $288, 3hrs $398, 4hrs $508.
Private dolphin-watching and beachcombing boat tour out of Skull Creek. Call 843-384-1414 or book online. More details
– Disappearing Daufuskie Sandbar, with Commander Zodiac
2hrs30. 6 people max, or 12 max in two boats. Available daily. 1-3 passengers $225, $60 per additional passenger.
Private dolphin and nature boat tour of Calibogue Sound and vicinity, with beachcombing on a low-tide sandbar. Call 843-671-3344 or book online. More details
– Vanishing Island Expedition, with Island Explorer
3hrs. Seasonal tour, available most days. 12 people max. Adults $65, children (12 and under) $55.
Nature boat tour of Broad Creek and Calibogue Sound, then to Vanishing Island to beachcomb. Call 843-785-2100 or book online. More details
Sandbar Excursions
– Sandbar Cookout Cruise, with Island Time Charters
3hrs. 6 people max. $435.
Private boat ride to the Sandbar, with time on the beach to spend as you wish. Snacks, crab net and beach games are included. Call 816-261-2410 or contact online. More details
Alligator Tours
– Alligator Tour, with H20 Sports
1hr. 12 people max. Available daily. Adults $29, children (12 and under) $20.
Alligator-watching boat tour of Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Call 843-671-4386 or book online. More details
Photography & Bird Watching Trips
See also: Pinckney Island NWR tours
– Shallow Water Birding Eco Tour, with Live Oac
2hrs. 6 people max. Adults $58, children (12 and under) $48, or private tour $288 per boat.
Low tide bird-watching boat tour of the waters around Hilton Head Island. Call 843-384-1414 or book online. More details
– Photography Boat Cruise, with Live Oac
2hrs. 6 people max. Adults $58, children (12 and under) $48, or private tour $288 per boat.
Photography-oriented boat tour of Hilton Head or Pinckney Island NWR. Call 843-384-1414 or book online. More details
Ecology & Nature Tours
– Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center Ecology Cruise, with Spartina Marine Education Charters
1hr30-1hr45. Seasonal, last Saturday of the month, 11am. Adults $45, children (6-11) $30.
Ecology-focused boat tour of the Chechessee River, exploring the lowcountry’s wildlife and nature. Departs from the Port Royal Maritime Center in Okatie. Call 843-338-2716 or book online. More details
– 2 Hour Marine Expedition From Hilton Head, with Spartina Marine Education Charters
2hrs. June-August, Tuesdays, 10am. Adults $45, children (6-11) $30.
Ecology-focused boat tour of the waters near Hilton Head. Call 843-338-2716 or book online. More details
– Grand Tour of Islands Eco Tour, with Live Oac
3hrs. 6 people max. $89 per person, or private tour $399 per boat.
Sightseeing and wildlife-watching boat tour of the islands and waterways around Hilton Head. Call 843-384-1414 or book online. More details
– Salt Marsh Discovery, with Commander Zodiac
2hrs. 6 people max, or 12 max in two boats. Available daily. 1-3 passengers $175, $50 per additional passenger.
Private dolphin and nature boat tour of Calibogue Sound and the nearby saltmarsh, with a stop on an island to look for shells. Call 843-671-3344 or book online. More details
More Outdoors Activities In Hilton Head, SC
– Kayaking
– 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