Our 11 Best Folly Beach Dolphin Watching Tours

1.Private Dolphin Watch, Lighthouse and Ecological Boat Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Our pick

From 97 Center St in Folly Beach, Capt Gresh takes your private group of up to six through oyster-filled estuaries toward Morris Island Lighthouse. Expect wildlife watching, local history, shells, and possible artifacts during a two-hour English-language boat trip that returns to the starting point.

“Capt Gresh did a great job with giving background and historical information on the area in general as well with covering the wildlife. It was very cool to get up close to the Morris Island lighthouse.”

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2.Private Folly Beach Dolphin Watching and Shelling tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Captain Jim takes your private group through Folly Beach’s marsh waterways toward Morris Island aboard a 22-foot Avalon tritoon. Watch for dolphins, eagles, osprey, pelicans, and sea turtles, then search the quiet beach for shells, sand dollars, whelks, and shark teeth. The trip lasts about two and a half hours and can be adjusted to your group.

“Amazing! Captain Jim is super nice, and insightful. We saw lots dolphins, very close. Nature is gorgeous. One of the best experience we had in the area.”

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3.Folly Beach: Sunset Dolphin Boat Tour to Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 73 reviews · 2 hours · from $59

Cruise Folly’s creeks, marshes, and backwaters with Flipper Finders while your captain looks for year-round Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. You’ll hear local stories, watch for strand feeding, then spend about 20 to 30 minutes at Morris Island near the lighthouse hunting for shells, sand dollars, fossils, and shark teeth. The small pontoon boat holds up to 18 people.

“Amazing!! Saw a ton of dolphin. Captain Will was amazing!”

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4.Private Charleston Sunset & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Folly Beach with Captain P.D. for a private 90-minute cruise through creeks and inlets. Look for dolphins, evening birds, and Morris Island Lighthouse, tide permitting. Bring a favorite beverage, enjoy music, and watch the sun fade from the water. The boat returns to 97 Center Street.

“This was an incredible experience! I’m so glad we were ably to do this. I would give it 10 stars. We saw so many dolphins!!!! I’d recommend to anyone.”

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5.Private Charleston Dolphin and Eco Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours on a private boat behind Folly Beach with Captain PD or Paul, looking for bottlenose dolphins, wading birds, pelicans, osprey, bald eagles, and sea turtles. The route may include creeks, inlets, oyster beds, and a chance to see strand feeding. Your group gets bottled water, ice, and a cooler.

“Captain PD went above and beyond; he reached out to us to let us know about a road race which may impact our travel time and route to the landing. He also loaned me essential weather gear which I was missing on our very windy snd chilly day. We saw several dolphin and learned a bit about them. Would recommend!”

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6.Folly Beach: Morning Dolphin Boat Trip to Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

From 83 Center St, Captain Will or another local guide takes you through Folly’s creeks and marshes to spot bottlenose dolphins, learn about the ecosystem, and reach historic Morris Island. You’ll have 20 to 30 minutes to search for shells, sand dollars, and fossils. The small pontoon boat holds up to 18 people and allows BYOB, with no glass bottles.

“We loved Captain Will! He was fantastic! Helped us find shark teeth on Morris Island and was just wonderful all around. We got rained on a little bit but none of our group seemed to mind too much (: definitely recommend if you are in the area!!”

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7.Morris Island Dolphin Cruise and Shelling Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Captain Billy takes your private group of up to five from Folly River to Morris Island, where you can spot dolphins, search for shells and shark teeth, and view the 1876 lighthouse. The two-hour trip includes bottled water and ice, with time on the beach and wildlife watching along the way.

“What a wonderful time! Billy was was great and the shelling was fantastic. Dolphins, birds, and shells - oh my!”

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8.Dolphin Kayak Tour on Folly Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Paddle through Folly Beach’s river and winding coves with Charleston SUP Safaris. Your guide handles a 15-minute safety lesson, then helps you watch for dolphins, birds, and estuary life. Guides have included Prudence, Jon, and Jack. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are supplied.

“We live in South Carolina but wanted to do a kayak tour in Folly. It was amazing! Dolphins all around us! So much fun to see the river and creeks from the kayaks. Prudence was the perfect guide.”

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9.Dolphin Boat Tour from Folly Beach to Morris Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $60

Join Flipper Finders Boat & Kayak Tours from 83 Center St. Captain Will or Captain Richard may guide your small-group cruise through Folly Beach creeks to Morris Island. Look for wild bottlenose dolphins, spend about 30 minutes hunting shells and shark teeth, and view the lighthouse from the water.

“Captain will was very kind and knowledgeable. The two girls in the office were just as kind and very nice and I love the dolphin tour and the people running it. Keep up the good work Vicki McGee.”

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10.Folly Beach Dolphin Viewing Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $52Best value

Cruise the creeks behind Folly Beach aboard a 27-foot Carolina Skiff as your English-speaking captain searches for wild bottlenose dolphins. You’ll learn about pluff mud, oysters, and the saltwater estuary, then pass Morris Island Lighthouse. Luke may captain your trip, though guides can vary.

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11.Folly OBX Filming Locations and Pogue Life Boat Tour w/ Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews

Join Alex from Flipper Finders for a private 90-minute boat ride from Folly Beach. See an Outer Banks opening-credit lighthouse, cruise behind the island, hear local filming details, and watch for dolphins and other wildlife. Your group of up to six shares one boat, with a guide and private transportation included.

“Alex was an amazing guide! So informational. We had a lot of fun! I didn’t realize so much of outer banks was filmed here! Plus there was so much wildlife and Alex’s knowledge of the area was wonderful!”

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