Where to Go: the 10 Best Hilton Head Island Dolphin Watching Tours

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Hilton Head Island: Daytime Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 700 reviews · 1h 30m · from $39

Cruise from Palmetto Bay Marina through Hilton Head’s waterways and Calibogue Sound for 90 minutes with a Coast Guard licensed captain and English-speaking guide. Look for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, turtles, osprey, and herons, while passing Harbour Town Lighthouse and Daufuskie Island. Covered seating helps in sun or rain.

“Kate and Wendy were fantastic. The water was rough but Kate made the ride easy and Wendy got a great picture of the fam for us!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.90-Minute Private Dolphin Tour in Hilton Head Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 516 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Captain Mark aboard a private boat for up to six people and search Hilton Head’s waters for wild dolphins. The 90-minute trip may reach the Cooper River and Daufuskie Island, with possible lighthouse photos along the way. A Lowcountry Master Naturalist adds context about dolphins, tides, marshes, oysters, and local wildlife.

“Captain Mark was very knowledgeable. An exceptional tour guide with a bit of humor mixed in. Our whole family would highly recommend him.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.2-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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.90 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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Hilton Head Island: Private Dolphin and Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 1h 30m

Join Captain Mark for a private 90-minute cruise from 68 Helmsman Way. Your group of up to six will watch wild dolphins in Calibogue Sound, learn about salt-marsh ecology and Hilton Head history, and, if conditions allow, explore Bull Island creeks, crab traps, and shell banks. The boat is clean, spacious, and dog friendly.

“Capt Mark was sensational. The tour was awesome. Capt Mark was so knowledgable about the wildlife and locations to see them. It was the best money ever spent. We come back to Hilton Head every year and his tour is now part of our yearly itinerary!!! We miss him already.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Hilton Head: Private Dolphin Day or Sunset Catamaran Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes

Take a private catamaran around Hilton Head for two to two and a half hours. Captain William or AJ may guide your group through the salt marsh, with chances to spot dolphins and birds. Choose a daytime sail, sunset cruise, or sunset sail with Shelter Cove fireworks. Bring your own food and drinks.

“Our family was visiting from Colorado and we all thought it was the highlight of the vacation. Captain Will was wonderful and informative. We so quite a few dolphins and a pretty sunset!”

Check availability →Read our full review