15 Dolphin Watching Cruises in Hilton Head Island Worth Flying For

1.Hilton Head Island Dolphin Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,424 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Board at Palmetto Bay Marina for a 90-minute cruise along Broad Creek with a US Coast Guard licensed captain and local guide. Captains such as Kate and Pete, with guides including Wendy and Kim, point out dolphins, birds, marsh life, and island scenery. The tour is family-friendly and includes guaranteed dolphin sightings.

“Wendy was great! Very informative. The boat ride was smooth and lots of great views of islands and wildlife”

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2.Hilton Head Island: Sunset Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 412 reviews · 1h 30m · from $50

Join Vagabond Cruise at Harbour Town Pier for a 90-minute sunset trip aboard the Vagabond. Captain-led narration covers dolphins, birds, Daufuskie Island, and local lore. You will search open water first, then head up Bull Creek to Dolphin Hole for sunset. Drinks and snacks are sold onboard.

“We had a great time and watched a beautiful sunset. Couldn’t understand 90% of what the guide was saying. It wasn’t him, it was the intercom system.”

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3.Hilton Head Island Ocean Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 395 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Cruise the Calibogue Sound aboard the Vagabond for about 90 minutes, watching wild dolphins and coastal birds near Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island, Bull Island, and Haig Point Lighthouse. Your captain provides lively local narration, while snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available to buy. The boat returns to Harbour Town.

“Boat captain was very knowledgeable and knew exactly where to find a LOT of dolphins and gave us informative facts. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip.”

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4.Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 393 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Board the Vagabond beneath Harbour Town Lighthouse for a 90-minute narrated cruise with guaranteed wild dolphin sightings. Captain Justin and crew share stories about Hilton Head’s waters, wildlife, and shrimping industry while you watch the sunset, Haig Point Lighthouse, marsh birds, and passing boats. Beer, wine, soda, water, and snacks are sold onboard.

“What an amazing experience!!! Captain and the Crew were amazing and we got to see many dolphins. The highlight was a 2 sunset views and a bald eagle that basically hovered over the boat!”

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5.2-Hour Private Hilton Head Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from 43 Jenkins Road on a private two-hour boat charter with a captain such as Dave, Neil, Moto, or Harry. Cruise past Harbour Town, across Calibogue Sound, and along Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge while watching for dolphins, bald eagles, sea birds, turtles, and more. Bring your own food and drinks, with a cooler and ice provided.

“We had an absolutely amazing time. 10/10 Would recommend and will use again. Captain Dave was awesome. We saw dolphins, learned history and saw a bald eagle. It was the highlight of our trip and we can not wait to come back and do it again. The smaller personal tour was so much more relaxing! Thanks for an amazing time and making the girls day on the boat!”

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6.90 minute Hilton Head Sunset Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 230 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Spend 90 minutes on Hilton Head’s tidal salt marsh with a captain such as Dan, Kelly, or Grant, watching for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as the sun drops. You’ll hear about local wildlife, oysters, Gullah culture, and island history. The boat carries up to 49 people, has bottled water and a bar, and returns to Shelter Cove Marina.

“Easy parking, office right near parking lot. Super friendly staff. Captain Dan was fantastic. We saw so many dolphins and even glimpsed a manatee! Captain Dan was funny and informative, not only about dolphins but also about Hilton Head Island and the waters surrounding it. He was a joy from beginning to end.”

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7.90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin and Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Set out from Shelter Cove on a 90-minute Hilton Head nature cruise led by captains such as Riley, Grant, Doreen, or CJ. Look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, osprey, herons, egrets, pelicans, and loons while learning about the island’s ecosystem and Lowcountry past. Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

“It happened to be a beautiful day when we took our cruise; a real bonus. Shortly after leaving Shelter Cove, we were gifted with the appearance of a pod, which entertained us for many minutes. A second pod was encountered a bit further out. Our guide Dan was very familiar with the area, intuitively piloting our boat to areas where the fascinating creatures feed. He was also most informative about dolphin habits, as well as facts about the surrounding low country. All in all, a wonderful experience.”

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8.Hilton Head Island: Ocean Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 171 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38Best value

Board the Vagabond at Harbour Town Pier for a 90-minute English-language cruise beyond Hilton Head’s sheltered waters. You’ll look for wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, pass Daufuskie Island and Haig Point Lighthouse, and hear the captain explain local wildlife, waterways, and island history. Snacks, beer, wine, soda, and water are sold onboard.

“The captain and his mate were very informative and helpful! We saw dolphins for sure! Well worth the value! We enjoyed it!”

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9.Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Cruise & Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 125 reviews · 1h 30m · from $45

Board a 14-passenger boat with an English-speaking captain for a 90-minute Hilton Head cruise. Look for bottlenose dolphins, ospreys, egrets, pelicans, and bald eagles while passing Broad Creek, Harbor Town Lighthouse, Daufuskie Island, Tybee Island, and the Savannah River Bridge. Captains including Sarah, Matt, Bill, and Jackson add local stories and wildlife facts.

“It was great! We saw many dolphins in the sound and our captain “John” answered all the questions we had and gave us plenty of time to watch the dolphins as they moved through the water!”

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10.Hilton Head Morning Dolphins & Donuts Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Start your Hilton Head morning on the water with Lowcountry Watersports, watching for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, egrets, osprey and pelicans. A USCG-licensed captain and local guide point out Harbour Town Lighthouse, Daufuskie Island and Harbour Town Golf Links. Fresh donuts, orange juice or bottled water are included.

“Jenna was a wonderful hostess! She engaged everyone and kept it fun. They had blankets to pass out bc it’s colder on the water than inland. Dolphins were seen. Immediately. We were a party of 6 and were only given a box of 6 donuts. Other parties had 2 people and they were also given a box of 6 donuts. We had two hungry kids so that was disappointing. Also we were told we would be given orange juice but they only had sunny d. Bring your own coffee bc it was not an option to purchase. The pontooon boat seen in pics was not the boat taken out. The…”

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11.Hilton Head: Sunset Dolphin Cruise with Scenic Views

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 38 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

Set out from Shelter Cove Marina with an English-speaking guide such as Captain Dan, Kelly, or Dean. You’ll cruise Hilton Head’s salt marsh, look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, hear about local wildlife and culture, and finish with sunset views. The boat has ice, bottled water, and a cash bar, but no outside drinks or snacks.

“Cap’n Dean made our trip so much fun with his knowledge of the eco system, the geography of the marsh area and the habits of the dolphins who lived there. He answered our questions and pointed out the wildlife along the way. It was a chilly evening, but blankets were provided for our comfort.”

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12.Hilton Head Island: Dolphin Watching 3-Course Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 28 reviews · from $70

Board the Spirit of Harbour Town near the Harbour Town Lighthouse for a 1.5-hour dinner cruise through Hilton Head’s intracoastal waters. You’ll enjoy a private table, a fresh three-course Lowcountry-inspired meal, captain’s narration, and a chance to spot wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins near Daufuskie Island.

“Sustains: Captain and crew were timely and courteous. Food was delicious. Improves: secure the pads on the benches on upper deck better, they blew off when the wind picked up. Better secure the table cloths to the tables on upper deck.”

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13.Hilton Head Dolphin Watching Cruise with Fireworks Display

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Cruise Hilton Head at sunset with Lowcountry Watersports, looking for wild dolphins before settling in for fireworks over the water. Crews such as Captain Kate, Kim, Wendy, Spike, Mary, and Jack have added local facts and good humor. The boat holds up to 49 people, and a restroom is not guaranteed, so ask ahead.

“Alot of stand still to watch, so it gets hot. Bring hand fan. Took infant so it was extra hot. Far back enough from fireworks that its quiet and great for the kids.”

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14.Hilton Head Island: Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 14 reviews · 1h 30m · from $45

Join a USCG-certified captain and crew for a 90-minute sunset cruise on Broad Creek. You will look for dolphins and shorebirds, pass waterfront homes hidden from the road, and return as the sky turns orange. Bring snacks or drinks in non-glass containers, and allow time to walk the wooden dock to the boat.

“Had a great time. Great captain and first mate - highly recommend!”

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15.Small Group – 6 Passengers – Morning Dolphin and Donut Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Join Lowcountry Watersports for a 90-minute morning cruise limited to six people. Guides such as Deb, Bev, Chris, and John point out Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Harbourtown Lighthouse, Pinkney Island, Daufuskie Island, marshes, and PGA Heritage Golf Tournament views. Donuts, water, or orange juice are included.

“We have done a number of Boat and dolphin tours in our various trips at Hilton head and this is by far one of our favorite. Bev, our captain was kind, funny and very knowledgeable. The water was rough in parts due to weather, but she managed to find calm waters, and ensure we still saw great wildlife, including dolphins. This trip was well organized. The donuts were fantastic. Somehow we managed to get a private tour, which was shocking. I think the combination of donuts and dolphins is just about the best thing ever. I highly recommend this trip and this captain. It was a great day!”

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